ALL-NEW 2019 KIA NIRO EV CROSSOVER UTILITY MAKES NORTH AMERICAN DEBUT

                                  

New EV Delivers a Fantastic New Package

• State-of-the-art 64 kWh battery and 201-horsepower electric motor
• Combined Charging System (CCS) DC fast-charge is standard equipment: approximately 100 miles in 30 minutes or 80 percent battery capacity in 75 minutes
  
• Multi-functional crossover format provides a vehicle for every lifestyle

LOS ANGELES, November 28, 2018 – The new Niro EV opens a world of new possibilities for consumers who love crossover characteristics but also want all the benefits electric vehicles have to offer. Not only can they have all the functionality of a traditional crossover, but they can have it while happily driving past filling stations.

Powertrain and Battery

Energy and power for Niro EV comes from a state-of-the-art, liquid-cooled 64kWh lithium ion polymer battery that is packaged under the floor of the vehicle to allow for minimal passenger space intrusion. Fast charging rates are brief, so even extended road trips can continue after only short charging intervals. Some specifications and features of the Niro EV battery and powertrain include:

• 201-horsepower electric motor with 291 lb.-ft. of torque
• Charging protocol changed to CCS and battery can now charge at 100kW
• Combined Charging System (CCS) DC fast-charge is standard equipment – approximately 100-mile recharge in 30 minutes or 80 percent total battery capacity in 75 minutes
• Level 2 (240v) at 7.2 kWh charger needs approximately 9.5 hours for a full charge

The Driving Experience — A Blast on the Road and Flexible, Too

With 291 lb.-ft. of torque, the Niro EV’s powerful electric motor offers plenty of pull and, well, electrifying get-up-and-go. Add to that a low center of gravity due to the floor-mounted battery pack and a 106.3 inch-long wheelbase, the Niro EV delivers a vehicle that’s entertaining to drive, stable and feels planted and substantial on the road. Of course, driving style affects the amount of energy expended, and the Niro EV is equipped with a variety of tools that put lots of useful energy management control in the driver’s hands, including:

• Four drive modes – Eco, Normal, Sport and Eco+ – that automatically adjust regenerative braking level, air conditioning and heating settings, and even set speed limits to help manage operating efficiency
  
• Smart regenerative braking operated via paddle shifters provides drivers the ability to slow the car and capture kinetic energy, returning energy to the battery and adding extra range. Drivers can choose from four regen braking levels (0 to 3) depending on how aggressive drivers want the regen effort and energy efficiency (range) needs
• Brake and Hold System feature allows regen paddle shifter to bring the car to a full stop, adding energy to the battery that would be lost using normal braking
  
• Smart Regen System adjusts the regenerative braking level based on a vehicle being detected in front of the Niro EV and can create smoother coast-down driving, especially when descending a steep road
  
• Smart Eco Pedal Guide display on the instrument cluster that helps to keep the driver aware of real-time power distribution based on accelerator pedal input
  

	NIRO EV HIGHLIGHT – WHAT IS THAT SOUND?
	Part of the great fun of EV ownership is the futuristic aspect of the vehicle you’re driving. The Niro EV is not only a blast because of its powerful and torquey motor, but it also makes a fantastic techy whirring noise when moving that evokes speedy sci-fi craft. One early tester confessed to driving the car in parking garages with the windows down just for the pleasure of hearing the motor.  The sound, though, is actually produced by the Pedestrian Warning System, a speaker and controller assembly mounted behind the front bumper. Without it, the Niro EV would be silent, possibly very cool, but which some consider a potential hazard to pedestrians. So, the car makes its fantastic futuristic whir so everyone knows it’s coming. While we apologize to those who wanted to believe they really were piloting an earth-bound spaceship, they can take comfort in the knowledge that the Niro EV is still a very sophisticated machine.

Design – A Unique Expression of a Successful Style

When Kia designed and created the Niro, it was engineered to accommodate many different advanced electrified powertrains. First to arrive in 2016 was the hybrid, then in 2017 the Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), and now a fully-electric powertrain. This battery-electric Niro EV is right on trend as consumers shift more and more to electric vehicles while looking for the attributes of crossovers, such as the higher seating position for easy ingress/egress and better visibility, and the utility and function for varied lifestyles (18.5 cu.-ft. of cargo space and 53 cu.-ft. with the backseat folded). In order to provide the Niro EV its own character, it has several unique exterior and interior design cues, including:

Exterior:

