Kia unveils Niro concept car

Contributor:
Fuseworks Media

Tuesday, 10 September, 2013 - 19:00

The Kia Niro, a concept car unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show, showcases a dramatic crossover design featuring spectacular ‘butterfly’ doors and what the company describes as an "almost counter-4x4 image".

Conceived at Kia Motors’ Frankfurt design studio, just down the road from where the show was being staged, under the director of Chief Designer Europe, Gregory Guillaume, the Niro concept has been created as a styling study to gauge public response for a potential future production model. Its relatively compact dimensions are crafted onto an all-new platform that will form the basis of future B-segment products from Kia - the platform on which the current Rio is built.

It is clearly making a tilt at the crossover market, but in a different way, according to Guillaume: "Ten years ago people wanted understated style in the SUV market, but increasingly as more people migrate to the B-segment they are looking for strong character and individuality."

The most eye-catching element in the Kia Niro design are the dihedral ‘butterfly’ doors that open into the roof panel and swing up high, with low-set flush handles.

Another unique feature is the innovative 4x4 powertrain utilizing Kia’s turbocharged 1.6-litre ‘Gamma’ engine, developing 160hp through a 7-speed, dual-clutch transmission. While the engine drives the front wheels, an electric-hybrid system, powered from regenerative braking, delivers up to 45hp to the rear wheels when road conditions require extra grip.

"It’s a very exciting vehicle - packed with styling cues that mark it out as another great Kia design, I’d love to see it go into production," says Todd McDonald, General Manager of Kia Motors New Zealand.

Guillaume suggests that Niro could be close to on-road reality - if the public wants it!

"As designers we have to look at what the future could hold, not just what is probable, and we believe drivers want excitement and new solutions from their vehicles," he says.

"It is clear that the B-segment is growing as motorists seek to downsize but it is equally clear that they refuse to give up individuality and distinctiveness - so Niro explores one avenue to satisfy that desire.

"We would love nothing more than to see all of our concept designs on the streets tomorrow. As Kia looks to add to its range of small cars you have to look at where the market opportunities exist and how we can exploit them. Perhaps Niro answers that challenge."

Created with European tastes and expectations very much in mind, the Kia Niro blends a mix of contrasting materials - including stainless steel - into compact, purposeful dimensions. Muscular fenders rise up from the trademark ‘tiger nose’ grille, etched in Limelight green aluminum and flanked by triangular LED headlamps, while below the grille are two large, square LED driving lamps underscored by a carbon fiber chin with lime accents. Carbon fibre and lime highlights also feature on the lower rear section of the Niro, where the styling resembles that of the Kia Sportage.

Even the 225/40R20 tyres, mounted on milled aluminium 20-inch five-spoke wheels, carry the Limelight styling accent with a stripe etched into the tread.

The Niro’s high beltline is contrasted by a stainless steel roof and then bisected by those extraordinary ‘butterfly’ doors that lift up and out of the way to facilitate easier entry and exit. The shiny steel-on-black theme continues into the 2+2 cabin, where the pair of bucket seats are joined by a common cushion that wraps over the centre console. Other interesting interior features include the rotary auto gearshift that is incorporated into one of the support braces emerging from the centre console. Limelight accents highlight the HVAC vents, shift paddles, instrument cluster and the slimline, pop-up infotainment/navigation screen. Mounted directly onto the side windows are milled "Plexiglas" door mirrors with in-built downward-facing cameras that complement the rear-facing camera built into the tailgate.

Currently Kia Motors has not made final decisions on forthcoming B-segment products and there are no plans for Niro to go into commercial production in the immediate future - but the Niro’s appearance at Frankfurt is being used to gauge public opinion and possible demand.

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Own The Justice League-inspired Kia Sorento

Did you know, for the past 10 months, Kia Motors America has joined forces with comic-book publisher DC Entertainment to create a fleet of custom Justice League Super Hero-inspired vehicles that have been unveiled at auto shows and comic book conventions around the country. These fantastical Kias – Superman Optima Hybrid, Batman Optima SXL, Aquaman Rio5, The Flash Forte Koup, Wonder Woman Sportage, Green Lantern Soul and Cyborg Forte5 -- have captured the imagination of fans everywhere while raising awareness for Kia and our support of “We Can Be Heroes,” DC Entertainment’s giving campaign to fight the hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa.

