Bummer... Kia Kee Concept Crashes On Its Way To The L.A. Show

This must be a carmaker’s worst nightmare. Kia’s European penned Kee Coupe Concept was seriously damaged when it broke free of its cargo restraints inside the car transporter and smashed its front end. Important detail: the Kee Coupe Concept was on its way to the 2007 L.A. Auto Show (Nov. 13) were it would have made its North American debut. Kia spokesman Alex Fedorak said, "We had to send the car back to Italy to get repaired and there is no way it's going to make it back to the States in time for the LA show."

The Kee Coupe Concept made its premier at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show in September. You can see the image gallery along with the official press release right after the jump. -Continued

All-new Kia Kee 2+2 sports coupe concept unveiled

• New Kia Kee sports coupe concept heralds a ´new-look´ for Kia
• Uncluttered, pure and timeless execution represents new Kia ethos
• 4.3-metre long coupe powered by 200 ps V6 gasoline engine

The World Premiere of the all-new Kia Kee sports coupe concept at the Frankfurt International Motor Show in Germany today is a landmark moment in the Kia Motor Corporation´s evolution into a major global automotive company.

The Kia Kee (pronounced ´key´) is a 4.3-metre long, four-seater, 2-door coupe with svelte, newly proportioned lines resulting from a slightly lengthened greenhouse. It is a new interpretation of a 2+2 coupe with an imposing road presence that demonstrates an uncluttered, pure and timeless execution and represents a new design ethos for Kia.

Designed in Europe, under the guidance of Kia´s Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer, the sports coupe concept is named Kee for several reasons. "Kee refers to the English word ´key´ as the coupe embodies design elements which will become essential to the future ´look´ of Kia vehicles," explains Schreyer. "The coupe also represents the ´key´ which will open the door to success for our brand and acknowledges the Chinese and Korean word ´Ki´ - the
cultural concept for life-force or spiritual energy."

Kia Kee features a broad stance and a low profile, with unique exterior elements - the strong and powerful frontal design with its distinctive headlamps and eye-catching LED cluster, a dynamic profile with striking greenhouse treatment and 20-inch diameter alloy wheels. Measuring 4,324 mm long, the Kia Kee is powered by a ´next generation´ Mue-II 2-litre, V-6 gasoline engine producing 200 ps, which is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

"More than any other car-buyer, the sports coupe enthusiast knows instinctively when a car is right," observes Schreyer. "Shape, proportion, stance and both tactile and emotional aspects all add up to a car that stirs the blood. At Frankfurt, Kia is revealing just such a car.

"The Kee is a combination of all of those elements. It is a harmonious blend of everything that sets the sports coupe apart from the more functional vehicle that must undertake a range of activities. The sports coupe is single minded. It is about driving, pure and simple. It is about appearance, performance, emotion," enthuses Schreyer.

Much more than just a svelte, exciting sports coupe concept, the new Kia Kee is also the dawn of a new design language for the Kia brand - a language that will speak to motorists across the world about the Korean company´s intention to become one of the major automotive names over the coming years.

Peter Schreyer and Kia´s Frankfurt-based design team, headed by Gregory Guillaume, set out to make the Kee a landmark car in Kia´s history. It is no coincidence that its name plays on the word ´key´ because that is how essential Kee is to the future of the Kia brand.

Kee embodies Kia´s desire to create a family of cars that will be instantly recognisable on the road and will have simple yet sophisticated appeal in dealer showrooms. Whether wide-eyed admirers of this new generation of vehicles are existing Kia customers - wise to the dramatically improved quality and traditional strong value of the current range - or entirely new audiences, they will immediately recognise a range of cars aimed at those who enjoy driving and seek the perfect machinery to deliver that experience.

"Kee communicates a design language that will be seen on all future Kia products," continued Schreyer. "This language has to be stated in certain elements of the visual representation - lines, shapes, details. And it has to be consistent and easy to understand. It must be visually strong and purposeful but capable of being transferred from this sports coupe concept to a city runabout, a family saloon, a load-lugging MPV or a go-anywhere SUV.

"It was essential Kee should consist of a rhythm of lines - controlled, clean, pure. It had to have good, classic proportions and be well balanced. This is the future for Kia design - it must display the purpose, the function whilst still being capable of delivering an emotional aspiration," added Schreyer.

With its broad stance and low profile, Kee is a new interpretation of a 2+2 coupe, with a simple yet distinctive outline thanks to its long sweeping bonnet, slightly lengthened cabin with striking graphic treatment, sculpted flanks and strong swage lines.

Beneath the powerful and unique appearance are a host of fine details all hinting at the car´s true purpose and harmonising to create a sophisticated design entity. Whether it is the milled aluminium B-pillar visible through the panoramic grey-tinted glass, the distinctively individual 20-inch wheels and hand-cut Continental tyres or the small touches such as the electronic micro-switch door release set into the side-window glass, the clamshell rear hatch opening supported by electronic dampers or the unique front windscreen shape that mirrors so many other details on the Kee, it is clear that this car has been lovingly created by people who care about design.

