Tag Archives: KIA
2020 Kia Soul Gets Funkier, Thanks To A New Unilight Feature
The third iteration of the Kia Soul will get a lot funkier as seen in the major changes brought about by its next-generation model. Since going on sale nearly a decade ago, this tiny box became a staple in Kia’s model lineup. In fact, a redesign back in 2014 infused additional features into the hatchback, paving the way for the Kia Soul Turbo in 2017.
Sure, the Soul was part of many “Best Trucks and SUVs” list back in 2017 and 2018 but the competition is getting tough in this segment and it’s time for Kia to bring out the big guns.
Aside from the roofline of the 2020 soul that still looks similar to the current generation, everything else has been altered to create an eccentric new look for the car.
Up front, Kia decided to let go of today’s traditional large headlamps and went instead for a pair of low-mounted units that could almost be mistaken for fog lights. The combination turn signals and LED daytime running lamps (the “unilight”) sit above the grille.
At the back, the D-pillar-mounted taillights now have a three-dimensional appearance and are merged into the liftgate. This just made the Kia Soul more identifiable on the road as it is before without necessarily losing its unique character.
The Soul will offer the same powertrains and platform as the Kona. The entry-level model would have a 2.0-liter inline-four that produces 147 horses. An upgrade would be a turbocharged 1.6-liter, though the output remains shady for now. We’re pretty sure it would exceed the Kona’s 175 horsepower and would instead stand closer to the Soul Turbo’s 201 horsepower.
The base model will be paired either with a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic gearbox. The Soul Turbo will use exclusively the brand’s seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic. The Turbo would also have distinct features such as the mesh-style grille and center-mounted exhaust outlets.
Photo Source: CarAndDriver
3 Things We Noticed In The 2019 Kia Proceed GT
The five-door 2019 Kia Proceed GT was just spotted in the open, and we now have a pretty clear idea of how the fastback is going to look like once it’s revealed at the 2018 Paris Motor Show in October.
To be clear, Kia hasn’t exactly confirmed when the release will be, but all signals point to the Paris Auto Show.
Exterior
The spy shots of Motor1 show the upcoming Proceed GT with a covered front section, doors, and rear section. But thanks to a bit of wild imagining, we got a pretty good idea of how the auto is going to look like without all that wrap.
The front grille will be the traditional Kia grille, though with the “GT” badge on it. The headlamps are the same as the regular Ceed, and the side air intakes, huge alloy wheels, and red brake calipers all point to a car with serious sporting credentials.
The Proceed is very much a fastback, thanks to the sweeping roof that extends to the rear section. There are large taillights at the rear, including a pair of exhaust tips on opposite ends of the sedan.
Interior
We didn’t get many snaps of the Proceed’s interior, but let’s just say that it will be similar to the concept, which had a 50s-inspired, retro-style cabin. The concept had Kia changing the color of the instrument cluster depending on the driving mode. It also had a carbon fiber spine that runs up to the front seat. We don’t know if these are exactly what we’d come to expect from Kia, but this or a more traditional cabin will be more than enough for fans.
Powertrain
Kia said that the Proceed GT will get a 1.6-liter four-cylinder turbo engine that can deliver around 200 horsepower.
This figure could change as production day nears, but it’s doubtful that the South Korean automaker would bring more power to the Proceed GT. If it will, the five-door fastback will officially step on the Stinger’s toes. The Stinger has a 2.0-liter engine that produces 255 ponies.
The Kia Telluride Spy Shots Look A Lot Like the SUV’s 2016 Concept Model
We first saw the concept for the larger sport utility vehicle Kia Telluride back in 2016. These spy shots prove that the Telluride is on its way to production form, thanks largely to the uncovered front grille and headlights.
The spy shots from Autoblog reveal that the Telluride uses much of the same design shown in the 2016 concept. It has the same square and blocky design that features a tall, sheer, slightly upturned nose. The grille is broader but it curves a bit backward towards the headlights, allowing for a softer facade. The grille also has a slightly upward angle and the headlights have increased in size compared with the concept. And instead of being an inset, the headlights wrap around the fender.
The sides and the rear of the Telluride have more camouflage but that didn’t stop us from having a look at what this new SUV from Kia will offer. The details are taken straight out from the concept and that includes the chrome trim that surrounds the windows. It has a little extension that leads to the B-Pillar.
The rear taillights feature the concept’s inverted L-shaped lights, though the lights on the production model span the full width of the rear hatch.
There is no word yet on the powertrains that will be available for the Telluride. But seeing that this is a mid-sized SUV, we should probably look at the engines available in the Sorrento. Back when it was first introduced as a concept, reports indicated that it would have a 3.5-liter gasoline direct injected V-6 machine that produces 270 horsepower combined with an electric motor that can produce 130 horsepower.
