2011 Kia Cadenza sales commences in the United Arab Emirates…

Kia held a launching event for its 2011 Kia Cadenza in Dubai yesterday. The automaker invited more than 200 guests to the black-tie gala dinner to officially introduce its latest new luxury-car, which goes on sale in the market within a few days .

With its refined and modern appearance, strong performance capabilities and roomy, hi-tech cabin, the all-new Cadenza is expected to dominate the UAE’s luxury sedan market. Since early customer clinics, at which consumers evaluate the 2011 Cadenza against its major rivals, ranked the car as a clear winner, Kia can be confident to achieve some good numbers with this new sedan.

Kia predicts the sales of luxury cars in the Middle East will surge in the coming years, so the automaker is confident it can acquire even bigger share of the market with some help of new Cadenza sedan.

According to Al Majid Motors, Kia’s sole distributor in the country, there has been a large number of people interested to test-drive the car ever since it was first exhibited at the local auto show back in December.

In the UAE, Kia Cadenza is available with a 290 horsepower 3.5L V6 gasoline engine, which produces 34.5 kg.m of torque. Mated to Kia’s new six-speed automatic gearbox, the engine achieves segment-leading fuel economy of 10.6 kms per liter of fuel.

The model stands on attractively designed 17-inch alloy wheels and comes equipped with a plethora of standard safety features, including 8-airbags, ABS brakes and Electronic Stability Control and active front head rests.

The UAE-market Cadenza comes standard with many luxury features such as panoramic sunroof, smart key, rear camera with small display mounted on the inside mirror, leather equipped interior and xenon head lamps.

Power front seats with ventilation, Super Vision Cluster, a built-in satellite-navigation system and many other features are available as well.

2011 Kia Cadenza images:

The Kia Motors America consumer website has recently been declared by J.D. Power and Associates as the best and highest ranking car manufacturer website.

The J.D. Power and Associates 2010 Manufacturer Web Site Evaluation Study – Wave 1 (MWES) honored the website’s usefulness in selling new cars from Kia‘s product line as well as the site’s efficiency in navigation, speed, appearance and quality of content.

This is already the fifth award from J.D. Power and Associates, the most for any car manufacturer. The KMA website, kia.com, ranked highest in 2003, 2005 Wave 2, 2007 Wave 1, 2008 Wave 2 and 2010 Wave 1

Kia’s website features a virtual garage where Kia owners can customize their cars using various options in order to come up with their ideal Kia vehicle. Car owners can also mix and match different car colors, interiors and accessories.

Kia.com’s virtual garage uses Computer Generated Imagery (CGI) that does away with the normal photos and images. The website promises fun, information and virtual interaction to its visitors and Kia car owners. The popular website has been prepared and designed by Animated Designs, LLC.

According to Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing, KMA, “Our consumer site integrates seamlessly with the latest in Web service technologies and provides an immersive online experience while focusing on ease of navigation. And even more appealing, user-rich content will complement our new models, starting with the all-new 2011 Sorento CUV, keeping the Kia experience efficient and enjoyable online as well as on the road.”

The success of Kia Motor America’s website is primarily due to the manufacturer’s constant desire to improve their product site. According to J.D. Power and Associates, Kia’s seemingly tiny improvements to its site are very attractive to car shoppers. Its new car models such as the Forte and Soul are also getting much attention. The site’s ‘Experience Forte’ section is also doing well with shoppers.

“We took a big risk with a major Web site redesign, but this proves that with the right approach and attitude, good results will come from which the consumer benefits,” explained David Schoonover, national manager, CRM and affiliate marketing, KMA.

Kia Motors, a sister company of Hyundai Motors, is now gaining positive momentum in the US market with its dynamic stylish car designs. Its leading models are the 2-door Forte Koup, the personalized Soul, functional Rondo CUV, award-winning Sedona minivan, Optima midsize sedan and fuel-efficient Rio.

(more…)

First interior rendering of Kia’s 2011 Optima car reveals modern interior lay-out.

A rendering image showcasing interior design of the all-new Kia Optima sedan has been posted online today. The image reveals stylish interior lay-out inspired by latest interior designs seen at some Audi models.

