2012 Kia Rio first view

The current Kia Rio is inoffensive but nondescript. It’s the kind of vehicle that usually goes unnoticed or, if by chance it is, gets instantly forgotten.



Even Kia seems to have realised this, and so it’s stressing the bold styling of the next-generation Rio, which will be unveiled at next month’s Geneva International Motor Show. Soon-Nam Lee, Director of Overseas Marketing, Kia Motors Corporation, said: ‘This new model is a big step forward. The Rio has always been successful, and with this new incarnation we have a car which is extremely attractive, that people will want to buy for its looks.’

And the new model certainly looks infinitely more striking than its predecessor, even if Kia’s assertion that the Rio ‘combines European finesse with Korean spice to create a form language that communicates Latin flair’ is probably stretching the hyperbole a bit too far.



The changes in dimensions convey the new Rio’s enhanced proportions and stance. Its wheelbase has grown by 70 mm to 2,570 mm, but the overall length has only increased by 55 mm; width has expanded by 25 mm, yet the car sits 15 mm lower.



Kia is promising fuel efficiency and low emissions from the Rio’s engines. The full line-up is still to be confirmed, but it will include a 1.2 litre turbo Gasoline Direct Injection unit and a 69 bhp (51 kW / 70 PS) 1.1 litre diesel that could produce as little as 85 g/km of CO2.



Available initially in five-door hatchback guise, a three-door will follow soon after for European markets. In other territories, a saloon version with a 390 litre luggage capacity will be offered.



Related post:

2012 Kia Picanto revealed

Top 10: Cheapest new cars

With the increase in the rate of UK Value Added Tax from 17.5% to 20% on 4th January, the media has been trying to paint a picture of doom and gloom for the car industry.



But for anyone still looking to buy a brand new car without paying lots of extra tax, these are the ten cheapest model ranges currently available in the UK. Of course, for the same money, there will probably be plenty of better used cars available...



1. Chevrolet Spark £7,215 - £10,485

Modern with distinctive looks, the Spark benefits from the Chevrolet 5 Year Promise which includes warranty, servicing, roadside assistance, annual vehicle checks and MOT warranty for - no prizes for guessing - five years.



On the downside, the basic £7,215 Spark does without niceties such as central locking and air conditioning. There’s no radio either, and the windows have to be wound up and down manually.



2. Nissan Pixo £7,350 - £9,450

The Pixo is essentially a re-badged Suzuki Alto, and is built alongside it in India by Maruti Suzuki.



Those buyers looking for remote central locking, side airbags, electric front windows and split folding rear seats will have to go for the mid-range Acenta trim level, which costs £8,100. None of those items are included with the entry-level Visia specification.



3. Kia Picanto £7,370 - £9,100

In basic Picanto ‘1’ guise, there’s vinyl and cloth trim and no air conditioning, but at least electric front windows are standard.



As an incentive to buy, Kia has cut prices across the Picanto range until the end of January 2011. Consequently, the Picanto ‘1’ is currently reduced to £6,670, while the more generously equipped Picanto ‘2’ has dropped from £8,595 to £8,095. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that a second generation Picanto has just been announced, so expect the current model to be replaced later this year.



4. Volkswagen Fox £7,615 - £8,525

A new Volkswagen for under £8,000? Then it’ll have to be the Brazilian-built Fox, although in Europe it’s only available in three-door form.



The 54 bhp (40 kW / 55 PS) 1.2 litre petrol engine found in the £7,615 Fox has been phased out, because it’s not compliant with Euro 5 emissions standards. Cars in that spec might still be available from dealer stock, but any new factory orders will come with a reworked 1.2 motor that produces 59 bhp (44 kW / 60 PS). Unfortunately, the change pushes up the entry price slightly to £7,790 but, as a sweetener, until the end of March 2011 Volkswagen is offering three years’ fixed priced servicing for £299. 



5. Hyundai i10 £7,890 - £9,040

Even the basic i10, the Classic, comes with a generous list of equipment: air conditioning, electric front windows, radio / CD player with four speakers, 60/40 split rear seats, central locking and front side airbags are all standard. What’s more, there’s a five year warranty to complete the package.



Power comes from a 76 bhp (57 kW / 77 PS) 1.2 litre petrol engine with a five-speed gearbox. Performance is respectably brisk, with 0-62 mph (100 km/h) acceleration taking 12.8 seconds and a top speed of 102 mph (164 km/h).



6. Fiat Panda £7,960 - £13,975

The top end of the Panda range is now rather decimated, because the more expensive variants - including the 100 HP, 4x4 and 4x4 Cross - aren’t Euro 5 compliant. Lesser models have been affected too, with the lead-in £7,960 Panda 1.1 Active Eco also only conforming to Euro 4. That means that Fiat has to get rid of any unsold stock fast, so it has reduced the price down to £6,295 until the end of March 2011.



Effectively replacing the 1.1 Active Eco is the 1.2 Active, which meets Euro 5 standards but costs £8,155. The slightly bigger engine does have its benefits, though. Power is up 25% from 53 bhp (40 kW / 54 PS) to 68 bhp (50 kW / 69 PS), allowing the Panda to top 100 mph (160 km/h), yet combined cycle fuel economy actually improves from 56.5 mpg (5.0 l/100km) to 57.6 mpg (4.9 l/100km).



