Kia Motors seems to be racking up awards one after another these past days. Now, it is the Kia Soul which has solicited another award, bagging the 2010 Automotive Excellence Award by Popular Mechanics. The Kia Soul has already pocketed previous awards including the Top Safety Pick and the Coolest New Cars Under $18,000. Apparently its features which include its appealing style, fuel efficiency and overall value have been responsible for these awards. The Kia Soul is 1 of 10 vehicles acknowledged from the list.

The Kia Soul is available in four trims with starting prices at $14,000.00. Packed with features that include a SIRIUS Satellite Radio and audio (CD/MP3) peripherals, there is no doubt that the Kia Soul is truly a classy vehicle to consider. But add these to the overall stature of the Kia Soul 2010 and you know why this 5-door vehicle is truly getting the recognition it so truly deserves!

Image Credits

(Source) Reuters

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Kia Motors America unveils its latest vehicle to roll out at the West Point, Georgia facility with the 2011 Kia Sorrento CUV. The new 2011 Kia Sorrento CUV carries a modern CUV design fit for the common motorists of today. The vehicle can accommodate up to 7 passengers and is longer than previous Kia Sorrento models. It is available in 2 engine options, a 2.4 liter 4 cylinder and a 3.5 liter V6 engines, both complimented by a six-speed automatic transmission. Other features include AM/FM/CD/MP3/Sat audio system with SIRIUS Satellite Radio capabilities with three months complimentary service.

(Source) Press

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Nissan unveils its own ticket to the growing number of vehicles aiming to provide space and transportation with the 2010 Nissan Rogue Krom. It comes armed with the usual features like the 2.5 liter 4-cylinder engine, Nissan’s advanced Xtronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission), Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), 4-wheel disc brakes with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and an intuitive All-Wheel Drive system.

The Nissan Rogue Krom falls in the category of compact sports utility vehicles such as the Toyota Fortuner, Kia Carens and the Honda CRV. The Nissan Rogue Krom will be available in three color choices namely, Venom Red, Wicket Black, and Gotham Gray.

(Source) Auto Blog

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Thanks to its bold styling and remarkable technology features, the 2010 Kia Forte Koup has been adjudged the “Best of the 2009 Orange County Show” by NADAGuides.com, being only one of five cars to be honored at the said show. The first-ever two-door coupe is the latest addition to the Kia Motors lineup which follows the footsteps of slightly larger four-door sedans released by Kia Motors America. The Kia Forte Koup is available in EX and SX models and comes powered by a 2.0 (EX) or 2.4 (SX) liter inline four cylinder engine, 156 horsepower and a multi-port electronic fuel injection. Other highlights include Bluetooth connectivity, AM/FM MP3 audio systems and SIRIUS Satellite Radio service.

(Source) Press

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Kia Motors has announced a new luxury model in their vehicle line up with the KND-5 Concept car. This new luxury model aims to satisfy the growing demands for vehicles who are looking for refinement and safety for ideal driving conditions. The new luxury sedan will be known as the Cadenza outside Korea and will make its debut in the Middle East. Cadenza is a name derived from an Italian music term which stands for elaborate, ornamental flourish for a concerto.

Among the notable features of the Cadenza include its sporty look, bold headlamp design, stylish taillights and passenger friendly high-tech features. It also carries the usual vehicle features like power steering, extendable seat cushions, and auto defogging of windshield and ventilation front seats.

(Source) Press

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Kia Motors continues to introduce larger vehicles as it has revealed that an all-new Kia Sorento model will start production at their U.S. plant. The latest model is the 2011 Kia Sorento CUV which is scheduled to begin rolling off the assembly line at the West Point, Georgia plant.

The 2011 Kia Sorento CUV boasts of an improved fuel economy and more passenger room and seating capacity that previous Kia Sorento models. It will be longer and lower and carries a sleek styling and futuristic touch. The 2011 Kia Sorento CUV will also highlight two- and four-wheel drive options and a variety of upscale appointments to appeal to a wide range of consumers.