Inside - Kee looks and feels like a true sports car in which the keen driver will instantly feel comfortable and at ease. The cabin is designed for maximum focus on driving. Clustered directly ahead of the driver, the main dials and controls are simple and straightforward utilising Kia´s new standard red-orange illumination.

Behind the square-bottomed steering wheel are paddles to shift the six-speed semi-automatic sequential gearbox. Instead of a standard gear stick an ergonomically designed lever sits atop the milled aluminium centre console and requires only a nudge forward or backward to select the desired drive mode. The top of the computer mouse-like lever flips up to reveal the electronic starter button.

The design team has concentrated on producing a realistic sports coupe - not a flight of fancy. Every element of the Kia Kee design should be clear, easy to understand and to use. All the main controls are fly-by wire, but their feel in operation has been created to deliver a sense of traditional operation. For example, the toggle switches mounted on the dashboard - echoing the DNA of generations of sports cars - let drivers navigate intuitively through the interface menu of the info-media centre.

After pressing the starter button the driver will immediately recognise the throaty roar of a V6 engine. The next generation 2.7-litre MUE-II engine, produces 200 ps and will deliver instant response, enormous flexibility and scintillating performance on any kind of road.

Kee uses light-weight aluminium or plastic panels and components wherever possible in order to reduce weight and keep the emphasis on rapid and controlled progress that ensures simple fun and driving pleasure. The result is a low kerb weight with excellent balance biased towards the front of this front-wheel drive showcar to deliver neutrally safe handling. Yet Kee could be built with rear wheel drive or even all-wheel-drive allowing Kia to add to its growing range as its brand develops its reputation amongst a more exacting audience.

Salome Etienne, a member of the Kee´s interior design team, comments: "All the main interior surfaces are covered in a semi-suede microfibre material and the body-hugging sports seats use a heard-wearing but distinctive metallic-finish cloth."

Continuing the theme of real-life functionality, the rear of the 2+2 cabin is sufficiently spacious to allow two adult passengers to travel on individual seats in the back of the vehicle whenever necessary. While Kee is not intended to be a regular four-seater, Kia knows that real people have real needs and the brand has no intention of moving into the exotic sports car territory that others so amply fill. And there is even space for a useful amount of luggage!

Raphael Le Masson, from the interior design team stated: "Echoing Kia´s concern for the comfort and convenience of its customers our team sought to ensure that rear passengers will not be confronted with a problem so common in many 2+2 coupes. In Kee, when the rear clamshell hatch is raised the cabin roofliner stays fixed in place to ensure that passengers do not come into contact with the structure of the hatch when it is subsequently closed."

Exterior designer Fabien Coradin observed: "This new concept car is about passion and energy. It is not an act of reason. Buying a sports coupe is an emotional choice and that is reflected in this car. Emotion may not have been the normal reason behind most Kia purchases in the past - now the brand is changing and this car shows the potential for Kia´s future."

Uncluttered, pure and timeless in execution yet modern, effective and usable in purpose, Kee represents a new ethos for Kia. With Kee the entire design team is laying open its mind and its heart. This car stands as a clear indication of Kia´s design philosophy and how it wishes to be viewed - exciting, appealing, creative, aspirational, with products that are beautiful and yet functional, purposeful and realistic.

Gregory Guillaume, Chief Designer Europe, commented: "This new concept car is a starting point. It shows how we think and what we want to do - appeal to the emotional side of our audience and bring that balance of purpose and emotion into the Kia design language. With Kee we are irrevocably heading off along our chosen path…"

Kee is the first step towards a new family look for Kia vehicles underscored by a focus on distinctive design. Although Kee is primarily a concept vehicle, it is one that could easily go into production should public demand dictate. Kee lays down very clear indications of how Peter Schreyer and his design team intend future Kia vehicles should look and displays elements that its creators will transfer to future production models. Displayed as part of the strong frontal design with its distinctive headlamps and eye-catching LED cluster, the new-style front grille will become the new face of Kia across the product range.

"Kia has given me and our design teams a fantastic opportunity," enthused Schreyer. "Seldom is a designer allowed to shape the entire personality of a brand, given a clean sheet of paper and told to create the future. Kee is the first step on the road and I am so excited about the potential this journey can create."

"Kee is our keystone to the future Kia family we want to create. There is nothing in its design that cannot easily and readily be transferred to production vehicles. There is nothing in Kee that I would not be prepared to see in future production vehicles. This car stands as a clear indication of our philosophy for vehicle design and as a clear signpost to the type of vehicles we shall be bringing to showrooms in the very near future.

"I want motorists to be able to identify Kia cars almost unconsciously. It doesn´t matter what type of vehicle they see - right across the Kia range there should be a very obvious style and image that will encourage drivers to identify with the Kia brand and instantly understand the function of the vehicle at the same time as they are admiring its lines," he added.