7. Proton Savvy £7,995 - £8,695

There’s really just one Savvy model on offer, the only choice being between manual or automated manual transmissions, but it’s well equipped. Electric front windows, air conditioning and a four-speaker stereo are all included, as are 15” alloy wheels, remote central locking and reverse parking sensors. 



One drawback though is relatively high CO2 emissions from the 73 bhp (55 kW / 75 PS) 1.2 litre engine. 134 g/km means that UK owners will have to hand over £110 each year for road tax, whereas Pixo and Alto drivers, for example, would pay £20.



8. Perodua Myvi £7,999 - £9,399

With the disappearance of the Kenari from the Perodua price list, the Myvi becomes the only model in the manufacturer’s UK line-up. Based on the Daihatsu Sirion / Boon and Toyota Passo, the Myvi comes with a three year warranty, but service intervals are only 10,000 miles.



Perodua is currently knocking off £1,000 from the prices of all its cars until the end of March 2011, which brings the entry-level SXI down to £6,999.





9. Suzuki Alto £8,345 - £9,760

Prices for the Alto have increased dramatically in recent months but, to compensate, Suzuki is offering the Alto SZ3 and SZ4 derivatives ‘VAT free’ until the end of March 2011. That useful discount brings the cost of the cheaper SZ3 down to £6,953.



Like the Pixo, all versions are powered by a 67 bhp (50 kW / 68 PS) three-cylinder petrol engine that produces 103 g/km of CO2 - so near yet so far from the 100 g/km target that would have made both models exempt from the London Congestion Charge.



10. Toyota Aygo £8,485 - £11,115

One reason for choosing the Aygo over the basically identical Peugeot 107 and Citroën C1 is the Toyota’s lower entry price. £8,485 is enough for the basic three-door version, with another £355 needed for the five-door.



However, with that entry-level spec, there’s no air conditioning, central locking or electric windows although, like every Aygo, it does benefit from a five year warranty.





As a footnote, the Daihatsu Sirion might have made it onto the list. However, the company hasn’t updated its prices since last April and this notice on the Daihatsu website probably explains why:

“Due to the current weakness of the Pound against the Japanese Yen it has not been possible to order cars from our factory. As a result, some models are now in very short supply. We are sorry if you are unable to find the exact colour and specification of the car you want, however your dealer will be able to advise you on the availability of stock across the UK.”

2012 Kia Picanto revealed

Kia has released the first details of its next generation Picanto, which will debut at this March’s Geneva International Motorshow.

Few technical specifications have been released, but from launch power will come from a choice of 1.0 or 1.2 litre petrol engines, both of which are brand new. A 1.1 litre diesel will join the line-up later.



A big change from the current model is that, in Europe at least, a three-door version will be offered alongside the usual five-door hatchback body style.



Judging by the images, the styling is a huge advance on the current Picanto. The front end seems particularly dramatic and - unsurprisingly - shares its look with other recent Kia models, such as the Venga.

KIA Super Sport Cars Proport To The Fan of Sport Cars (Super-Sport Cloth)

KIA Super Sport Cars Proport To The Fan of Sport Cars (Super-Sport Cloth)

As we all know KIA is more into making family cars, but if the brand ever makes its mind to build a Super sport cars, it would somewhat look like this. It's almost a common thing to see designers around the world create all kinds of futuristic concepts that have close to zero chances to enter production even in prototype form. In fact, most of these are the result of pure imagination and car companies don't even hear about them, although Internet users praise the designs and ask for a production model.

KIA Super Sport Cars Proport To The Fan of Sport Cars (Super-Sport Cloth)

The brainchild of Mohammad R. Shojaie who has considerable liking for the super sport cars, this vehicle has been designed on the basis of the current design language of KIA. Dubbed the KIA Proport, which is the amalgamation of Pro plus Sport without the “S” character which means the fan of sport cars, the vehicle isn’t about designing a new style but KIA in a super-sport cloth. The vehicle has some of the famous elements of the KIA design and it seems an imagination worth commercialization.

This is exactly the car of the so-called Kia Proport, a sports car which goes way beyond what a Kia fan would expect from the South Korean manufacturer. In fact, it looks so good that it's hardly possible to see such a vehicle manufactured under Kia's badge. KIA Super Sport Cars Proport To The Fan of Sport Cars (Super-Sport Cloth). We're not the biggest Kia fans, but we really see the Korean brand more of a consumer oriented company, rather than a firm looking to build supercars.

KIA Super Sport Cars Proport To The Fan of Sport Cars (Super-Sport Cloth)

Paris 2010: Kia Pop Concept is a "wild atom" looking for three

The Kia Pop Concept is a slick little wedge of silver that the company calls "a striking vision of future urban electric transport" meant "to act as a loose nucleus, a wild atom." In case you're wondering about the styling, you can't compare it to anything you might see today. Kia design chief Peter Schreyer says it "looks even further into the future" than even the next generation of vehicles, which means we can look forward to guppy faces and oblong windows.

The face is actually referred to as "Kia's trademark 'tiger nose,'" and the sweeping, uninterrupted glass above it is a tidy feature. The three-person, "non-automotive" seating is meant to provide perfect vision for the driver and passengers, with a swoopy front bench curved to allow a third seat set at an oblique angle in the rear corner.

The future theme goes minimalist with just one button in the cabin and everything else controlled by the touch screens on the Transparent Organic LED displays. LIthium polymer gel batteries keep the juice flowing throughout, pumping atoms to a 50-kW electric motor good for a 100-mile range and a healthy top speed of 87 miles per hour.