(Source) Pres

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Thanks to its quirky styling, interior, extensive warranty, fuel economy and other comfortable features, the 2010 Kia Soul racks up another feather to its cap by being named in the Top Top 10 Back to School Car List by KBB.com. This comes at the heels of garnering another previous citation for being the Top Safety Pick by the IIHS.

The feedbacks were based from what the editors had gathered together from what vehicles offer as far as reliability, safety features, affordability, practicality, good handling and attractive styling are concerned which may be appealing to parents and students. The 2010 Kia Soul prices start from $13,300 which also makes it a lot preferred on the car of choice.

Available in four trims, Soul, Soul+, Soul! (exclaim) and Soul sport, pricing for the versatile five door begins at $13,300 for the base trim, while Soul+ starts at $14,950. Moving up to the Soul! offers a price beginning at $16,950 and the Soul sport, designed for those with active lifestyles, starts at $16,950 and tops out at $18,600.

(Source) Press

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Kia Motors America embraces the Facebook marketing pitch with the launch of the “Go Hamster Go” Facebook app that makes use of face-recognition technology as well to through the use of webcams for people who have one.

The highlight of the game is the 2010 Kia Soul urban passenger vehicle. The player controls the competition with his or her face using a virtual magnet that “connects” to his or her forehead. The object of the game is to grab a hamster with the magnet as it comes off of a conveyer belt and place it into a Soul as an onscreen clock ticks down.

Each hamster wears a colored t-shirt mirroring a Soul paint color (Java, Alien Green, Molten, etc.), and when the player successfully drops a hamster into a Soul, the car turns into that color and drives away, while the next empty Soul arrives. The exit window lists the final score as well as the many exciting personalization options the user managed to add to the Soul.

This new marketing strategy and ad campaign promises to be something that should build on the 2010 Kia Soul vehicle. With Facebook making strides and posing as a new form of promotional campaign, expect the Soul to benefit a lot from this new game like most products marketed via this popular social networking site.

(Source) Press

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Kia has recently sent out a press release containing renders of their forthcoming premium sedan; the 2010 VG. We won’t see the actual car until next year at the Detroit Auto show but Koreans can expect it to hit dealerships later this year

Hyoung Keun Lee, exec over at Kia, comments on the car’s design:

“VG clearly demonstrates the next stage in Kia’s design evolution and showcases our new design principle of ’sophistication by simplicity’. The exterior is a seamless blend of powerful front, sleek profile and sophisticated but simple rear lines to create an elegant and luxurious appearance,”

Unfortunately for the UK, Kia currently has no intentions of having the VG hit European shores.

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Kia has recently detailed their intentions to bring hybrid vehicles to the UK within the next 3 years. Exactly what vehicles these will be, we have no idea, but let’s hope Kia comes up with something good.

Furthermore, Kia was also quoted to have said that they don’t believe hybrids will be around for much longer instead pointing towards hydrogen powered vehicles as the future:

Kia is committed to bringing a range of new technologies to UK consumers as soon as is viable. It will not be too long before we have hybrid vehicles but we see this as a step on the way to a fuel-cell powered future. This is the real answer to the problem of automotive pollution – even fully electric cars just push the pollution problem further up the chain to the generators. Hydrogen offers a real long-term solution to the challenge of individual mobility coupled with environmental sustainability.

We’ll keep you updated as Kia makes further statements.

via Autoblog

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There is something about the Toyota Urban Cruiser that makes it tick in the UK market, especially during these times when people are whittling down their transport needs. We are all aware that many are putting into consideration a lot of factors, fuel consumption which is perhaps the prime one.

However, new as it may seem, the new Toyota Urban Cruiser seems to possess something that is drawing attention. It is built in the same infrastructure as the Toyota Yaris and boasts of clever spacing for the family trips.

The car is for those who want the rugged four by four feeling without the ‘Chelsea Tractor’ image and is a softer alternative to the Toyota Land Cruiser. Aimed at singles and couples in their thirties and forties, rival models include the Suzuki SX4, the Kia Soul and the much-publicised Nissan Qashqai.

