Continuoing our stream of image updates on the 2010 Kia Sorento, we have a set of fresh new pictures from South Korea for you.

Apparently, Kia Motors hosted a test-drive event to introduce it’s all-new Sorento to the Korean media and press ahead of it’s formal debut, where Autotimes.co.kr took some more images of the 2010 Kia Sorento.

We have already seen the new face of Kia Sorento and it’s interior earlier today, but now, guys from Autotimes surprised us with shots showcasing the new Sorento from the side and rear points of view. This is actually the first time we see the production-ready Sorento from behind. How do you like it?

Follow the jump to see two more shots…

(more…)

Interior image of the 2010 Kia Sorento

Earlier today we have shown you the “front fascia” of the 2010 Kia Sorento and now, we are continuing our exclusive revealings with the first interior rendering previewing the new cabin lay-out in the next Kia Sorento.

The 2010 Kia Sorento is an all-new model, so it’s exterior has seen a complete restyling in comparison to the current Sorento and the same has been expected to happen with it’s interior. As this rendering indicates, the overall cabin design (dashboard, steering-wheel, door panels, seats, etc…) will greately deviate from the current Sorento’s interior (glad to see that, since the current Sorento interior already looked dated) and is expected to be a massive improvement.

As early interior spy shots revealed, interior of the Sorento looks more modern and, according to several Kia insiders, higher quality materials should also make it look much more upmarket than before. Due to some extra centimeters that Sorento adopted from the redesign, the cabin now offers more passenger room and reportedly, a placing for seven adult people!

Kia will officially unveil the 2010 Kia Sorento this April in South Korea at the 2009 Seoul Auto Show, while it’s official US debut is scheduled for next month’s New York Auto Show.

It seems like we have been waiting for ages to see the 2010 Kia Sorento breaking the cover. After seeing a countless number of spy photos and prototypes in various testing stages, the wait is finally over and we can exclusively show you the new face of the next generation Sorento crossover!

Codenamed XM, the 2010 Kia Sorento is scheduled to make it’s official debut at the Seoul Auto Show in April and that will be the place where Kia Motors will reveal more precise details on it’s powertrain options, equipment and accessories.

Not willing to wait additional three weeks to get to know more about the new Sorento, I gathered some additional information from various Kia sources worldwide.

Redesigned Sorento will become the first Hyundai-Kia vehicle in the family to come equipped with the all-new environmentally-friendly R-diesel engine. The 2.2L diesel engine boasts best-in-class 200 horsepower and best fuel economy performance of 14.1km/l making it the most fuel-efficient crossover in the Korean market. The new state-of-the-art diesel engine also satisfies EURO5 emission standards.

The engine range will also include a four-cylinder 2.4L and a 3.8L V6. Both are destined for the International markets, including US and Europe. On it’s domestic market, new Sorento will also be available with a 2.7L LPI engine. Standard powertrain package also includes a 6-speed automatic transmission developed with proprietary technology.

Size-wise, the 2010 Sorento has grown in size and now measures 4.685 mm (+95mm) in length, 1.885 in width (+35mm) and 1.710 in height (-15mm). It’s wheelbase has been shortened by 5mm to 2.700mm.

What we have here is yet another image of the 2010 Kia Sorento, codenamed XM. The image has surfaced to the web just recently with some help of the Luv-XM.net. Future Sorento is scheduled to make it’s premiere at the upcoming Seoul Auto Show in April. We are expecting more pics to hit the web prior it’s official launch. Stay tuned!

Find more news on the next gen Sorento: 2010 Kia Sorento

The 2010 Kia Forte Coupe spy shots

A few weeks ago, we have brought you the first set of spy shots showcasing the 2010 Kia Forte Coupe. Today, we have received more from our Korean friends, who have caught the hot-looking Forte Coupe while parked at an unknown location in South Korea!

Codenamed XK, the two-door Forte Coupe is less than a year away. It is expected to hit the Korean market by the end of the summer, while it’s US sales, according to some Kia dealers, should commence in the middle of December.

What we can see from these latest spy shots is that the shape of the production model will stay very close to the Koup concept, which was unveiled at the New York Auto Show last year. The prototype is still heavily camouflaged preventing us to see all the exterior design details, but so far, we are pleased at what we see.

As we reported before, a range of four-cylinder engines is expected to be available when the 2010 Forte Coupe reaches the production. The engine range will include a 156hp 2.0L and 173hp 2.4L units, but likely, Kia will also bring an all-new 1.6L turbo engine, equipped with GDI (gasoline direct injection) system, which brings it’s power ratings up to 175 horsepower!

