Kia Aims For Self-Driving Car By 2030

The steady democratization of autonomous car technology continues at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show, with populist South Korean automaker Kia announcing Tuesday that it is stepping up its mission to create a self-driving car for the masses by 2030.

In the nearer term, Kia executive vice president Seung Ho Hwang said the company was rebranding its suite of driver-assist technologies as DriveWise and will integrate features such as fully automated parking and highway driving assist into much of its model range by 2020.

"We will be investing $2 billion in the next two years on these technologies, so that a better quality of life goes not just to select people but to all our customers," Hwang said.

Kia execs also announced that the company will begin testing its fully autonomous prototype, based on its Sol electric vehicle, on Nevada roads soon. A more high-tech self-driving concept car dubbed the Novo features partially automated driving features as well as in-vehicle payment and start-button security that relies on a fingerprint. That same fingerprint, once scanned, automatically tees up the driver's infotainment and app preferences.

While Kia's news won't mean anything to consumers in the near term, it is a clear signal that cutting edge and safety-focused automotive technology is no longer just the domain of high-end luxury manufacturers such as Mercedes-Benz, Audi and Tesla.

A few Kia videos screened at the press conference also hinted at the ride-sharing applications of low-cost autonomous cars. In one, a shopper at an outdoor market is seen talking into her wrist; minutes later the car she has summoned from a nearby parking spot drives itself into view. In another more whimsical scene, a hang-glider drifts toward earth as his driverless vehicle follows along beneath him to a pre-arranged rendezvous spot.

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Record December Powers Kia Motors America To Best-Ever Annual Sales Total

IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 5, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- On the strength of eight consecutive monthly sales records – including December – Kia Motors America (KMA) today announced all-time best annual sales of 625,818 vehicles in 2015, up 7.9 percent year-over-year. The record-setting December total of 54,241 vehicles increased 19 percent over the same period last year and pushed Kia over the 600,000-unit mark for the first time in company history.

Kia's historic year included a number of standout performances, including:

    Optima establishing a new single nameplate record of 159,414 units

    Soul sales increasing for the sixth straight year

    Best-ever sales of the Forte, Forte5 and Forte Koup family of compact cars

    K900 sales nearly doubling and Sedona sales increasing more than 150 percent

    Combined year-over-year CUV sales – Sportage and Sorento – climbing 16.9 percent

    The sale of Kia's six millionth vehicle in the U.S. since 1994

"Even without the benefit of a truck in our lineup, Kia began 2015 as one of Yahoo!'s 'hottest brands' and it only got better from there as we outperformed the record-setting industry and posted big gains in several passenger car and CUV segments," said Michael Sprague, chief operating officer and EVP, KMA. "The new Kia is a recognized leader in design, quality, advanced technology and value, and with three all-new products scheduled to launch in 2016, we will continue challenging everything people think they know about this brand and our world-class products."

About Kia Motors America

Kia Motors America (KMA) is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea.  KMA proudly serves as the "Official Automotive Partner" of the NBA and LPGA and set an all-time annual sales record in 2015, surpassing the 600,000 unit mark for the first time in company history. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles, including the rear-drive K9001 flagship sedan, Cadenza premium sedan, Sorento CUV, Soul urban passenger vehicle, Soul Electric Vehicle2, Sportage compact CUV, Optima midsize sedan, Optima Hybrid, the Forte compact sedan, Forte5 and Forte Koup, Rio and Rio 5-door subcompacts and the Sedona midsize multi-purpose vehicle, through a network of more than 765 dealers across the United States.  Kia's U.S. manufacturing plant in West Point, Georgia, builds the Optima* and Sorento* and is responsible for the creation of more than 15,000 plant and supplier jobs.

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2016 Kia K900 Sedan Review

What's New for 2016

For 2016, the Kia K900 gains a standard V6 engine, relegating the previously standard V8 to the options list. There are also slight revisions to the grille and rear styling, while the features list swells further with the availability of a hands-free trunk opener and automatic emergency braking.

Introduction

The 2016 Kia K900 is a large, limo-like luxury sedan fit for a king. Well, King James that is. As in LeBron James, the Cleveland Cavalier, and not the 17th-century British monarch who probably would've preferred a Bentley anyway. Of course, LeBron is paid to rep the K900, but he apparently actually drives one, and if quasi-regal endorsements count as a reason to buy a car, well this range-topping Kia certainly gets the job done.