Kia’s latest foray into competitive mid-size sedan market will come equipped with the automaker’s brand-new 2.4L Theta II GDI engine with an estimated 198 horsepower. The automaker will also introduce a less potent Optima model with 2.0L four-cylinder engine, while latest rumours suggest, Kia will also unveil a turbocharged Optima sedan, as well as hybrid variant sometime in 2011.

The 2011 Kia Optima is scheduled to make its official worldwide public premiere at the forth-coming New York Auto Show on April 2nd. According to latest reports from South Korea, Kia will commence the sales of new Optima (called Kia K5 in Korea) in May 2010.

2011 Kia Optima interior rendering:

Kia Soul Sport Safety Car, customized by Gogogear, makes its public debut at Infineon Speedway in Sonoma, California.

Kia Motors America today debut a highly modified Soul crossover as the Official Safety Car of the U.S. Touring Car Championship circuit sanctioned by the National Auto Sport Association (NASA) at the season opener race on March 21 at Infineon Speedway in Sonoma, Calif.

This heavily customized Kia Soul Safety Car was modified by GOGOGEAR and features upgraded tires and suspension for improved ride and handling, along with strobe lights inside the headlights and tail-lights.

In addition, the customized Kia Soul Safety Car also benefits from enhanced aerodynamics,  a custom free flow Borla exhaust, a light weight Optima battery, light weight Konig alloy-wheels, low resistance BF Goodrich tires and short ram intake by Takeda to further enhance efficiency.

“To further demonstrate its practical capabilities, Soul is helping the Kia Motors brand with its U.S. debut into the world of motorsports this year by increasing the vehicle’s profile and recognition among automotive and racing enthusiasts,” said Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing of KMA.

“We have created awareness within the motorsports community during our inaugural motorsports season in the GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge Series and look forward to future motorsports initiatives.” [Source: Kia]

You can read more about another great looking Soul: the Soul Ghost Special Edition Model

Kia Soul Safety Car Gallery:

2011 Kia Sorento SX makes its official U.S. premiere at the auto show in Atlanta.

Following the official grand opening ceremony of Kia’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia, Kia Motors America today unveiled the all-new 2011 Sorento SX crossover during a press conference at the 2010 Atlanta Auto Show.

The all-new Sorento has exceeded expectations since going on sale in early January, and now the new SX brings the CUV to new levels of comfort, convenience, technology and design and will arrive in dealerships later this summer.

The addition of the 2011 Sorento to the Kia lineup has helped bring new and more affluent customers into our showrooms. And with the addition of the new SX trim, Kia hopes to expand the model’s appeal to even larger number consumers looking for a well-equipped, comfortable, safe and sophisticated vehicle.”

With a streamlined and attractive look, the 2011 Sorento SX represents a modern CUV that is just the right size for today’s consumer. With swept-back lines and angled windows, large flared-back headlamps and prominent fog lamps, the view from the front conveys strength and power.

From the rear, the rounded back and tail lamps set prominently within the lift gate express the same forceful attitude and strength. Offering a more muscular stance, the Sorento SX  receives revised front and rear fascias to exude additional authority while added chrome to the exhaust outlet, LED tail lamps and hyper silver painted 18-inch alloy wheels increase its luxurious exterior appearance.

Originally available in two trim levels, LX and EX, the 2011 Sorento SX adds an enhanced dimension to Sorento with styling that adds an edgier attitude and comes standard with a plethora of luxury, convenience and technology features throughout.

In addition to the leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, telescopic steering wheel, heated side mirrors, automatic up/down driver-side windows, privacy glass and smart key with push button start found standard on all Sorento EX models, upgrading to the new SX trim will further spoil its occupants.

2011 Kia Sorento SX image gallery:

(more…)

Kia Motors to invest 100 million euros to build new engine plant in Slovakia.

Kia announced it would invest 100 million Euros to build a new engine production facility in Slovakia (Europe). The company expects to launch the operations at its brand-new engine production plant in 2011 and reach full annual production capacity of 150.000 units by the end of 2012.

Kia did not disclose any information regarding the engines it plans to produce at the plant, but it is believed that the company will build highly advanced four-cylinder powerplants for its next-generation vehicles.