Kia Forte awarded IIHS 'Top Safety Pick'

Much like parent company Hyundai, Kia has been working hard to revive its brand image. New products like the Soul and Forte have been relatively well received so far, and with new stunners like the 2011 Sportage and Optima on the way, Kia should benefit from a healthy boost in sales. But strip away the sleek new designs and clever interior packaging, and you'll find that Kia's core value of crafting extremely safe vehicles is still holding strong, especially now that the 2010 Forte sedan has been named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

The Forte received ratings of "Good" (the highest achievable) in front, side, rear and rollover impact crash tests – something that safety-minded buyers will surely appreciate. What's more, this gives the Forte more ammo to compete head on with the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla, its two main competitors, which have also been dubbed as Top Safety Picks by IIHS. Curiously, only the sedan was mentioned in the IIHS study, so we can't say if this prestigious honor carries over to the two-door coupe Koup.

2011 Next-Gen Kia Optima Sports Sedan

The next generation Kia Optima is set to make its world premiere at the 2010 New York International Auto Show. "The next generation of Kia Optima possesses the power to surprise," says Peter Schreyer, Kia's Chief Design Officer. "It's a car that people will simply not expect from Kia - and that's exactly what we set out to achieve." Kia has officially unveiled the next Optima four-door coupe, ahead of the full reveal set to take place at the 2010 New York Auto Show. Kia’s new flagship sedan/coupe looks to be a far more attractive and far more worthy of a flagship designation.

2011 Kia Optima

Just weeks ago Kia released new sketches of the upcoming 2011 Magentis four-door coupe – currently known as the Optima sedan in America. The sketches look to be very true to the now official images that have been released ahead of the full reveal set for the upcoming 2010 New York Auto Show. The saloon exudes an athletic confidence from every angle - its raked roofline, high and pronounced shoulder line of its sculpted flanks and its extended wheelbase are complemented by flared wheelarches and a shallow glasshouse that create a saloon with a muscular, self-assured stance. The striking visage of the car features a new interpretation of Kia's bold 'tiger' family face that's edged by piercing projector headlamps.

2011 Kia Optima

The Kia Optima is currently the flagship sedan for the automaker and the next model gains considerable changes in the exterior cosmetics department. The outgoing Optima is a fairly tame sedan, but Kia is replacing its sedan with a much sportier silhouette – much more akin to a coupe, than a sedan. So much so, Kia says the 2011 Optima will be labeled as a 4-door coupe, rather than a sedan. Following the theme of recent model revisions, new Kia Optima is longer, lower and wider than before, the Kia's coupe-like profile is enhanced by the sweeping chrome arc that flows from A to C pillar, a distinctive design motif that visually lowers the car further still and enhances its cab-backwards proportions.

2011 Kia Optima

In addition to significantly overhauling the overall styling direction of the Magentis/Optima, Kia says that it will be bringing its next flagship sedan/coupe closer to the ground with a lower stance, in addition to giving it a wider and more stable stance to go long with its longer wheelbase. Kia says the end result is a four-door coupe that has more room for its occupants and cargo alike, as well as a more planted driving dynamic. "For this car we started with a clean sheet and worked to achieve an exterior design with a European feeling and stance," explains Gregory Guillaume, Chief Designer, Kia Europe. To help achieve this, the exterior was designed by his team in Frankfurt. The interior was created by the design team in California.

2011 Kia Optima

Power-wise, the Optima will use the same engines as the 2011 Sonata and will be offered in four and six-cylinder versions. The four-cylinder offering, should it come from the 2011 Sonata, will be a 2.4-liter good for 200 horsepower and 186 lb.-ft of torque – all the while getting as much as 35 miles per gallon on the highway. The new D-segment offering is spacious, and with class-leading levels of safety and luxury equipment, the intelligently configured and driver-oriented cabin underlines a newfound poise and presence. "This new model embodies Kia's confident new design direction," says Schreyer. "It's a global car with individual appeal."

The 2011 Kia Optima is expected to hit the market in the fall of 2010, with a hybrid version possibly available at lunch, or relatively soon after.

2010 Kia Ray Plug-in New Hybrid Concept EcoDynamics

CHICAGO, February 10, 2010 – Kia Motors America (KMA) today unveiled the Ray Plug-in Hybrid concept during a press conference at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show, advancing momentum of Kia Motors' global alternative fuel and powertrain research program, and its sub-brand coined 'EcoDynamics,' to develop innovative fuel-stretching and emissions-cutting technologies. 

 2010 Kia Ray Plug-in New Hybrid Concept EcoDynamics

The most efficient Kia vehicles with significant fuel consumption and emission reductions developed under the EcoDynamics sub-brand will be identified with the EcoDynamics badge. Recently, the EcoDynamics sub-brand took a major step forward with the introduction of the Kia Borrego Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) followed by the Forte LPI Hybrid, the gasoline Kia cee'd Hybrid and the twin-turbo diesel Kia Sorento Hybrid.

 2010 Kia Ray Plug-in New Hybrid Concept EcoDynamics

Kia Ray Plug-in Hybrid Concept is designed in a lowered mono-volume curvaceous shape for improved aerodynamics, while the use of lightweight and eco-friendly recycled materials is what had made it called EcoDynamics. 

