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Posts Tagged “

Kia

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novelties

Watermelon Car Is Just In Time For Summer

While it may be sloppy to eat, and it usually has big black seeds you've gotta spit out, one of our favorite summertime treats is watermelon. But whoever is responsible for this creation evidently likes the big green fruit even more than we do. Yep, it's a watermelon car, complete with a bright red interior. We don't see any seeds inside, but there are actually few black interior trim pieces to complete the theme.

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4:20 PM on Wed May 14 2008
By marnold
2,327 views, 30 comments

Latest by ranger88: @Novaload: screw vodka, E85 is 170 proof more »

industry news

Hyundai/Kia Pickup Truck Axed For U.S. Market, Georgia Plant Gets Compact Car Instead

More boring industry news from Korea — read it if you're interested, move on if you're not. We'd been told a while back by Automotive News and our friends at PickupTrucks.com to expect a pickup truck from the folks at Hyundai or their brand-brothers at Kia. Despite statements from Byung Mo Ahn, the new chairman and group CEO of KMA and Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia that a pickup was to be built in the Georgia plant, we were told today here in Seoul by Dr. Dong-Jin Kim, Vice-Chairman and CEO of Hyundai that
"we have interest in the pickup truck market and light truck market, but because of oil prices the market is declining. We don't think right now is the right time to introduce one to the market. We investigated when we built the Kia Georgia plant...but in this environment we were forced to give up thoughts of the truck...neither Hyundai nor Kia will produce one...for the U.S."
Well, that pretty much settles that. Now what will Hyundai and Kia do with all that excess capacity in the Georgia plant? Well, Dr. Kim has an answer for that too. More »

3:12 AM on Thu May 8 2008
By Ray Wert
1,760 views, 29 comments

Latest by EuropaBambaataa: @TechnoDestructo: Hey, I didn't even remember Asia Motors! Thanks for reminding me (Asia Rocsta FTW). The current Bongo is actually based on the previous generation Hyundai H-1. Which I'm not sure if it's a 100% Hyundai design or if it's still a more »

news

Microsoft Shills Its SYNC To Hyundai, Kia

Microsoft is again shilling its technology out to the masses, but this time offering up its car infotainment system, better known as SYNC, to the Hyundai-Kia Auto Group. The 2010 models will be the first to include the Microsoft entertainment system that still remains nameless as Ford has the name SYNC locked down by the balls. For the time being, the system used by Hyundai and Kia will be similar to that offered by Ford, FIAT and most recently with Suzuki (who decided on the Suzuki TRIP name), but the group is looking at new capabilities that could be added like navigation and emergency call services. Press release below the jump. More »

12:30 PM on Tue May 6 2008
By Travis Hudson
761 views, 21 comments

Latest by abgwin: if Ford has a lock on "SYNC" perhaps they could give Lance Bass a couple of grand for "N*SYNC" more »

new york auto show

2009 Kia Optima Gets Mid-Cycle Refreshment, Auto World Shocked

You know the Kia Optima? Not really, no? The Optima is what you would buy because you just didn't like the Suzuki Forenza. Though a mid-cycle refreshment, it's a definite improvement over the "only as a rental car" original design. There's also more power for the four-cylinder engine, which is now nearly as powerful as the V6. Features such as leather sports seats and turn signal lights integrated into the mirrors raise the vehicle's profile to nearly 1998 Honda Accord levels. At a wooden, scripted Q&A session, the Kia execs made reference to Miles Davis' "exquisite simplicity" as a way of explaining the new design direction. We're thinking more Kenny G covering Miles Davis: a familiar melody without the familiar passion. Speaking of music, props to the production crew for the best pre-reveal mixtape: Belle & Sebastian, Joe Jackson and Simon & Garfunkle, to name just a few.

