2010 Kia Forte
Kia is going full speed ahead with is new image. The Soul is erasing the memories of the soulless Rio, and now the Forte is adding style that the Spectra never had. The Forte has been on sale in other Markets sine August, and U.S. sales are now slated for this spring.
The 2010 Forte is being offered in three different trims: EX, LX and SX. Forte LX and EX are powered by a 2.0-liter DOHC four-cylinder engine, producing 156 hp and 144 lbs-ft of torque, that features Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) and multi-port electronic fuel injection. The SX features an upgraded 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine, also with CVVT, which delivers 173 hp.
Why are we excited about a new little Kia? Well, budget-friendly Kia seems to be starting to turn a corner. Its Euro-only Cee’d has been getting good reviews for style and performance. This Forte looks great inside and out compared to the Spectra it replaces, and so our hopes are high.
The 2010 Forte is being offered in three different trims: EX, LX and SX. Forte LX and EX are powered by a 2.0-liter DOHC four-cylinder engine, producing 156 hp and 144 lbs-ft of torque, that features Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) and multi-port electronic fuel injection. The SX features an upgraded 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine, also with CVVT, which delivers 173 hp.
Why are we excited about a new little Kia? Well, budget-friendly Kia seems to be starting to turn a corner. Its Euro-only Cee’d has been getting good reviews for style and performance. This Forte looks great inside and out compared to the Spectra it replaces, and so our hopes are high.
2010 Kia Forte Koup Last year at the New York Auto Show Kia showed off the Koup, which had obvious design links to the Forte but was still good enough to make our top 10 concept cars of 2008. This week was back in New York Kia to show off the production version of the Forte Koup, and we’re happy to report it hasn’t changer much from the concept.
The idea for the car is simple: a sleeker coupe look for the sharp Forte sedan. That also means the engine lineup won’t change from the sedan. The Koup will be available with either a 156 hp 2.0-liter or 173 hp 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. Both engines are mated to either a six-speed manual or a five-speed automatic transmission.
So what makes this car so special? Well, although Kia has not released pricing for the Forte Koup, we’re operating under the assumption that it will be in line with the rest of Kia’s budget-minded lineup. That means a car that looks better than a Honda Civic coupe (opinions vary) with plenty of money left over. The after-market is going to have a field day with this one.
The idea for the car is simple: a sleeker coupe look for the sharp Forte sedan. That also means the engine lineup won’t change from the sedan. The Koup will be available with either a 156 hp 2.0-liter or 173 hp 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. Both engines are mated to either a six-speed manual or a five-speed automatic transmission.
So what makes this car so special? Well, although Kia has not released pricing for the Forte Koup, we’re operating under the assumption that it will be in line with the rest of Kia’s budget-minded lineup. That means a car that looks better than a Honda Civic coupe (opinions vary) with plenty of money left over. The after-market is going to have a field day with this one.
The Kia Soul is the Korean automaker’s answer to the rather bland boxcar marketplace. Competing for more juvenile car buyers against vehicles like the youth-targeted Scion xB, the New Nissan Cube and the aging Honda Element; the Kia Soul is an almost unexpectedly stylish, solid and even fun to drive option from that other car building country on the other side of the Pacific. With trim levels named “+”, “!” and Sport, featuring options like a Sound Sensitive Mood Lighting system, a place to hook up your iPod and optional 18 inch wheels is just what the kids are asking for. With its hearty 2.0 Liter four making 142 HP while getting an estimated 30 MPG on the highway, this Soul! is the Kia you will be proud to be seen in.
Starting at just over $13,000 the Kia Soul offers tons of options: like a factory body kit, Soul license plate frames, sport shift knobs, rear spoilers, interior lighting, remote start, touch up paint, first aid kit and all sorts of roof racks; perfect for an action sports inspired market. The Soul is the perfect option for a car buying public who like to feel unique when behind the wheel and don’t want to sacrifice performance or reliability for lots of style at a reasonable price.
Starting at just over $13,000 the Kia Soul offers tons of options: like a factory body kit, Soul license plate frames, sport shift knobs, rear spoilers, interior lighting, remote start, touch up paint, first aid kit and all sorts of roof racks; perfect for an action sports inspired market. The Soul is the perfect option for a car buying public who like to feel unique when behind the wheel and don’t want to sacrifice performance or reliability for lots of style at a reasonable price.
2010 Denim Kia Soul Kia has unveiled a new special edition SOUL. Called Denim Soul, the new special edition is priced at $17,301 with a five-speed manual transmission, and $18,250 with an automatic.