The new Kia Kee ultimately serves the Kia brand on a number of fronts. It is a design exercise for a sports coupe model that currently does not feature in the company´s line-up - at present no plans exist to put the Kee into immediate production, but media and public reaction will be closely monitored.

It also allows Schreyer and the entire design team to present their ideas for a family appearance and a design language, to both internal and external audiences. In this respect Kee is the first stage in an on-going process that will be refined and re-examined but will stay true to the core elements of design contained in this car.

Perhaps most importantly Kee is a simple corporate statement to global consumers and to the motoring world that Kia is a brand underpinned with quality and reliability and now on top of that comes the emotional element of distinctive design. The future for Kia products lies in balance, clarity and purpose, and the company´s latest show car embodies that philosophy.

"The new Kia Kee is a clear and emphatic statement that the future of the Kia brand is set to be one that will excite and surprise an entirely new audience of consumers," concluded Peter Schreyer. "In making this design departure for Kia it was essential to my thinking that our sports coupe concept is not simply a flight of fancy but represents an affordable dream for sports car lovers."

Kia Kee - Technical specification
Length 4325 mm
Width 1860 mm
Height 1315 mm
Wheelbase 2675 mm
Tyre size 245/40 R20
Engine V6 2.7-litre MUE-II
Maximum Power 200 ps
Transmission Six-speed automatic

Via: egmCarTech

2009 Kia Borrego: New Mid-Sized SUV Based On The Mesa Concept

Kia not only unleashed the first official image (without counting the blacked out teaser shot) of the production version of the Mesa Concept, but the Korean’s also revealed that their all-new mid-size SUV will bear the moniker of "Borrego". Set to make its official premiere in January at the Detroit Auto Show, the Borrego will go on sale in North America in late spring or early summer of 2008 as a 2009 model.

Built with body-on-frame construction the Borrego will be available with either a V6 engine or the company's first V8 offering, which will also boast Kia's largest towing capacity to date. According to a previous release from Kia, the Borrego will compete against the Ford Explorer, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Chevrolet Trailblazer, Toyota 4Runner and Nissan Pathfinder. (Image modified by Carscoop)

SEMA: Kia Spectra5 SX Concept

Here’s a nice example of what professional tuning can do for a vehicle that in normal form, is no more interesting than a milk carton. Designed in house by Kia USA, the Spectra5 SX concept (known as the Kia Cerato in Europe) is finished in a three-stage Amped Amber exterior color that changes shades and color depending on the vantage point. The bodykit includes a new front fascia with an expanded opening and mesh inserts and similarly-styled rear fascia and rear diffuser atop a catback exhaust with a 2.25-inch outlet. The headlamps and tail lamps are tinted while the car sits on 18-inch wheels fitted with 235/45R18 performance tires. -Continued

Additionally, Kia has fitted the concept with a performance suspension with Eibach springs (lowered 1.4 inches in front and 1.2 inches in the rear) and high-performance cross-drilled and slotted four-wheel disc brakes with front Rotora four-piston aluminum calipers.

2009 Kia Mesa Scooped

The production version of the Kia Mesa SUV Concept (codenamed HM) has been caught wearing minimum camouflage, thus revealing its rear-end for the first time. We’ll give you a minute or two to recuperate from the surprise……………………… So now that we’ve got your attention again, we just wanted to add that Kia’s 7-seater SUV will make its official debut at the Detroit Auto Show in January 2008, with North American sales staring shortly after.

Via: kia-world

Kia ECO Cee’d Models Coming In 2008: 3.9L/100 Km - 60 MPG!

Kia announced today that it will put the green-performance eco_cee’d concept car, first shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show (click here), into production from December 2008 with sales starting in early 2009. The new ‘eco’ cee’d product line-up will include all three regular cee’d body styles – five-door, three-door and wagon. The Frankfurt show concept car was based on the three door pro_cee’d and it was equipped with a 115 Hp1.6-litre CRDi turbo diesel engine. A combination of minor modifications (engine, gearbox and aerodynamics) and equipment additions to the standard vehicle (start & stop system), helped reduced avg. fuel consumption to 3.9 litres/100km or 60 mpg (-17%) and CO2 emissions to 104 g/km (down 8.4%). -Details after the jump

Kia plans to market ‘eco’ versions of cee’d models

Production of ‘eco’ cee’d models planned from December 2008

Significantly reduced fuel consumption and lowered emissions

Will meet Euro5 emissions more than two years before requirement

Retains best-in-class 7-Years Warranty and EuroNCAP 5-Star rating

Aerodynamic enhancements cut drag to Cd 0.29

The impressive performance, fuel economy and emissions figures of the concept car were largely the result of improved aerodynamics which brought the drag coefficient down from Cd 0.33 to just Cd 0.29, representing a significant improvement of 11%.