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Feature

11:15 AM on Thu Mar 20 2008
By Matt Hardigree
1,888 views, 33 comments

Latest by TwilightSentinel: argh, that's "workHORSE" -- though "workhouse" works in an odd way. more »

new york auto show

Kia Koup Concept Astounds, Konfounds

Part coupe and part notchback, the new Kia Koup concept car hints at a design language to come. This new direction includes ditching the friendly, rounded edges of the old Kia and replacing them with a crisper and more angular look that borrows heavily from Acura. The Koup also points towards performance aspirations with its tweaked version of the company's 2.0-Liter Theta II four-cylinder engine, which produces 289 lb.-ft. of torque and 290 HP thanks to twin-scroll turbochargers and a new direct injection system. Though none of this changes the fact that it's a Kia concept, we hope it means a change in what it is to be a Kia. The company claims the Koup is a production-ready vehicle that we could see sooner than later. Press release below the jump.

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Feature

10:26 AM on Thu Mar 20 2008
By Matt Hardigree
1,224 views, 37 comments

Latest by Muttonchops: This is what the Scion concept SHOULD have looked like. Unfortunately it looked like itself... more »

new york auto show

Kia Koup Concept Teased At New York Auto Show Soiree

A certain South Korean carmaker was keeping busy after hours in the City That Does Not Know Sleep: Kia brough us this striptease of the Kia Koup concept vehicle as the sun set on Day One of the New York Auto Show. From what we can tell, the new design is all slim, sleek and back-swept—horizontal curves and narrow, blade-like shapes creating the impression of velocity. Of course, we'll know more later today, when the curtain comes off. Given the name, we're assuming two doors. [via World Car Fans]

Feature

8:45 AM on Thu Mar 20 2008
By Matthew DeBord
321 views, 6 comments

Latest by POLAЯ HEAЯS TEH CЯICKETS: @smokeydog001: Big boobed booth babes. Our first entry for the "Jalopnik Auto Show Tongue Twister Book" more »

spy photos

Kia Bringing Mid-Size Pickup To U.S. Market By 2011

Our truck-loving friends at PickupTruck.com are telling us this morning Kia will be bringing a mid-size pickup to the U.S. market by 2011 and they've even put together a pretty little rendering of what they think it might look like. The unnamed new pickup is reportedly based on the next-generation, front-wheel-drive Sorento and will use the same unibody platform and V6 engine. There's even talk of offering an all-wheel drive version like the Honda Ridgeline. The truck will supposedly be built at Kia's soon-to-be-completed $1.2 billion assembly plant in West Point, Georgia, on the same line as the Sorento and a to-be-determined third vehicle. We're hoping it'll be a Kia-mino form factor — but we won't be holding our collective breath. [PickupTruck]

Spy Photos

1:15 PM on Mon Mar 17 2008
By Ray Wert
1,190 views, 13 comments

Latest by petersterncan: Whoops... meant to say 'wouldn't be the first time'... more »

paris motor show

2009 Kia Soul Photos Leaked Ahead Of Paris?

These images of the 2009 Kia Soul production vehicle have mysteriously found there way onto Kia World. They reveal a vehicle remarkably similar to the Kia Soul Burner Concept from the Geneva Auto Show. The production version is missing the tacky paintjob and loud interior, but otherwise looks virtually identical to the Scion xB aping concept.

[Kia-World via FLD via AutoBlog]

Spy Photos

1:30 PM on Fri Mar 14 2008
By Wes Siler
1,515 views, 16 comments

geneva motor show

Kia SOUL Burner Concept Gets Early Reveal, Gives Us Peak At Next-Gen Small SUV

We've already shown you the sneak peek of the Kia SOUL Burner, but here we have it doing the full Monty and giving everybody an eye full as the devilish concept pointing to the upcoming Kia Soul has been leaked to the web. The single image is watermarked with the AutoWeek.nl logo, but who knows if they are actually the source. We're just happy there's so much hardened street attitude in this compact-yoo-vee. [via World Car fans]

