Category Archives: Kia
Kia’s RWD GT Concept Hints at Production Version
The all-new Kia GT Concept that will made its world premiere at the 64th IAA is the South Korean company’s first ever attempt to create a rear-wheel drive model. It is also the most powerful thanks to a 3.3-liter turbocharged V6 engine that delivers an output of 390HP and 534 Nm (393.8 lb-ft) of torque that are sent to the rear wheels via an 8-speed automatic gearbox.
Even though development of the concept began less than a year ago, in November 2010, Kia’s European design team has been considering a rear-wheel drive car for quite some time.
The South Korean manufacture’s chief designer Peter Schreyer explains: “This concept allows us to explore exciting new design directions, as using a rear-wheel drive layout creates very different proportions compared to a front-wheel drive car”.
“The classic front-engined, rear-wheel drive layout of a performance saloon has distinct appeal not just for the domestic Korean audience, but also for the European and American markets,” Schreyer added.
According to Kia, the GT Concept draws inspiration from the 2007 Kee concept and the iconic GTs of the 1970s. Schreyer’s goal was to make sure that the GT’s proportions could not be mistaken for anything other than a rear-wheel drive performance saloon, that is why he pushed the front wheels as far front as he could, placed the cabin further back and created a short rear end.
Kia Enhances Rio’s Presence in Europe with New Three-door Version
Although five-door versions of most B-segment cars are more popular in most markets, in order to satisfy those customers that don’t need the practicality of the two extra doors and prefer a more dynamic look, Kia launched a three-door version of its new Rio at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.
Like its more practical sibling, with which it shares the same dimensions (4,045mm long, 1,720 mm wide, 1,455mm tall and with a wheelbase of 2,570 mm), the Rio 3d has been designed with the European consumer in mind.
In most markets, the 3-door Rio will be available with the same range of powertrains, equipment and options as the five-door model. Buyers will be able to choose from four three- and four-cylinder engines delivering between 75HP and 109HP.
The most powerful engine accelerates the new Rio from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 11.5 seconds and offers a top speed of 183 km/h (114 mph).
The most efficient model in the range is the new EcoDynamics diesel that boasts an extremely low average fuel consumption of 3.2 lt/100 km (equal to 88.2mpg UK, 73.5mpg US) and an industry-leading CO2 emissions figure of just 85 g/km.
Kia expects the three-door version to account for nearly 20-25% of the Rios total European sales.
New Kia GT Concept gets V6 Turbo Engine, May Inspire a Production Model
Continuing our flow of stories from the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show, we now have some fresh news on the Kia GT sports saloon concept, new pictures of which we showed yesterday.
The South Korean maker had told us the GT will feature a traditional layout with the engine mounted up front and power being delivered to the rear wheels, however, we knew nothing about the motor lurking under the hood. Up until now, that is.
We learned that the conceptual study will be motivated by a 3.3-liter turbocharged V6 delivering a little under 400-horsepower and close to 400 lb-ft of torque, with power channeled to the rear wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission.
Perhaps more interesting is the fact that some people over at Kia are very keen on taking the concept to the next level and using it as a base to build a similar in philosophy production model.
More Powerful 2012 Kia Soul Priced from $14,650*
After the premiere of the facelifted 2012 Soul at this year’s New York Auto Show in late April, it’s time for Kia to talk prices. The revised small crossover enters the new model year with some modest styling changes but more importantly, a new pair of more powerful engines hooked up to six-speed transmissions.
Pricing for the entry level Soul with the 1.6-liter engine and a manual gearbox starts at $13,900 or (*) $14,650 after a $750 destination and handling (D&H) fee, while the automatic model starts at $15,700 or $16,450 if you include D&H.
Kia has not yet released pricing from the newflagship Soul equipped with the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine.
The updated 1.6-liter unit that features Kia’s fuel-saving and emissions reducing gasoline direct injection (GDI) technology, is rated at 138-horses, an increase of 16 ponies over the previous model.
Kia to show rear-drive V8 coupe concepts in Frankfurt, Detroit
Hyundai and Kia may have separate product lineups, but the two Korean automakers are owned by the same company. But while the two companies have shared platforms and engines on most occasions, for some reason, Hyundai received a rear-drive platform and the impressive Tau V8 engines for its Genesis range while Kia was left out of the fun.
That could change with the introduction of the K9 sedan, which has been rumored to arrive in 2012, but does Kia have more plans for rear-wheel-drive and maybe even a V8 engine? The UK’s What Car? is reporting that Kia is looking to get quite a bit sportier in the future, suggesting that the automaker will release a pair of rear-drive coupe concepts to gauge interest. The first eight-pot coupe will reportedly show up for duty at theFrankfurt Motor Show, followed by a second concept car at the Detroit Auto Show in January. If public opinion of the rumored concepts is strong, What Car? claims a production model could ensue for 2015.
What Car? also renews speculation that Kia is eying a competitor to the Mazda MX-5 Miata. The would-be roadster would be small and light, but importantly, it may not be rear-drive. Word is that the drop-top could utilize the platform of the next generation Cee’d. While we’re all for another compact roadster, we’d add that in order to truly compete with the Mazda, rear-drive should definitely be part of the equation. Those with really long memories will recall that Kia has already experimented with small front-drive roadsters designed to take on the Miata – it briefly retained the rights to build its own version of the second-generation Lotus Elan (M100) back in the late 1990s.