As a finale to this enormously successful program, the eighth and final vehicle, a Justice League-inspired Kia Sorento, was unveiled to the press at San Diego Comic Con on Wednesday. This highly collectible and fully-drivable Kia features custom artwork by legendary comic book artist, Jim Lee, and will be auctioned online with all proceeds going to the “We Can Be Heroes” charity.

This vehicle will be featured on the site www.ebay.com/wecanbeheroes. It will be going live at 2:30 pm PST on 7/17 and end at 2:30 pm PST on 7/27.

One millionth Kia rolls off Georgia assembly line

The one millionth Kia produced at the South Korean automaker’s plant in West Point rolled off the assembly line last week, the company said.

The vehicle was a snow white pearl 2014 Sorento SXL, Kia said. The company began operations at the plant in November 2009 after investing $1 billion to produce the Sorento CUV. The plant, called Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, was expanded last year with an additional $100 million investment, and it added the Optima sedan to production.
The Troup County plant, about 45 minutes southwest of Atlanta, has a capacity for manufacturing 360,000 vehicles each year.

Kia said its first North American plant employs more than 3,000 but is responsible for creating more than 11,000 jobs in the area when related jobs such as suppliers are taken into consideration.

Despite the milestone, the company said the one millionth vehicle will end up on a lot like others before it at one of Kia’s more than 765 dealerships nationwide

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LUCKY ENFIELD HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT Won A NEW CAR FROM GARY ROME KIA

une 13, 2013, ENFIELD, Conn. – There were five keys, only one would be a perfect fit. On Wednesday the 12th, at 11:00am,Gary Rome KIA held a drawing to determine the winner of an all new 2013 Kia Soul from the five eligible students from Enfield High School in Enfield, CT. All of the Enfield High Schoolsenior class along with the five lucky students came to the Enfield Fire Department at 199 Weymouth Street, Enfield, CT 06082, to enjoy the senior class picnic and watch as one lucky senior drove home the prize.

The five finalists were: Brandon Andexler, Ryan Zetterholm, Conor Sutphin, Nicholas DiProto, and Rebecca Labbe.

Congratulations to Nicholas DiProto on winning your new 2013 Kia Soul!

Each qualified student chose a key from a basket hoping that theirs would be the only one that started the car. Gary Rome, CEO of Gary Rome KIA of Enfield, is delighted that he can give this car to such a worthy young student. "All of these students worked hard in and out of school and deserve to be commended for their efforts. I hope that whoever wins enjoys this new 2013 Kia Soul for years to come."

To qualify for the opportunity to win the new 2013 Kia Soul, students had to show a dedication not only to their studies, but to outside interests and to their communities. Each potential winner had a grade point average of at least "B", and had shown exemplary behavior and attendance at school. Outside the classroom, each student was involved in at least two extracurricular activities and devoted at least forty (40) hours to community service.

Gary Rome KIA of Enfield serves all of Western Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut with new and used Kia cars. The staff at Gary Rome KIA of Enfield is ready to help you purchase a new Kia or used car in Enfield. When you visit our car dealership, expect the superior customer service that you deserve. With years of experience and training, the Gary Rome KIA of Enfield team is your Connecticut Kia dealer, and will help get you into the Kia that was built for you. Drive the new or used car by Kia in Enfieldthat you have been dreaming of by calling or visiting Gary Rome KIA of Enfield today. Check out our website at http://www.garyromekia.com.

Gary Rome KIA of Enfield

809 Enfield Street

Enfield, CT 06082

1-866-688-4279

Kia Sneaking Up On Entry-Level Luxury Rivals

Korean automaker Kia is looking to attract more entry-level luxury sedan customers with its new high-tech featured Cadenza model. Forecasting annual sales of 12,000 units, Kia is aiming at the likes of Lincoln MKZ, Acura TL and Lexus ES on the US market.