The new production facility will also provide engines for a plant run by Kia’s sister firm Hyundai in the neighbouring Czech Republic, which is located only 40 miles from the Kia’s Slovak factory. The investment is said to add 270 new jobs to the 2.700 people already working at existing Kia plant.

According to President and CEO of Kia Motors Slovakia, this 100 million euros investment will increase Kia’s overall annual production capacity to 450.000 engines, which confirms the brand’s strategy to develop Kia’s activities in Slovakia in a long term.

Kia has been operating a 1 billion euro automobile manufacturing plant in Slovakia since December 2006. The plant has an annual production capacity of 300.000 vehicles and currently builds three different vehicles; two for Kia and one for Hyundai.

The automaker uses same production lines to build the all-new Sportage and Hyundai ix35 (known as Tucson in the USA) crossovers, both destined for European market. It also manufactures three variants of popular cee’d: the 5-door cee’d, cee’d wagon and 3-door cee’d).

As already mentioned, Kia’s first-ever European production plant was opened in December 2006 with the launch of the brand-new cee’d hatchback. Already in its first year of full production, the plant produced 140.000 new vehicles, while production surged to record-high 201.000 units in the following year.

Due to lower demand for new vehicles in Europe, production decreased to 150.000 units in 2009. This year, Kia Motors expects to boost production at the plant by 40 percent as demand for the 2011 Sportage and Tucson models is expected to increase.

First interior images of new Kia Optima surface to the web…

2011 Kia Magentis / Optima interior gallery:

All-new Kia Optima makes an early debut. Kia Motors releases official images of its new mid-size sedan.

The next generation Kia Optima (currently, also known as ‘Magentis’ in some markets) is set to make its world premiere next month at the 2010 New York International Auto Show.

“The next generation 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.”

The Optima exudes an athletic confidence from every angle and shutline – its raked roofline, the high and pronounced shoulder line of its sculpted flanks and its extended wheelbase are complemented by boldly flared wheelarches and a shallow glasshouse that create a saloon with a muscular and self-assured stance.

The striking visage of the Optima features a new interpretation of Kia’s bold ‘tiger’ family face that’s edged by piercing projector headlamps.

Longer, wider and lower 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.

Spacious, and with class-leading levels of safety and luxury equipment, the Optima’s intelligently configured and driver-oriented cabin underlines this newfound poise and presence.

“The Optima embodies Kia’s confident new design direction,” says Schreyer. “It’s a global car with individual appeal.”

The Kia Motors press conference for the New York International Auto Show will take place on April 1, 2010 from 10:10-10:35 a.m. at the Kia Stand on Level 1 of the ‘Jacob Javits Center’ located between 34-39 Streets on 11th Avenue in New York City.

New Kia Optima image gallery:

Kia Motors sold 143.267 vehicles in February 2010. All major sales regions post double-digit year-on-year sales increase.

In February, Kia saw its sales rise by 39.5 percent to 143.267 units, while cumulative sales from the first two months of 2010 increased by 50.6 percent to 293.659 units.

Kia’s sales increase in February was a result of the company’s double- digit year-on-year sales growth in all major sales regions. China experienced the highest gain 128.6 percent among all markets (25.435 units sold).

Kia managed to increase its sales by 52.7 percent in General markets (32.578 units) and 34.4 percent in Europe (24.992 units sold). Sales have also increased by 11.4 percent in North American market (27.053 units), as well as in its home Korean market, where the automaker sold 33.209 (+ 21.6%) new vehicles.

The C-segment Cerato, known also as Forte in the US market, remains the best-selling vehicle in Kia’s lineup. With 28.191 units sold the Cerato leads B-segment Rio and Sportage SUV in second and third spot with 14.307 and 13.862 units sold, respectively.

Kia Picanto and cee’d are no longer members of the top five best-selling Kia models. They were replaced by the all-new Sorento and Soul crossovers. Sorentos are selling like hot cakes, particularly in the US market where the model has recorded its highest monthly sales for the second straight month. Kia sold 11.981 units of new Sorento and 8.934 Souls in overseas markets.

According to Hyoung-Keun Lee, President of Kia Motors Corporation, the company is extremely pleased with the double-digit sales growth achieved in all major sales regions last month. In addition, Kia is also happy to see that demand for its all-new Sorento crossover exceeded initial sales expectations.

