Subtly Facelifted Kia Picanto Leaks Out Early

Images of the facelifted Kia Picanto (sold as Kia Morning in South Korea and other Asian markets) have surfaced in Korean media ahead of the car’s debut at the Geneva Auto Show this spring.

2015 Kia Optima Gets More Technology

Following last year’s refresh, the Kia Optima gets upgraded technology and subtle interior updates for the 2015 model year in the United States. The mid-size sedan gets the next-generation of Kia’s UVO eServices and a number of interior refinements meant, “To improve ergonomics and offer a more premium experience.”

Kia Introduces K900 RWD Flagship with V6 and V8 Mills at LA Auto Show

Do you want to know the first thing that we noticed about Kia's K900 flagship saloon, besides the very BMW-esque styling language of the exterior? The very, very BMW-like automatic transmission's handle, and that says a lot about Kia's first effort in the rear-wheel drive (premium) sedan segment. Yes, we've seen it before, but it really never gets old…

The K900 might have a new name for North America as its Korean moniker "K9". was deemed inappropriate due to its use for working dogs, while Kia also ditched the idea to use its other name for international markets, the "Quoris", but it has been around for more than a year now.

The transition from Korean to North American specification model didn't bring any significant changes on the styling front, only a new grille piece, chrome wheels and colored side markers in the headlamps.

Riding on a 119.9-inch (3,022mm) wheelbase, the K900 promises to offer plenty of space for its passengers who are enclosed in what Kia describes as an "opulent" interior with all sorts of standard and available comfort features and gadgets, from standard multi-stage heating for the outboard seats to a 12.3 inch, the full-color LCD screen for the infotainment system on top trims.

Among other available features mentioned by Kia are a full-length panoramic roof with power retractable sunshade, individual rear seats with multi-stage cooling that can also recline and incorporate power lumbar support and lateral headrest adjustability, a TFT instrument panel, a 900-watt Lexicon high-fidelity audio system, and a camera-based Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS).

When the Hyundai Genesis-based K900 goes on sale in the States during the first quarter of 2014, it will be available with a choice of two gasoline powerplants, a 3.8-liter Lamba V6 with 311 horsepower, and a 5.0-liter Tau V8 rated at 420 horsepower. Both units are paired to a standard eight-speed automatic transmission.

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Texas Woman Drives Kia Rondo on Highway with Flat Tire on Fire [Updated]

We've added a second video that shows the Kia engulfed in flames and firefighters trying to extinguish the blaze

Smoking hot, you say? Well, yes, but literally, not metaphorically… You see, YouTube author Miguel Alvarez and his buddy noticed a Kia Rondo on Interstate 635 in Garland Texas with smoke and fire coming out under the front wheel arch on the driver's side.

As the two men approached the Korean minivan, they immediately saw what had happened: the lady behind the wheel, who had her safety signals on, was apparently aware that something was wrong with the car, but hadn't noticed that the flat tire had actually turned into a rolling ball of fire…

Who knows, maybe she thought her car was fitted with run-flats or she believed she could make it to the next exit with a busted tire.

Feel free to watch the video, which for the record, was filmed in May last year, right past the break.

VIDEO

Kia Releases Soul EV Specs, Confirms Range of 200+ KM (124 Miles)

It looks like previous reports about the Kia Soul EV were pretty accurate, as they match the preliminary specs announced by Korean carmaker.

Scheduled to launch during the second half of 2014 in export markets, Kia’s first EV outside Korea will feature an 81.4-kW (109hp) electric motor producing 285 Nm (210 lb-ft) of torque. The motor delivers its power to the front wheels through a single speed constant ratio gear reduction unit.

Thanks to the instantly available torque, the Soul EV will accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in less than 12 seconds and will reach a top speed of 145 km/h (90 mph).

The car will feature a high-capacity 27 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack that will provide a driving range of more than 200 km (124 miles) on a single charge. Recharging times are estimated at up to five hours for a fully depleted battery using a standard 240v or 230v household outlet, or 25 minutes on “fast” charge with 100 kW output.

The Soul EV will feature the styling of the second-generation Soul, and the images released by Kia confirm this. Although the prototypes are shown wearing camouflage, the overall shape of the car is the same – which is normal since the Soul EV prototype test cars are built on modified versions of the 2014 Kia Soul. Kia says the production car will feature projection type headlamps, LED positioning lamps, LED rear combination lamps and aerodynamically shaped 16” inch alloy wheels.

