2017 Kia GT prototype spotted testing

Prototypes of the new four-door coupé have been spotted testing around Europe, including at the Nürburgring. They have also been testing with a trailer in tow – a practice that is popular with some Kia owners.

Although much of the model’s styling is under camouflage, the familiar ‘tiger nose’ Kia grille, upright air intakes in the bumper and similar headlights to those on the Sportage SUV are clear to see.

The shape of the car also resembles that of the Audi A7, and the shots suggest that the GT will be one of the largest in the Kia range.

Insiders say the production car’s final design will stay true to the look of the GT concept, which was first revealed at the Frankfurt motor show in 2011.

The model is expected to feature a rear-wheel drive layout, with a choice of turbocharged four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, shared with the Sportage.

Our sources believe Kia could also offer its larger V6 and V8 petrol engines in certain markets. Currently, these engines are in biggest demand in the US in models like the K900.

The GT’s launch date has not yet been confirmed, but it is expected to be revealed next year, with first deliveries arriving by early 2018.

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Kia Providing 6 Soul EVs To University Of California Irvine For V2G Testing

Kia Motors Inc. and Hyundai Technical Center Inc. are setting up a partnership with the University of California, Irvine (UCI). The partnership will utilize the Kia Soul EV along with the university’s Advanced Power and Energy Program (APEP), to test vehicle-to-grid (V2G) advanced smart-charging software and technology.

V2G is a system that some automakers are installing into BEVs and PHEVs. It will communicate with the power grid to allow energy to be transferred back and forth. Vehicles will be able to function as energy storage containers and then send the energy back into the grid.

Power grids deal with many variables when it comes to where the power is initially supplied from. Wind, solar, and water all fluctuate. EVs can either assist the situation or make it worse, depending on how systems are set up.

Will Decker, Program Development and External Relations, Advanced Power and Energy Program Manager at UCI explained:

“To assist, their charging needs to be managed in a ‘smart” manner,’ [such as] smart charging. This project will investigate how smart charging might be deployed and how it might support UCI’s own grid as well as the state grid.”

Kia is granting UCI six Soul EVs for the project. UCI will use the vehicles to create algorithms to begin figuring out the specifics for EV charging coupled with power grid connection.

The Soul EV is Kia’s first BEV in the U.S. Hyundai Motor Group is the parent company of Kia. Both companies main locations are in Seoul, Korea.

Kia’s Vice President of Product Planning, Orth Hedrick, confirmed:

“Kia’s green car road map calls for a dramatic expansion of electrified vehicles over the next five years, and we are proud of the role the Soul EV will play in helping UCI’s students and faculty develop new and better advanced smart-charging technologies.”

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2017 Kia Rio Seen Undergoing Winter Testing

The 3rd and current generation of the Kia Rio has been doing well in Europe. However, competition is always tough in the subcompact segment, and the Korean brand now needs an all-new car to have a chance against models like the Opel Corsa, Skoda Fabia and Ford Fiesta.

Our spies stationed in Northern Sweden have caught up with a heavily camouflaged test prototype for the 2017 Kia Rio. It's cramming in a few more winter tests before making its official debut later this year, most likely at the Paris Motor Show.

Despite being covered in a black tarp and a thick layer of vinyl, we can see that the styling has changed in several ways. Kia can never be accused of making dull cars, and the Korean brand tries to reinvent all designs with each generation. Such was the case recently with the Sportage SUV and Optima mid-sized sedan.

The front end of the 2017 Rio seems to resemble that of the current Kia Forte model, although there should be several different versions of the Rio, depending on the market. The headlights will be available as projectors, and they may even have a full-LED option based on what we see in the spy video. The rear bumper seems to have a diffuser-like feature, and the taillights are very broad. Either they are cut in two by the opening of the trunk or the gate is stretched a la Opel Insignia and Audi Q5.

The general dimensions of this 5-door hatchback seem slightly bigger than before, and the wheelbase is indeed stretched. As with the Forte, the focus may be placed on offering more standard or optional features than we traditionally expect from this segment. For example, we see turn signals integrated into the mirrors and all-round parking sensors, likely linked to an autonomous parking option.

The new Rio will be available with its first 1-liter turbocharged engine. This 3-cylinder unit will feature a turbocharged intercooler and will be shared with the Carens. No word on gearbox options yet, but we'd like to see the old 4-speed being replaced by the 6-speed dual clutch unit Kia has developed.

About a month ago, the company confirmed that a hot version of the Rio was approved. It will be called the Rio GT and go on sale in 2018 with a 1.6-liter turbo delivering around 180 horsepower.

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