 2010 Kia Ray Plug-in New Hybrid Concept EcoDynamics

To support this, the Ray” employs new “cool car” technology, including nano-laminate films and cool-glazing materials to reduce solar heat and demonstrate how keeping the interior cool while reducing air conditioning loads and greenhouse emissions. In addition, The “Ray” interior is also stuffed with eco-friendly recycled materials, which is strengthened by green technology feature of the all-new GreenEdgeTM system by Infinity® Audio.

 2010 Kia Ray Plug-in New Hybrid Concept EcoDynamics

Kia Ray Plug-in Hybrid Concept is powered by an all-aluminum 153-horsepower Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) 1.4-litre engine mated to a permanently-engaged fixed ratio Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), which is used in combination with a 78kw electric motor. 

 2010 Kia Ray Plug-in New Hybrid Concept EcoDynamics

To encourage economical driving, the “Ray” is equipped with an engine-power saving alternator management system and a toggle gear-shift indicator. Moreover, the custom-designed low-rolling resistance tyres with a hexagon pattern in narrow 20-inch (195/50R20) construction also contribute to improve efficiency.

 2010 Kia Ray Plug-in New Hybrid Concept EcoDynamics

Chicago 2010: Kia Ray PHEV concept

The time has come to move on from teaser images; Kia has finally pulled the covers off its new plug-in hybrid concept. As this is being written ahead of the official unveiling at the Chicago Auto Show, we know a few more details about the concept, but we are still largely in the dark about the technical nitty gritty. The Ray rides on the same 106.3 inch wheelbase as the Hyundai Blue-Will PHEV concept but the overall length is four inches greater.

The Kia design team under Peter Schreyer has put a lot of emphasis on the aerodynamics of this concept, giving it a longer tail and, thanks to a roof that's four inches lower, a smaller frontal area than the earlier Hyundai concept. The aero number will also benefit from narrower tires, with the Kia rolling on 195/50R20 tires compared to the 245/40R20 rubber on the Hyundai.

The debut of the Ray also marks the launch of Kia's new green sub-brand, EcoDynamics. Like Volkswagen's BlueMotion and Ford's Econetic, EcoDynamics will denote the most efficient variants of Kia's model line. We can expect to see the new badge showing up on Kia's in the near future.

[Source: Kia]

Like the Hyundai Blue-Will concept, the Kia uses a direct injected inline-four in combination with a continuously variable transmission. The Kia, however, uses a smaller 1.4-liter unit although it does make one horsepower more than the 1.6 liter in the Hyundai. The Ray also has a smaller 78-kilowatt electric motor compared to the 100-kilowatt unit in the earlier car.

Both cars use a lithium ion polymer battery pack of unannounced capacity. Like the unit in the upcoming Sonata hybrid this is almost certainly provided by LG Chem. Kia spokesman Alex Fedorak acknowledged that there are key differences between the Kia and Hyundai powertrains, but at this time we don't know if they extend beyond size and capacity. We'll be following up with Kia experts at the show.

As General Motors was developing the production version of the Volt, the design staff realized the importance of aerodynamics to vehicle range even at relatively low speeds. The Kia design team apparently to this heart with the Ray as it cleaner shape no doubt contributes at least in part to the expected 50-mile electric range, 25-percent greater than the Blue-Will.

The Ray's range is no doubt also assisted by reduced parasitic losses thanks to items like specially coated glass that helps keep the interior cooler when sitting in the sun and roof-top photovoltaic cells that help power the climate control system. On the inside, an Infinity Greenedge audio system features more efficient speakers and amplifiers that require less power to produce the same sound levels.

The bottom line is that Kia claims 202.3 mpg equivalent when driving in electric only mode and 77.6 mpg when running in hybrid mode. The 746 mile driving range will easily exceed all but the toughest bladders. According to Fedorak, "Hybrids are in Kia's immediate future but I'm not sure about plans for PHEV." A Forte hybrid was recently launched in Korea so that model is a possibility, as is a hybrid version of the mid-sized Cadenza when it arrives in North America next year.

PRESS RELEASE

KIA MOTORS AMERICA TO DEBUT "RAY" PLUG-IN HYBRID CONCEPT IN CHICAGO

Ray Design Demonstrates Kia Motors' EcoDynamics Philosophy

* Kia Ray features aerodynamic design, innovative technology and plug-in hybrid capabilities
* Kia Ray utilizes roof top "cool-glazing" solar glass and a has a range of up to 746 miles


CHICAGO, February 10, 2010 – Kia Motors America (KMA) today unveiled the Ray Plug-in Hybrid concept during a press conference at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show, advancing momentum of Kia Motors' global alternative fuel and powertrain research program, and its sub-brand coined "EcoDynamics," to develop innovative fuel-stretching and emissions-cutting technologies. The most efficient Kia vehicles with significant fuel consumption and emission reductions developed under the EcoDynamics sub-brand will be identified with the EcoDynamics badge. Recently, the EcoDynamics sub-brand took a major step forward with the introduction of the Kia Borrego Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) followed by the Forte LPI Hybrid, the gasoline Kia cee'd Hybrid and the twin-turbo diesel Kia Sorento Hybrid.

As the world looks for more efficient vehicle designs that combine sophisticated and sleek lines with functionality and fuel economy, the Kia Ray concept is a bold new collaboration between design and engineering and inventively showcases a futuristic four-seat compact sedan based on the Kia Forte platform and demonstrates a prospective plug-in hybrid vehicle configuration from Kia. Designed with lightweight and recycled materials, as well as hexagonal roof-top solar cells embedded in the glass roof panel that power extra lighting or climate control systems, the Kia Ray is the fifth vehicle from the Irvine Calif.-based Kia Design Center America (KDCA) to be revealed in the last year. The latest design from KDCA follows award-winning Kia vehicles Soul, Forte, Forte Koup and the all-new 2011 Sorento CUV.