Following extensive wind-tunnel testing, Kia engineers lowered the concept’s suspension, fitted under-floor coverings to the front, middle and rear of the vehicle, adopted wheel arch linings with ‘spoiler’ lips to smooth airflow around the wheels, plus a low-drag front grille to improve air flow over the vehicle. Finally, ultra-low rolling resistance Michelin tyres were mounted on special 17-inch alloy wheels that generate minimum disturbance to the airflow along the sides of the car.

Euro5 emissions, enhanced electronics and reduced engine friction

Engines for the ‘eco’ cee’d models will already comply with the Euro5 emissions regulations which come into force in January 2011. Engine changes which will transfer to the ‘eco’ cee’d range from the concept car include measures to maximise fuel efficiency and reduce emissions, such as reduced turbo boost pressure (diesel models), enhanced fuel injection timing, modified residual gas rates and reductions in internal engine friction.

New ISG (Idle Stop&Go) system

To maximise the value of the aerodynamic and powertrain improvements, the new ‘eco’ cee’d models will be fitted with Kia’s new ISG (Idle Stop&Go) system, including Smart battery Power Management. This system has regenerative braking, which automatically recharges the battery during deceleration, and switches the engine off when the car is stopped and the engine is at idle, dramatically cutting both fuel consumption and emissions during typical stop-start city driving.

More gears, lower revs, lower consumption

All the new ‘eco’ cee’d’ models will be fitted with a new six-speed manual gearbox instead of the five-speed used on standard cars. Higher ratios for fourth, fifth and sixth gears will improve fuel consumption at motorway speeds. First, second and third gears retain the standard ratios to ensure that the dynamic performance of the standard car accelerating from standstill is carried over.

To further guarantee that the ‘eco’ cee’d models’ engines and transmissions are always operating at high efficiency, an ECU-controlled ‘Shift Indicator’ will be fitted in the instrument cluster. This displays the optimum gear choice for the speed at which the car is travelling, and indicates the ideal moment (based on road speed and engine speed) at which to change gear.

Customer choices for a greener future

The new ‘eco’ cee’d product line-up will include all three regular cee’d body styles – five-door, three-door and wagon – to continue Kia’s policy of maximising customer choice. All ‘eco’ cee’d models will retain the standard cee’d electric power steering, fully independent suspension and all-disc braking system, so the ‘eco-friendly’ cars will be just as much fun to drive as the regular models.

Kia Clarifies Mesa’s U.S. Competitors

Through its official blog (Kia Buzz), Kia informed us today that there was some sort of a translation mix-up in a series of English reports from Korean media referring to the 2008 HM’s U.S. competitors. We discovered on of those articles in The Korea Times and it stated that the production version of the Mesa Concept is aimed at competing with Toyota’s Lexus RX350, BMW’s X5 and Mercedes Benz’s M-Class models in the United States. Wrong; according to Kia, the Mesa (codenamed HM) will compete against the Ford Explorer, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Chevrolet Trailblazer, Toyota 4Runner and Nissan Pathfinder. -Continued after the jump

Moreover, Kia clarifies that the ongoing HM naming survey –there are three candidate names: Mohave, Windriver and Opelia, is only for the Korean market vehicle and not for the export model. Too bad, journos would have had a gassy blast if you picked out Windriver. However, Mohave does have a nice ring to it.

Link: Kia Buzz , Korea Times

100,000th Kia Cee’d Kia Rolls Off Slovakian Production Line

Kia just saw its 100,000th Cee’d (80,000 5doors & 20,000 SWs) roll off its European production-line in Zilina, Slovakia. The cherry-red Cee’d is destined for a customer in Denmark. Kia’s €1 billion ($1.4 billion) European factory has been open for less than a year and according to Korean officials, it can generate an ultimate capacity of 300,000 units annually. The plant produces one car every minute which is equivalent to 100 cars per employee per year. For the time being, the Zilina plant occupies 2,400 employees in two shifts producing three Kia models – Cee’d five-door hatchback, Ccee’d Sporty Wagon and Sportage SUV. At the end of October Kia will begin production of a fourth model, the Kia pro_cee’d three-door (click here). -Pics after the jump

Kia Cee’d Safety Car

Kia’s ramping up its press efforts on the Cee’d by informing us about every single organization that’s using their European built C-Segment hatch. So following the release on the Slovakian Police that signed a contract to receive about 4,000 units until 2010 (the Cee’d is built in Slovakia if you’re wondering), the Korean’s informed us today of the Cee’d safety car that’s used in several motor racing circuits around the UK. -Continued after the jump

The Cee’d safety car features among other things, an updated suspension from Eibach that lowers the car by around 20mm, enhanced brake system, a color-coded rear spoiler and black 18-inch Rimstock alloy wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport tires. Here’s an idea for the Kia folks; how about creating a sporty version of the Cee’d based on the safety car?