9:24 AM on Fri Feb 29 2008
By Ben Wojdyla
915 views, 12 comments

Latest by meng_mao: It's peek, right? Am I crazy? more »

geneva motor show

Kia To Reveal "Fun Side" At Geneva

The boys and girls at Kia just dropped a teaser shot of one of three "SOUL" concept cars they'll be revealing at the Geneva Motor Show next month. Hyundai's not-so-luxe brand claims the trio of customizable city cars will "reveal a whole new...fun direction for the Korean brand." The three concepts are supposedly closely related to an upcoming production model that Kia claims doesn't fit into "the usual motor industry brackets." The best part? One of the three concepts, the "SOUL Burner," shown above — is the "bad boy" of the three. Oooh Kia, you're so naughty. Wait, wasn't "Soul Burner" like a coin-op video game from like ten years ago? Full press release below the jump. More »

8:30 AM on Tue Feb 19 2008
By Ray Wert
1,004 views, 18 comments

Latest by skulldriveshaft: The sign means fire exit left. From the looks, it seems like a species branch of the Mazda Furai. The japanese started the same way, making cars cheap, now the koreans are following suit. +1 to anyone that gets another econobox on the more »

spy photos

2010 Kia Spectra Caught Testing?

The very strange-looking Vince over at The Hollywood Extra has managed to get his hands on a couple of photos of what looks to be a new Kia or Hyundai vehicle testing. The smart money says this is either the new Kia Spectra or the Hyundai i30 sedan, which shares components with the C'eed. If this is the new 2010 Kia Spectra — it definitely is a more angular look for the curvy Kia brand. One more picture below the jump. More »

Spy Photos

10:00 AM on Mon Jan 28 2008
By Matt Hardigree
1,237 views, 16 comments

Latest by Lovemykia: For one thing, Camry isn't that small, for another thing, yes this is the next gen Kia Spectra. You can see partially uncamoed versions here:www.kiaworld.net more »

detroit auto show

Detroit Auto Show: 2009 Kia Borrego officially unveiled

The 2009 Borrego marks Kia's first entry into the mid-size SUV market. Featuring body-on-frame construction and an optional 4.6L, 333bhp V8, it should offer serious competition to vehicles like the Ford Explorer. It also features three rows of seats, optional air-suspension, hill descent control and a high- and low-range 6-speed automatic gearbox. With the V8 it can tow 7,500lbs. The Borrego goes on sale early this summer.




Feature

4:05 PM on Sun Jan 13 2008
By Wes Siler
2,486 views, 28 comments

Latest by starzzguitar: If it has the reliablity of a Kia, that is good enough for me. That is not an insult anymore, that is a COMPLIMENT. Take it from someone who has one. Looks like you should get out to a dealer more »

detroit auto show

2009 Kia Borrego Shots Hit The Web

Those Koreaphiles at Kia-World.net have gotten their hands on some very detailed shots of the brand new full-size Kia Borrego (technically the Kia Mohave in Korea) before the Detroit Auto Show. This model is sporting a 3.0L V6, but we're supposed to get the first V8 for our gaz-guzzling American souls. It's a pretty sharp (if not slightly bland) ride, with a mixture of angles borrowed from GMC and Lexus/Toyota. On the inside the new ute is a bit more upscale looking than your average Rondo, including a navigation system. That being said, plastics abound in the Korean VGT model. Enjoy the Borregoness![KiaWorld via Carscoop]

12:30 PM on Wed Nov 28 2007
By Matt Hardigree
1,378 views, 14 comments

Latest by FuzzyPlushroom: @johnnyichiban: They're only calling it the Mohave South Korea in Japan. Definite Lexus nose going on there. Kia has its definite strengths, styling not being one of them (though I could easily say the same about Toyota, among others). more »

la auto show

LA Auto Show: Kia KND-4 Concept

Nothing says green and sexy like a little Kia turbodiesel action. What you see here is the KIA KND-4 compact SUV concept, meant to show off that Kia can make a sharp mini-ute for the urban crowd that never actually wants to get off the road. More interesting than the outside is what's under the hood. This baby is powered by a 2.2-liter Variable Geometry Turbocharger diesel engine with Active Torque Transfer, which helps keep you moving forward in slippery conditions. While not as hip as the gigantic hybrids being offered by those other guys, we'd bet this little baby could do better than 18 MPG. Just saying. Press release below the jump. More »

