The Soul rolls

Here at LotPro.com, we see that Kia Motors has announced that its 2010 Soul urban passenger vehicle has been named “Best Value” in the Writer’s Choice Awards for the 2009 Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) Challenge, held at the Texas Motor Speedway from April 26th to 28th.

One of only 5 vehicles honored (the other categories include Car of Texas, The Family Car of Texas, Most Innovative, Best New Design and Best Use of Technology), the Soul was chosen for “its smart combination of attractive pricing, long list of accessories and standard safety features.”

Soul is just the beginning

“Soul is just one of many all-new vehicles Kia will be launching throughout the next year with a heavy focus on design and value,” said Michael Sprague, vice president of marketing, KMA. “We recognize the high-level of competition during these events and are pleased that members of TAWA appreciate Soul’s value, standard features and available accessories.”

Pricing for Kia’s newest hatchback begins at $13,300(excluding freight, taxes and fees) for the base trim, while Soul+ starts at $14,950 and tops out at $17,100 when all options are included. Moving up to the Soul! (Exclaim) offers a price beginning at $16,950 and peaks at $17,900 with all available options included and the Soul sport starts at $16,950 and tops out at $18,600 with all available options included.

Kia Forte

In addition to the Soul, Kia will also introduce an all-new replacement for the Spectra sedan (the five door hatch has essentially been replaced by the Soul) called the Forte, a coupe version of the Forte called the Forte Koup and a totally restyled and re-engineered Sorento sport utility. Also in the pipeline is a replacement for the unfortunately styled Amanti luxury sedan, code-named the VG.

Kia Forte Koup

Deep in the heart

Everything is big in Texas. The state the biggest pickup truck market in the world and the Spring Challenge is sponsored and attended by writers from every corner of the Lone Star State. Members of the Texas-based media association have the opportunity to test drive sports cars, sedans, crossovers, roadsters, coupes, and vans in a controlled environment and evaluate each vehicle against others entered in the competition.

For Kia fans, the wait is over as the company used the New York Auto Show to globally debut the new Forte Koup. Based on the Forte sedan – which will be available in dealer showrooms this summer and replaces the current Spectra model, the coupe version is slightly shorter in length and lower in height than its sedan counterpart. The Koup also gives Kia a boost in the styling department, as the vehicle sports one of the slickest designs of any vehicle in its class.

Here is the press release from Kia:

(SEOUL) April 9, 2009 – With performance-inspired, aggressive and sleek styling, Kia Motors America (KMA) today globally debuted the 2010 Forte Koup production vehicle during a press conference at the 2009 New York International Auto Show (NYIAS).  Joining the Forte family in the Kia lineup, the company’s first-ever two-door coupe embodies the brand’s current bold design direction first seen on the concept version of the Soul urban passenger vehicle in 2006.

“On the heels of the introductions of the Soul and Forte sedan, Forte Koup represents the next exciting step in the transformation of Kia design and offers a blend of sporty and emotional appeal,” said Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing, KMA.  “We believe our new design evolution coupled with standard Kia value and safety features will continue to attract customers to the Kia brand.”

Curb Appeal

Unlike the South, gas prices will rise again

Hotlanta may be great and the overall economy may be much better south of the Mason-Dixon Line, but the war of northern aggression was lost in 1865 and no amount of battle re-enactments can change that fact. But while the Old South will never return, the same can’t be said for higher gasoline prices.

With that indisputable fact in mind, we present eight small vehicles that were recently introduced at the Geneva Auto Show that have a good chance of being available in these United States sometime in the near future.

In alphabetical order they are:

Alfa Romeo MiTo GTA

If Chrysler and Fiat ever get together, there is a distinct possibility that the Italian carmaker’s Alfa division will eventually join the party. The recently-introduced MiTo GTA is built to go head-to-head with the likes of the MINI Cooper S John Cooper Works Edition. Its 1.75-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine produces 240 horsepower as well as a front-wheel torque-vectoring system to tame torque steer.

Chevrolet Spark

Designed by GM’s Korean subsidiary Daewoo, the Spark will replace the Chevrolet Matiz in Europe and be marketed below Chevy’s current entry-level vehicle, the Aveo. Based on the Beat concept vehicle, it will be equipped with either a 1.0-liter engine or the current 1.2-liter four-cylinder engine currently found in the Aveo. Expect a European rollout in 2010 and North American availability sometime in 2011.

