- Filed under: Spy Photos, Economy, Crossovers/CUVs, Kia
Click above to see the Kia Soul in a kaleidoscope of colors
We've seen plenty early pictures of the upcoming Kia Soul, but only a few in any of the available production colors. No longer. Kia-World has managed to snag what appears to be some leaked official shots of the upcoming mini 'ute in all its production hues. We think there's a good chance that the Soul will fill a boxy void left when the last-gen Scion xB was lost as Toyota's entry-level brand went upmarket. Take a gander at the gallery below as Kia bares its Soul in Green Tea Latte, Cocktail Orange, Java Brown, Tomato Red, Moonlight Blue, Black Soul, and Clear White. Also available, though not officially shown as of yet, will be Blue Stone, Titanium Silver, Vanilla Shake and Bright Silver. That's a lot of choices, which is a good thing since buyers in this segment historically like to individualize their whips. The production model should debut at the Paris Motor Show in October and go on sale in the U.S. next April in all of its technicolor glory.
[Source Kia-World]
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- Filed under: Economy, Sedans/Saloons, Kia
Click above for high-res gallery of the Kia Forte
The Kia Forte has been caught out again, this time in more press photos and the official Korean-market brochure. The 2009 Spectra replacement is a looker... even if it borrows some of those looks from other vehicles. Regardless, those shapely front fenders, strong shoulder line that terminates into the A-pillar and concave space right above the sills are definitely elements not usually found in the economy car class. The car will probably come to the U.S. with a slight price bump over the $13,000 Spectra, but there'll be more power, space, and fuel economy to go with it. Check out the gallery of hi-res photos below, and if you read Korean and see anything newsworthy in the brochure feel free to let us know in the comments.
[Source: Carscoop]
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- Filed under: Economy, Sedans/Saloons, Kia
Click above for more detail shots of the Kia Forte
Kia's new Forte sedan will make its formal debut in Korea any time now, and, as often is the case, some shots have leaked just a bit early, including images of the interior. According to the press release that's pasted after the break, the Asian Forte will come with two separate 1.6-liter four cylinder engines, one gas and one diesel. Both of them pack a bit over 120 horses under the hood while the diesel, as expected, returns better fuel economy. The new Forte will begin at 11.9 million won in Korea -- about $11,300 in U.S. currency -- and reach 19.6 million won when totally loaded. We wouldn't put too much stock in those numbers when the car finally makes it Stateside, as the Spectra that it will replace costs over $13,000 to start. Unlike its Korean counterpart, though, the U.S.-spec Forte will likely be equipped with a larger 2.0-liter engine as its sole powerplant option. We'd imagine all that equipment, including the excellent iPod integration, will make it to our shores, as well.
[Source: Kia-World]Continue reading Tons of Kia Forte pics hit the web
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- Filed under: Car Buying, Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Bentley, Kia
Kia's hungry for your business, which explains the pending arrival of the Forte. The Spectra is a good car, but blends in far more than the attractively turned out Forte. It seems the Forte also has an appetite, and it's for the good stuff. Kia wants to bolster its image, so what better way than a clever commercial that infers that inside the Kia is all the goodness of a partially digested Bentley? Of course it's hyperbole, that's why it's so cool! Video embedded after the jump. Thanks for the tip, Alberto!
[Source: kia-world.net]Continue reading VIDEO: Kia Forte eats a Bentley, yum!
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- Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedans/Saloons, Kia
Click above for high-res gallery of spy shots
Our spy photographers from KGP caught another vehicle out testing in the desert recently, though this time it comes to us all the way from Korea instead of Japan. Kia is supposedly developing a new near-luxury sedan using the best bits of the Hyundai Azera. These spy shots reveal some of the car's design cues, including a nice set of complex element headlights that reach far up the fender wall, LED taillights and exhaust tips integrated into the rear apron. Clearly this is going to be more upscale than any Kia with which we've crossed paths before, as the brand's current big sedan, the Optima, can barely compete in the midsize family sedan segment. This larger sedan, reportedly codenamed VG, appears to at least have a smooth and sophisticated design beneath all that covering. We expect to learn more about this car in the coming year when it debuts at either the Chicago or New York Auto Show. Check out more pics from every angle in the gallery below.
[Source: KGP Photography]
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- Filed under: Kia, Celebrities
What would Top Gear be without a star in a reasonably priced car? Well... better, for one thing. But that hasn't stopped NBC from porting over the red-headed step-child of Top Gear segments to the imported version of the show. According to Jalopnik, during tomorrow's taping, B-listers C-listers D-listers Howie Mandel and Melanie B (former Spice Girl) will be piloting the U.S.'s own version of a reasonably-priced car - a Kia Rio - around the newly minted Top Gear test track. What can we expect? Nothing good, we thinks. Nor does it bode well that both pseudo-celebs are part of the NBC franchise. Depressed? We thought so. But the taping is tomorrow, so we'll try to remain upbeat until the first reports from inside the studio surface.
[Source: Jalopnik]
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- Filed under: Paris Motor Show, Crossovers/CUVs, Kia
Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2009 Kia Soul.
In April of 2009, the Scion xB will finally get some stiff competition from Kia in the form of the Soul. As reported previously, the new model will debut at the Paris Motor Show in October, measuring 161 inches long, 70 inches wide and 63 inches tall. According to Automotive News, the Soul will be packing either a 1.6- or 2.0-liter gasoline engine powering the front wheels when it arrives in the States, while European consumers get a choice of a 1.6-liter gasoline or diesel engine.
In addition to aping the xB's boxy shape, Kia will be offering a similar line of customization parts to make each Soul unique, so expect a variety of accessories, options and color combinations inspired by the Soul Burner, Diva and Searcher concepts that debuted in Geneva. Pricing has yet to be announced, but if Kia expects to compete with Scion, the Soul won't be knocking on the $20k ceiling.
[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]
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- Filed under: SUVs, Kia, First Drive
Click above for high-res gallery of the 2009 Kia Borrego
Could there be an any worse time to debut a brand new body-on-frame SUV like Kia has done with the new 2009 Borrego? Gas prices have most every new car shopper running from SUVs into small cars with four-cylinder engines. In fact, many SUV early adopters are now driving much smaller sedans like those models that make up Kia's bread-and-butter line. Enough new Korean vehicles were sold in America so far this year that the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group managed to outpace mighty Honda in total sales as it roared into the number five worldwide automaker spot. Therefore, our immediate thought is that Kia must be crazy to go ahead and introduce the new Borrego in the American market... but Kia would have you believe otherwise.
As Kia's sales team sees it, since the Korean automaker currently offers no contenders in the true midsize SUV category, any slice of the dwindling market is a win. Is the Borrego good enough to win over any remaining SUV buyers? Read on.
All photos copyright Jeremy Korzeniewski / Weblogs Inc.Continue reading First Drive: 2009 Kia Borrego
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- Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedans/Saloons, Hyundai, Kia
Spies have caught a sleek new sedan doing the rounds in Korea. Word is that it's codenamed VG, will be arriving in '09, and will be "closely related to" the Hyundai Azera. While there is no word on engines yet, the car is expected to be front-wheel-drive. That doesn't exactly bode well for Kia's brief of being the sporty brand -- so sayeth Hyundai -- but the car is supposed to be "near luxury" and appears to have some all right lines, even under the camo. We look forward to seeing more.
[Source: Kia World]
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- Filed under: Crossovers/CUVs, Kia, Misc. Auto Shows
Click above for a hi-res gallery of the Kia Soul
While the production Kia Soul won't be revealed until later this year at the Paris Motor Show, the opening of the London show brings the release of more official images from the automaker. One thing's certain: it'll be hip to be square in 2009, when both the Soul and the Nissan Cube arrive to give the Scion xB some company. Kia also officially announced that the car will be offered exclusively in a front-engine/front drive layout and that it's 4,105 mm (161 in) long, 1,785 mm (70 in) wide, 1,610 mm (63 in) tall, and has a 2,550 mm (100 in) wheelbase. In case you were wondering, compared to the xB, it's got a shorter wheelbase and overall length, but is a hair wider and taller. The engine selection in Europe will consist of 1.6L gasoline and diesel four-cylinders. As you can see, the photos show a neat package that'll probably have plenty of folks embracing their inner geeks when it arrives in U.S. showrooms next April.