• Unique front fascia with closed off grille – no need for an open grille, since there’s no internal combustion engine to cool
• “Arrowhead” LED Daytime Running Lights
• New lower air intake with EcoDynamics blue surround accent
• Specially-designed 17-inch alloy wheels engineered to help reduce drag and improve efficiency
• Reshaped rocker panels
• Revised front and rear bumper fascias with blue trim accents – unique to the Niro EV

Interior:

• High-tech rotary shifter dial (shift-by-wire) with available customizable “mood” lighting
• Large, multi-functional center console with many storage options, cup holders, storage compartments and 3 USB ports – 2 charging and one connectivity
• Niro EV-only seat upholstery with blue highlights
• Available special blue and black high-tech “holographic” graphic door trim

Technology — Equipment-Rich, Advanced Connectivity, Safety Features, and Driver Assistance Systems

The Niro EV is loaded with high-tech, advanced automotive technology to complement its status as a state-of-the-art, all-electric vehicle. Equipment includes the “Kia Drive Wise” suite of Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems, and a long list of standard and optional equipment, highlights of which are listed below.

• 7-inch color touchscreen with rear view monitor and parking guidance
• 6-speaker audio system (AM/FM/SiriusXM) with USB input
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
  
• Standard wireless smart phone charging
  
• Bluetooth wireless connectivity with voice recognition
• 7 airbags (dual front advanced air bags, dual front seat-mounted side air bags, side curtain air bags with rollover sensor, driver's side knee air bag)
• Vehicle Safety Systems
  
  • Antilock braking
  • Traction control
  • Electronic stability control
  • Hill-start assist control
  • Tire pressure monitoring system
• “Kia Drive Wise” Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS)
  
  • Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
  • Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA)
  • Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
  • Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)
  • Blind Spot Collision Warning (BSW)
  • Driver Attention Warning (DAW)
    
  • Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go
  • Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning
  • Parking Distance Warning - Forward and Reverse (available)

New for Niro EV is a revamped UVO telematics system that allows owners to monitor and control a long list of vehicle operations, including:

• Notifications of battery and charging status
• Real-time charging station update
• Scheduled charging
• Panic notifications – the vehicle will send a notification to the server if the panic alarm is triggered and the system dials 911 emergency services, provides the car position via GPS, and opens a live microphone so that emergency workers can communicate with the vehicle occupants
• “Send-to-Car” points of interest (POI) and waypoints — owners will be able to plan a road trip with waypoints and send it to the vehicle’s navigation system
• Pre-condition the vehicle cabin temperature prior to use
  
  

	NIRO EV HIGHLIGHT – BATTERY COMPOSITION
	Kia Motors Corporation sources EV, HEV, and PHEV batteries from multiple global suppliers. The battery specifications and exact cell chemistry varies for each application, which can impact materials and sourcing. Globally, battery manufacturers, including Kia suppliers LG Chem and SK innovation, source battery elements, including cobalt, from a variety of regions. These battery manufacturers regularly review mineral sourcing, and re-source to new areas to manage stability, cost, logistics, and other factors, ultimately looking at other ways to source cobalt and to reduce usage. Battery engineers are striving to progressively reduce the cobalt required, and are succeeding.

Made in Korea, Coming to America

The new Niro EV will be built in South Korea at Kia’s Hwaseong manufacturing facility, right alongside the Niro hybrid and plug-in hybrid. When it goes on sale early next year (pricing will be announced near the on-sale date), the Niro EV will be available in two trims, EX and EX Premium, which adds a host of upscale features to the already well-equipped EX. Premium EX features include:

• 8-inch color navigation touchscreen
• Power tilt/slide sunroof
• LED headlamps
• 8-speaker Harman/Kardon premium audio system with external amplifier and subwoofer
• Auto-dimming mirror with Homelink
  
• Heated steering wheel
• LED interior lighting
• Mood lighting
• Parking distance warning – forward and reverse
  
• Deluxe scuff plate

A BETTER WAY TO ROLL: 2020 KIA SOUL MAKES WORLD DEBUT IN LOS ANGELES

Next-Generation Soul Strikes Back With Forward Design, Modern Tech, and More Diverse Model Lineup

• Iconic shape and profile evolve on top of all-new platform
• Technologically advanced cockpit designed to provide visceral musical experience  
• New 2.0-liter engine and available IVT transmission combination
• Available 10.25-inch wide display and available Head-Up Display  play up Soul’s high-tech image
• New “GT-Line” models and “X-Line” adds more visual and performance excitement to Soul family

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 28, 2018 – At the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show today, Kia Motors America (KMA) introduced a better way to roll with the world debut of the all-new 2020 Soul, a completely new yet familiar version of Kia’s beloved and award-winning urban runabout. Taking everything that helped popularize the quirky, unconventionally styled subcompact, Kia Motors poured more of its soul into nearly every inch of the vehicle, resulting in a third-generation that continues to transcend unmatched style, peppy performance, thrilling technology, and urban practicality.

