Archive for category Kia
2012 Kia Picanto Design
The completely redesigned and re-engineered Kia Picanto subcompa
ct will make its first public appearance at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show and will hit European showrooms not long afterward. Seemingly on an unstoppable roll, we wonder if Kia will consider bringing its new city car to the U.S.
The styling of the diminutive hatchback is described as more mature and self-confident than before. Or as Kia’s Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer put it, “In profile, the new Picanto features significant sculpting and a very prominent rising character line. The result is a layering of light and shadow and this breaks up the height, giving the car a more sure-footed stance.”
The new Picanto will be powered by four different variations of 1.0- and 1.2-liter gas, diesel, bi-fuel and flex-fuel engines. While we don’t expect huge performance numbers from these thumpers, class-leading emissions numbers are likely. The new Picanto will still be available in a five-door model, with Kia adding a three-door for the European crowd shortly. Read the rest of this entry »
Design 2012 Kia Cadenza
This past year was a rough one for automakers. The recession propelled manufacturers across the globe into one of the worst years for automotive sales in several decades, and some companies came out much worse for t
he wear. Even Toyota, a manufacturer that has been making headlines for its advancements in engine technology, was heavily affected by the ensuing melee, getting pounded by massive recalls and fuel economy technologies that threaten the top of the industry standing of its innovative Prius model. Even as the majority of automakers seemed to hit rock bottom, one manufacturer rose above the problems and made it a name for itself in 2009.
Amidst the failing auto market, Kia somehow managed to complete 2009 with some of the best numbers in the Korean automaker’s history. Sales were through the roof in 2009 for Kia, owing much to the brand’s unflinching promise to provide its reliable and fuel efficient cars for a much more modest asking price than most of the industry. With tight budgets everywhere, drivers were forced to evaluate cars that they might never have dreamed of buying, and it looks like visitors to Indianapolis Kia dealers were among those who were convinced that Kia is the real deal. Read the rest of this entry »
2012 Kia Soul Design
When Scion released the second-generation xB in 2008, 
many fans of the original, smaller xB were disappointed and upset at the larger, heavier replacement. Ever the opportunist, Kia seized the moment and introduced its Soul urban crossover/tall mini-wagon/CUV/whatever around the same time, and offered fans of the genre something a little closer to the original xB in spirit.
Well, fans of the Hamsters’ favorite ride will have even more to get excited about for the 2012 model year, as Kia is introducing two brand-new engines to the Soul, both direct-injected, and offering solid improvements in power and fuel-efficiency over their predecessors. The base engine will be a 1.6 liter direct-injection four-cylinder producing 135 horsepower and 121 pound-feet of torque. Mated exclusively with a new six-speed manual, this combination is good for 28 city and 34 highway miles per gallon. Not enough power for you? Try the 2.0-liter direct-injection engine, good for 160 horsepower and 143 lb.-ft., offering a still very good 27/33 rating. The added bonus with the bigger engine is the availability of a six-speed automatic transmission for the three-pedal-challenged. Read the rest of this entry »