Kia To Supply Slovakian Police With Cee’d Fleet

Kia Motors has won a contract to supply Cee’ds to the Slovakian police forces until 2010. The Cee’d is manufactured locally at Kia’s first-ever plant in Europe, the €1 billion Zilina. According to the Korean company, the first batch of 43 cee’d police patrol cars were handed-over last week and a further 350 cee’d cars are scheduled for delivery later this year. Over the next three years, up to 4,000 Kia vehicles could be ordered as part of the Slovakian Interior Ministry’s re-equipment program. “This significant fleet order from the Slovakia Republic is an endorsement of the design, quality and durability of the Kia cee’d,” commented Jean-Charles Lievens, Senior Vice President Kia Motors Europe.

2009 Kia Mesa: First Official Image Of 7-Seater SUV

Talking about car shows in our previous post, Kia decided to let out a pre-pre-pre (add a few more pre’s) Detroit Show teaser image of its 7-passenger large SUV that’s based on the Mesa concept first shown in 2005. According to Kia, the yet-to-be-named SUV (code named the ‘HM’), will be available in 2008 as a 2009 model in the U.S. We tried our best to optimize Kia’s shady official image with photoshop, but you can check the original image after the jump. Also feel free to explore our previous posts on the Mesa / HM were we exposed several exterior and interior details of the 7-seater SUV by clicking here and here. -Continued

Via: Autoblog.com , Source: Kia

Frankfurt Review: Kia’s 3.9L/100 Km - 60 MPG Eco_Cee’d

Along with the 3door pro_cee’d, Kia also staged the world-premiere of the eco_cee’d concept car at the Frankfurt Show. Based on the sexy 3door pro_cee’d (it looks even better in person), the eco_cee’d secures better fuel consumption and fewer emissions via minor, but significant modifications. Using the standard Euro-5 compliant, 115 Hp, 1.6-litre diesel engine, Kia’s engineers improved the pro_cee’d’s aerodynamics down to Cd 0.29 (check out the flat floor pan). -Continued: Click “Read More…” below

Additionally, in order to maximize the value of the aerodynamic and powertrain improvements, the eco_cee’d was also fitted with Kia’s new Idle Stop&Go and Regenerative Braking systems. The end result is an avg. fuel consumption of 3.9 liters/100km (which translates to 60 mpg) while CO2 emissions are reduced to just 104 g/km. Comparatively, the standard pro_cee’d 1.6 Diesel (High) sips an avg. of 4,7 liters of diesel for every 100km (or 50 mpg) and while emitting 119 grams of CO2 per km.

Kia Launches Corporate Blog

Who would’ve imagine a few year’s ago that car companies would embrace the blogosphere with such lust... The latest auto manufacture to join in the blog craze is (surprisingly) Kia. Korean officials promise that the “Kia Buzz” blog will bring it closer to its customers, industry opinion leaders and car enthusiasts through online dialogue with a wide range of Kia experts from across the organization.

“Our vehicles are fresh and dynamic, and appeal to a customer demographic more likely to frequently use new media tools like blogs”, said Mr. Yong-Mo Ahn, Executive Vice-President, Overseas Marketing Division. “This is an innovative way through which real voices from throughout our organization can reach new audiences with information about Kia Motors, our expertise, products, services and initiatives.”

Link: Kia Buzz

2008 Kia Sportage SUV: Facelifted Version, Now Manufactured In EU

Kia’s Slovakia facility in Zilina is adding a third model into its inventory as the Korean company announced today that the facelifted Sportage SUV which will make its debut in Frankfurt will be produced there. Hyundai’s subsidiary has already started production of the Cee’d hatchback and SportyWagon at Zilina. At the end of this year, the facility will add a fourth model to its repertoire, the Pro-cee´d three-door hatchback.

Back to the revised Sportage, Kia’s compact SUV will be enhanced for 2008 with minor exterior changes that include re-styled front grille, black bezel headlamps, enlarged door mirrors, new-style alloy wheels, a broader range of paint finishes and body-colour bumpers for all models. Inside the Sportage receives new front and rear seat cushions while technical upgrades include re-tuned power-steering and larger brakes. -Press release and high-res images after the jump

Kia Sportage SUV now manufactured in Europe

Full 18-model Kia Sportage line-up produced in Slovakia

Choice of gasoline or diesel engines, with manual or automatic transmission

Improved build-quality, comfort, refinement and towing ability

Kia Motors will officially celebrate the start of full production of its popular Sportage compact SUV at the company´s ultra-modern Slovakia facility by holding the premiere of the 2008 model at the Frankfurt International Motor Show on 11 September.

Kia´s first-ever plant in Europe continues to be a burgeoning success as the Zilina operation has seamlessly added two new models - the cee´d Sporty Wagon and Sportage SUV- to its inventory, just a few months after making its very first cee´d hatchback cars last December. At the end of this year, the facility will add a fourth model to its repertoire, the Pro-cee´d three-door hatchback. With a staff of 2,400 working two shifts, Zilina is already living up to its promise of becoming the most productive car manufacturing plant in Europe, aiming to build 100 cars per employee per year - when fully operational.

