Kia Adds 256HP 2.0-liter Turbo to Sportage Range, Priced from $26,490

Kia has released details and pricing on its new turbocharged 2011 Sportage SX compact CUV, scheduled to arrive in the firm's U.S. showrooms later this month. The Sportage SX is Kia's second vehicle in the States to feature the company's 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with direct-injection technology and a twin-scroll turbocharger that delivers 256 horsepower and 264 pound-feet of peak torque.

The 2.0L Turbo is linked to a six-speed automatic transmission and is available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions. Kia said the FWD model returns 22mpg in the city (10.7 lt/100km) and 27mpg on the highway (8.7lt/100km).

In addition to the new powertrain, the Sportage SX also gets a sportier-tuned suspension with firmer shock and strut rates for improved handling over the standard versions along with several bespoke styling features such as the unique 18-inch alloy wheels and grille trim, dual exhaust, and special side sill moldings. The exterior updates are complemented by SX-specific interior appointments including standard aluminum door sills and a modified gauge cluster.

Prices for the 2011 Sportage SX start from $26,490 for the front-wheel drive (FWD) model and from $27,990 for the AWD model, with both MSRPs including a $695 destination and handling fee.

 

 

 

Detroit motor show: Kia KV7 Sport Car Concepts

Kia has designed its KV7 concept to showcase its vision for the large MPV sector, particularly in the US.Revealed at the Detroit motor show, the Californian-penned "convention-challenging” show car is nearly 4.9m long and more than two metres wide. Its most striking feature is a gullwing passenger-side door.See the Kia KV7 concept - now updated with Detroit show picsThe car is powered by Kia’s

2011 Kia Optima First Test

Every year-in good times and bad-hundreds of thousands of American families decide what new midsize sedan to purchase. In years past, the Kia Optima hasn’t exactly been at the top of their lists, languishing in sales behind the Toyota Camrys and Honda Accords of the world.

powerplants, and the customary Korean price points give the new sedan the honed focus necessary to take on Honda and Toyota’s bread and butter. Kia hopes its bygone years of operating on the automotive industry’s fringe are exactly that: in the past.

Our first encounter with the redesigned Optima wasn’t under ideal conditions. Kia invited us to the Road Atlanta course in Georgia to wring out a few preproduction models at the tail end of the summer. Driving on a world-class track is always invigorating, but this wasn’t a real-world test. As exhilarating as sudden drops in elevation and blind corners are, 99.9 percent of midsize sedan customers would rather learn how it fares on everyday roads.

If we’re talking looks, the new Optima’s striking and distinctive styling breaks from the rest of the midsize field. There’s the entry-level LX, midrange EX, and topline SX trims. Each comes well equipped with an array of features including high-performance dampers, auxiliary/USB inputs, a cooled glovebox, and an extensive safety collection befitting its family-carrying intentions.
The Optima’s cabin has been groomed and tailored to fit the midsize set. Seating is wide and a tad on the firm side, with optional heated and cooled front seats. The center stack is thoughtfully angled some 10 degrees toward the driver and finished in a flat black with buttons and dials that have a solid, high-quality feel. Steering effort is light and feels a bit artificial; there isn’t much feedback from the front wheels.

Carscoop Reader Spots New Kia Cadenza Filling up in California

It's been a little over a year since Kia lifted the wraps off its stylish replacement for the Amanti, called the K7 in South Korea and Cadenza in other countries, but we're still waiting for the firm's flagship sedan to show up in the USA. However if these (fuzzy) photos are anything to go by, Kia may be getting ready to launch the Cadenza onto the U.S. market.

The silver-colored mid-size sedan was scooped by Carscoop reader Nick K., who you might remember from the first ever Prius MPV spy shots we posted last September, while filling up at a gas station in California.

"The other day I was sitting at a restaurant in Corona Del Mar, California and spotted a Kia Cadenza (K7). Here are the VERY zoomed in pictures I took with my phone," Nick told Carscoop.

The Cadenza, which sits above the Optima in Kia's range, is available in its home country with a choice of three gasoline engines ranging in output from 165HP for the four-cylinder model to 295HP for the 3.5 liter V6. All variants feature front-wheel drive and a new six-speed automatic transmission.

Kudos to Nick K. for the Kia spotting!

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

Carscoop Reader Spots New Kia Cadenza Filling up in California

It's been a little over a year since Kia lifted the wraps off its stylish replacement for the Amanti, called the K7 in South Korea and Cadenza in other countries, but we're still waiting for the firm's flagship sedan to show up in the USA. However if these (fuzzy) photos are anything to go by, Kia may be getting ready to launch the Cadenza onto the U.S. market.

The silver-colored mid-size sedan was scooped by Carscoop reader Nick K., who you might remember from the first ever Prius MPV spy shots we posted last September, while filling up at a gas station in California.

"The other day I was sitting at a restaurant in Corona Del Mar, California and spotted a Kia Cadenza (K7). Here are the VERY zoomed in pictures I took with my phone," Nick told Carscoop.

The Cadenza, which sits above the Optima in Kia's range, is available in its home country with a choice of three gasoline engines ranging in output from 165HP for the four-cylinder model to 295HP for the 3.5 liter V6. All variants feature front-wheel drive and a new six-speed automatic transmission.

Kudos to Nick K. for the Kia spotting!