12:15 PM on Fri Nov 16 2007
By Matt Hardigree
598 views, 8 comments

Latest by Novaload: "Pronounced shoulder line"--there are no "shoulders" on this car. It's got about as much shoulder as a house cat. And "styling cues"--I don't want styling cues. I want style. more »

novelties

Kia Says No Free Car for Quintuplet Parents

Across the pond, Kia has been offering discounts for parents based on the number of new kids they have, starting at £500 for people who have only one child all the way up to a free car for parents of quintuplets. And really, what's the point of having five kids if you don't get a free Kia out of it? Turns out a family just had quintuplets in an Oxford hospital, but Kia is balking on the prize. More »

3:00 PM on Thu Nov 15 2007
By Matt Hardigree
1,445 views, 8 comments

Latest by commander205: Geez. The Kia dealers here will GIVE you a Rio (or whatever the smallest Kia is) if you buy a Sorento or the van at full price. Some guy screams it at me everyday on the radio. more »

detroit auto show

Don't Mesa With Kia: New "Borrego" SUV Revealed

It's been a long time coming, from spy photos to teaser shots. And what happens? Kia goes ahead and changes the name from one that's broadly geological to one referring to the location of an annual grapefruit festival. We mean, of course, California's Borrego Springs, which may have given its name to Kia's new midsize SUV. Sharing underpinnings with parent Hyundai's Hyundai Santa Fe, the Borrego will slot into a lower price range, but keep the three seating rows and thus room for a Chuck E. Cheese strike force. We'll see the finished product at the Detroit show in January. Press release follows. More »

7:35 AM on Wed Nov 7 2007
By Mike Spinelli
2,076 views, 20 comments

industry news

No Rondo For You! Kia Axes Sponsorship After Remarks

Kia Motors, sensitive to its world presence, has cut their sponsorship deal with soccer team FC Brussels after the team's president told a Congolese player he should think of something other than "trees and bananas" while playing. In addition to concerns about their image, the communications manager for Kia Motors Belgium pointed out that 10% of their employees were of non-European origin. The sponsorship deal included 20 vehicles and 160,000 euros, which we think is something like $18 million dollars given the current exchange rate. Boy, are they going to feel foolish when they could have had a Kia Soul, or maybe even a Mesa. [Reuters via Guardian]

3:30 PM on Fri Nov 2 2007
By Matt Hardigree
343 views, 10 comments

Latest by camp6ell: Jalopnik better start becoming an EOE, or Kia will pull their Free-Rondo-For-Pebble-Beach sponsorship too. more »

sema

Next Kia Soul to be Doppelganger of Soul Concept, Boss Says

At Kia's press release at SEMA this morning, North America COO Len Hunt got right to the point. Kia wants to capture a larger portion of the US econobox market by spending its Hyundaibux on design. It's a trickle-down strategy, with ex-Audi artiste Peter Schreyer leading the company's styling direction, and a major new design studio opening at the company's new campus in Irvine, California. The first expression will be the new Kia Soul small SUV, which Hunt today revealed will look nearly exactly like the concept, first shown at the Detroit auto show in 2006. It's something the company's research says will appeal to the coveted Gen Y demo. Hook 'em young, is the mantra, then send them upward to papa Hyundai when they hit middle management. Because what every carmaker needs is a Scion.

1:29 PM on Tue Oct 30 2007
By Mike Spinelli
408 views, 11 comments

Latest by bmoredlj: Considering its name, THIS should be wearing a ghost sheet, not the new Matrix. (...new matrix? Do you have any idea what you're saying? --I was not attempting to evaulate its moral implications, Doctor. As a matter of cosmic history, it has more »