However, the main reason to ponder the K900 is its value. Yes, an as-new MSRP of $50,000-$60,000 for a car made by the same folks who bring you the Rio may seem as shocking as LeBron suddenly declaring his intention to play for the Knicks. But in return for this high-for-a-Kia price, the K900 compensates with a wealth of standard equipment and interior room. No other similarly priced luxury sedan can match it for those qualities, and similarly sized and equipped flagship sedans are vastly more expensive (as in you could buy a well-equipped entry-level luxury sedan with the difference). Plus, as we discovered during our long-term K900 test, it is a supremely comfortable and quiet car that isolates its passengers from the rigors of any commute or road trip.

Alas, there are reasons why getting a K900 rather than any of those pricier luxury sedans isn't a slam dunk. There is, of course, the badge. Kia has come a long way in this world and every one of its less expensive products is competitive and appealing in its own right. But the K900 is playing on a different court, one with all-stars from Audi, BMW, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz and others. And besides the obvious differences in brand perception, each of those brands provides superior performance, driving dynamics, interior quality, feature content and overall refinement. Take it around the block or just sit in the driver seat and it shouldn't take long to understand why the K900 costs less.

But how much less are those differences really worth? How much better is an Audi A8, BMW 7 Series, Lexus LS 460 or Mercedes-Benz S-Class, or even their respective lesser A6, 5 Series, GS and E-Class siblings that are more similarly priced to the K900? That's ultimately the question you'll have to answer, but we think any budget-savvy luxury shopper would be wise to at least consider the 2016 Kia K900. Besides, it's not every day that you get to drive the same car as a king. Well, sort of.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2016 Kia K900 is a full-size luxury sedan that seats five. It is available in Premium V6, Luxury V6 and Luxury V8 trim levels.

Standard equipment on the Premium V6 includes 18-inch wheels, power-folding and auto-dimming mirrors, automatic xenon headlights, LED fog- and running lights, automatic wipers, a panoramic sunroof, front and rearview cameras, front and rear parking sensors, a hands-free power trunk lid and keyless ignition and entry.

Inside you get three-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery and interior trim, eight-way power front seats (with four-way driver power lumbar), heated and ventilated front seats, driver memory functions, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, heated outboard rear seats and a power rear sunshade. Tech equipment includes a rear USB charging port, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, a 9.2-inch central infotainment display (with console-mounted knob and button controls), a navigation system and a 14-speaker sound system with a CD player, HD and satellite radios, an auxiliary audio jack, a front USB port and a media player interface.

The Luxury V6 adds an upgraded gear shifter (with steering wheel paddle shifters), upgraded leather upholstery, wood interior trim and a heated steering wheel with wood trim.

Besides its bigger engine, the Luxury V8 adds 19-inch wheels, LED headlights, a surround-view parking camera system, a credit-card-sized key fob and an upgraded instrument/gauge display. Blind-spot warning, rear-cross traffic alert and a lane departure warning system are also standard.

The Luxury V6 trim can be equipped with a VIP package that adds the V8's surround-view parking camera and safety warning systems along with adaptive cruise control, an automatic emergency braking system, a head-up display, additional front seat adjustments (12-way driver, 10-way passenger), four-way passenger lumbar and a simulated suede headliner. It also bundles the Rear Seat VIP package of power-reclining 60/40-split rear seats with ventilation, adjustable lumbar and airplane-style folding sleeper headrests.

The Luxury V8's VIP Plus package includes all that plus soft-close doors, quilted leather upholstery, wood seatback trim and a "chauffeur" switch on the front passenger seat that allows the driver to easily slide it forward for added rear seat legroom.

Powertrains and Performance

The 2016 Kia K900 comes standard with a 3.8-liter V6 that produces 311 horsepower and 293 pound-feet of torque. As on every K900, an eight-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive are standard. All-wheel drive is not available. The EPA estimates that it will return 20 mpg combined (17 city/26 highway).

The Luxury V8 gets a 5.0-liter V8 good for 420 hp and 376 lb-ft of torque. Rear-drive and an eight-speed automatic are again standard. The EPA estimates the K900 V8 will return 18 mpg combined (15/23). During an Edmunds long-term test of a K900 with this engine, we matched the EPA's figure with 18.1 mpg over the course of 20,000 miles. In our performance testing, we timed the K900 from zero to 60 in 5.7 seconds. It's certainly a respectable time, but similarly sized and V8-equipped flagship luxury sedans are notably quicker.

Safety

Every 2016 K900 comes standard with antilock brakes, stability and traction control, front and rear side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, and front and rear parking cameras. Blind-spot, rear cross traffic and lane departure warning systems are standard on the Luxury V8 and optional on the Luxury V6. A forward collision mitigation system with automatic emergency braking is optional on both Luxury trims.