The new Denim Soul features a unique denim exterior color, striking white side-view mirrors with matching white 18-inch alloy wheels, front fender turn signal indicator lights, a wing-type rear spoiler and a bold off-set white racing stripe completing the rally-inspired look. The Denim Soul is based on the Soul+ model and is fully loaded with the 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 and fog lights all included for this special edition.
The new Denim Soul features a unique denim exterior color, striking white side-view mirrors with matching white 18-inch alloy wheels, front fender turn signal indicator lights, a wing-type rear spoiler and a bold off-set white racing stripe completing the rally-inspired look. The Denim Soul is based on the Soul+ model and is fully loaded with the 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 and fog lights all included for this special edition.
2010 Kia Cee’d Kia will unveil at the Frankfurt Motor Show the facelift version of the most successful model in the line-up: C’eed, in both sedan and station wagon versions.
For 2010, the new C’eed receives numerous exterior and interior design refinements, upgraded standard equipment and technical innovations. The cee’d also gets a fully-revised suspension set-up. Also Kia will focus on reducing fuel consumption (5% for all the line-up).
"The new cee’d is 25 mm longer and is more distinctive in appearance with a stronger road presence. Following our established model range line-up, customers will enjoy a thoroughly revised interior including a new-style steering wheel and gear lever, all-red instrument illumination, a new centre console and new audio systems, plus dual-zone climate control air-conditioning."
For 2010, the new C’eed receives numerous exterior and interior design refinements, upgraded standard equipment and technical innovations. The cee’d also gets a fully-revised suspension set-up. Also Kia will focus on reducing fuel consumption (5% for all the line-up).
"The new cee’d is 25 mm longer and is more distinctive in appearance with a stronger road presence. Following our established model range line-up, customers will enjoy a thoroughly revised interior including a new-style steering wheel and gear lever, all-red instrument illumination, a new centre console and new audio systems, plus dual-zone climate control air-conditioning."
2009 Kia Borrego On the heels of record 2007 sales, Kia Motors America (KMA) today announced the world debut of the all-new Borrego midsize SUV at the 2008 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, further bolstering its product offerings in the United States. Inspired by Kia’s "less is more" design philosophy, Borrego was intended to convey a pure and functional look. It joins Kia’s ersatile and stylish line of cars and SUVs for those who enjoy active and energetic lifestyles. Set to go on sale this summer as a 2009 model, Borrego houses Kia’s first-ever V8 engine, making it the most powerful Kia vehicle to date.
2009 Kia Optima Kia unveiled at the New York Auto Show the 2009 Optima, a model that offers a completely modified exterior, which offers a more aggressive, dynamic style than previous models, and is outfitted with a new engine that provides more power and better fuel economy. The 2009 Optima will go on sale in early fall.
For 2009. Optima is being offered in three different versions: LX, EX and the new sporty SX trim. Along with a sport-tuned suspension, SX upgrades include: a black-bezeled front grille and headlamps, LED outside-mirror turning signals, fog lights and hyper-silver-finished 17-inch wheels. EX and LX V6 models are equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels, and are fitted with Goodyear tires.
The 2009 Optima is available in two powerplants – a 2.4-liter four-cylinder or a 2.7-liter V6 engine – and two five-speed transmissions (manual with LX four-cylinder model only). The four-cylinder engine delivers 161 hp and the 2.7-liter V6 delivers190 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. The V6 is mated to a five-speed, gated automatic transmission. All automatics feature Sportmatic clutchless shifting.
For 2009. Optima is being offered in three different versions: LX, EX and the new sporty SX trim. Along with a sport-tuned suspension, SX upgrades include: a black-bezeled front grille and headlamps, LED outside-mirror turning signals, fog lights and hyper-silver-finished 17-inch wheels. EX and LX V6 models are equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels, and are fitted with Goodyear tires.
The 2009 Optima is available in two powerplants – a 2.4-liter four-cylinder or a 2.7-liter V6 engine – and two five-speed transmissions (manual with LX four-cylinder model only). The four-cylinder engine delivers 161 hp and the 2.7-liter V6 delivers190 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. The V6 is mated to a five-speed, gated automatic transmission. All automatics feature Sportmatic clutchless shifting.
2009 Kia Soul The 2009 Kia SOUL urban crossover made its world debut in 2008 at the Paris Auto Show. Sales will begin in early of 2009 and Kia hopes to sell around 136,000 examples annually. Customers will have to choose from 15 different versions and 11 exterior colors and four interior color-schemes, plus a wide range of option packs, optional extras and accessories.
The 4.1-metre long Kia Soul urban crossover has an unusually long (2550 mm) wheelbase, but the key dimensions behind the Soul’s striking appearance are vertical measurements. Overall height is 1610 mm, the base of the windscreen is 135 mm higher than a typical compact car, the ‘hip point’ is 120 mm higher and the ground clearance is raised by 45 mm to 165 mm.
The 4.1-metre long Kia Soul urban crossover has an unusually long (2550 mm) wheelbase, but the key dimensions behind the Soul’s striking appearance are vertical measurements. Overall height is 1610 mm, the base of the windscreen is 135 mm higher than a typical compact car, the ‘hip point’ is 120 mm higher and the ground clearance is raised by 45 mm to 165 mm.
2009 Kia Borrego Limited Kia revealed today at the SEMA Show the Borrego Limited, a concept extends from the 2009 Borrego SUV. This Borrego is trying for a cooler version of the family hauler by painting most surfaces black, using limo-grade tinting to have the windows match the paint, lowering the ride height, and adding 22-inch Avarus Chrome Wheels.
The truth is there’s not much exciting with this Kia, but it is likely a good indication of what a limited edition from the factory may look like.
The truth is there’s not much exciting with this Kia, but it is likely a good indication of what a limited edition from the factory may look like.
2009 SEMA Kia Rio5
Kia is about to become an interesting company. The Soul is a refrshing design from the Korean firm, and the upcoming Forte is a clean design that has been receiving good reviews. So it puzzles us why with so much new good stuff on the horizon, Kia would choose the ho-hum Rio5 to represent the company at SEMA.The car starts with a Kia-genuine body kit and adds a revised front mesh grille, blackened headlamps, custom wheels, revised strut brace and cold air intake system, a cat-back exhaust, and stainless steel door sill plates. The lowered frame sits wrapped around larger wheels and tires by TSW and Goodyear. So the execution is good (and even the paint job looks nice), but the fact remains under all this is a Rio5.
Much of this kit is available through Kia dealers (some of it is being tested for future availability.) So if you’re somehow stuck with a Rio5, at least it doesn’t have to be a completely dull one.
2009 Kia Borrego FCEV
Kia unveiled the all-new Kia Borrego FCEV (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle) at the Los Angeles International Auto Show.
Available with two and three tank systems with 70MPa pressure, the Borrego FCEV’s power plant is located under the center floor and boasts an additional 47 hp of power to produce a peak output of 154 hp (a 44-percent increase compared to the previous generation) and propel the vehicle to a top speed of 100 mph while boasting a best-in-class system efficiency of 62 percent. With a 202-liter hydrogen storage tank located underneath the vehicle and ahead of the rear wheels, this latest Kia Motors research vehicle has a range of about 426 miles.
With the use of lightweight aluminum body shell components, the Borrego FCEV has a power-to-weight ratio that is similar to the new production model SUV. The FCEV also retains the roomy cabin, low noise levels and overall driving refinement of its new gasoline/diesel-powered sibling.
2009 Kia Soul’ster
Kia announced that is would bring a special version of its Soul compact crossover to the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. As we got closer to the show, it began to seem that Kia did more than just add a few new panels to its newest economy car. Instead Kia lobbed off the roof and two doors to create a cool budget-friendly beach buggy it calls the Soul’ster.
It’s of course no surprise that Kia says that the car can be offered with any of the four engines that are available for the Soul sedan/crossover. So if Kia were to put this into production it could come with one of four gas and diesel options offered internationally (the U.S. will only get the 2.0-liter four-cylinder gas engine making 140 hp). But remember that is IF Kia puts this little guy into production.
It’s of course no surprise that Kia says that the car can be offered with any of the four engines that are available for the Soul sedan/crossover. So if Kia were to put this into production it could come with one of four gas and diesel options offered internationally (the U.S. will only get the 2.0-liter four-cylinder gas engine making 140 hp). But remember that is IF Kia puts this little guy into production.
2009 Kia No 3 ConceptEarlier this month Kia announced it will bring a new concept car to Geneva, that it called, "a great looking MPV".
We were skeptical about reporting on MPVs, but we had to post this one again when we saw the windshield. The No 3 Concept features a windshield that is continuous piece of glass that isn’t supported until it is out of the driver’s sight line. Of course this is only for the concept and won’t make it to a production car. Still, that’s a cool little innovation that we wouldn’t mind in a car, that is until a rock cracks it; and we have to pay the replacement costs.
