Kia’s stylish and sporty pro_cee’d is no stranger to Germany’s Nürburgring having been extensively tested there during development but this weekend is back to prove itself in the Nürburgring 24-hour race.
The barely modified three door pro_cee’d has been entered into Europe’s toughest and most legendary long-distance race by a team from Continental Italia who are hoping to triumph over the competition with as few tire changes as possible. In fitting ContiSportContact 3 standard tires to the pro_cee’d rather than race tires, the team expect to have an advantage over those that have to swap tires with each change in weather conditions.
The pro_cee’d is powered by Kia’s strong, flexible 2.0-litre diesel engine producing 138bhp at 4000rpm and 305Nm of torque all the way from 1800 to 2500rpm, giving instant, strong response throughout the rev band and outstanding performance.
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Kia announced today that the production version of the three concepts unveiled in March at the Geneva Motor Show will retain the spirit and name. Production version SOUL will make its world debut this autumn at the Paris Auto Show.
The three concept cars – SOUL Burner, SOUL Diva and SOUL Searcher – were created by Kia´s European design team led by Gregory Guillaume, under the guidance of Kia´s Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer. They were developed from the original SOUL concept car designed jointly by Kia´s California and Korea design studios and unveiled in 2006 at Detroit.
The all-new Kia Soul defies classification, and its design will encourage customers to build an emotional bond with this rebellious new car. To be made in Korea from September 2008, Kia Soul will provide a creative platform for buyers to individualize and match their car to their own personality.
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Modern and dynamic styling, seven seats standard in every model, Electronic Stability Program (ESP) standard in every model, European-standard ride and handling, the versatility and seating positions of an SUV, flexible seating arrangements, 5-year/unlimited kilometre warranty for private buyers, great value and a low entry price - the all-new Kia Rondo 7 is a car without equal in the Australian car market.
Rondo 7 is being launched initially with a 2.0-litre version of the same smooth-revving ’Theta’ four-cylinder engine that powers the 2.4-litre Kia Magentis, mated to either a five-speed manual (in LX trim) or Kia’s optional Sport Mode ’intelligent’ four-speed Tiptronic-style automatic transmission.
The twin-cam, four-cylinder 2.0-litre ’Theta’ petrol engine, with continuously variable valve timing (CVVT), produces 142 hp @ 6,000rpm and 189 Newton metres of torque @ 4,250rpm. The Rondo 7’s 2.0-litre petrol engine is a state-of-the-art four-cylinder 16-valve unit that is powerful, quiet and economical. Weight-saving measures include a die-cast aluminium block and a plastic cylinder head cover and intake manifold.
All three models of Rondo 7 - LX, EX and EX Limited - are also available with a four-speed automatic transmission (extra-cost option in LX), fitted with Kia’s Sport Mode system which offers drivers the choice of fully-automatic gear changes or driver-controlled sequential manual selection.
>> read 2008 Kia Rondo 7 Picture Gallery
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Yes we know is April 1st, but this is not a joke! Kia actually developed a concept car that can be driven from the back seats: the KEE_wii, a concept that ncorporates a new, dynamic and more involving drive system, called Dynamic On-Road Kinetics.
Kia believes there is an added advantage – passengers can take the controls and enjoy the dynamic drive of the KEE_wii from any seat in the car. "This is ultimate flexibility," enthused Mr Josef-Hicks. "If you are travelling in left or right-hand drive countries you will be able to control the vehicle from the correct seat and if a passenger knows a road particularly well they can take control and make the journey more efficient and faster.
We have patented this newly developed wireless system known as Full Orthopaedic Operating Logic. Okay, so visibility is a minor issue for those in the back seats, but we don’t think this will be a problem as a lot of people don’t really look where they are going when they drive – and we have built in a fail-safe security system called Independent Driver Input Operating Technique that utilises radar to avoid accidents."
The KEE_wii dynamic control system will be available on new Kia cars a year from today and will then be optional on forthcoming generations of models as they are updated or replaced.
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Kia unveiled at the New York Auto Show the 2009 Optima, a model that offers a completely modified exterior, which offers a more aggressive, dynamic style than previous models, and is outfitted with a new engine that provides more power and better fuel economy. The 2009 Optima will go on sale in early fall.
For 2009. Optima is being offered in three different versions: LX, EX and the new sporty SX trim. Along with a sport-tuned suspension, SX upgrades include: a black-bezeled front grille and headlamps, LED outside-mirror turning signals, fog lights and hyper-silver-finished 17-inch wheels. EX and LX V6 models are equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels, and are fitted with Goodyear tires.