The 1.6L turbo engine has been developed in conjunction with Hyundai Motor Company and was first implemented to the Hyundai ix-onic concept making it’s premiere at Geneva Motor Show last week.

(more…)

Not due to go on sale until later this year, the 2010 Kia VG sedan has been spotted again. According to Globalmotors, the source of latest spy pics, the 2010 Kia VG has been spied in Sweden where it was undergoing some cold-weather testing.

So far, we have seen plenty of spy shots revealing the VG sedan to feature a sleek and sporty exterior shape, but this is the first time spies have managed to snap a quality interior picture, which proves that Kia has also paid full attention designing the cockpit.

Compared to the current mid-sized Kia offerings, the VG features a more modern interior layout, with three large circular dials and a very cool-looking four spoke steering wheel accented with some wood-aluminum combination. Vg’s center console is covered with some black vinyls, but I bet it’s hiding a navigation LCD display beneath. You can also see a couple of cup holders placed aside the automatic gear shifter.

Codenamed VG, the future Kia sedan is expected to share a platform with the next generation Hyundai Azera as well as the same core engine range, including a second generation 2.4L Theta four-cylinder and a tweaked 3.3L LambdaV6. America will also get a 3.8L Lambda with an estimated power output of 270+ horsepower.

Speaking of it’s platform, there are some rumors spreading that Kia VG could become the first Kia sedan to feature an AWD system supplied by Swedish Haldex. A while ago, we have published a report about Haldex to deliver a prototype installation of an electronic all-wheel drive (AWD) system to Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group.

The VG sedan is slated to make it’s official Korean debut in September this year, while it’s US premiere is scheduled for spring 2010. [Source & more pics: Globalmotors]

More information: 2010 Kia VG

Kia Motors America announces February 2009 new car sales

There are two reasons why I’m glad to provide latest Kia sales numbers for the month of February 2009. First, Kia vehicles were selling like there were no global financial crisis and slowing demand for cars, and second, Kia has been, in addition to Subaru, the sole automaker on the US market that increased it’s sales over February 2008 sales.

Last month, Kia dealers across the USA managed to move 22.073 Kia vehicles, representing a 0.4 percent increase compared to the same month last year. In the first two months of fiscal year, Kia Motors America sold 0.5 percent more cars over the same period of last year, bringing it’s year-to-date sales to 44,169 units.

Leading February 2009 sales were 7-seat Sedona minivan with sales increasing almost three-fold to more than 6000 units, from last year’s 2000 units. The aging Kia Sorento SUV also posted a significant increase compared to the same period of last year with sales topping 3598 units.

In February, even the Borrego SUV sold quite well last month. It’s sales numbers are still far from those Kia Motors predicted at the beginning, but they have been slowly picking up month by month. In February, Kia Borrego almost crossed the 500 units sales mark, with sales almost doubling from the first month in the fiscal year.

Another “surprise” in the Kia range last month, was the Amanti sedan with sales of 1.360 units – a huge increase over the last year’s numbers! Other Kia model’s sales decreased when compared to February results achieved in the 2008.

The all-new Kia Soul has also appeared on the sales list for the first time. It’s sales in the US market has just commenced and it’s nice to see first models leaving the dealer’s floors. In February, 34 units have been sold, and considering the interest Soul has been generating over the past few months it’s sales is going to pick up at a fast pace and hopefully, already our next Kia sales report will show the Soul crossing the 1000 units sales mark.

Kia No3 concept officially unveiled in Geneva

A stunning Kia concept car, named simply the No3, has been unveiled at Geneva Motor Show today. Following Kia’s latest design language, the No3 concept car combines attractive exterior design full of dynamic surfaces and attractive lines that Kia has been using lately to build it’s new brand identity.

The concept vehicle has been designed under the leadership of Kia’s head designer, Mr. Peter Schreyer, who has been responsible to give the range of Kia cars more distinctive look and the No3 concept represents the latest masterpiece of this initiative.

This new design language has already been implemented to several concept cars wearing a Kia badge and some design elements, such as characteristic signature grille, have already found a place on several production Kia models. Yet, the leaders of Kia Motors state there’s more to come in the very near future and we are certainly looking forward to that, don’t we!?