"It is important to imagine what people will want in the future from a green perspective early in the design process, because people want to reduce their carbon footprint without driving carbon copies," said Peter Schreyer, chief design officer, Kia Motors Corporation. "Being green doesn't have to be an obvious statement anymore and the Kia Ray exemplifies a viable blend of modern, eco-minded features for today's environmentally conscious consumers."

The stylish, aerodynamic Ray combines design and engineering for maximum efficiency, incorporating clean, flush surfaces minimizing any unneeded edges, a flowing profile and pronounced rear shoulder ending in a slightly high deck lid for reduced drag, touch-screen controls, drive-by-wire steering, "cool-glazing" solar glass and a lithium-polymer battery – all possible indicators of future technology from Kia. As a plug-in hybrid, Ray is designed to reach driving distances of more than 50 miles using its electric motor on a single charge, and has a fuel economy rating of more than 202 miles per gallon, and has a total range of 746 miles.

As part of Kia Motors' EcoDynamics sub-brand, the Ray concept demonstrates a unique vision for eye-catching vehicles with the goal of reducing environmental footprints. Kia models will carry the EcoDynamics badge as they are progressively introduced, and are designed to deliver significant environmental benefits, these vehicles also will retain a sporty design, fun-to-drive performance and a strong appeal for the young-at-heart.

Striking Aircraft-Inspired Exterior Design

EcoDynamics is the overarching design philosophy applied to make the Kia Ray concept efficiently functional and striking in appearance. A lowered mono-volume shape and a strong, curvaceous silhouette gives the Kia Ray concept better aerodynamic properties than taller profile hybrid vehicles. Strong and lightweight materials are used to support the EcoDynamics philosophy starting with a tabbed LED Kia badge covered with a single piece of glass that extends over the hood and another piece of glass that extends from the cowl of the windshield to the rear header to offer occupants a spacious, airy feeling. An illuminated battery charge indicator display is hood-mounted, furthering the Kia Ray concept's futuristic design. A tapering greenhouse cabin and a longer "tail" improve aerodynamics while reduction of drag is attained through a one-piece, smooth-as-glass, integrated underbody panel, narrow tire width and flush wheel design. Front driving lamps slide back to create openings for better air intake when the gasoline engine is being used and a sliding U-shaped deck-lid extends from the rear of the vehicle at higher speeds for improved coefficient of drag. In lieu of side-view mirrors and door handles, motion-detector cameras are mounted flush with the body for safe lane changing procedures and opening of doors. The result is an airframe on wheels. The front door opening features a forward cutout design for the feet allowing ease of entry. The rear door lines are very purposeful with rear-hinged coach doors, yet stylish because their height and shape improves ingress and egress.

The Ray employs new "cool car" technology, including nano-laminate films and cool-glazing materials applied to the concept to dramatically reduce solar heat and demonstrate how keeping the interior cool will reduce air conditioning loads and greenhouse emissions. When the vehicle is parked in the sun, the solar cells provide a trickle charge that helps operate a cooling fan to reduce interior temperatures.

Light and Airy Interior

Using the natural element of air as the design focus to convey feelings of pure, lightweight, breathable and refreshing, Ray's interior is comprised of eco-friendly recycled materials in cool white tones to offer the passengers a sense of purity while also reflecting the heat of the sun, keeping the temperature down and reducing the use of air conditioner energy. Front and rear seats, mounted on side sills, create a floating effect with hollowed out elastomeric materials to support body weight, also made of lightweight composite materials.

Fresh and sustainable materials like wool flooring unite to create a simple yet sophisticated and comfortable cabin, with a lightweight touch screen instrument layout featuring touch screen push-button start and gear shift toggle. The center stack features the all-new Kia UVO powered by Microsoft® advanced infotainment system, which provides users with friendly voice- and touch-activated controls for simple management of music files and hands-free mobile phone operation.

Adding to the list of green technology features, Ray also employs the all-new GreenEdge™ system by Infinity® Audio, complete with loudspeakers that reduce power consumption and dissipation through lower self heating temperatures with increased acoustic performance, a better synergy between amplifier, speaker and vehicle. The amplifier used also reduces the idle power consumption by 50 percent of current Infinity speakers and employs a lower dissipation design for significant savings in overall weight.

With a focus to reduce overall weight through materials and design, the hexagon/honeycomb shape can be found throughout the cabin, used as a repeated design element while tying the interior theme together. Used also in the door inserts and seats, this lightweight and breathable mesh serves to reduce overall curb weight as well as being a unique design element. Other materials found in the cabin are soft to the touch with a matte finish, including white leather, offering a more luxurious feel while making the interior more inviting and tranquil. The 100-percent earthy mocha wool felt floors add a touch of warmth and also are environmentally friendly by coming from a renewable resource. Adding further to Ray's green characteristics, the floor mats are incorporated into the design of the floor, greatly reducing the amount of material used.

Hybrid Architecture

The Ray Concept is designed to be powered by an all-aluminum 153-horsepower Gasoline Direct Injected (GDI) 1.4-liter engine mated to a permanently-engaged fixed ratio Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), used in combination with a 78kw electric motor. Depending on driving conditions, power is sent to the wheels from the gasoline engine, the electric motor, or both together. The Ray concept is front-wheel drive with a four-wheel independent suspension.

