Kia nieuws

Kia’s design team has won four prestigious ‘red dot’ design awards, including a ‘Best of the Best’ distinction for the new Kia pro_cee’d in the product design category. The Kia cee’d five-door, cee’d Sportswagon and Carens compact MPV models collected ‘Winner’ awards. Along with the iF product design award in November 2012, this is the second prize won by the Kia pro_cee’d before the new model goes on sale later this month. The four 2013 awards bring the total number of Kia’s red dot wins to 10 since 2009. Kia’s Soul, Venga, Sportage compact SUV and D-segment Kia Optima sedan – the latter was awarded the coveted ‘Best of the Best’ prize – were followed last year by aw…

Are you self-conscious? Don’t like to stand out in a crowd? Would you rather blend into the background than be the center of attention? Well, when it comes to the automotive world, you are in luck. Some vehicles seem to have skipped class when it came time for their styling lesson. This is not to say they are ugly, but more that they lack any style whatsoever. We’ve all heard the clichés to describe these anonymously styled cars; plain vanilla, beige, white bread, etc. We like to think of them as stylistically-challenged. Regardless, if you don’t want to draw any undue attention towards yourself, here are ten vehicles that are guaranteed to blend into the landscape. L…

Kia showcased a possible rival for the Nissan Juke compact-crossover this week at the Geneva Motor Show, features funky styling, a turbocharged engine and one extra trick up it’s sleeve: a hybrid powertrain. Although just a concept, the two-door Kia Provo will prove to be a serious competitor to the polarizing Nissan Juke, should Kia put this vehicle into production. Featuring a combined 250-hp from a turbocharged 1.6L four-cylinder engine and a 45-hp electric motor, is sure to be a fun-to-drive, small and capable crossover. That extra capability comes from a four-wheel drive system, which doesn’t take away from the Provo’s fuel efficiency. Thanks to its hybrid powertrai…

The all-new high-performance Kia pro_cee’d GT and cee’d GT made their global debuts at the 83rd Salon International de l’Automobile in Geneva. This new duo powers Kia into one of the most high-profile market segments in Europe, and they are the brand’s most performance-focused production cars ever. The two new models are powered by a new version of Kia’s 1.6-litre GDI (gasoline direct injection) engine equipped with a twin-scroll turbocharger and strengthened internal components. Power and torque outputs are dramatically increased (compared with the non-turbo engine), with maximum power up 51% to 204 ps, and torque up 61% to 265 Nm. The Kia pro_cee’d GT and cee’d GT e…

Kia has unveiled its most performance-focused models ever today at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, with the oddly named pro_cee’d GT and cee’d GT badges. Powered by turbocharged 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engines, the two hatches both make 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. Both models were designed, developed, and manufactured in Europe – which means North American won’t be seeing either anytime soon. SEE ALSO: 2013 Geneva Motor Show Coverage The standard transmission on either model is a six-speed manual, and according to Kia, the front-wheel drive cars hit 62 mph in 7.7 seconds with a top speed of 143 mph. Both vehicles feature new front grilles and lamp clusters, deeper …

Most of us spend a significant amount of time in our cars, so it’s not a stretch to think they can become an extension of ourselves both physically and emotionally. In fact, this is an idea we wanted to explore further, and you might have read our earlier post about an experiment we were working on to see if we can map the emotional connection between car and driver, specifically with our all-new Kia Cerato (Forte). Today on Kia-buzz, we wanted to present our readers with the results of our experiment, which can be seen in the video below: Cerato Digital Croquis Art A combination of motion detection, bio feedback and computer graphics all came together to visualize th…

With Honda recently announcing plans to enter the sub-compact crossover segment with a new model based on the Fit, Kia will toss its hat in the ring as well, debuting the Provo concept today at the Geneva Motor Show. Competitors to the segment-creating Nissan Juke, the Provo is a two-door coupe, though a four-door is likely in production form. Apart from the aggressive good looks the Provo boasts some solid performance too, and more than a few technological treats. Looking wide and sitting on big 19-inch wheels its powered by a turbocharged direct injection 1.6-liter 4-cylinder making 205 hp. Conventionally front-wheel drive, the Provo also boasts an active Smart 4WD…

You might have seen our sneak peek sketches of our provo concept in our previous posting, but here it is in all its glory – and just in time for International Geneva Motor Show. Looking every centimetre a road-legal racer, Kia’s new provo concept, unveiled at the 83rd Salon International De l’Auto in Geneva, mixes ultra-modern technology with a self-confident and agile look to deliver an exciting new B-segment car for enthusiasts. The sleek, low, yet muscular coupe-style hatchback mixes a petrol-fueled turbo-charged engine with clever regenerative-electric motors to bring a smart-hybrid solution to this fun-focused concept that points to Kia Motors’ future B-segment exp…