“The Soul has been a massive success since its introduction to the U.S. market, blowing its (now defunct) rivals out of the water and establishing itself as an automotive icon with its fun-loving character and eccentric style,” said Orth Hedrick, executive director of Car Planning and Telematics. “Even with an entirely new generation of competitors now crowding the marketplace, we are confident the all-new Soul will once again prove to be a tough contender given its unparalleled style and impressive level of invigorating technology and customization options.”

Proving the point that “there is a Soul for everyone,” the normally aspirated and optionally turbocharged Soul is available in six trim levels – LX, S, X-Line, GT-Line, EX, “EX Designer Collection” – plus the all-new Soul EV (outlined in a separate press release). Pricing will be available closer to expected on-sale date in the first half of next year.

Design Beyond the Box

While the Soul stays true to its design heritage with its boxy silhouette and confident stance, its newly sculpted lines, cutting-edge details, and technical lighting elements present the most futuristic, youthful and innovative Soul yet.

New exterior design highlights include:

• High-tech front headlight configuration with connecting trim piece accentuates width
• Slim-design daytime running lights and turn signal indicators
• Larger front grille with unique two-tone treatment
• Front fenders add volume to clean and smooth surfaces
• Roof rack mounting points
• Three-dimensional wraparound boomerang-shaped taillights
• C-pillars designed to resemble airplane wings
• Signature vertical rear window and “Island” stay true to Soul design heritage
• Distinctive C-pillar garnish features new “Soul” graphic

Music has been an overarching theme for Soul since its inception, and it’s no different this round.. For the third generation, designers and engineers turned up the volume on the interior. Drawing inspiration from the “emotional visualization of sound,” the Soul’s interior space is adorned with shapes and textures that reflect acoustic inspired elements to create a full sensory experience.

Interior design highlights include:

• Available sound mood lighting emits soft light from the center door panels and a unique 3D pattern surface on the upper door panels, with the ability to synchronize to the beat of the music playing through the Soul’s audio system
• Sound mood lighting features a rainbow of customizable colors
• Available wireless charging
  
• Available dual auto climate control
• Soul’s signature tweeter speakers
  

	HIGHLIGHT – SOUL’S MOOD LIGHTING SYSTEM
	Since the Kia Soul first arrived on the scene in 2009, it has established a very real and remarkable connection with music. This continues to be a core attribute of the Soul's persona and the volume has been turned up to 11 with a new mood lighting system that tailors the interior ambiance according to a variety of selectable “moods”: Hey! Yo! Party Time Traveling Romance Midnight City Cafe

Smart Packaging and Stronger Structure

Despite its compact footprint, the Soul’s boxy dimensions continue to offer up a surprising amount of cargo and passenger space. Slightly longer than before, the 2020 Soul also features more smartly designed packaging in an effort to make accessibility even easier.


Exterior Dimensions:

• Length: 165.2 in. [+2.2 in.]
• Width: 70.9 in. [unchanged]
• Height: 63.0 in. [unchanged]
• Wheelbase: 102.4 in. [+1.2 in.]

Interior Dimensions:

• Legroom (front / rear): 41.1 in./ 38.8 in. [+0.2 in./ - 0.3 in.]
• Headroom without sunroof (front / rear): 39.4 in. / 39.5 in. [-0.2 in./ unchanged]
• Shoulder room (front /rear): 55.5 in. /54.7 in. [unchanged]
• Cargo capacity: 23.8 cu.-ft. [+ 5.0 cu. ft.]

Packaging highlights:

• Wider and lower rear liftgate opening improves ease of loading and unloading
• Easy grip handle on liftgate
• Dual level cargo board offers flexibility with the ability to accommodate taller items using the lower level setting
• Larger front door openings as a result of sculpted front door panels

The 2020 Soul’s stronger structure benefits from an increased use of Advanced High Strength Steel (AHSS), hot stamped components, and structural adhesive. With stronger bones, the 2020 Soul is expected to achieve the highest safety ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and National Traffic Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA).



Next-Gen Infotainment and Kia Drive Wise Technologies

Recognizing that one’s car is an integral part of their social life, the 2020 Soul continues to surprise and delight with next-gen infotainment and technology.