Kia sales improved 9 percent last month according to the company’s official sales release. With sales rising to 24.052, the Korean second largest automaker recorded its best February sales ever.

Sales last month were led by new Sorento and Soul crossovers. The US-produced Sorento posted sales of 8.207 units, which represnets an 11 percent increase over January 2010. During the first two months of fiscal year, Kia already sold 15.605 units of new Sorento in the US market.

Monthly sales numbers show us that the 2011 Kia Sorento is one of the hottest crossover vehicles on the market at the moment. In February, the model outsold Toyota RAV-4 to become the second best-selling vehicle in the segment. It topped the Chevrolet Equinox with 8.061 units sold and came very close to the segment-leader, the Ford Edge, with 8.694 units sold.

“In addition to being our best-selling vehicle for the second month in a row, the all-new Sorento also is bringing new, more affluent customers into our showrooms and indicates the growing interest in the Kia brand,” said B.M. Ahn, group president and CEO of KMA and Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia.

“Having recently celebrated the grand opening of Kia’s first U.S.-based manufacturing plant in West Point, Georgia, Sorento’’s strong performance validates the investments Kia has made in the U.S. market as more and more consumers are recognizing our commitment to quality, design, safety and technology.”

February also marks exactly one year since Kia Motors America put its funky Soul crossover on the market. Its sales have leaped from just 34 units in February last year to impressive 3.600 units sold in February 2010.

Other Kia cars that also performed well last month were Forte compact sedan (and two-door Koup) and soon-to-be-replaced Kia Optima sedan with 4.300 and 2.471 units sold, respectively. Kia also sold 1.949 units of Rio and 1.088 units of Sportage SUV. Other models such as Borrego, Sedona and Rondo achieved monthly sales below 1.000 units.

Kia February sales table:

It’s here, the all-new 2011 Kia Sportage crossover, making its world premiere at the 80th Geneva Motor Show!

With a new bodyshell, new engines and fresh, bold styling that introduces a new kind of dynamic aesthetic, the latest Kia Sportage is an urban-friendly crossover for today’s families – consuming less fuel and emitting less CO2.

Longer, wider and lower than the previous model, the all-new design successfully retains the key SUV features which made the second generation Kia Sportage so popular.
Under the direction of Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer, the Kia design teams have created a third-generation Sportage incorporating Kia’s new design DNA and many features from the 2007 Kia Kue concept car.

The 4.4-metre long new Sportage is sleeker and lighter than the previous model, with an aerodynamic drag figure of Cd 0.37 (down from 0.40) and a significant weight loss of 91 kg compared with the previous model – enhancing fuel economy and refinement.

When the full range of new Sportage models is ‘on sale’ in Europe later this year, it will be available (depending on country) with four engines (two petrol and two diesel, covering a 115 ps to 163 ps power spread), 6-speed manual and automatic transmissions and two-wheel or all-wheel drive.

In Europe, fuel-stretching Start/Stop technology will reduce CO2 emissions to as low as 138 g/km.

New Kia Sportage gallery:

(more…)

Kia Venga EV concept car made its world premiere at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show.

Kia Venga EV concept car is a full-time electric vehicle based on a B-segment Venga mini-MPV, which has been on sale across Europe since January this year. By its looks, the Venga EV concept does not differ from production vehicle. The model features identical exterior and interior design lay-out.

What sets the Venga EV concept vehicle from a production model is placed under the hood and that is an electric motor, which generates 80 kW of raw power and 280Nm of maximum torque. The front wheel-drive concept car also features a twin-pack 24kWh Lithium Ion Polymer battery pack placed under the boot floor, which enables the vehicle to drive 112 miles on a single charge!

Under the quick recharging cycle (50 kW) the battery can be recharged to 80 percent of its capacity within 20 minutes. Under the normal cycle (3.3 kW), 100 percent power is attained after eight hours.

The latest concept car from Kia is not a sports car, but it provides decent performance. According to Kia, the Venga EV is capable of accelerating from standstill to 62 mph in 11.8 seconds, and can reach a top speed of 87 miles per hour.

Kia says that Venga EV concept car represents brand’s continuing commitment to earth-friendly research and development and marks an additional dimension in the company’s development of eco-friendly vehicles.

Kia Venga EV concept car gallery: