The Kia Cadenza, Kia Motors replacement for its Amanti large sedan, could be the first car to get Kia's new direct-injection gasoline engine.
The Cadenza, which was unveiled last week in South Korea, goes on sale in North America in 2011.
Production of the Amanti ended this year. Once inventories run out, U.S. dealers will lack a large sedan until the Cadenza arrives, spokesman Michael Choo said. In the meantime, the midsize Optima will be Kia's biggest sedan, he said.
"The U.S. wants to grow into this model," Choo said. "The market isn't ready for it yet."
The four-door, five-seat Cadenza is shorter than the Amanti but has a longer wheelbase and more interior space, according to a Kia news release.
In Korea, the car has a 3.5-liter V-6 engine and a six-speed automatic transmission. Engine specifications of the North American version of the Cadenza still are being decided. But the car could get Kia's new direct-injection gasoline engine, Choo said.
The front-drive Cadenza is the first on the company's new Type N platform. A lighter, stronger body shell and new suspension help make the Cadenza 286 pounds lighter than the Amanti.
The Cadenza makes its global auto show debut Dec. 12 at the Riyadh Motor Show in Saudi Arabia, Kia said. The car will be built at Kia's Hwasung assembly plant in South Korea.
It goes on sale this year in South Korea. Exports to global markets other than the United States and Europe begin in January.
(Source: Automotive News)
A white 2011 My Sorento CUV, rolled off the production line yesterday at the Kia Motors manufacturing plant in West Point, Georgia. The plant is the first in the U.S. and is expected to produce 300,000 vehicles at full capacity and employ 2,500 people, with on-site and nearby suppliers creating 7,500 additional jobs.
According to a news release, Kia Motors has invested $1 billion in the facility that features the world's most advanced manufacturing techniques. The new plant offers more than a half mile of height-adjustable conveyors and wood flooring, for a more comfortable work environment.
The plant spreads out over 2,200 acres, and includes a body stamping facility, a transmission shop where the all-new 2011 Sorento's six-speed automatic transmission is produced, and a two mile test track.
Squint your eyes and its easy to see how this Kia Koup resembles the Scion tC.
(Credit: Antuan Goodwin/CNET)
Is Kia the new Scion? That's the question I kept asking myself over and over again as I tested the 2010 Scion xB, all the while comparing it to the 2010 Kia Soul. (Although to be fair, the Soul is closer in size to a tall xD than the xB.)
At the 2009 SEMA Show, I was able to get a closer look at the way Kia is embracing the aftermarket and its array of Kia-branded dealer-installed mods. What I saw reminded me of Scion's first years, which featured partnerships with well known tuners and an array of TRD-branded dealer-installed options, so I don't think its a stretch to draw parallels between the two brands' paths.
Take a look at a selection of the custom Kias at the 2009 SEMA Show, then let us know what you think in the comments.
This last week saw yet another big auto show in the form of the 2009 SEMA Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The show ran from November 2 to Friday November 6, and boy, was there a ton of eye candy for us car enthusiasts. However, the SEMA Show was not open to the public--only auto industry insiders were allowed inside these doors full of what SEMA refers to as "automotive specialty products." This video is a teaser of some of the many automotive delights that were on display at this year's event.
Here we go with another quality highlight video from the folks at Inside Line courtesy of Edmunds.com. This highlight reel features Camaros galore, plenty of Ford mods, and the stateside debut of the $375,000 Lexus LFA. Other notable vehicles include the Hyundai Genesis (with the midcar engine), Kia's first foray into racecars, and the Brooks & Dunn sponsored Toyota Tundra with an onboard barbecue grill--yummy.
Kia and Hyundai are undergoing something of a renaissance, rebuilding their brands with new models that look good, offer many tech features, and cost little. Hyundai came out with its Genesis sedan and coupe, while Kia recently started selling the Soul, a neat little cruiser. Now Kia offers the Forte, an economy sedan that doesn't necessarily reach for the stars, but competes well in its class. At well under $20,000, the Forte SX comes with Bluetooth cell phone and iPod integration, two features we've become convinced should be available with any new car.
When the Kia Soul arrived in our garage, we immediately took to its funky-but-sporty styling. The interior didn't let us down, either, with its houndstooth seat fabric and crazy light pulsing front door speakers. Fitting the youthful look of the car, iPod integration is standard, along with an impressive sound system. But what we didn't expect was that the Bluetooth phone system would be the most standout-tech feature of the car.
Using test purpose vehicles, stunt drivers, and a crane, the director was able to tell the story of how the Kia Souls ship out.
(Source: Kia Buzz)
Kia's new Forte sedan, which replaces the Spectra, signals a new design direction for the Korean brand.
The Forte is sportier and has a more contemporary look than the Spectra, Kia's best-selling vehicle. It also is roomier, more powerful, and gets better fuel economy. Kia executives say they have a formidable competitor for the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic.
On sale: Now
What changes: The Forte is bigger than the Spectra and offers upgraded engines--a 156 horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder and a 2.4-liter four-cylinder that delivers 173 horsepower. It also gets Kia's first six-speed manual transmission. Electronic stability control, Bluetooth with voice activation, and satellite radio are standard.
"With its roominess and standard equipment, Forte is more than just a worthy contender," says Michael Sprague, vice president of marketing at Kia Motors America.
Kia's new Forte
How the Forte stacks up against the car it replaces, the Spectra.
| 2010 Forte | 2009 Spectra | |
| Length | 178.3 in. | 177.2 in. |
| Wheelbase | 104.3 in. | 102.8 in |
| Base engine | 2.0-liter 4-cyl. | 2.0-liter 4-cyl. |
| Horsepower | 156 @ 6,200 rpm | 138 @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque, pound-feet | 144 @ 4,300 rpm | 136 @ 4,500 rpm |
| EPA mpg | 25 city/34 hwy. | 23 city/30 hwy. |
| Price, including shipping | $14,390 | $14,200 |
Competitive landscape: The Forte is targeting the Corolla, Civic, and Mazda3. Kia sold 68,465 Spectras in 2008, a fraction of Corolla and Civic sales. But the Spectra's sales decline this year has been much less dramatic that those of its rivals.
At a base price of $14,390 including shipping, the Forte has a more powerful engine, competitive fuel economy, and more standard safety features at a lower price than both the Civic and Corolla.
(Source: Automotive News)
The Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell takes part in the Hydrogen Road Tour.
(Credit: GM)Electric cars have been getting plenty of buzz lately, but the development of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles is still going strong. The California Fuel Cell Partnership, along with Powertech Labs, National Hydrogen Association, and U.S. Fuel Cell Council, will seek to regain the spotlight with a road trip to demonstrate the practicality of these vehicles.
The road tour route runs up the West Coast, from Chula Vista to Vancouver.
(Credit: California Fuel Cell Partnership)Twelve fuel cell cars from seven automakers will drive from Chula Vista, in Southern California, up to Vancouver, Canada, a trip of 1,700 miles. Vancouver was chosen for the destination because it will play host to the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, where a fleet of fuel cell buses will provide transportation.
Fuel cell cars that will be making the trip include the Chevy Equinox Fuel Cell, Mercedes F-Cell, Honda FCX Clarity, Hyundai Tucson FCEV, Kia Borrego FCEV, Nissan X-Trail, Toyota FCHV-adv Highlander, and Volkswagen HyMotion. The cars, which have ranges of 200 to over 500 miles, will be relying on a mobile refueling station for their hydrogen needs.
The tour starts on May 26 in Chula Vista, and ends on June 3 in Vancouver. Stops have been scheduled along the route so the public can get a chance to see these cars. Check the Hydrogen Road Tour '09 Web site to see if there's an event near you.
(Credit:
Corinne Schulze/CNET)
Kia shows that it can do cabin tech with the 2009 Borrego, the company's seven-passenger SUV. An Infinity audio system produces good quality sound, and a port lets you plug in an iPod or USB drive. This Borrego is also the first Kia we've seen with a navigation system. It's not the most advanced system, but it gets the job done.