Two models are currently available; the two-wheel drive 1.3 litre petrol and the four-wheel drive 1.4 litre diesel. Both models produce around a humble 130g/km of CO2 and with the Toyota ‘Optimal Drive’ feature, official fuel figures are an impressive 51.4-mpg for the petrol and 57.6-mpg combined for the diesel.

(Source) Press

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Score one for the less heralded SUV of Kia Motors of America, the Kia Sportage as it bagged the AutoPacific Inc.’s 2009 Ideal Vehicle Award. These awards are handed out depending on how a vehicle matches the car owner’s expectations and apparent the Kia Sportage was able to achieve such a feat.

“We take great pride in knowing our owners are satisfied with their vehicles and Sportage’s recognition as an ideal vehicle is a tremendous compliment,” said Michael Sprague, vice president of marketing, Kia Motors America (KMA). “This second AutoPacific award directly reflects the satisfaction of smart, discerning Sportage owners, and this type of consumer feedback validates Kia’s commitment to providing high levels of quality, style, safety and practicality in all of our vehicles.”

Among the features that feted the Kia Sportage this award included the following:

• Passenger and Cargo Space
• Off-Road Capabilities
• Fuel Economy
• Six Airbags with full-length side curtain airbags
• SIRIUS Satellite Radio with three months complimentary service and USB and auxiliary input jacks
• 2.0-liter engine delivers impressive fuel economy at 20 mpg (city) and 25 mpg (highway)

(Source) Press

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Kia Motors America unveiled new pictures of the special edition 2010 Denim Kia Soul. From afar it looks like the same Kia Soul which initially came out but go a bit closer and you may notice the changes for this popular urban passenger vehicle.

Among the highlights of the 2010 Denim Kia Soul Special Edition:

• Unique denim exterior color
• White side-view mirrors
• White 18-inch alloy wheels
• Front fender turn signal indicator lights
• Wing-type rear spoiler
• White racing stripes completing the rally-inspired look.
• Audio Upgrade Package (center speaker, subwoofer, external amplifier and speaker lights that pulse to the beat of the music)
• An iPod connection cable for full functionality via the radio head unit and steering wheel controls
• Carpeted floor mats
• Moonroof
• Fog lights

The special edition Denim Soul is priced at $17,300 for a five-speed manual transmission and $18,250 for the automatic version.

(Source) Press

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It may be small but it is the concept that counts. As far as the Kia Soul’ster is concerned, the brainchild of Kia Motors America has been lauded and has received the 2009 Concept Truck of the Year award. The Kia Soul’ster debuted at the 2009 North America International Auto Show. With the new concept vehicle, Kia presents a creative concept vehicle that is sure to be a great add for transportation needs which are quite relevant today.

“The Soul production vehicle has provided our design team with a tremendous platform for expression, and with the Soul’ster we sought to highlight a different side of the Soul and take it to another level,” said Tom Kearns, chief designer, Kia Design Center America. “It is an honor for the Soul’ster to be named Concept Truck of the Year, and further proof that Kia’s global commitment to design is dramatically altering the brand’s image and consumer opinion of our company and our vehicles.”

Indeed, Kia Motors has been on the aggressive route towards improving its vehicle quality and niche. And as far as a new concept vehicle, or truck in this case, the Soul’ster carries an appealing design that is sure to be admired and a hit in the car market soon.

(Source) Press

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2010 Kia Morning/ Picanto

The Hyundai – Kia Group launched an updated 2010 Kia Morning citycar, better known as the Picanto in other parts of the world. This is the second facelift for the Korean mini following a subtle makeover in 2007. Once again, the styling changes aren’t overly radical with the most visible differences appearing in the reshaped front and rear bumpers, new side skirts, revised tail lights, and a slightly modified front grille.

Kia’s press release mentions minor revisions in the interior that include a new design for the three-spoke steering wheel and freshened up trim. The Picanto / Morning is available in two engine options in Korea, an entry-level 1.0-liter LPI four pot with 67HP and an updated 1.0-liter gasoline engine with 72HP.

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