The Telluride should be ready for production in about a year. A report earlier this year said that the announcement will be coming in the near future. The latest spy shots we got here might look exactly like the production version, so we already have a good sense of how the Telluride will look in our garages.
A Look Back at the 2016 Kia Telluride Concept
Let’s revisit the 2016 concept of the Kia Telluride in the video below that comes with a cool remix of Ennio Morricone’s masterpiece:
New 2019 Kia Niro EV Unleashed At International Electric Vehicle Expo
Kia surprised everyone at the 5th International Electric Vehicle Expo in Korea when it revealed the all-new Kia Niro EV in production-ready form. Following the surprise revelation, we are now receiving information about the European specifications of the electric vehicle, as well as details about its European debut at the Paris motor show in October.
Based on the new WLTP testing procedure, the Niro’s long-range 64kWh battery will be capable of reaching 298 miles on a single charge, the same range claimed by the Jaguar I-Pace. It is also slightly better than the 292-mile range of Hyundai’s Kona EV, Kia’s smaller sister car.
The production version of the Niro is far off from the concept shown during the Consumer Electronics Show at the start of the year. Instead, it looks very much like the existing hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions of the crossover. The lone difference in terms of design is the lack of grille, which is now where the charging socket is docketed. Other new elements in the design are the vibrant teal highlights on the front apron and the arrowhead style daytime running lights.
There will be two battery sizes available for the Niro EV—a smaller, cheaper 39.2kWh version and the long-range 64kWh car. The cheaper option won’t likely be available in Europe. That market will only probably see the 298-mile option. Expect the car to arrive in Europe dealerships in early 2019.
The Niro EV is one of the 31 electric vehicles that Kia plans to launch by 2020. Michael Cole, Kia’s European Chief Operating Officer, said in earlier reports that the Niro lineup would have three powertrain choices. So far, we’ve seen two of those three options. And rather than introduce new models for its electrified lineups, Kia would rather develop alternative powertrains for its existing EV models.
3 of the Best Car Deals for the Fourth of July
Independence Day weekend is the best time to troop to your local car dealership and check out what “surprises” are in store for you in terms of low prices and high incentives for slow-selling car models. Manufacturers aim to boost the presence and the sales of these models by offering it for a lower price in time for the Fourth of July celebration.
If you’re eyeing a particular sedan or SUV, you may want to look at this list and hope it’s one of these slow-selling models you can get for less than its original price:
1. 2017 Chevrolet Sonic
Priced at $15,145, the 2017 Chevrolet Sonic has been refreshed for the 2017 model year. However, its sales have decreased by 44.9 percent this year compared to the same period last year. The Sonic is a good value because it handles well and is comfortable, thanks to its turbocharged engine. Inside this subcompact car, it has plenty of seating and cargo. It also has an aesthetic upgrade, including the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.
2. 2017 Kia Sportage
At $23,200, the Kia Sportage is certainly a car you can pick up right now. You think that extensive upgrades would up the sales? That did not happen to the Sportage. Instead, sales of this compact SUV declined by 16.6 percent this year compared to the same period in 2016. Last month, Sportage sales were down 18.3 percent compared to the same month last year.
If you want this bad, you can even get this for zero percent financing for five years before July 10. The Sportage has roomy seating, composed handling, premium cabin materials, and user-friendly tech. If you want better cargo space, though, you have to check out Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester, and Toyota RAV4.
3. 2017 Chevrolet Malibu
The 2017 Chevrolet Malibu has been hailed as the Best Midsize Car For Families because of its crash test scores, seating and cargo space, and reliability rating. But all of these do not mean good sales for the Malibu because recent reports indicated that Chevy sold 30 percent less units compared to the same period last year.
Now priced at $21,680, the Malibu is an even better car to get your hands on.
Pitting the Kia Stinger GT vs Audi A5 Sportback
Comparing the Kia Stinger GT and Audi A5 Sportback is monumental because up until Kia threw its own in the ring, there are only a few competitors in the four-door fastback category.
Kia Stinger
Although it was a latecomer, Kia was bold in its move, designing the four-door Stinger fastback with hood vents, tiger-nose grille, unique LED headlamps, and a throng of other athletic elements.
The Stinger also has a “jazzed up” wheels, a beautifully sloping roof, and a silver trim that runs along the windows to the rear of the vehicle. Turning to the rear, you’ll find that Kia fitted the Stinger with dual exhaust tailpipes, thin taillights, and angular vents.