A track-inspired, three-door hatchback concept from Kia called the Provo will be heading to the 2013 Geneva Motor Show with images leaked ahead of its official debut. Though it’s just a concept, it’s one of the sportiest and most aggressive vehicles Kia has ever shown. It’s sleek, stylish, and its center-locking wheels give it a race-inspired look. The two-tone paint job works also, with the orange contrasting the pewter-like paint. The subtle chrome accent underneath the door surprisingly blends in, while the concept overall exudes a futuristic yet realistic design. SEE ALSO: 2013 GENEVA MOTOR SHOW PREVIEW The interior packs plenty of chrome trim and touchscreen te…

Mercedes-Benz topped the list of car brands as rated by women on both purchasing experiences and browsing experiences at dealerships according to a new report. In the survey by Women-Drivers.com, women now account for over half of all car purchases while influencing and initiating an estimated 80 percent of them. The website tracks thousands of consumer reviews with regards to women’s purchasing and browsing experiences and scores are compiled from those reviews as written in 2012. Dealership scores range from 1.0 to 5.0 and those that score 3.8 or higher are recognized as Certified Women-Drivers Friendly. In the purchasing experience at dealerships category, Mercedes…

State-of-the dealership serves as a flagship example for sustainability and eco-friendly operation Kia Motors South Africa opened its first eco-friendly solar powered 3,620m² dealership in Weltevreden Park on 19 February 2013, which is a first in the local automotive industry, and for Kia dealerships worldwide. Official construction for this new dealership started in January 2012, and was completed one year later on January 2013. The two major areas that contribute to this dealership’s eco-friendly philosophy include power saving in the form of renewable energy and water recycling. The dealership is powered by 288 roof-mounted solar panels, creating a daily maximum…

In the market and shopping for a used car? Consumer Reports has released a list of 20 used vehicles to stay away from as they have a reputation for causing trouble. Listed is a top 20 list of used cars from 2003 to 2012 model year to avoid in alphabetical order. These vehicles had multiple years of much-worse-than-average overall reliability, according to Consumer Reports’ Annual Auto Survey. The BMW 7-Series may be the German automaker’s luxury flagship, but used models aren’t without their issues. From 2001-2008, the 7-Series featured the good ‘ol “Bangle Butt” and sported some highly controversial styling. Early production of that generation was overwhelmed with issue…

Owners of Hyundai and Kia vehicles with overstated fuel economy ratings will now be given the option for a lump sum settlement payment, or continue with the Korean automaker’s debit card reimbursement plan. Hyundai has agreed to settle on the consumer lawsuits on its overstated fuel economy figures that has affected around 600,000 vehicles sold in America. Unfortunately, financial terms of the deal were not disclosed in the filing, so it’s unclear as to how much the automaker will be paying out. In total, 38 class action lawsuits have been consolidated into a single case, with one of those suits claiming that affected consumers should be paid $775 million. SEE ALSO: H…

The 2013 Hyundai Sonata was updated this year with a larger battery pack that boosted the combined fuel economy by 2 mpg, a change that will also be introduced to the Kia Optima Hybrid. “The Optima Hybrid will receive updates as well (increased electric motor power, enhanced battery and increase in cargo capacity) in its own rights,” a source within Kia told AutoGuide.com. The timeline for when the updates will be coming was not revealed by the representative, but the 2014 model year is likely. If the changes carry over unchanged from the updated Hyundai Sonata, the Kia Optima Hybrid will be rated at 38 mpg combined, 40 mpg highway and 36 mpg city. SEE ALSO: 2013 Hy…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=HkQE8BUgZtU

Kia is preparing a redesigned Soul for 2014 and AutoGuide’s spy photographers just caught the car testing. The overall shape of the Soul looks like it will remain intact, but the roofline will be lowered and the stance will be made wider. Changes to the front fascia include a higher grille, a larger air intake and new square headlights with an LED strip on top. The dashboard has also been given a redesign, with a new touchscreen and a new layout for the center stack. SEE ALSO: Next Generation Kia Soul Coming in 2014 A 1.6-liter direct-injected four-cylinder is likely to be under the hood in the base model, producing 138 horsepower and 123 lb-ft of torque. A 2.0-lit…

Kia Motors being mentioned in the fashion world isn’t something very common, and it’s always exciting to see when that happens. Because hey – who doesn’t like to be in style? So today we’d like to introduce you to a ferociously stylish Kia Picanto with a help of a leading Argentinean fashion blogger – Titi. Titi drove this Kia Picanto around Punta del Este in Uruguay designed by artist Cynthia Cohen, and she said she couldn’t go anywhere unnoticed with this leopard print compact on the road. After seeing the Picanto she stylishly coordinated a pair of leopard print Adidas with this ride. Let’s take a look. Leopard on leopard? We approve. Photo courtesy of …