[Sources: Kia]
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- Filed under: Economy, Sedans/Saloons, Kia
We've seen the spiffy metal wrapper of Kia's new Forte, the Spectra's successor, now come details about what's underneath. The Forte is larger than the outgoing Spectra, but it also achieves better economy with a given amount of liquid hydrocarbon. South Korean buyers will have the choice between a gasoline or a diesel powertrain. Regardless of fuel, both engines displace 1.6 liters and deliver nearly the same horsepower - 124 hp for gasoline, 128 hp for diesel. The gas engine consumes 7.1 liters per 100 kilometers, while the diesel can go the same distance on 6.1 liters. We'd like to see more frugality out of the diesel, but using 1 liter less per 100km can compound over an entire tank of fuel for a healthy economy boost. A 2.0 liter engine will become available soon, and is likely to be the sole motivator for US-bound Fortes when it arrives in 2009. It will be interesting to contrast the km/liter numbers against EPA fuel economy estimates when the Forte gets to us.
[Source: Kia-World]
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- Filed under: Car Buying, Plants/Manufacturing, Hyundai, Kia
Less than a decade ago, the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group was ranked 11th in the world in total sales volume. According to the latest publishing of the Automotive News 2008 Global Data Book, the automaker has impressively passed Honda to take 5th position. To climb six positions in just eight years isn't a simple accomplishment as it required stepping over such global automakers as Fiat, Chrysler, PSA/Peugeot, Nissan, and Honda. Last year, Hyundai-Kia sold 3,961,629 automobiles worldwide (Hyundai sold 467,000, and Kia 305,473 in the United States alone). While they still have a long way before they reach 4th position currently held by Ford (global sales of 5,964,000 in 2007), their move into other markets as witnessed by the luxurious 2009 Hyundai Genesis and the group's favorable June automotive sales (even in a depressed market) demonstrate the increasing strength of the Korean automaker.
[Source: AutoIndustry]
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- Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedans/Saloons, Kia
Autoblog writer and videographer extraordinaire, the ShunkMaster, is currently en-route to Pennsylvania with his wife and kids for the long holiday weekend, but that doesn't mean he's turned off his obsession for all things automotive. As he passed through the outskirts of Motown, the not uncommon sight of a camo-covered car appeared on the horizon. Chris's iPhone-wielding wife, Sara, snapped off a few pics of the cloaked mule, and being in the Dearborn area, the first obvious thought was a prototype Fiesta sedan. However, closer inspection revealed that it's the Kia Forte that was officially announced yesterday. The Spectra replacement proved to be a handsome little sedan that wears the Kia Koup clothes well. We're looking to catch in person -- uncovered -- soon.
[Source: Chris and Sara Shunk]
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- Filed under: Coupes, Economy, Sedans/Saloons, Kia
click the picture to view a high resolution gallery of the 2009 Kia Forte
Just the other day, we were all looking at a teaser pic and speculating wildly, and now, here it is. Kia dropped official images of its Spectra successor, the Forte, on the interwebs, and it is one sharp little car. The styling that the Forte introduces is Kia's new look, from the pen of Peter Schreyer, also responsible for the first-gen New Beetle and TT. The face of the Forte combines chunkily-flared front fenders with a new corporate grille, and there's a distinctive depression down the lower part of the flanks that works well with the prominent swage line to lend a stone-hewn look to the car. The term Forte in musical notation means "play loud," but this new Kia is restrained and maturely drawn. Additionally, the two-door variant of the Forte should look even better.
While there's no new design ground being broken, the overall effect is clean and handsome, reminiscent of many other higher-end vehicles. Check out those rear lamps -- remind you of any 40-something thousand dollar luxury car? When the Forte hits Korean showrooms in August, a new four-cylinder engine will be under the hood, employing 1.6 liters of swept volume. A 2.0 liter will follow on directly, and may be the only engine we get in the US when the Forte arrives on North American highways and byways in 2009. Compared to the Spectra, the Forte looks worlds better, and even on its own, we think it looks like a million bucks. Okay, $500,000. Let the endless string of "it looks like" comments begin. Thanks for the tip, William!
[Source: The Car Blogger]
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- Filed under: Concept Cars, New York Auto Show, Coupes, Economy, Hatchbacks, Kia
click above for high-res gallery of the Kia Koup Concept
Wave goodbye to the Spectra name; Kia's planning on sending the moniker packing when the car is replaced in mid-2009. Kicking up the style as a way to grab the dollars of younger buyers, Kia will introduce the styling paradigm laid out by the Koup Concept at last year's New York Auto Show, which will grace a production sedan and coupe. The sedan will hit the market first, with the coupe following within a couple months. The hatchback Spectra will be out of the U.S. lineup entirely; Kia thinks the coupe and its sexier lines will move more units. European buyers will still be able to purchase the Spectra hatch as the cee'd, though. More style in this instance is a good thing. We've seen the Koup, and we like it. We've driven the Spectra, and we like that, too. If Kia can successfully match the chassis to the expectations set by the body, the Spectra's successor should have no problem maintaing that model's best-seller status in the Kia lineup.