The 2009 Optima is available in two powerplants – a 2.4-liter four-cylinder or a 2.7-liter V6 engine – and two five-speed transmissions (manual with LX four-cylinder model only). The four-cylinder engine delivers 161 hp and the 2.7-liter V6 delivers190 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. The V6 is mated to a five-speed, gated automatic transmission. All automatics feature Sportmatic clutchless shifting.
>> read 2009 Kia Optima Picture Gallery
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Kia unveiled at the New York Auto Show the 2008 Koup, a concept that represents the future of the Kia brand. Illustrating the shape and evolution of future Kia vehicles, the simple yet bold and aggressive Koup exterior is complemented by its realistic and sleek interior design.
The KOUP features an uncomplicated yet dynamic wedge shape along its sides stemming from its glowing, carbon fiber and black chrome enhanced LED lamp lenses. While the KOUP’s overall form is simple and precise, it makes a design statement with positive tension created by a "swoosh" that swoops from the "C" pillar forward, down to the "A" pillar and flares all the way back around to the rearKia KOUP Concept Sketch deck lid. A trailing horizontal lip along the deck lid tapers up toward the outer ends to meet up with the swoosh from the beltline.
The KOUP features a realistic interior design that integrates high-style materials, including rich and supple seat fabrics accentuated with concrete- and black-color trims. As a true driver’s car, the front seats contrast the rear seats Kia KOUP Concept Sketchwith opposing colors and patterning and horizontal, padded silicone bars occupy the seat backs for extra comfort. High-tech details are integrated into the interior, including convenient smart key with push button start, and a six-speed automatic transmission with steering column-mounted paddle shifters.
The Koup Concept is powered by a 2.0-liter Theta II turbocharged engine producing 290 horsepower paired with a GDI (Gasoline Direct Injection) twin scroll turbocharger for greater power and efficiency, the KOUP delivers astonishing torque of 289 lb-ft at a low 2,000 rpm sustained to 4,000 rpm.
>> read 2008 Kia Koup Picture Gallery
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Kia unveiled today at the Geneva Motor Show the three SOUL Concepts - all three being closely related to a new production car which will make its World Premiere at the Paris Show in September.
The three Soul Concepts are: Diva, Burner and Searcher. The Kia SOUL Diva has been created as a fashion accessory for a style-conscious young-at-heart woman who regards her car to be as important as her entire outfit. SOUL Diva is like a supermodel with an aura of glamour, a bit flashy but playful and fun!
The Burner is the ´bad boy´ of Kia´s three new concept characters. A ´show-off´ complete with dragon tattoos. From the outside, it is a mean, totally black beast with sparse flashes of scarlet. The tattoos are gloss black on the black satin paintwork, which shows a large dragon creeping over the bonnet. On the other side, a small dragon climbs up the C-Pillar.
The Searcher is the concept that provides a haven of tranquility within the urban jungle, a comfort-zone on four wheels. It sets out to capture the spirit of Korean and Far Eastern culture with a focus on achieving personal inner peace and creating a calm cocoon for the occupants. Exuding casual confidence, the colors are muted, the textures are soft and the road presence is discreet.
Press release after the jump.
>> read 2008 Kia SOUL concepts Picture Gallery
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On the heels of record 2007 sales, Kia Motors America (KMA) today announced the world debut of the all-new Borrego midsize SUV at the 2008 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, further bolstering its product offerings in the United States. Inspired by Kia’s "less is more" design philosophy, Borrego was intended to convey a pure and functional look. It joins Kia’s ersatile and stylish line of cars and SUVs for those who enjoy active and energetic lifestyles. Set to go on sale this summer as a 2009 model, Borrego houses Kia’s first-ever V8 engine, making it the most powerful Kia vehicle to date.
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Kia Motors America (KMA) displayed its sporty new concept vehicle, the Spectra5 SX concept, at this year’s SEMA Show today in Las Vegas. A product with influences from KMA’s design team, the Spectra5 SX sets the stage for future concept and production vehicles to be shown throughout the upcoming auto show season by putting into action some of the styling cues that will soon become part of Kia’s new overall design language.
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Kia is staging the World Premiere of a new ‘green-performance’ concept car at Frankfurt. Called ‘eco_cee’d’, the new concept is a development of the Kia pro_cee’d hatchback and aims to achieve better fuel consumption, with fewer emissions – while still delivering a lively, spirited drive.
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