In Edmunds brake testing, a V8-powered K900 came to a stop from 60 mph in 126 feet. This is longer than average for a large luxury sedan.

Interior Design and Special Features

On the whole, the 2016 Kia K900 comes tantalizingly close to matching the quality and features of the German luxury sedans it has in its sights. The interior design is pleasingly up to date with a large 9.2-inch infotainment display mounted in the middle of the dash and cues indicative of luxury brands. Options provide even more comforts, including soft-close doors and reclining rear seats.

Upon closer inspection, though, the K900 comes up short compared with established luxury sedans. Even though the Kia's available wood interior trim is genuine, its heavily lacquered and glittered finish gives it the look and feel of plastic. And while the infotainment controller is similar to BMW's iDrive interface, its complicated and unintuitive menus can be a source of frustration. The numerous buttons scattered throughout the cabin also feel a bit less substantial than we'd expect. Notably absent from the options list are amenities like a rear entertainment system, redundant audio controls for backseat passengers and seatback trays.

Getting past these missteps is easy, however, when you consider the K900's long list of standard equipment and its comfortable accommodations. Spending an entire day touring the highways and byways is easy and fatigue-free for four full-size adults thanks to well-shaped seats that are heated and ventilated. Further helping to click off the miles is the powerful Lexicon sound system that offers impressive performance, regardless of your taste in music.

Cargo capacity for the K900 maxes out at 15.9 cubic feet, which is about average for the class.

Driving Impressions

Neither of the 2016 Kia K900's available engines will blow you away with a rush of power. For the respective six-cylinder and eight-cylinder classes of elite luxury sedans, the K900 is below par in terms of acceleration. That said, acceleration is certainly sufficient.

At cruising speed, the K900's cabin is nearly devoid of wind and road noise. It's one of the quietest cars we've tested recently. The ride quality is comfortable, too, and most bumps and ruts are absorbed with ease. On choppy pavement, however, the ride is a little on the busy side compared to other large luxury sedans and it is prone to some nautical-like flout over big undulations. That just doesn't happen in rival luxury sedans, which are also usually available with an adaptive suspension that adds further comfort and control to the ride.

Such a suspension would also help shore up the K900's handling. As it is, the K900 perpetually feels heavy and ponderous. Pricier rivals do a much better job of hiding their size for the driver while still delivering a limo-like cruising experience for passengers.

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Kia Concept Hints At Return To Large SUV Market

Kia Motors is eyeing a return to the large SUV market with plans to introduce a new concept vehicle at the 2016 Detroit auto show.

The SUV concept, created at the automaker’s California design studio, features "an abundance of advanced technology -- including state-of-the-art health-and-wellness technology," Kia said in a statement late Tuesday.

The unnamed concept hints at the styling of "a possible future premium large SUV" in Kia’s lineup, the company added, while setting a "bold new direction' for the brand's "design language."

Kia hasn't marketed a large SUV in the U.S. since the seven-passenger Borrego was dropped in 2011. The mid-sized, body-on-frame SUV was launched in 2008 with a starting price of $26,995, including shipping, for the V-6, two-wheel-drive version.

Kia sold 9,835 Borregos in 2010 in the U.S., down 7 percent from 2009.

A fully loaded V-8 Borrego stickered for about $38,000. It was the largest light truck ever marketed by Kia in the U.S. and the first Kia model with a V-8 engine.

But it was launched just as U.S. gasoline prices spiked, sending demand for large SUVs and other big light trucks tumbling.

Across the industry, a new generation of lighter, more fuel-efficient SUVs and crossovers are finding favor with American consumers again. And low gasoline prices have fueled a sales renaissance for many SUVs and crossovers in recent months.

U.S. sales of all SUVs, up 7.8 percent, and crossovers, with an increase of 17.4 percent, outpaced growth in the overall light-vehicle market last year. Moreover, demand for all premium crossovers surged 21 percent.

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2017 Kia Picanto: Spied

Launched in 2003 as a city car based on a shortened platform of the Hyundai Getz, the Kia Picanto soldiered on unchanged until 2011, when the second-generation model was introduced. Redesigned from the ground up under the direction of Peter Schreyer, the new model shared underpinnings with the Hyundai i30 and was larger than its predecessor. A significant face-lift followed at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, but right after that Kia began working on the third-generation hatchback, which just hit the streets as a camouflaged prototype.

Although the new Picanto won’t arrive in dealerships sooner than 2017, the Korean brand is already busy working on the next-gen hatch according to our trusty paparazzi. Details as to what it may bring to the table are slim, but I do expect the upcoming Picanto to feature Kia’s new design language and an updated, more upscale interior. Under the hood, look for slightly more powerful and fuel efficient engines, and maybe even a significantly upgraded transmission.