Furthering EcoDynamics innovation, the Ray concept's advanced system is equipped with an engine-power saving alternator management system and a toggle gear-shift up/down indicator to encourage economical driving. Custom-designed low-rolling resistance with a hexagon pattern, narrow 20-inch (195/50R20) tires also improve Ray's efficiency.


About Kia Motors America

Kia Motors America (KMA) is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 670 dealers throughout the United States. For 2009, KMA recorded its 15th consecutive year of increased U.S. market share and recently achieved its best quarter of sales ever. Kia Motors subscribes to a philosophy of building high value, high quality, safe and dynamic vehicles. Kia Motors prides itself on producing vehicles that are exciting and enabling and evoke the Kia tagline "The Power to Surprise."

Kia Motors America is the "Official Automotive Partner of the NBA." Information about Kia Motors America and its full vehicle line-up is available at its Web site – www.kia.com. For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com.

Specifications:

Length	173.2 inches / 4,400 mm
Width	72.8 inches / 1,850 mm
Height	53.5 inches / 1,360 mm
Wheelbase	106.3 inches / 2,700 mm
Tires	195/50 R20 low-rolling resistance
Engine	1.4-liter Gamma 153-hp GDI engine / 78kw electric motor
Transmission	CVT/ fixed ratio
Batteries	Lithium-ion polymer
Top Speed	109 mph
Fuel Economy (Pure HEV Mode)	77.6 mpg
Fuel Economy (Plug-in HEV Mode)	202.3 mpg
Vehicle Range	746 miles
Cd	0.25
Steering	By-wire

Kia Ray Hybrid Concept will present at the Chicago Auto Show

Kia Ray Hybrid Concept

KIA Motors is currently preparing their new concept car that will be displayed at the Chicago Auto Show 2010. The figure in the vehicle named Kia Ray in the form of the official release has a unique taillights.

 

Kia Ray Hybrid Concept

Kia Ray Hybrid Concept Kia Ray is the vehicle plug-in hybrid that is a picture of Kia's green programs in the future. Platform concept would seem hibryd used Kia models that will come, but it is unlikely that vehicles will be the Kia design language that will come.

Kia Ray Hybrid Concept

Kia Ray designed at Kia's American design studios released only in an illustration. There's no other details about this vehicle and it seems we must wait until the Chicago Auto Show going to get any further to what is really shown by Kia through Ray Plug-in hybrid it.

Kia Ray Hybrid Concept

But most likely, will carry the Kia Ray drive system similar to that used by Kia Blue-will. We will wait.

Kia Soul gets fired up with limited-edition Ignition

Kia wants you to consider its 2010 Soul a template ripe for customization, and if you can't think of funky things to do with it, Kia will be glad to help you. This is the Kia Ignition Soul – the second special edition after the 1,200 Denim Souls released earlier this year – in "scorching" Ignition Orange, with offset black striping and blacked-out 18-inch rims, an alloy gas cap, and a rear spoiler.

It starts at $17,500 for the manual, making it $200 more than the Denim. But you won't complain about equipment: upgraded stereo, moon roof, keyless remote entry, tinted windows, cruise control, Bluetooth, and then some. Kia hasn't indicated yet if the Ignition Soul will be limited in number like the Denim was.

[Source: Kia]

PRESS RELEASE

ALL-NEW SPECIAL EDITION 2010 KIA IGNITION SOUL
Sizzling Limited-Run Special Edition Soul Hits Dealer Showrooms

- Ignition Soul offers scorching new color, prominent wheels and rally-inspired skin
- Second in line of special edition Souls offers same value, safety and myriad personalization options as the original Kia Soul

IRVINE, December 16, 2009 – Kia Motors America (KMA) today announced the arrival of the special edition Ignition Soul, the second of four special edition Souls to roll into dealerships. The 2010 Ignition Soul, named for its unique exterior color treatment, extends the youthful urban passenger vehicle's radical styling even further and demonstrates Soul's expansive list of personalization options. The Ignition Soul joins all other Soul models as a 2010 "Top Safety Pick" by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). This second special edition Soul offers consumers yet another opportunity to find a Soul as unique as their own personalities and is matched with impressive fuel economy figures and standard safety features.

"Soul continues to demonstrate its styling versatility and ability to evolve," said Michael Sprague, vice president of marketing, KMA. "Ignition Soul offers consumers yet another way to express their individuality in a new way, packaged with the same value, safety and technology as the standard trims."

Exclusive to the Ignition Soul is a unique ignition orange exterior color, striking black 18-inch alloy wheels with machined accents, an athletic-looking body kit and rear spoiler found standard on sport trims, an alloy fuel door for an even more contemporary appearance and a bold off-set black racing stripe to complete the overall appearance. Like the previously launched special edition Denim Soul, Ignition Soul is based on the Soul+ model and is fully loaded with the Audio Upgrade Package (center speaker, subwoofer, external amplifier and speaker lights that pulse to the beat of the music), an iPod® connection cable for full functionality via the radio head unit and steering wheel controls, carpeted floor mats, moon roof, fender vents with side marker repeaters and fog lights. The special edition Ignition Soul starts at $17,500¹ with a five-speed manual transmission.

