<![CDATA[Jalopnik: kia sedan]]> http://tags.jalopnik.com/assets/base/img/thumbs140x140/jalopnik.com.png <![CDATA[Jalopnik: kia sedan]]> http://jalopnik.com/tag/kiasedan http://jalopnik.com/tag/kiasedan <![CDATA[2009 Kia Forte: The Car Of The Futurist?]]> We've already shown you the surprisingly attractive 2009 Kia Forte and now, thanks to Kia-World, we have a treasure-trove of pictures as well as some more information on the Spectra replacement. According the all-things-Kia site, the new Forte will come with small gas and diesel engine options when it debuts in Korea, with a 2.0-liter engine to follow, likely for the US market. Speaking of the US market, Kia plans to export 200,000 units abroad in 2009 and we assume a lot of those are set to head this way. How will they fight off the Chevy Cruze and other comers?

Aiming for the buyer that wants a lot of features for a little scratch, the Forte will come with high-end tidbits including a Bluetooth smart key, a voice-recognition-enabled nav system, side and curtain airbags, Vehicle Dynamic Control and active headrests. Couple that with the sharp exterior and you've got a vehicle that could expand the brand's market share. That being said, we don't really understand how this is a "futurist" vehicle and not a "futuristic" vehicle. [Kia-World]

]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5040176&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Kia VG Sedan Goes Sightseeing In Death Valley]]> Kia may not be getting a version of the Hyundai Genesis sedan (yet), but if this Kia VG Sedan spotted testing in Death Valley is any indication, it won't be sitting out of the near-luxury segment for much longer. As part of the ambiguously managed Korean duo's march towards a wider audience and greater respect, the VG sedan shares bits with the Hyunda Azera chassis, but gets unique sheetmetal and bright bits. Between stops at tourist destinations, we can see the Kia is sporting some stylish (and Audi-like) LED tail lights and frenched exhaust tips a-la Lexus LS460. Those Koreans, always borrowing styling elements. Full spy report below.

Kia's upcoming near-luxury sedan made an appearance in Death Valley for some endurance testing in the balmy 122-degree heat. Reportedly code-named VG within the ranks of Kia's product development team, the big Kia is expected to share mechanical bits with Hyundai's Azera. Our latest shots reveal some more elements of the VG's nicely nuanced design, including its interesting grille, the elongated headlights, striking LED tail-lights, and nicely integrated exhaust tips.

The VG is expected to reach Kia showrooms sometime in late 2009 as a
2010 model.

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