Much like its predecessor, the Picanto won’t cross the pond to North America, where the Rio 5-door will remain Kia’s smallest hatchback. The new Picanto, however, will be offered in most markets in Europe and Asia, where it will compete against the likes of Toyota Aygo, Ford Ka, and Hyundai i10.

Exterior

Although most of the car’s body panels are covered in thick camouflage, we can distinguish many of the new details hidden under the wraps. Up front, we can see that the hatch sports a pair of redesigned LED headlamps. While their shape isn’t exactly obvious, it seems that they no longer extend toward the windshield. As for the LED lights, the technology will likely be offered as an option. Down below, there are revised fog lamps, a slightly larger apron grille. Though not visible, I’m sure that the "tiger nose" grille has also been upgraded.

Around back, the first thing that catches the eye is the new taillight cluster, which also employs LED technology. The way the camouflage is shaped around the tailgate suggests Kia used thick cladding to cover that area, which could mean the Picanto received a completely reshaped rear end. We won’t know for sure until the car loses some of the camo, but the hatch could get a smaller, raked rear windscreen for a sportier look. Other than that, no other details are visible, but I expect the hatch to sport a reshaped bumper and new reverse lights.

As far as the overall shape and size go, the third-gen Picanto appears to be about the same. However, with this being an early prototype, more changes are likely to occur along the way.

Interior

The Picanto’s new interior is still a mystery. Not only is most of the cabin covered in black cloth, but our spy shooters weren’t able to get close to the car for some close ups either. However, the third-gen car’s cabin should be an improvement over the current model, which should bring us one of the most remarkable interiors in this low-priced segment. Look for higher quality plastic surfaces, more metallic inserts, better fit and finish, and a more ergonomic center stack. Already a roomy vehicle for its size, the Picanto should also offer more legroom in the rear due to better packaging.

Drivetrain

Under the hood, the new Picanto should get a selection of small-displacement, three- and four-cylinder engines. Depending on the market, the hatch will be powered by either 1.0-liter, three-pot or 1.2-liter, four-pot gasoline units. Both will be based on the current units, but crank out more power and sip less fuel. On the diesel front, it should come with the 1.1-liter, inline-three from the second-generation Hyundai Hyundai i10. New manual and automatic transmissions are also on the table, likely with five and four cogs, respectively.

Prices

With the current-generation model priced from £7,895 in the U.K., the upcoming version could cost more than £8,000 before options. Final pricing in Europe will also depend on whether the third-gen Picanto will get a five-door version on the Old Continent. As of January 2016, the small hatch is only available with three doors in the U.K. and other European markets. A five-door version would fetch more than £8,400 before options.

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The Kia Sorento: Review

Kia’s all-new third generation SUV is bigger and better than before with a new diesel engine and four-wheel drive as standard.

The smoother, swept-back profile and deeply sculpted surfaces give the Kia Sorento a lithe, elegant appearance. The spacious interior follows the horizontal lines of the overall design concept and delivers a luxurious look and feel.

All versions of the new Sorento are powered by an EU6-compliant 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine which produces fewer harmful tailpipe emissions, is more fuel-efficient, less damaging to the environment, and which reduces running costs for personal and business owners. All have a new, permanent, intelligent all-wheel drive system and a versatile seven-seat interior. There are four trim levels, badged KX-1, KX-2, KX-3 and KX-4. Depending on model, buyers have the choice of six-speed manual or automatic transmission.

Safety and convenience technologies new to the Sorento, and in some cases new to any Korean SUV, include Advanced Smart Cruise Control, Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Warning, Around View Monitoring, Adaptive Front Lighting and Speed Limit Information. The 194bhp 2.2-litre diesel engine provides strong flexible performance, assisted by the slick and efficient six-speed automatic gearbox. On the move there’s no getting away from the Sorento’s bulk, as the substantial weight and height results in some body lean around sharp corners, but grip levels are good thanks to four-wheel drive and Kia’s new Dynamax™ All-Wheel-Drive system with torque vectoring. It’s also easy car to drive, with light steering and smooth accelerator and brake pedal action. Ride quality isn’t up with Range Rover suppleness, but it remains comfortable on most roads. Refinement levels are pretty decent, thanks to a hushed engine, although some suspension and wind noise is evident at times.