• Available 10.25-inch HD color touchscreen with split screen function (standard on EX, GT-Line with turbo engine) and rear view monitor and parking guidance
• Android Auto and Apple Car Play
  
• Bluetooth^®6 Multi-Connection - two Bluetooth devices can be connected at the same time
• Available 8-inch Head-Up Display
• Available 640-watt Harman Kardon audio system – twice the wattage of current Soul – with an amplifier and 10 speakers including tuned center speaker and subwoofer

Like other newly designed Kia models, the all-new Soul offers a suite of available Kia Drive Wise features including:

• Forward Collision Avoidance (FCA) / FCA Pedestrian type
• Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)
• Lane Changing Assist (LCA)
• Driver Attention Warning (DAW)⁹
  
• Blind-spot Collision Warning (BCW)
• Rear Cross Collision Warning (RCW)
• Smart Cruise Control (SCC)
• High Beam Assist (HBA)

What Drives You?

Soul enhances its fun-to-drive personality and versatility with different drivetrain combinations. From the all-new 2019 Forte, Kia’s Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) is now available on the 2020 Soul for those who require efficiency with their zip. Designed and built in-house, the IVT is Kia’s unique version of a continuously variable transmission that provides an engaging driving experience.

• 2.0-liter Nu four-cylinder engine + 6-speed manual transmission or Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT)
  • 147 horsepower, 132 lb-ft. of torque

For those that require even more zip, a turbocharged option is also available:

• 1.6-liter twin-scroll turbocharged I-4 GDI engine + 7-speed dual-clutch transmission
  • 201 horsepower, 195 lb. ft of torque

With the Soul’s all-new platform comes a more refined experience behind the wheel and on the road. Engineers designed suspension geometry to help quell noise, vibration and harshness while also improving handling and comfort in a variety of conditions.

A Soul for Everyone

The 2020 Soul can be outfitted to convey one’s unique sense of style through a variety of customizable options. Aside from the all-new Soul EV that debuts alongside its gasoline counterpart, the Soul offers even more flexibility according to different lifestyles.

GT-Line

• Sporty front and rear fascia
• 18-inch alloy wheels
• P235/45 R18 tires
• Unique side sills and front fascia with red accents
• Integrated fog lights on front grille
• Gloss black side mirrors
• “GT-Line” badging
• Leather-wrapped D-shaped steering wheel and gearshift knob
• Available 201-HP turbocharged engine
  • Chrome tip center exhaust
  • Larger disc brakes
  • Sport-tuned suspension

X-Line 

• Rugged body kit
  • Body cladding
  • Overfenders for chunkier look
  • Offroad-inspired accents
  • Unique 18-inch alloy wheels
  • Roof rail inspired accents
  • Optional two-tone paint
  • Fog lights

EX Designer Collection

• 18-inch alloy wheels with black spokes
• LED headlights and fog lights
• Two-tone roof treatment
• P235/45 R18 tires

2019 KIA FORTE WINS SOUTHWEST LIFESTYLE VEHICLE OF THE YEAR AWARD

Newly Designed Compact Sedan Recognized for Best Value

• All-new 2019 Forte praised for its feature-rich roster and price point 
• Fun driving dynamics, Stinger style, and practicality helped earn it points

IRVINE, Calif., November 12, 2018 — Shortly after its launch this past summer, Kia Motors America’s (KMA) all-new 2019 Forte is being lauded for its exceptional value when named a winner at the first Southwest Lifestyle Vehicle of the Year awards held recently at the Bondurant Racing School outside of Phoenix, Arizona. Local media in attendance rated the Forte “Best Value” in the car category after real-world evaluations, while the all-new compact sedan wowed them with its Stinger-inspired design and improved driving dynamics.

“We’re honored that the Forte took the win for best value at the very first Southwest Lifestyle Vehicle Awards,” said Orth Hedrick, executive director of Car Planning and Telematics, KMA. “The previous Forte was already one of our top-sellers, and the new 2019 Forte is poised to continue being a crowd favorite thanks to its sporty design, upscale interior, available premium features, fun-to-drive attitude, and most importantly, incredible value. The Forte proves that affordable compact cars don’t have to be boring commuter cars.”

For the 2019 model year, the Forte evolves into a more refined compact sedan with head-turning style, improved efficiency1 in a variety of conditions, and an impressive roster of available technology. Offered in four trims – FE, LXS, S, and EX – the Forte starts at $17,6902.