(more…)

Video preview: Kia No3 concept 

By now we have seen plenty of exciting pictures previewing the all-new No3 concept car from Kia Motors. What we haven’t seen so far were some video previews, that ussually come included in the official press packs. While browsing for some fresh new Geneva Auto Show, we came across the Kia No3 video which shows the No3 concept driving in the parking garage.

The No3 concept is scheduled to make it’s official public premiere today at Geneva Auto Show. The No3 concept car previews the forthcoming Kia MPV, which belongs to the fast growing B car-segment and is expected to go on sale later this year or early in 2010 (Kia has yet to provide more detailed information).

The No3 is based on the same platform as the 2010 Kia Soul, meaning it measures about the same in size as it’s sibling Kia Soul model. The concept is 4045 mm long, 1760 mm wide, 1600 mm tall and has a wheelbase of 2615 mm. Compared to the Soul, No3′s wheelbase has been extended so it’s cabin provides even more generous passenger space.

Stylish Kia No3 incorporates the H-shaped front grille, known also as a new face of Kia. The Nor concept was penned at Kia’s European design center in Frankfurt and features a very unique extended windscreen, panoramic glass roof, beautiful set of 19-inch alloy wheels and Titanium Grey exterior color… Stay tuned for more information and images on this new striking Kia concept!

Before we take a closer look at the Kia No3 concept car, which is debuting in Geneva later today, you can check out a heavily disguised production-ready No3 model. The prototype of the upcoming Kia mini-MPV, codenamed YN, has been spotted by car paparazzis while undergoing some cold-weather testing in Sweden.

Latest set of spy shots has been published by several autoblogs worldwide, but we advise you to head over to our friends at Worldcarfans to take a closer look at the No3 in it’s production-ready form (2010 Kia YN ).

The all-new Kia No3 concept

Autoblog has published new images and additional information on Kia’s latest No3 mini-MPV concept that has been set to debut in Geneva tomorrow. Their No3 pack includes official press release and three new images previewing the No3 concept from behind, front and on the inside.

Official press release:

The all-new Kia No 3 Concept Car, which makes its world premiere at the 79th Salon International de l’Auto in Geneva today (Tuesday), redefines the small multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) genre by creating a spacious, functional car that is also beautiful and fun-to-drive. The concept features a unique extended windscreen and panorama glass roof with a diagonal supporting bar, an automatic sun visor and the evolving ‘face of Kia’ which displays the front grille, head lamps and brand logo in a new constellation.

The 4045 mm long concept, which is finished in matte Titanium Grey with contrasting gloss-white accents, stands out from the crowd with its powerful proportions, dynamic lines, a modern, sophisticated interior and generous cabin space for flexible use. It delivers urban utility with a sporty touch.

(more…)

Kia Soul finally makes it’s official debut in Australia!

Kia Motors Australia is celebrating it’s second new car launch in less than a month. After it has successfully launched the brand-new Cerato (known also as Forte in global markets) a few weeks ago, the company has finally unveiled the long-awaited Soul crossover to the Australian consumers.

The 2010 Kia Soul made it’s official premiere on the continent “down under” at the Melbourne Auto Show, where Kia built a special interactive “Soul Zone” to showcase five unique Soul models coated in different exterior colors and equipped with various accessories. We have seen a very similar “Soul zone” at Paris Auto Show last year, where Kia Soul made it’s official European premiere.

Kia Soul models at Melbourne Auto Show

- Searcher (Green Tea): It’ll move you. Even when standing still.
- Burner (Black): Go ahead, judge it by its cover!
- Mode (White): It’s a blank canvas for your individual personality.
- Diva (Vanilla): Arrive fashionably ahead of your time.
- Lava (Orange): Blend out. The only thing it lacks is subtlety.

The attractively styled Soul crossover marks a revolutionary expansion of the Kia product line-up in Australia and redefines the personality of cars, with Generation Y and the young-at-heart firmly in its sights.

The brand-new Soul looks remarkably close to the original Soul concept, first seen in Detroit Auto Show back in 2006. The Soul was designed in the USA, developed in Korea and fine-tuned in Europe and represents the breakthrough vehicle for Kia Motors, which wants to be seen as a maker of unique and distinctive cars that consumers will want to own.

The 2010 Kia Soul is scheduled to go on sale in Australian market in April, with the choice of diesel and petrol engines, manual and automatic transmissions and a choice of more than 60 accessories such as audio upgrades, body-kits, body decals and other accents providing customers almost infinite possibilities to individualise their own Kia Soul. [Photosource: Themotorreport]