The handsome Kia Sportage SUV is little changed on the outside, but 2008 models will feature exterior enhancements that include a re-styled front grille, black bezel headlamps, enlarged door mirrors, new-style alloy wheels, a broader range of paint finishes and body-colour bumpers for all models.

"Made in Europe, the new 2008 Kia Sportage retains all the popular attributes of the original model and now offers customers an even better drive in greater comfort and refinement," enthused Mr Jean-Charles Lievens, Senior Vice President Kia Motors Europe. "Since its launch in Europe during 2004, the Sportage has attracted more than 100,000 buyers and has played a key role, together with the larger Sorento SUV and smaller Picanto city car, in raising public awareness of the Kia brand across the broadest spread of European consumers."

Technical improvements introduced simultaneously with manufacturing the 2008 Sportage in Europe begin with the power steering, which is re-tuned to be a little more direct. Sixteen inch diameter wheels with 215/65 R16 tyres are standard, the suspension dampers are stiffer for improved on-road handling and body roll has been reduced. Larger, 300 mm diameter front brakes now stop the Sportage in just 41.6 metres (from 100 kph), and place the Kia among the best-in-class.

Inside, the 2008 Sportage has improved front seats with longer (by 40 mm) and wider (by 20 mm) cushions for greater support and comfort. The rear seat cushion shape and firmness have been enhanced and the seat lowered by 5 mm to increase headroom.

Wind noise has been reduced by redesigning the door mirror housings and improving the seals around the electric sunroof. The 2008 Sportage has 12.5% more towing capacity than the previous model - now up to a maximum of 1800 kg.

Thanks to the unique Rotation Dipping Painting process at the Zilina plant, which rotates each bodyshell through a forward somersault while immersed in the electro-plating tank, and the built-in quality of Kia vehicles manufactured in Slovakia, all versions of the 2008 Kia Sportage are covered by a new 10-Year anti-corrosion warranty - an extension of four years.

Customers buying a 2008 Kia Sportage can choose from a range of 10 exterior colours and two interior colours - Flesh Beige and Saturn Black. Eight of the exterior colours are new to Sportage, with two solids and six metallics in common with the cee´d models produced at Zilina. Two of the most popular metallic colours (Greyish Silver and Smart Blue), are carried over from the 2007 model year.

2008 Kia Sportage - 18-model line up for European Market*

Diesel / 2.0-litre CRDi

GL manual 5-sp / 4x2 or 4x4 GLS manual 5-sp / 4x2 or 4x4

GL manual 6-sp / 4x2 or 4x4 GLS manual 4-sp / 4x2 or 4x4

GL automatic 4-sp / 4x2 or 4x4 GLS manual 4-sp / 4x2 or 4x4

Gasoline / 2.0-litre DOHC

GL manual 5-sp / 4x2 or 4x4 GLS manual 5-sp / 4x2 or 4x4

Gasoline / 2.7-litre DOHC V6

GL automatic 4-sp / 4x4 GLS automatic 4-sp / 4x4

* The Kia factory in Zilina, Slovakia is manufacturing a total of 18 Sportage derivatives, but the model line-up may vary country-to-country, depending on local market requirements. Please check the final Sportage line-up in your country with your local Kia PR.

2008 Kia Pro-Cee’d: New Details & Images Revealed

Following the release of two teaser images in July and early August, Kia came out with a new set of pictures along with a more detailed press release on its all-new 3door Pro-Cee’d. Due to make its public debut at the 2007 Frankfurt Show in early September, the Pro_Cee’d will join in with its 5door sibling, the Cee’d, in Kia’s C-Segment offensive.

Longer, lower and lighter than its five-door sister car, the Pro-Cee’d is undoubtedly Kia’s best offering in terms of design –even though its butt sinfully reminds us of the 3door Audi A3. According to Kia, the Pro-Cee’d, that’ll go on sale in Europe in early 2008, will be offered in 19 derivatives. Interestingly, buyers will be able to opt for a Sports Pack, consisting of 17-inch alloy wheels with 225/45 R17 tyres, stiffer dampers, sport-concept interior trim (with ‘tyre-track’ pattern fabric and silver stitching, plus alloy pedals and stainless-steel door-scuff plates). Power will come from five Euro4 compliant engines, with power outputs covering a 90 Hp to 143 Hp range. -Press release & image gallery after the jump

Kia confirms up to 19-model line-up for new pro_cee’d

Longer (+15mm) and lower (-30mm) pro_cee’d three-door retains practicality

Full range of cee’d engines, equipment, options and colours to be offered

The World Premiere of the new Kia pro_cee’d at the Frankfurt International Motor Show on 11 September marks a major expansion of the popular Kia cee’d family of cars – with a 19-model line-up of three-door hatchbacks scheduled to go on sale early next year. Longer, lower and lighter than its five-door sister car, the pro_cee’d brings more style and more sportiness to the C-segment in Europe.

