KIA

All-new Sorento gets camera-based blind spot monitor

Imagine being able to immediately see what's on your blind spot by just simply switching your turn signals. That is just what Kia did for the all-new Sorento thanks to a new Blind-Spot View Monitor (BVM) system.
Serving as the crossover's 'second pair of eyes', one might think that the new BVM works just like any blind-spot safety feature. But instead of just having warning lights or a buzzing alarm to warn drivers that something is on their blind spots, Kia's new system features real-time video display.
Thanks to the 12.3-inch 'Supervision' digital instrument panel, Kia was able to incorporate a TFT-LCD display which will allow drivers to see what's exactly on their left and right blind spots. As the system itself is linked with the Sorento's turn signals, all the driver has to do is to flick the stalk for either left or right to check their blinds.
The displays will briefly take the place of either the speedometer or tachometer dials in order to give drivers a better view. High-resolution cameras discreetly hidden in both the left and right side mirror housings provide a real-time video feed to the digital instrument panel.
For now, BVM is only available to European models of the all-new Kia Sorento as part of a package that includes a Surround View Monitor and Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist (PCA). As an added safety measure, the BVM also comes with Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA) which helps drivers avoid colliding with other vehicles in their blind spot by intervening if it detects an impending crash.
When can we expect the all-new Kia Sorento to arrive here? It will most likely make its way here sometime next year with a 2.2-liter turbo-diesel engine putting out 202 PS and 440 Nm of torque. Fingers crossed Kia makes the BVM system available for PH-spec models once it officially debuts in the country.

Marcus De Guzman