Kia expects US to be Soul EV's top market

While its sister brand Hyundai invests in hydrogen fuel cell technology, Kia is entering the battery-powered electric vehicle market with the new Soul EV. The Korean automaker plans to sell some 5,000 units of its first electric vehicle around the world. While it's not saying exactly what proportion it hopes to sell in (or how many it's allocating to) any individual market, the latest reports indicate that it expects the United States to be its biggest market.

Part of that may come down to the growing popularity of electric vehicles in America, but also to the substantial incentives offered by federal and local government agencies towards buying an EV. Though the Soul EV retails for a reported 42.5 million won in South Korea - equivalent to less than $41,500 at today's rates, of which the battery alone accounts for about 40 percent - incentives will mean that the actual cost to a buyer in the US will be about half that, although Kia hasn't announced official pricing yet.

The latest electric vehicle on the market is based on the existing Kia Soul hatchback, a vehicle chosen due to its packaging vis-à-vis more conventionally shaped vehicles. The 27 kWh lithium ion battery pack adds about 330 pounds to the vehicle's curb weight, resulting in a 0-62 time of 11.2 seconds and a 92-mile range. The Kia Soul EV will initially be sold only in California, Oregon, New York, New Jersey and Maryland.
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Kia City Crossover Concept Teased ahead of Geneva 2013

Kia today released a set of teaser images for a concept car that’s set to make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March. The proposal seems to be an urban crossover, something that would be aimed at the successful Nissan Juke.

Kia hasn’t offered any details about the concept car - the company hasn’t even offered us a name for the vehicle. The South Korean automarker only described the design of the concept: “With the company's signature tiger-nose morphing into a mischievous, yet friendly, grille and headlight arrangement, coupled with strong styling lines that exude speed and energy from every angle, Kia's newest concept vehicle is guaranteed to attract attention.”

Nevertheless, we are expecting to receive more details about Kia’s concept before its Geneva debut and we’ll be back on the topic as soon as we get our hands on them.

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2014 Kia Cadenza Coupe Rendering

Remember the Kia Amanti full-size sedan? Of course you don't, it uglier than a Lancia Thesis!

But that's the old Kia and this is the new one! In 2009, under the watchful eye of the famous designer Peter Schreyer, the K7 was launched in its domestic market of South Korea. It took a while to make it to US shores, but finally, at the 2013 NAIAS, they unveiled a the model for the US market.

Kia USA is, of course, calling the 2014 Cadenza an all-new model. Technically, this isn't true, since it's actually a facelift of the old one that's been on sale in Korea for 3 year now. But it's all-new… for the US.

The Cadenza might have a few old panels, but it's an amazing thing to look at. And it's BMW-like headlights would look even better on a coupe. This virtually rendered Kia Cadenza Coupe is in a class of its own, like some sort of 6-Series from the other side of the world.

The full-size architecture of the K7/Cadenza means they can put a really long roof arch that melts into the boot.

Let's just hope that if they do put it into production, they don't mess up the name and call it the Cadenza Koup, or the Kia pro_cadenz'a. Don't laugh, it's been done!

Rendering via Theophilus Chin

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Hyundai Opening Test Center at Nurburgring

Hyundai Motor Group is becoming more “German” with each passing day. They’ve recently appointed ex Audi designer Peter Schreyer put some extra zing into their design, and now they’re thinking like the Germans when it comes to car handling.

They already have a huge banked oval to test their car on in Korea, but somehow that wasn’t enough, and now they are targeting the Nurburgring, like BMW or Mercedes. Hyundai has officially announced they will build a vehicle test center at the track that will cost €5.5 million.

They say the center will be used by their engineers from the R&D center in Rüsselsheim to improve quality and performance on European-designed vehicles. The track is known for being 10 times more demanding than a normal road.

The move might also have a connection with the recent motorsport activities Hyundai is delving into.

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President of Kia Announces New Cadenza Will Raise the Standard for the Brand

With the unveiling of the new Kia Cadenza sedan, all-new for the 2014 model year, the Korean manufacturer says it has raised the bar for the entire brand, as the new car is being heralded as somewhat of a turning point. It is not a major one, but it is nevertheless present, according to the president of the company, Peter Schreyer.

He said: "Our goal was simple: Make a statement and carry it confidently into the future [ . . . ] The Cadenza introduces fresh elements ... of Kia's design language. It combines power and style." The new Cadenza is meant to be a very European car, in the way it looks and drives, and its high quality finish and stylish design are aimed at improving the overall brand image, and shifting it from value-based to sub-premium, like some European manufacturers are doing, like Citroen and even Opel/Vauxhall.

The Cadenza is a front-wheel drive sedan, powered by a 3.3-liter V6 engine, which pumps out 293 hp. The car arrives in showrooms in June, and it is a direct rival mid-sized sedans, like the Ford Taurus. It will carry a price tag of around $45,000 when it arrives in US showrooms, later in the year - in June.

Story via The Detroit Free Press

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Kia Plans to Match 2012 Record Output at Slovakian Plant

Last year was great for Kia’s Slovakian production location, where the Korean carmaker builds the Cee’d, Venga and Sportage SUV. They managed to make a very impressive 292,000 units through 2012, and now plant officials have announced that they want to stick to this lofty goal for 2013, as well.

The plant, located in the town of Zilina, recored a boost of 15% in its output, in 2012, and the original planned figure of 285,000 units made by the end of the year was surpassed. Still, there is room for extra production, as the plant has a maximum capacity of 300,000 units per year.

Kia also has an engine production facility in the country, which last year recored a growth in production of 29%, to 464,000 units. They plan to boost that figure further in 2013, and want to build a total of 490,000 engines by the end of this year.

They have also announced that they are considering beginning exporting their cars into Africa, if the economic climate is suitable.

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Kia Optima / K3 Facelift Spied in Korea

As far as car design goes, Kia’s Optima sedan is somewhere in the middle between the newer generation and the old one. Its Tiger Nose grille and body contours are all angular looking, contrasting with the new Cee’d or Rio.

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