Inside, you can expect a more premium feel for the Stinger GT. There’s Nappa leather seat covers, large touchscreen on top of the dash, and circular air vents reminiscent of a Mercedes.
Audi A5 Sportback
The Audi A5 Sportback, on the other hand, boasts of its spacious cargo area, which owners can access through a liftgate at the rear of the car. The rear seats can be folded down to further expand the already spacious cargo area.
On the outside, the Stinger GT trumps out the A5 Sportback’s reservations to be bold and more alluring that the A4. It shares the Stinger GT’s side vent near the front door, and the Sportback’s character lines aren’t as tamed as the ones on the Kia.
The interior is where the actual competition happens. Audi carved out more space for the cabin. It has better cargo space, leg room, and even shoulder room. The only element where Kia won over is the ample headroom, which is lacking in the A5 Sportback.
The dashboard is based on the MLB Evo platform. It includes the sat-nav as standard, though you can opt for the Virtual Cockpit. If only based on the dashboard, we have to choose the Sportback over the Stinger. There is no competition when it comes to Audi’s cockpit. It’s still the best in the market today.
3 Things You Need To Know About The 2018 Kia Stinger
During the 2017 Detroit Auto Show, Kia unveiled its 2018 Stinger. Not to be mistaken for the K900, the Stinger is much sleeker and sportier. There are no pricing details for the Stinger, but we’ll expect more details in the coming weeks.
Here are the three things we know about the auto so far based from a report:
1. It Is Getting Two Gasoline Options
In the United States, there are two gasoline options. In Europe, a diesel option may be made available. The decision to bring a diesel option to Europe is purely market based. Sorry, American buyers, the diesel option is not going to be brought to your shores.
The range-topping model is going to be the 3.3-liter V-6 engine that produces 365 horsepower, though there is also the entry-level engine—a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that churns out 255 horsepower. Standard to both models is the eight-speed automatic transmission. Buyers will be able to choose between an all-wheel and a rear-wheel drive.
2. The Design Is Aggressive
The Stinger is not prototype Kia. At first glance, it might even look like an Alfa Romeo. The “tiger nose” grille was not the one that separates the Stinger from other sedans in the market. It’s that low stance and muscular proportions that effectively distinguishes this model from anything that Kia made before.
With 190.2 inches of length, it is 4.1 inches longer than one of its competitors, the Audi A4, and it is 5.7 inches longer than the Mercedes Benz C-Class. It also has an 114.4-inch wheelbase, which is longer than any of its competitors.
3. Generous Equipment Should Be Expected
The cabin is home to a number of technologies available in the South Korean market. It has a wireless device charging station, navigation, and 7.0-inch touchscreen. Safety features for the drivers include adaptive cruise control, automated emergency braking, and a head-up display. For music lovers out there, you can opt for the Harman/Kardon audio system that has 15 speakers and subwoofers beneath the front seat.
3 Things To Watch Out For In The 2017 Kia Picanto
It was supposed to be introduced at the Geneva Motor Show, but months ahead of the scheduled launch, the South Korean automaker released the official photos of its 2017 Kia Picanto. The design of the all-new Picanto came from the ingenious minds of the teams in Namyang, South Korea and Frankfurt, Germany.
Such collaboration between the two teams made the 2017 Kia Picanto pleasing for the European market. Here are the top three features of the car based on our source:
1. Exterior
Much of the exterior and interior look better than its predecessor. We cannot be sure, however, if this will hold true for the lower-trim models. Kia just released photos of its top-of-the-line GT Line trim. Its sporty aesthetics conveys an assertive stance because of its well-sculpted features.
The dimensions are the same with the current model, though it’s getting a 15-millimeter longer wheelbase (0.59 inches). The assertive and dynamic styling was largely thanks to the positioning of the wheels in the corner.
2. Interior
The interior spacing has been updated, which is a mystery since the exterior dimensions stayed the same. But according to reports, the interior space of the 2017 Kia Picanto was a big surprise, and can rival the very best in the segment.
Aside from that, you’ll be surprised with what you see—from the dashboard to the in-car technology. The new dashboard has a tablet-style screen for the infotainment system, a digital display between the two instrument cluster dials, and the latest in-car technology that all passengers can enjoy. That means, the Apple CarPlay and the Android Auto, of course.
3. Powertrain
Kia has yet to release details about the new Picanto’s powertrains. But what we surely can expect are these: 1.0-liter turbocharged, three-cylinder engines that produces 100 horsepower while the other one churns out a pretty impressive 120 horsepower.
Pricing for the 2017 Kia Picanto is not available yet, but more details shall come as the Geneva Motor Show comes closer to launch.