“The Kia Forte was really a standout in the Car of the Year field. It’s stylish, efficient, fun to drive, and comes with premium tech and safety features that you’d expect in a car costing thousands more,” said Becky Antioco, event director and founder of Southwest Lifestyle Media. “It really is a ‘Best Value’ in every sense and it exceeded our journalists’ expectations in almost every category.”

The Forte is powered by a 147-HP 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine mated to either a six-speed automatic transmission or Kia’s first in-house designed and built Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT). A number of Kia Drive Wise technology features are standard on all Forte trims including the newly added Driver Attention Warning system (DAW)3, and all Fortes get an 8-inch color touchscreen4 with support for Android Auto™5 and Apple CarPlay®6. Premium amenities such as a Harman/Kardon7 audio system complete with Clari-Fi8 are available.

About Kia Motors America

Headquartered in Irvine, California, Kia Motors America continues to top quality surveys and is recognized as one of the 100 Best Global Brands and 50 Best Global Green Brands by Interbrand.   Kia serves as the "Official Automotive Partner" of the NBA and LPGA and offers a complete range of vehicles sold through a network of nearly 800 dealers in the U.S., including cars and SUVs proudly built in West Point, Georgia.*

For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com.  To receive custom email notifications for press releases the moment they are published, subscribe at www.kiamedia.com/us/en/newsalert.

* The Sorento and Optima GDI (S, EX, SX and certain LX Trims only) are assembled in the United States from U.S. and globally sourced parts.

Hyundai Announces Name of All-New 2020 Flagship SUV: Hyundai Palisade

• New Palisade flagship SUV for Hyundai will offer spacious eight-passenger seating with premium materials and commodious cargo space for growing modern families
• Palisade will offer a reassuring level of high-tech, intelligent safety features
• Intuitive technologies will provide lifestyle conveniences to its passengers

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Nov. 8, 2018 – Hyundai today announced the name of its new 2020 flagship SUV: Hyundai Palisade. The new SUV name references a series of coastal cliffs and might naturally be associated by many with the Pacific Palisades, an affluent and beautiful neighborhood in Southern California.

 

The future Palisade SUV will convey a bold exterior that commands attention and has strong inherent imagery of safety and security, especially important with parents with growing families and active lifestyles. Palisade styling will offer dignity with style in an understated theme that demonstrates clear differentiation worthy of a flagship SUV. Global media will see the Palisade for the first time at the Los Angeles Auto Show on November 28. The Palisade will begin U.S. market availability in the summer of 2019.

Pacific Palisades is home to a collection of mid-century modern masterpiece homes by architects such as Cliff May, Richard Netra, Charles and Ray Eames, and Eero Saarinen. The region boasts of cool sea breezes, easy access to the beach, and spectacular sunsets. It also offers outdoor access of various kinds via three large parks and hiking and biking paths.

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICAHyundai Motor America is focused on delivering an outstanding customer experience grounded in design leadership, engineering excellence and exceptional value in every vehicle we sell. Hyundai’s technology-rich product lineup of cars, SUVs and alternative-powered electric and fuel cell vehicles is backed by Hyundai Assurance—our promise to deliver peace of mind to our customers. Hyundai vehicles are sold and serviced through more than 830 dealerships nationwide, with the majority sold in the U.S. built at U.S. manufacturing facilities, including Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama. Hyundai Motor America is headquartered in Fountain Valley, California, and is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company of Korea.

KIA SET TO DEBUT ONE-OF-A-KIND STINGER AND K900 AT SEMA BUILT BY DUB

Kia has teamed up with DUB to develop an aggressively styled K900 and a fierce Stinger GT built to the exacting standards of today’s hottest athletes and musicians.

DUB took the already aggressive Stinger GT fastback sedan and made a series of menacing modifications that take it to a whole new level, inside, outside and under the hood. Modifications include 22-inch wheels, stunning red and black leather interior, a custom exhaust and air intake as well as an air ride suspension.
Meanwhile, fans of DUB’s distinctive stylings will appreciate the transformation the luxurious K900 salon has undergone. Veiled in electric blue, the K900 turns into a rolling paradise with gloss black accents, 24-inch wheels, custom upholstery, an air ride suspension as well as a specially developed multimedia system.

The DUB vehicles will be unveiled alongside the rest of Kia’s custom creations on Tuesday, October 30 at 9 a.m. The press conference will be in Kia’s booth (Las Vegas Convention Center - North Hall Booth #10809). And stay tuned for more news on Kia’s SEMA adventure in the days ahead, including a world debut and an interactive enthusiasts playground.