Kia Motors launched its second installment of the “Green Light Project” on January 31st in Salima, Malawi with Salima Governor Ali Phiri, Kia officials, Korea Food for the Hungry International (KFHI) and 500 local residents in attendance. Kia donated three trucks, which will be used for regional support and quality of life improvement such as education, medical services and building a social contribution center. Ali Phiri expressed gratitude for choosing Salima as Kia Motors’ global social responsibility project, and indicated that this initiative will improve Salima’s residential environment and local residents’ ability to stand on their own feet. The Green Light Pro…

Welcome back to the all-you-can-eat Top-10 buffet! You know you want more, and AutoGuide’s happy to serve up another heaping helping of facts, neatly garnished with a sprig of fun. Grab a plate, load it up and tuck in to another generous portion of automotive infotainment. Last week C-Segment sedans battled it out for back-seat supremacy, and the Volkswagen Jetta drove away with top honors. But that was then, this is now. Movin’ on up the vehicular scale, mass-market, three-row crossovers are today’s target. SEE ALSO: Top 10 Compact Sedans with the Largest Back Seats These SUV replacements generally offer fashion-forward families more style and capability than tradit…

Blurring the line between Kia’s gorgeous GT concept and a luxury CUV, Kia Motors slipped the silk off the beautiful Cross GT concept at the 2013 Chicago Auto Show. Amid the popping strobes of cameras, the Cross GT stunned onlookers with its elegant yet powerful stance, confirming once again Kia’s now-well-established reputation for world-class design. The Cross GT seamlessly melds high technology with nature, creating a harmonious partnership between driver and vehicle that also respects our global environment. Purely conceptual, the Cross GT reveals Kia’s intentions to potentially offer a larger premium CUV than the current Sorento. While the GT’s lines were penned…

Unveiled today at the 2013 Chicago Auto Show, this Optima Hybrid signals the continuation of a 10-month, eight vehicle partnership between Kia and DC Entertainment based on the iconic characters that make up the Justice League – Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, The Flash, Aquaman and Cyborg. An eighth and final vehicle will be an amalgamation of all seven Super Heroes in one. Influenced by the artistry of comic book visionary, Jim Lee, the Justice League-inspired Kia vehicles serve as a force for good in the world by raising awareness of DC Entertainment’s “We Can Be Heroes” giving campaign, a relief effort to bring help and hope to people affected by dro…

A couple weeks ago our Top 10 target was the large-sedan segment. We looked at a diverse lineup of full-figured four doors, comparing them based on their theoretical maximum range. We multiplied the number of gallons in their respective fuel tanks by each of their highway economy ratings. SEE ALSO: Top 10 Large Sedans With the Longest Range Against all expectations the Volkswagen Passat TDI drove away with top honors, and it did so by a wide margin. It wasn’t just the comparison’s valedictorian; it skipped two grades took all AP classes and still wound up with a GPA of 4.2. This diesel-powered “People’s Car” can devour nearly 800 miles on a single tank! On the other ha…

Kia showed off the shocking Cross GT concept at the 2013 Chicago Auto Show yesterday, previewing a potential luxury crossover from the Korean automaker. Under the hood of the Cross GT is a hybrid powertrain that pairs a V6 engine with an electric motor for a total of 400 hp and 500 lbs-ft of torque. That’s paired with a 8-speed transmission to keep fuel economy in check. Inside the Cross GT has an earth-tone color theme, inspired by equestrian saddles. VIEW COMPLETE 2013 CHICAGO AUTO SHOW COVERAGE This funky Kia concept was made by the same group of designers in California who made the Track’ster, KV7 and Soul’ster concepts. Get a closer look at the Kia Cross GT Con…

Kia Motors ignited the 2013 Chicago Auto Show when the all-new, ultra-hot Forte (Cerato in some markets) 5-door rolled on-stage. The all-new Forte 5-door SX’s eye-catching European-inspired hatchback design is complimented by an all-new 1.6-liter gasoline direct-injected (GDI) turbocharged four-cylinder engine putting out 201 horsepower and 195 lb.-ft. of torque, making the all-new Forte 5-door SX the most powerful Forte from Kia Motors to date. The Forte 5-door is expected to go on sale in the third quarter of 2013, and pricing will be announced closer to launch. Presented in two trim levels, EX and SX, with two distinct engine choices, the Forte 5-door will offer cus…

Kia just revealed its brand-new Forte 5-Door at the Chicago Auto Show today, including a potent 201 hp turbocharged version. The SX model is powered by spunky little 1.6-liter engine. That may sound like a pretty small powerplant for a C-Segment hatchback, but fear not; it’s loaded with goodies. Those add-ons include a turbocharger, direct fuel injection and variable valve timing. Looking at the bottom line it squeezes out 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. That’s enough beans to make it the most powerful Forte ever offered by Kia. Those numbers are a welcome boost over the base car’s 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. The EX version of the Forte 5-Door delivers 17…