“The new Kia pro_cee’d offers consumers sensationally stylish looks with a truly sporty feel to the driving experience, while also retaining most of the practicality and versatility of the popular cee’d five-door hatchback,” enthuses Jean-Charles Lievens, Senior Vice President Kia Motors Europe. “With performance, ride and handling that is even more responsive, the pro_cee’d will attract European consumers who find three-door cars particularly appealing.”

The 4250 mm long pro_cee’d delivers class-leading passenger and luggage space. The cee’d family wheelbase (2650 mm) is retained, so despite its lowered, sporty appearance, pro_cee’d provides generous legroom front and rear, and luggage capacity with the rear seats upright matches the five-door model.

“With the pro_cee’d we have communicated sportiness mostly through the car’s exterior design,” explains Gregory Guillaume, Chief Designer Kia Motors Europe. “At the front, we have extended the nose by 10 mm and introduced a shallower grille, new-style headlamps, a wider, lower bumper with a prominent lip spoiler, a deeper central air intake and larger fog lights set in elliptical depressions.

“It is the side profile that makes pro_cee’d truly distinctive. The windscreen is much shallower and the vehicle height is reduced by 30 mm. The doors, which are 276 mm longer than the front doors of the five-door cee’d model, have a unique design with a more prominent swage line that highlights the sporty character of this model and a beltline that rises much more steeply towards the rear of the car.

“The side window, C-Pillar and tailgate spoiler are all new and although the rear screen is steeply raked, rear headroom remains good. Unlike other cee’d models, the exhaust tailpipe on the pro_cee’d is boldly displayed,” concludes Guillaume.

The larger pro_cee’d doors with their extra-wide 70 degree openings ensure good access to the rear seats. To boost practicality, Kia’s designers re-styled the rear seat cushion, which is now fixed, and re-engineered the 60/40 split backrest so that it is easy to release and simply folds down onto the cushion with no need to remove the headrestraints.

With pro_cee’d, Kia is offering customers the full choice of cee’d family powertrains – five Euro4 compliant engines, with power outputs covering a 90 ps to 143 ps range, and three transmissions – as offered in the five-door hatchback and wagon models.

Like its siblings, pro_cee’d will also be available with three equipment levels, LX, EX and TX, plus 12 exterior colours and a wide range of optional extras – so that each customer can create a ‘personalised’ vehicle to suit their needs and tastes.

The optional Sports Pack, which comprises 17-inch alloy wheels with 225/45 R17 tyres, stiffer dampers, sport-concept interior trim (with ‘tyre-track’ pattern fabric and silver stitching, plus alloy pedals and stainless-steel door-scuff plates) is expected to be a popular choice with pro_cee’d buyers.

The Kia factory in Zilina, Slovakia will be manufacturing a total of 19 pro_cee’d derivatives, but the model line-up in Kia dealer showrooms may vary country-to-country, depending on local market requirements.

KIA Sports Coupe Concept: New Teaser Image

We know it’s too early for any assumptions but admittedly we’re a tad disappointed with what we’re seeing here in Kia’s second teaser image of the 2+2 Sports Coupe Concept which was penned under the guidance of Kia’s Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer. While the first image (see here) featuring the front-end promised an “Audi R8” like look for the coupe, the second picture unveils a somewhat fussy and complicated profile which doesn’t appear as too appealing in our books. According to Kia’s press release, the 2+2 Sports Coupe Concept incorporates a series of design elements that will define jumpthe Korean carmaker’s future product range. -Check the press release after the jump

PRESS RELEASE: KIA SPORTS COUPE CONCEPT HERALDS NEW LOOK

• European-styled Sports Coupe Concept to reveal new face-of-Kia
• 4.3-metre long 2+2 coupe to make World Premiere on 11 September

Kia Motors Corporation has released a second ´preview image´ of the concept car it will
unveil for the first time at the Frankfurt International Motor Show on 11 September. Shown in profile, the svelte Sports Coupe Concept reveals classic lines coupled with a lengthened cabin design that can accommodate four adults in comfort.

Designed in Europe, under the guidance of Kia´s Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer, the all-new 2+2 Sports Coupe Concept, whose name remains a secret at present, will demonstrate an uncluttered, pure and timeless execution and represents a new design ethos for the Korean automotive company.

"The new Sports Coupe Concept is a clear and emphatic statement that the future of the Kia brand is set to be one that will excite and surprise an entirely new audience of consumers," commented Peter Schreyer. "In making this design departure for Kia it was essential to my thinking that we did not lose sight of the fact that the Kia brand must continue to appeal to customers in the mainstream. It would have been easy to present an extreme supercar at Frankfurt that would attract plenty of attention, but could have no place in Kia´s future. Our Sports Coupe Concept is not simply a flight of fancy.