Speaking to Automotive News, the company’s executive vice president of marketing, Michael Sprague, said Kia is also going for after drivers who are buying range-topping Ford Taurus and Chrysler 300 models.

“We standardized leather, we standardized navigation because we’re going after people who are buying the high-end Tauruses, the high-end Avalons the high-end Chrysler 300s, the Acura TLs, the Lexus ES and the Lincoln MKZ. That’s where we see the opportunity,” Sprague revealed.

Priced from $35,100 plus $800 destination fee, the 2014 Kia Cadenza will hit the US market with three different trim levels. Each version will be powered by a 3.3-liter V6 engine paired with a six-speed automatic gearbox for 293 hp.

In addition, the 2014 Cadenza will be offered with a free maintenance program that includes five factory-scheduled appointments valid for three years. The program will be available for customers who will fully or lease purchase the full-size sedan.

Story via AutomotiveNews

Road Test: 2014 Kia Cadenza

SAN DIEGO, CA (KDKA) – The folks at Kia — who have, by the way, been doing nothing but a bang up job at rolling out vehicles that give you bang for the buck — say that after the top of the line Optima sedan, their customers who want more have nowhere to go but another brand. That’s why the Cadenza was born.

A little bigger and much more upscale, the Cadenza is Kia’s first attempt at keeping that customer who wants to move up from moving out of a Kia store and into somebody else’s entry level luxury sedan. So the first question is, how did they do?

After spending a day rolling around the hills outside of San Diego, the short verdict is not bad. The Cadenza is a sharp looking car with the distinctive front grille and lamp treatment made a bit more distinctive. A sharp profile with well-placed lines and an athletic looking stance give way to a fairly Audi-esque looking rear complete with oval dual exhaust ports.

High marks on fit and finish inside

Inside, the Cadenza gets high marks on fit and finish as well as materials. A 10-way power driver’s seat with heating and cooling and six-way passenger seat with just heating come with the car. The rear seats are also heated. Legroom is more than ample, especially in the rear when they put that extra two inches they stretched the platform.

The dash is well laid out, logical, and Kia’s UVO e-services system is among the best in the business. It takes connecting you to the car to a new level. It also comes with a 10-year free subscription and smartphone app. The fully loaded Cadenza I spent the day in also included a spectacular Infinity sound system and panoramic sunroof.

Under the hood and the drive feel

Under the hood the Cadenzagets Kia’s 3.3-liter 6-cylinder that cranks out 293 horses. Married up to Kia’s 6-speed automatic, it moved the sedan through the hills quite briskly. Paddle shifters are included with every model and give you a bit more of the sports sedan feel. Jumping onto the freeway is done without laboring the engine and passing on a two-lane road when safe is done with confidence that the engine has more to give if you need it.

The ride is generally solid and confident due to a great set of suspension components, although hitting a number of potholes can be a bit jarring. Steering is light, with minimal road feel, but the Cadenza never felt hinky on curves. Braking was solid and confident.

Pricing and gas costs

One of the great things about the Cadenza is that as I said you get bang for your buck, especially when it comes to safety. Distronic cruise control, blind spot warning, lane departure control and a number of other safety systems usually found in cars costing more are in the Cadenza.

Kia starts the Cadenza at $35,100 pretty well loaded. Add technology and luxury packages and you get to $41,100-plus destination. It is without a doubt a lot of car for the money. Fuel mileage figures: 19 city, 28 highway. In my day in the Kia with combined freeway and rural driving, we averaged 22 mpg. The Cadenza uses regular unleaded gas.

An overall impressive drive

The Cadenza is an impressive effort by Kia. In eight hours or so of driving it, I came away with almost the same thought I had when I drove its cousin the Hyundai Azera: a solid effort to create a better than you would expect car. It’s one that should keep the Kia buyer that wants more, in a Kia showroom. How will it do against the Maximas, Avalons, Taurus’ and Impalas of the automotive jungle? Ah…that my friends is the $41,100 question!