On the inside, the Soul EV will feature a unique Supervision instrument cluster and center stack with an eight-inch display screen. The electric vehicle will also be equipped with a VESS (Virtual Engine Sound System) that emits an audio alert at speeds below 20 km/h (12 mph) and whenever the car is reversing.

Prototypes are currently being tested at Kia’s Namyang R&D facility in Korea, as well as in Europe and North America, before manufacturing begins in 2014. Kia’s first electric vehicle was the Ray EV, a limited run vehicle launched in 2011 and destined exclusively for South Korean government fleets.

By Dan Mihalascu

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Kia Feels the Beat with Five Music-Themed Souls at the SEMA Show

Kia's dancing all the way to Las Vegas and the 2013 SEMA Show with five concept versions of its 2014 Soul compact. The music-themed builds include the DJ Booth Soul, Amped Soul, Music Memorabilia Soul, a Soul inspired by NBC’s show The Voice and a Soul highlighting the brand’s partnership with the Vans Warped Tour.

Three of the vehicles have been built by Galpin Auto Sports and LUX Motorwerks and feature premium audio components intended for live performance, while the others showcase musical lifestyles and trends. In detail:

Amped Soul
This Kia Soul has been fitted by Popular Mechanics with enormous JBL speakers. The car features JBL Pro Live sound equipment integrated into the rear-hinged doors, LED ambient lighting and four 12-inch Infinity power subwoofers. Design-wise, the Amped Soul features blacked out windows and a custom paint job. It rides on huge 22-inch Forgiato custom three-piece wheels and it has no B-pillar on the passenger side in order to make room for the club-sized stereo.

Vans Warped Tour Soul
The second Soul designed by Popular Mechanics is a tribute to the Vans Warped Tour. Featuring a full custom paint job inspired by the colors of the Vans Warped Tour, the car has custom-built fiberglass body panels replacing the side windows that house eight Infinity 8-inch speakers. There’s also a 50-inch flat-panel monitor mounted atop the car with running footage from the tour itself. The Vans Warped Tour Soul also features a slide-out rear barbeque, a specially designed hood ornament, 20-inch wheels and LED ambient lighting.

DJ Booth Soul
As the name suggests, this Soul has been transformed into DJ booth on wheels by RIDES magazine. The car has no roof to give the DJ the ability to rise up and stand on a custom diamond-plated stage (which replaced the rear seats) and start spinning on the pro-grade Pioneer CDJs and mixer. It is painted in purple with turquoise accents, and comes with a lowered suspension while riding on 19-inch Rotiform BRU wheels. The Pioneer audio system includes five amplifiers, three component speakers, two 10-inch and two 12-inch Champion Series subwoofers, and a sound bar housing four coaxial speakers.

Music Memorabilia Soul
This unique Kia Soul is essentially a music museum on wheels created by RIDES magazine. It includes music memorabilia spanning rock, hip-hop and EDM history. Exhibits include a signed guitar from Slash, a G-Unit sneaker signed by 50 Cent, a Jimi Hendrix gold album and a signed John Legend microphone, all displayed in hand-built Plexiglas enclosures in the trunk, rear windows and rear hatch insert. 

The Voice Soul
This particular concept is dedicated to NBC’s The Voice show and has been customized by RIDES magazine. It features a bright red airbrushed The Voice logo on the side, incorporating vinyl on the window portion, as well as the inspiring words “I Want You” illuminated in the lower grille, along with the LED puddle projectors. The 20-inch three-piece Niche Scope wheels match the vehicle’s color, while the four replicated coaches’ chairs are the highlight of the interior that features red leather, black suede and red stitching. It even comes with an iPad Mini connected to a 40-inch LED TV that allows aspiring singers to use the preloaded The Voice app and sing through the wireless microphone, amplified through Rockford Fosgate speakers in their fiberglass custom pods.

Alongside the Soul custom concepts, Kia is also displaying the refreshed 2014 Optima, plus the 2014 Forte Koup and 2014 Forte hatchback fitted with the 201hp four-cylinder turbocharged engine.

By Dan Mihalascu

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