"I believe this concept car could be a ´landmark´ vehicle in Kia´s history and I wanted it to appeal to the widest possible audience. This design is not the result of self-indulgent design excess. It incorporates a host of elements that will become the new face-of-Kia right across our product range and it is the clearest design statement about the way I want Kia to be seen as we go forwards," added Schreyer.

Kia Unveils Pro-cee’d’s Audi A3 Inspired Buttocks

Kia has taken off the wraps on the second preview image of the three door Cee’d, dubbed Pro-cee’d, unveiling the tail of the car which has remained quite close to the original concept previewed at the 2006 Paris Show. Judging from this image, we’d say that former Audi designer Peter Schreyer took a rather close look at the 3door A3 (see pic below) when he penned the Pro-cee’d. In any case, Kia’s sporty hatch looks like quite the piece and we believe that its design will draw a lot of attention in the European C-Segment category (VW Golf, Opel Astra, Renault Megane etc).

“We wanted to make Pro-cee’d as ‘sporty’ as cee’d could possibly be, while still remaining a member of our cee’d family,” explains Gregory Guillaume, Chief Designer, Kia Motors Europe. -Continued: Click “Read More…” below

“We are proud that the appearance of the Pro-cee’d production car remains so close to the concept we showed at the Paris Motor Show in 2006. The three-door Kia Pro-cee’d is such a comprehensive re-working of the cee’d design theme that only the bonnet and the front wing panels are carried over from the five door model. All other exterior panels are new and exclusive to this car.”

The new Kia Pro-cee’d three-door hatchback model will make its World Premiere at this year’s Frankfurt International Motor Show on 11 September and will go on sale across Europe in early 2008.

2009 Kia Mesa SUV Interior Shots?

Shortly after a handful of exterior teaser pictures of the Kia Mesa leaked into the net, a new set of images submerged, this time supposedly previewing the interior of Kia’s upcoming full-size SUV. Not exactly “haute couture” material and we really could do without those decorative faux wood inserts, but the Koreans are getting better each time. If these images are in fact for real, then it shouldn’t be long until Kia gives an official update on the Mesa. -More pictures after the jump

Via: Autoblog.nl

2008 Kia Pro-cee’d: 3door Version Of The Cee’d Revealed

Kia has released the first teaser image of the Pro-cee’d, or to put it simply, the Cee’d 3door hatchback, prior to its World Premiere at this year’s Frankfurt International Motor Show on 11 September. Developed by Kia’s design team in Europe under the direction of Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer, the Pro-cee’d is the production version of the ‘pro_cee’d’ concept shown at the Paris Motor Show in 2006.

From what we can make, Kia’s design team seems to have stayed close to the original concept. Compared to the 5door Cee’d, the 3door version features a restyled front bumper and more pronounced rear wheel arches while according to Kia, it’s also longer and lower. Sadly, the Koreans avoided handing out a rear-quarter picture of the Pro-cee’d so we could see if the Audi A3 inspired rear-end of the concept passed into production. -Continued: Click “Read More…” below

Jean-Charles Lievens, Senior Vice President Kia Motors Europe commented, “Longer, lower and lighter than its five-door sister car, the new Kia Pro-cee’d is going to be a great drive. Combining real style and genuine practicality, our new three-door cee’d is sure to delight existing Kia customers and attract a new group of European consumers who have not yet considered our brand.”

Like the two other members of the Cee’d family (5door and SW), the Pro-cee’d will be manufactured in Slovakia. According to Kia, production is scheduled to begin in November with first customer sales during the early months of 2008.

2009 Kia Mesa SUV - Official Teaser Pictures?

Alleged to be the first official teaser images of the Kia Mesa SUV, these pictures give us a glimpse of what to expect from the forthcoming production version of the KCD II Mesa concept which was presented at the 2005 Detroit Motor Show. You can see a few styling cues from the KCD II concept in these pics like the broad grille and boxy shape of the front end, and well that’s about all.

Unfortunately, we don’t have any official information whatsoever, but it wouldn’t be far fetched at all if we said that the Mesa is will be based on the Hyundai Veracruz full-size SUV. Thus meaning that Kia’s 7seater SUV will probably be offered with the same 260Hp 3.8-litre V6 petrol unit. -More images after the jump

Via: Hyundaichange

Update: Kia’s 2007 Frankfurt Show Line-Up

As promised, we made a few calls here and there to try to learn a bit more about Kia’s 2+2 Coupe Concept that we revealed earlier today. Unfortunately, our Kia source told us that although Korean execs informed him about the Coupe last night, they were as vague about it as the press release. However our source confirmed that apart from the Coupe, Kia will unveil the production version of the pro cee’d concept (3door Cee’d) along with a new Hybrid car. And yes you guessed it; once again, Kia officials anally avoided giving out specific details about the Hybrid car so all we can do for the time being is speculate.