Building from the Soul+ model, Ignition Soul also offers standard keyless remote entry, privacy glass on the rear and rear side windows, body-color door handles and dual body-color power side mirrors. Soul+ offers additional standard features including cruise control with steering wheel-mounted controls, Bluetooth® hands-free connectivity, dual 12-volt power outlets and tweeter speakers, all enhancing creature comforts on the road, as well as a covered upper storage bin, dual visor vanity mirrors with covers and dual map lights. Black cloth seats are adorned with Soul logo inserts, further personalizing the cabin.

About the Kia Soul
The Soul has won numerous accolades since arriving in dealerships, including two "Top Safety Pick" awards from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, a "2010 Automotive Excellence Award" by Popular Mechanics, a "Super Value Award" by The Active Network, Inc., being named to Ward's Autoworld's "Interior of the Year" list for "Grooviest Interior, named to 2009 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000 list by Kelley Blue Book's Kbb.com," among several others. Available in four trims, Soul, Soul+, Soul! (exclaim) and Soul sport, pricing for the versatile five door begins at $13,300 for the base trim, while Soul+ starts at $14,950. Enhancing to the Soul! or Soul sport offers a price beginning at $16,950.

Standard Kia Safety Features
Soul continues to offer the same high level of standard safety equipment as all new Kia vehicles, including front seat active headrests, dual front advanced airbags, front seat-mounted and full-length side curtain airbags. An Antilock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control System (TCS), Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist System (BAS) and a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) also are standard. Front and rear crumple zones, side-impact door beams, impact-absorbing steering column and Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) system also come standard on all Soul models, making for a comprehensive list of standard safety features.

Industry-Leading Warranty
Like all new Kia models, Soul is covered by a comprehensive warranty program, which offers unprecedented consumer protection. Included in this program are a 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, a five-year/60,000-mile limited basic warranty, and a five-year/100,000-mile antiperforation warranty. A five-year/60,000-mile roadside assistance plan also is part of the comprehensive coverage program.

About Kia Motors America
Kia Motors America (KMA) is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 660 dealers throughout the United States. For 2008, KMA recorded its 14th consecutive year of increased U.S. market share and more recently achieved its best quarter of sales ever in 2009. Kia Motors subscribes to a philosophy of building high value, high quality, safe and dynamic vehicles. Kia Motors prides itself on producing vehicles that are exciting and enabling and evoke the Kia tagline "The Power to Surprise."

Kia Motors America is the "Official Automotive Partner of the NBA." Information about Kia Motors America and its full vehicle line-up is available at its Web site – www.kia.com. For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com.

1 MSRPs exclude freight, title, taxes, license, options and dealer charges. Actual prices set by dealer.

Kia to enter Grand Am Koni Series

Kia Motors announced on November 3 that it is teaming up with Kinetic Group to build and campaign race cars for the automaker's first-ever auto racing efforts on U.S. soil. The 2010 Kia Forte Koup will enter the 2010 GRAND-AM KONI Sports Car Challenge Series in the Street Tuner (ST) class. The competition utilizes production-based race cars and has a wide variety of vehicles from the U.S., Europe and Asia, using weight and intake restrictions to maintain a level playing field for all entrants. Completing the team, decorated drivers Andy Lally and Nic Jönsson have been secured to drive the two Forte Koup cars in 2010.

Review: 2010 Kia Forte

It's not that there was much wrong with the Forte's predecessor. In fact, the last time we drove a Kia Spectra, we walked away wondering if anything more might be overkill. The Spectra was good but tended to blend in with a crowd, and Kia's not into playing the role of wallflower anymore. In contrast, the Forte boldly saunters into the middle of the dance floor, comfortable in the hot glow of the pin spot, with the confidence of Tony Manero after a trip to the tailor.

Clearly, the Kia Forte looks remarkably better than the econobox it replaces and attracts the right kind of attention to the brand. Everywhere it goes, the Forte is a surprising conversation piece, though many aren't sure exactly what it is. With Kia's value pricing, you also get a lot for your dollar. So does it have the hat trick of style, value and performance? When the key to this black Forte SX tester was pressed into the palm of our hand

Despite what some believe after only seeing photos, the Forte doesn't bear much resemblance to the Honda Civic. A thick swage along the top of the flanks gives the windows a chamfered, machined look. The Forte's face is bolder than its supposed Civic doppelganger with deeper shoulders formed by the fenders, and the rest of the sheetmetal is carefully creased to look pleasant and stylish, even a bit upscale. Since it doesn't aim to break new styling ground, the Forte has withstood accusations of being derivative, but its clean, precision-milled looks are more unique than that kind of critique might suggest. The lines will age well, and the bodywork grabs and bends light tastefully.



Our SX tester's dapper Ebony Black was set off by just the right amount of brightwork. Lesser trim levels get 15-inch steel wheels, but the SX gets 17s with creative fluting around the lugs, and, thankfully, no chrome. The Forte sits just right on its wheels, and the SX package dresses up the exterior with foglamps in the lower front fascia. This is not a body that carries extra strakes or adornments – there's not even rub strips along the doors. And while the looks are the better for it, we'd take to parking in the far spots, especially with a dark finish that will prominently display blemishes.

Interior styling is clean and simple, but not without flair. Just like the outside, tasteful is the order of the day, and the Forte's cabin isn't overly swooped-up. Dash-strokers will find that the Forte has its share of hard plastics, some may even find the sheen objectionable. But despite any nattering about materials quality, the Forte is right in there with its class contemporaries. The Focus is chintzier, the Civic is plain weird, and the Forte's interior is on par with the Mazda3 and Toyota Corolla. The SX leather package fits perforated leather seats that look upscale and add an air of luxe inside, tacking on $1,000 to the $18,195 MSRP.