Climb aboard the Kia Sorento and you’re greeted by a well thought out dashboard and a decent driving position giving a good view of the road. Quality of the trim and switchgear also sees an improvement on the previous model. The Sorento has a longer wheelbase and provides more passenger room than its predecessor. As you’d expect, there’s plenty of head and legroom in the cabin for all five passengers. The same can’t be said however for the additional two rear seats, although they’ll be fine for smaller children. Obviously these seats encroach into the boot space, but when lowered you’re left with a cavernous load area of up to 1,732 litres.

Entry-level KX-1 models come equipped with alloy wheels, front and rear electric windows, air-conditioning, cruise control and automatic headlights. Meanwhile, more expensive KX-2 versions add heated leather seats, rear privacy glass and automatic wipers. The top-of-the-range KX-3 has bigger alloy wheels, Xenon headlights, a panoramic glass roof, electric seats and satellite navigation.

High-tech specifications and a range of premium features, including the 360-degree Around View Monitor and smart parking system make it easy to manoeuvre and park. Buyers can also choose from the latest safety assistance systems, from lane departure warning to rear cross traffic alert and traffic sign recognition, through to adaptive cruise control.

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2016 Kia Nero hybrid SUV driven

Kia is readying a hybrid rival to the big-selling Nissan Qashqai SUV. Roger Stansfield drives the prototype

On the face of it, Kia's new Niro is yet another offering to feed the seemingly insatiable global appetite for compact SUVs.

There's more to this one than meets the eye, however. Housed within a body that's clearly intended to steal some of the Nissan Qashqai's thunder is a petrol-electric hybrid powertrain. So, the Niro is as much an alternative to the Toyota Prius as it is to the legions of high-riding hatchbacks already on sale.

True, there are already hybrid SUVs out there, but these are all bigger and significantly more expensive than the Nero is likely to be.

It's no half-hearted effort, either. Rather than shoe-horn two propulsion systems into a body designed to take only one, Kia has created a bespoke new structure for the Niro, and has made it clear that it will be used for hybrids only.

The Niro is Kia's first dedicated hybrid, but it won't be the last. Global sales of electrified cars are expected to be close to 6.5 million a year by 2020, and Kia is targeting market leadership.

What you'll get with Niro when it goes on sale in the UK late this year is a brand new 103bhp 1.6-litre petrol engine as the primary power source, supported by an electric motor when needed, all driving the front wheels through a six-speed double-clutch automatic gearbox.

The batteries store just 1.56kWh of energy, so you won't get far on their power alone – a couple of miles if you're lucky – but they are topped up when coasting and braking, and there will be a plug-in hybrid version of the car with a much greater all-electric range in 2017.

The suspension setup is still being tuned, but even as it stands the Niro is a pleasant thing to drive: brisk enough for what it's meant to do and extremely smooth with it, while the decision to go with a dual-clutch gearbox in place of the type of continuously variable transmission favoured by Japanese hybrid manufacturers eliminates the manic whirrings they can stir up under hard acceleration.

Kia's combination of chunky, sporty SUVstyling with a hybrid powertrain has added yet another acronym to the auto industry lexicon – HUV, or hybrid utility vehicle.

It's an interesting mix, not least because it rules out a teardrop profile like that of the Prius and its ilk, which look the way they do in the interests of fuel-saving aerodynamics.

Instead, the Niro has an SUV's higher-than-average ground clearance and roof bars, both of which might be expected to create turbulence, but Kia is adamant it still cleaves the air more cleanly than the Toyota.

To that end it employs active aerodynamics in the form of flaps which admit cooling to the engine bay only when needed, side curtains to channel air around and away from the front wheels, and specially shaped 16- or 18-inch alloys, while extensive use of ultra-high-strength steel is said to keep the (unspecified) weight in check.

At less than 4.4 metres long it's smaller than Kia's existing Sportage SUV in size, which makes the impressive room it provides seem like a bit of rabbit-from-a-hat trickery. The interior is nicely styled and trimmed along the lines of the latest Optima, too, with a horizontal dashboard layout divided into upper display and lower control zones.

Many of the Nero's accident-avoidance systems also come from the Optima, while the navigation and entertainment systems demonstrate that Kia has finally woken up to the fact that connectivity is not some passing fad. The Niro can already be hooked up to Android Auto, and integration with Apple CarPlay is under development.

There will also be a wireless phone charger, bi-xenon headlamps, a rear wiper-mounted parking camera, autonomous braking, advanced cruise control and traffic signal recognition, to pluck just a few of the latest highlights from the list.

How much of this will be on UK cars and what the line-up will be is, at this stage, speculation with the car still almost a year away from launch, but in style and personality the Nero catches attention better than the prissy hatchbacks that dominate this end of the hybrid market. Now all Kia has to do is get the pricing right.

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