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

Kia Release Sketches of 2012 Rio Hatchback, will Debut in Geneva

Kia has big plans for this year's edition of the Geneva Salon as along with the 2012 Picanto city car, the South Korean automaker will also host the world premiere of the 2012 Rio supermini, the first official sketches of which were released today.

The company said that its Ford Fiesta rival is "designed to inject emotional appeal into the B-segment, targeting progressive, energetic consumers who want a stand-out design", adding that the new Rio's styling marks “the next big step” in the company’s ongoing design revolution.

But while it's obvious that the new Rio will be a more stylish proposal than the current model, our recent spy shots suggest that Kia's renderings aren't as close to reality as the company would like us to believe.

Kia also says that the Rio's interior will be more upscale offering "a feeling of quality typically associated with larger, more expensive models." In the teaser sketch we see that Kia will use colored trim throughout the cabin.

The firm's Director of Overseas Marketing, Soon-Nam Lee commented:

"Downsizing is becoming more and more of a trend these days and a B-segment car as attractive as all-new Rio, with its driver-oriented cabin and interior trim options, will no doubt help consumers to be more comfortable making that switch. New Rio is the ‘next big step’ in Kia’s design revolution and we anticipate this model becoming even more popular than the current vehicle."

Kia withheld details on the new Rio's powertrain lineup but buyers should expect a similar engine lineup to the Kia Venga and Hyundai ix20, including a choice of 1.4-liter and 1.6-liter diesel and gasoline units.

According to Kia, the current Rio was the firm's third best-selling vehicle in overseas markets during 2010 selling more than 205,000 units.

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

Kia Release Sketches of 2012 Rio Hatchback, will Debut in Geneva

Kia has big plans for this year's edition of the Geneva Salon as along with the 2012 Picanto city car, the South Korean automaker will also host the world premiere of the 2012 Rio supermini, the first official sketches of which were released today.

The company said that its Ford Fiesta rival is "designed to inject emotional appeal into the B-segment, targeting progressive, energetic consumers who want a stand-out design", adding that the new Rio's styling marks “the next big step” in the company’s ongoing design revolution.

But while it's obvious that the new Rio will be a more stylish proposal than the current model, our recent spy shots suggest that Kia's renderings aren't as close to reality as the company would like us to believe.

Kia also says that the Rio's interior will be more upscale offering "a feeling of quality typically associated with larger, more expensive models." In the teaser sketch we see that Kia will use colored trim throughout the cabin.

The firm's Director of Overseas Marketing, Soon-Nam Lee commented:

"Downsizing is becoming more and more of a trend these days and a B-segment car as attractive as all-new Rio, with its driver-oriented cabin and interior trim options, will no doubt help consumers to be more comfortable making that switch. New Rio is the ‘next big step’ in Kia’s design revolution and we anticipate this model becoming even more popular than the current vehicle."

Kia withheld details on the new Rio's powertrain lineup but buyers should expect a similar engine lineup to the Kia Venga and Hyundai ix20, including a choice of 1.4-liter and 1.6-liter diesel and gasoline units.

According to Kia, the current Rio was the firm's third best-selling vehicle in overseas markets during 2010 selling more than 205,000 units.

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

Kia KV7 Concept Live from 2011 Detroit Motor Show

Unveiled at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, the gullwing-door Kia KV7 is a concept on a mission, aiming to change the perception about conventional MPVs. The South Korean automaker beleives that a people carrier should not only be roomy and versatile, but also eccentric and packed with the latest available technologies.

At a first glance, the vehicle's simple lines aren’t that impressive, but once the exotic doors are open – it also has a pillar-less passenger door – the perception changes dramatically. You’d expect to find similar solutions on a sleek supercar or expensive luxo-barge, but somehow Kia’s designers managed to successfully pair them with the brand’s trademark boxy design.

The wide bodied (80 inches or 2.03 meters) concept also features stretched LED headlights, a relatively small greenhouse and less vertical A-pillars. Paired with 20-inch alloys wrapped around in 225/45 tires, all these elements create the illusion of a lower stance.

Inside, the KV7 offers multiple seating configurations thanks to the swiveling seats, and comes equipped with all sorts of modern infotainment systems, including a floating tabletop touch-screen computer. Wi-Fi is also on the menu.

The design study is motivated by the same 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that we’ve seen on the 2011 Kia Optima, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

By Csaba Daradics

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

Kia KV7 Concept Live from 2011 Detroit Motor Show

Unveiled at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, the gullwing-door Kia KV7 is a concept on a mission, aiming to change the perception about conventional MPVs. The South Korean automaker beleives that a people carrier should not only be roomy and versatile, but also eccentric and packed with the latest available technologies.

At a first glance, the vehicle's simple lines aren’t that impressive, but once the exotic doors are open – it also has a pillar-less passenger door – the perception changes dramatically. You’d expect to find similar solutions on a sleek supercar or expensive luxo-barge, but somehow Kia’s designers managed to successfully pair them with the brand’s trademark boxy design.

The wide bodied (80 inches or 2.03 meters) concept also features stretched LED headlights, a relatively small greenhouse and less vertical A-pillars. Paired with 20-inch alloys wrapped around in 225/45 tires, all these elements create the illusion of a lower stance.

Inside, the KV7 offers multiple seating configurations thanks to the swiveling seats, and comes equipped with all sorts of modern infotainment systems, including a floating tabletop touch-screen computer. Wi-Fi is also on the menu.

The design study is motivated by the same 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that we’ve seen on the 2011 Kia Optima, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

By Csaba Daradics

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________