The seats could benefit from more support and adjustments, particularly with the lumbar. The seat bottom, too, was impossible to get positioned and tilted how we wanted. Although overall comfort and bolstering was good, without much adjustment, drivers might feel that the Forte was designed for some kind of mutant body type. Rear seat passengers don't have to duck and squeeze to enter and exit, with ample space for four full-sized humans, and the trunk is surprisingly large, too. If three people are comfortable with each other's company and personal grooming habits, they'll find the back seat pleasant enough for short jaunts around town, and if things get stuffy, the $600 power moonroof is worth the extra couple months of payments.

Functionally, the Forte's ergonomics are above complaint. Big, clear knobs operate the climate system, and the radio has genuine knobs for tuning and volume; two areas that can be troublesome for manufacturers to get right. Bluetooth is standard on the Forte, and the steering wheel carries controls for operating the telephone, as well as the audio system and cruise control. During its time with us, the Forte never annoyed us with hidden buttons or incongruous menus – it's a pleasantly simple car to operate – and the gauges follow the same pattern, providing clear, legible information for the driver.



Lesser Fortes get a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that puts out an energetic 156 horsepower, but SX models get an uprated 2.4-liter engine. The bigger mill is borrowed from the Optima, much as Toyota Corollas can be had with a Camry powertrain. The 2.4's 173 horsepower and 168 pound-feet of torque will slake the thirst of the power hungry, but it's overkill here, and the extra 400cc of displacement brings with it an increased appetite for fuel. However, the bigger engine comes mated to an unflappable five-speed automatic that delivers smooth shifts and jumps for higher gears quickly, making the most of the engine's torquey nature. It can be a little reluctant to come out of high gear and extinguish the green "eco" light in the gauge cluster that indicates earth-friendly driving, but the manual gate is helpful – even satisfyingly responsive – when called upon.

The Forte is a stylish, comfortable, frisky automotive companion for surprisingly short dollars.

The biggest annoyance with the powertrain is its overly-aggressive throttle tip in. A very gentle foot is required to avoid blasting away from stops like a teenager with a newly laminated license. Manual transmission Fortes are even worse, with the wonky throttle programming leading to the binary options of peel out or stall that take time to adjust to. The four-speed auto that's paired with the 2.0-liter engine has come under some fire, but either auto trans is acceptable. The five-speed's extra ratio, however, adds more refinement and relaxes the demeanor.

With the big four's beefy torque, the Forte is happy to loaf along, and variable valve timing provides a noticeable dollop of extra urge as RPMs rise. We put the Forte through commuter hell and it coughed up 28 MPG after plenty of traffic-sitting and on ramp pedal flattening, which lands in the middle of its 22 city/32 highway EPA numbers. While the fuel economy is acceptable, regular commuters could make an argument for the smaller engine, which can be had with a special fuel economy package and five-speed auto 'box to deliver 27/36 city/highway.



Enter the freeway aggressively for the first time and you'll be looking to do it again, just to make sure you're not crazy. There are signs of life from underneath. Where other vehicles in this class are merely drone pods, the Forte SX has a sport tuned suspension, and it delivers. The chassis is simple stuff with struts up front, a torsion beam rear axle, some swaybars and gas dampers – nothing fancy. Those specifications may fail to impress in modern times, but there's a long list of impressive performers sporting the same details. Nobody would accuse a first generation Volksagen GTI of being a sloppy-handling little knockwurst. When this type of chassis is sorted, it's very good, and the Forte SX is well fettled.

The steering could use a smidge more feedback and less aggressive boost; it's fast off-center. The Forte feels light on its feet, though, like a boxer that dances around his opponents. This is a spirited, fun car to drive, which bodes well for the upcoming Koup model and its more overt suggestion of sportiness. The downside is a busy ride on the taut side of comfortable. Some might find it objectionably stiff, and there are occasions where the Forte feels like it's ricocheting off expansion gaps instead of just smothering them with a more pliant suspension. But It's a tradeoff we'd make, because it's an entertaining steer that doesn't dive, squat and slobber all over the road.



The drivetrain is well polished, the uprated engine doesn't leave you wanting for acceleration, and the four-wheel disc brakes felt firm, easily modulated and effective. We would've liked a little less cabin noise at speed, but that's akin to dinging Kia because the Forte's interior doesn't have Zebrano wood trim. For its place in the vehicular hierarchy, it delivers an experience that's among the top contenders in its class.

Just like the Spectra we tried back in 2007, the Kia Forte leaves us impressed. It really only has to compete with the Honda Civic and Mazda3 in its peer group as it betters everything else in SX trim. The $20,000 price is certainly attractive, as is the list of features and one of the industry's best warranties. Redact the brand and model names from the window sticker, and this could have easily passed as an Acura or Infiniti not too long ago. While it's not likely to keep pace with any of those brands' current offerings, the Forte is a heck of a value. The fuel economy of the SX could be better and a stiffer body shell might be the key to supple-izing the suspension. Until that happens, the Sport-averse would be advised to try the normal suspension first. But overall, the Forte is a stylish, comfortable, frisky automotive companion for surprisingly short dollars

[Source: Autoblog]