[Source: Automotive News - sub req.]
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Archive for the 'KIA' Category
Sunday, November 21st, 2004
Details info: Alternative names:
Sportage (2004-) (Europe)
Sportage (2004-) (North America)
Kia Sportage SUV 5d
for preview other image please click on the Link \”Review Big Image\” below
Sales Company:
Kia Europe (Germany)
Available version:
2.0 16v 4WD
2.0 CRDi aut.
2.0 CRDi
2.0 CRDi 4WD aut.
2.0 CRDi 4WD
2.7 V6 24v 4WD aut.
Previous version:
Variation:
SUV 5d
Info:
Companion to the Hyundai Tucson, the new Sportage offers a cheap but refined and flexible alternative to the likes of Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V.
Assembly Plants:
Donors:
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Sunday, November 21st, 2004
Details info: for preview other image please click on the Link \”Review Big Image\” below
Alternative names:
Sorento (2002-) (North America)
Sorento (2002-) (Europe)
Kia Sorento SUV 5d
Sales Company:
Kia Europe (Germany)
Available version:
2.4 16v 4WD
2.5 CRDi
2.5 CRDi 4WD
2.5 CRDi aut.
2.5 CRDi aut. 4WD
3.5 V6 24v aut.
3.5 V6 24v aut. 4WD
Previous version:
Variation:
SUV 5d
(2002 - )
Info:
Assembly Plants:
Donors:
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Sunday, November 21st, 2004
Details info: Kia Rio SF
for preview other image please click on the Link \”Review Big Image\” below
Alternative names:
Rio (2002-) (Mk.I. Facelift) (North America)
Rio (Mk.I. Facelift) (Kia Europe - Germany)
Sales Company:
Kia Europe (Germany)
Kia Rio Cinco (United States of America)
Kia Rio RX-V (Canada)
Available version:
1.3
1.3 aut.
1.5
1.5 aut.
1.5 16v
1.5 16v aut.
1.6 16v
1.6 16v aut.
Previous version:
Variation:
Hatchback 5d
(2002 - 2005)
Limousine 4d
(2002 - 2005
Rio SF
(2002 - 2005)
Info:
Second generation of the Rio model featuring crisper styling and revised engine line-up.
Assembly Plants:
Avtotor (Russia)
Donors:
Kia - Rio (Mk.I.)
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Saturday, November 20th, 2004
Details info: for preview other image please click on the Link \”Review Big Image\” below
Alternative names:
Rio (Mk.II.) (Kia Europe - Germany)
Kia Europe (Germany)
Kia Rio Hatchback 5d
Sales Company:
Available version:
1.4 16v aut.
1.4 16v
1.5 CRDi
1.6 16v aut.
1.6 16v
Previous version:
Variation:
Hatchback 5d
(2005 - )
Limousine 4d
(2005 - )
Info:
Assembly Plants:
Donors:
Posted in KIA | No Comments »
Saturday, November 20th, 2004
Details info: Kia Optima Regal - for preview other image please click on the Link \”Review Big Image\” below
Alternative names:
Kia Magentis (2002-) (Mk.I. Facelift) (Canada)
Kia Optima (Kia - People\’s Republic of China)
Magentis (2003-) (Mk.I. Facelift) (Europe)
Kia Magentis (Avtotor - Russia)
Optima (2002-) (Mk.I. Facelift) (United States of America)
Sales Company:
Kia Europe (Germany)
Available version:
2.0 16v
2.0 16v aut.
2.0 16v CVT
2.0 16v LPG
2.0 16v LPG aut.
2.4 16v 101 kW
2.4 16v 110 kW
2.4 16v aut. 101 kW
2.4 16v aut. 110 kW
2.5 V6 24v aut.
2.5 V6 24v
2.7 V6 24v aut.
2.7 V6 24v
Previous version:
Variation:
Limousine 4d
(2002 - )
Info:
Assembly Plants:
Avtotor (Russia)
Kia (People\’s Republic of China)
Donors:
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