Get more reviews, news about cars and the people who drive them, interviews and tips on how to get more out of your driving experience all on Drivetime with Vinnie Richichi and Rob Pratte Saturday mornings 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. on NewsRadio 1020 KDKA. Also listen to Vinnie on The Vinnie and Cook Show Monday-Friday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sportsradio 93-7 The Fan.
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Bored With Accord?

By: Rory Carroll on 3/13/2013

SENIOR ONLINE EDITOR RORY CARROLL After a weekend of freeway driving in the mighty Subaru BRZ long-termer, I was ready to make my commute in something really comfortable. It's not that the BRZ is uncomfortable, but it isn't a long-distance highway cruiser.

I was a little disappointed to find that I'd been assigned to the 2013 Kia Optima SXL. I hadn't driven one, but I assumed that comfort was out of the question. I should have known better.

The Kia Optima is among the very best in its class. It's better than the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry and Volkswagen Passat. It's reasonably quick, totally comfortable and it's even a bit of a looker.

Let's start there. While VW seems to be following Toyota and Honda deep into the land of the bland, Kia and parent Hyundai have brought sharp, innovative design to the masses. The Optima's bodywork is unique but conservative. If you're thinking that it looks OK in pictures, but it will look cheap in person, you're wrong.

Now, of course our Optima is a press-fleet special, meaning that few option-sheet boxes were left unchecked. But even at $35,275, the interior is very well designed and even better executed. It exudes quality like a high-spec Volkswagen without the Teutonic minimalism. Fit and finish is world-class and the majority of the materials would not be out of place in a car costing far more.

I didn't have the opportunity to wring the Kia out much, but here's what I can tell you about its performance: The 2.0-liter turbo engine is quiet, refined and at 274 hp, it's more than capable of getting up and sprinting. The brakes were more than adequate and the steering feel was incredibly pleasing. I commuted in the Optima and our long-term Passat TDI back-to-back, and in places where the Passat bounced and wallowed, the Optima was smooth and planted. Incredible.

EDITOR WES RAYNAL: Overall, I'm impressed with this car. The sticker price makes me “lol” as the kids say, but it's a solid entry in the ultra-competitive midsize wars, and arguably the best looking one of the bunch.

I like 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder. I think it strikes the right balance between performance and economy. For many cars, a 2.0-liter turbo is just right. This is one of them. This is a nice powertrain with good power, little to no lag and is smooth enough. The handling is tight and the steering responsive -- entertaining for the most part. The Optima corners well with some understeer of course.

I'm impressed with the interior -- really impressed. Build quality is way better than I thought it would be with soft-touch materials and nice assembly. Seats are good, though one thing that drove me batty was that the easy-exit front seat was turned on, and I couldn't figure out how to turn it off. And I did look in the owner's manual and everything. A small gripe, but there you go.

All that said I would not pay $35k for this Kia, or any Kia for that matter. When I think about our long-term Passat TDI being $5k less, that cements it. Whether or not they still deserve the reputation, to me Kia still means cheap wheels, and this ain't that. If this car is any indication, Kia has no doubt moved up its game, and eventually I'll probably have to adjust my attitude accordingly. I'll work on that.

NEWS EDITOR GREG MIGLIORE: The Optima might be the best-looking car in this class, right up there with the new Ford Fusion, in my opinion. The Kia stands out, attracts positive attention and has a bit of attitude. The styling conveys a presence, and these blinged-out wheels punctuate it all nicely, fronted by an imposing, dark signature “Tiger” grille.

I was impressed with the drive quality. The turbo is powerful; put your foot to the floor and this thing has some getup. It's a smart engine for a machine this size. Pop in a few a shifts via the paddles, and it's a pretty sporty experience. The steering is light on-center, though there's more feel during turn-in. It has the same dynamic as our former long-term Hyundai Sonata (no surprise, they're platform mates), which some of our staff found to be a bit artificial. The Optima does feel that way at times, but most enthusiasts will like the weight of the steering. The chassis is comfortable yet not overly soft. It remains sporty at times, and can handle expressway curves and turns with appropriate guile.

