Kia Optima Dunks Over Blake Griffin

Untitled

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE

Having shown us teaser photos, Kia has now taken the wraps off its new Kia K9 flagship. The luxury sedan is the first-ever rear-wheel-drive Kia sedan, and is also said to be the most luxurious Kia to date.

Kia had previously teased the new sedan as the KH, but picked the K9 name to fit in with the company’s other Korean-market offerings. The letter K stands for Korea, Kinetic, and Kratos, the Greek work for domination. The number nine shows how the car fits in the company’s lineup, above the K5 (aka. Optima sedan) and K7 (the Cadenza).

The elegant sedan seems to blend design cues from many existing luxury sedans — the curved nose and swooping headlights remind us of the BMW 6 Series, the profile line suggests the Lexus GS, and the stubby tail with twin parallelogram exhaust tips apes the Lexus LS. Nonetheless, the Kia K9 looks sophisticated and classy. Plenty of chrome trim adorns the outside, include twin portholes on each front fender, and the rear window slopes gently toward the trunklid. Out front, the so-called “Tiger Nose” chrome grille defines the car as a Kia.

Little else has so far been revealed about the K9, but as it is based mostly on the Hyundai Genesis, we can expect some of that car’s engines and technologies to carry over. Kia says its new sedan offers the company’s “best of the best” handling, technology, and design. We also wonder whether features from the Kia GT concept, first shown at last year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, will reach production in the K9. The show car had a turbocharged 3.3-liter V-6 with 390 hp and an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The Kia K9 will go on sale in Korea within the next few months, but it’s unknown where else the new car might land. Kia has confirmed the luxury sedan won’t be sold in Europe, but says that it will announce on-sale dates outside Korea at a later time. Also, Kia says the car will be renamed when it is sold elsewhere around the world.

With Europe off the map and Kia working to improve its image in our market, we’d say chances are strong that the new Kia K9 flagship will be sold in the U.S. It remains to be seen, however, whether the car can stand out from both its mechanical sibling the Hyundai Genesis, and the array of similar luxury cars already on sale here.

Courtesy of motortrend.com

[[posterous-content:pid___0]]

Like us on Facebook to get an oil change for $20.12, only at Wilson Kia!

Click here for more details.

Kia Signs on to Support World Environment Day 2012

Kia signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the United Nations Environment Programme(UNEP) on February 22 to confirm its support for the organization’s hallmark World Environment Day (WED). The official signing ceremony took place at the United Nations compound in Nairobi, Kenya and marked Kia’s continued commitment to environmental sustainability.

Commemorated on every 5 June since 1972, WED has grown to become the most widely celebrated global day for positive environmental action. WED activities take place year round as a worldwide call to action for individuals and organizations to mobilize environmental activities. This year Kia will award an eco-friendly vehicle to five participating organizations whose WED activity mobilization scores high on criteria as evaluated by UNEP.

 

The five vehicles to be awarded include four 2012 all-new Kia Rios and one 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid, which were chosen for their high fuel efficiency and to highlight 2012’s WED theme ‘Green Economy: Does it include you?’

 

The signing ceremony was attended by Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary General and Executive Director of UNEP; Izabella Teixeira, Brazilian Environment Minister and MK Kim, President of Kia’s Middle East and Africa Regional Headquarters.

Courtesy of kiabuzz.com

Catch the pre-owned inventory specials at Wilson Kia today, featuring this 2005 Kia Spectra LX.

See here for details.

Become a Kia Fan Reporter & Win a Trip to the Geneva Motor Show

All automotive enthusiasts can agree that the Geneva Motor Show is one of the top must-see auto events of the year. And with the 82nd show right around the corner, Kia is on the lookout for fan reporters we can send to Geneva to share news and updates with global Kia fans. We’re seeking people with personality and a talent for storytelling, filming and/or photography. If that sounds like you or a friend, then keep reading!

Fan Reporter Teams

Kia will assemble three teams of two fan reporters each, so make sure you choose the right partner when applying. If chosen, you and your co-reporter will get access to cover all news and events related to Kia and all three teams will receive the following:

1)     Passes to Geneva Motor Show

2)     Round-trip air transportation

3)     Hotel accommodation.

To apply, simply go to the following Facebook link and learn how to participate:

http://www.facebook.com/Kiamotorsworldwide?sk=app_212253232206083

The application submission period will be from February 15 to 26 and the three winning teams will be announced on February 27.

We encourage everyone to participate, so don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity!

Courtesy of kiabuzz.com

Kia Cee’d Hatchback Revealed Ahead Of 2012 Geneva Motor Show

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE

A new Kia Cee’d (essentially the equivalent of the Kia Forte in the United States) is set to debut at next month’s 2012 Geneva Motor Show and now we have all the official images and details of the five-door hatchback version following last month’s leak.

The Cee’d is aimed at European markets and borrows styling cues from the new Kia Optima and even the redesigned Kia Rio.

The wing-shaped grille is more rounded than in the Optima, but the sculpted hood and upswept lower front valence are common traits. The wraparound headlamps also sport new LED daytime running lights.

The vehicle is longer, wider, and lower than its predecessor, but features the same wheelbase. This results in a very sporty profile as well as a wide track and solid stance.

Inside, designers have gone for a premium look and feel by using better quality materials than used in the previous Cee’d, as well as improved switchgear, touch-screen technology and enhanced driving position ergonomics.

Kia is keeping quiet on the car’s engine details but expect a range of four-cylinder gasoline and diesel units and the choice of manual and automatic transmissions. We should know more once press days for the 2012 Geneva Motor Show commence on March 6, but in the meantime stay glued to our dedicated show page for all the latest updates.

First sales of the new Kia Cee’d are scheduled to start in Europe in the second quarter of the year.

Courtesy of motorauthority.com