The cabin is sharp, and this execution in black and light gray presents well. The only nits I found were the annoying location of the switch for the seat heaters/coolers. Placed diagonally behind the PRNDL, it was hard to find and remember while at speed.

The real question is: Do you want to drop this much cash for a Kia? I'd argue everything is here that makes it worthwhile, from the looks, to the performance to the options. It just comes down to brand image. Do you want to drive a Kia? What does that mean to you?

ROAD TEST EDITOR JONATHAN WONG: I know the price of this 2013 Kia Optima SXL is alarming at $35,275. That's a lot of coin for a car in this segment. Then there is the reputation that the Korean automaker is still carrying in a lot of consumers' eyes as a budget brand. Altering people's perceptions is going to take good product and a lot of time. With the Optima, the Rio, Sportage and Sorento, I would argue that the Kia does indeed have good product. Now they need to just wait and let the masses eventually learn about the drastically improved product.

Personally, I really like the Optima and have actually recommended it a few people over the past couple of years. As others have mentioned, it's a handsome looking midsize sedan. The lines are simple yet expressive enough for my tastes and the tiger grille up front still looks really good. However, I don't like the chrome wheels or the red-painted front brake calipers.

The interior is a far cry from the uninspired and cheap cabins of the past. The layout is intuitive with large buttons on the center stack, and the curvature of the dash gives it some personality. In some ways, the design reminds me of Saab, which may or may not be a good thing. Materials are very nice and soft-touch all over, including tricot fabric for the headliner.

We're familiar with the guts of this car since we had a long-term Hyundai Sonata 2.0T a couple of years back. It's potent with 274-hp and six-speed automatic cracks off shifts reasonably quick to make merging on the expressway or passing a snap.

The SX's stiffer suspension does come at the expense of how well it damps out bumps, but there is still some give tuned in. As Greg notes, the electric power steering is numb on center to tighten up well with more angle tuned in and possess decent weight, too. Corners can be taken with a decent amount of aggression with the Optima feeling well planted with not much body roll.

In my list of the most entertaining midsize sedans to drive on the market, the Optima is near the top behind the new Mazda 6, but ahead of the new Honda Accord, which many people often write off as a dull driving car when it's surprisingly nimble. If you want dull in this class, look no further than the Toyota Camry and Nissan Altima.

If it's a beauty contest, the 6 and the Optima would again be the top two. Which one do I like better? I'm going to have to think about that one.

Getting back to this fully loaded $35,275 Optima SXL. Most driving off dealer lots I would guess aren't going to be optioned out like this. Kia says that there were customers who asked for a more premium model and they responded with this Limited package. There are a lot of options and the interior is flat out nice with the napa leather-trimmed seats and tasteful wood trim. But even with all that, the as-tested price still seems a little steep. Maybe like Raynal, I still need to adjust my attitude towards Kia some.

·2013 Kia Optima SXL

·Base Price: $27,575

·As-Tested Price: $35,275

·Drivetrain: 2.0-liter turbocharged I4; FWD, six-speed automatic

·Output: 274 hp @ 6,000 rpm, 269 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm

·Curb Weight: 3,385 lb

·Fuel Economy (EPA City/Highway/Combined): 22/34/26 mpg

·AW Observed Fuel Economy: 29.3 mpg

Options: SX limited package includes LED daytime running lights, 18-inch chrome wheels, red brake calipers, chrome accent lower door side sills, nappa leather seat and interior trim, black cloth headliner and pillar trim, electronic parking brake, unique interior accents, chrome accent rear spoiler, first aid kit ($3,350); SX premium touring package with panoramic sunroof, power folding outside mirrors, Infinity audio system, UVO powered by Microsoft, HD radio technology, rear camera display, power front passenger's seat, driver's seat memory, heated and cooled front seats, heated outboard rear seats, 18-inch luxury design alloy wheels ($2,950); EX/SX technology package includes navigation system with SIRIUS traffic (replaces UVO system and HD radio technology) ($1,400)

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