Fiat 500 C

The 500C is the convertible version of Fiat’s iconic Nuovo 500. The 500 C features a power cloth top that uses an intact door pillar and frame as a track for the rearward-sliding top, this design results in a more rigid body while at the same time eliminating the blind spot found in both the MINI and New Beetle convertibles.

Ford Iosis Max concept

Ford’s latest concept vehicle is said to be the design precursor to the next generation C Maxx and Focus vehicles. Unlike the Focus, the Iosis Max has design cues that lean more towards crossover styling (rear sliding doors, no B pillars). Of special interest is the engine – a new 1.6-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost unit which delivers 180 horsepower through the use of turbocharging and direct injection. Also part of the mix is an auto-start-stop system with the whole delivering a 20% increase in fuel economy over conventional engines with similar power.

Hyundai i20 3 door

Though the i20 hasn’t received as much press as many of the aforementioned models, it may be the first to reach our shores. In Hyundai’s hierarchy, it is below the i30 (sold here as the Elantra) and, as it is about the size of the Accent, it may very well replace that model here in the States. Over in Europe, it is available with four engines – two gas and two diesel and while we may not see the diesels, either of both of the gas engines might make it here – a 1.4-liter or a 1.6 liter.

Kia No. 3 concept

Kia is on a roll as of late. It will debut a new vehicle, the Soul, later this spring along with a replacement for the Spectra called the Forte. The No. 3 concept is a small MPV designed to compete with the likes of the Honda Fit. While the production version of the No. 3 will likely be seen in Europe, Kia’s plans for the vehicle in North America are not known at this time.

MINI John Cooper Works convertible

Coming less than two months after the introduction of the new MINI convertible, the John Cooper Works edition is equipped with a 1.6-liter turbocharged direct-injection engine that produces 208 horsepower and 192 lb.-ft. of torque. Top speed is 146 mph and accelerating from a stop to 60 miles an hour takes only 6.6 seconds. Due to go on sale next month, the base price has been set at $34,950 and EPA numbers are 26 city/34 highway.

2010 Volkswagen Polo Mk V

If VW’s sales continue to hold up and gas prices move up from their current $2 per gallon mark, the U.S. is likely to see the latest generation Polo. VW dealers have been clamoring for an entry-level vehicle for some time and the Polo would certainly fit the bill. Standard equipment includes electronic stabilization as well as a full compliment of airbags. Power comes from a number of engines that includes a 1.2-liter twin-turbocharged direct injection gas engine that produces 103 horsepower and a claimed 43 mpg as well as a 1.6-liter turbocharged diesel engine with 88 horsepower and 62 mpg.

Koreans are the new Japanese

The Korean automakers are rapidly becoming to the new millennium what the Japanese automakers were to the 70’s and 80’s. Back then, Honda, Toyota and Datsun rode the wave of relatively cheap labor and high quality to establish themselves as the brands to beat in the low to midsize passenger car segment.

And just as those brands became mainstream, the Korean automakers Hyundai, Kia and Daewoo (which failed on its own but has a presence in GM-branded models) were quick to follow in their footsteps. Although there were initial issues with quality and durability (the initial Japanese vehicles, you’ll recall, rusted hideously), these were addressed with better quality and some of the longest and most comprehensive new vehicle warranties in the industry.

And just like the Japanese, the initial Korean offerings were, shall we say, somewhat lacking in the styling department. That has also changed in recent years. The new Hyundai Genesis sedan, while somewhat derivative, is quite striking and the coupe variant has the aggressive looks of a serious performer.

New Kia Concept

Kia, for its part, has not been sitting idly by as its sister company grabs all the glory. The new Soul, soon to be in dealer showrooms, is a genuine competitor in the mini hauler segment now occupied by the Scion xB and the soon-to-be-available Nissan Cube while the new Forte sedan is scheduled to replace the forgettable Spectra sometime this summer.

As part of this new product onslaught, Kia introduced a mini-truck concept, the Soul’ster, at this year’s NAIAS and today, the company announced that it is about to introduce a second concept, this one an MPV, at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show on March third. Here is the press release from Kia:

(SEOUL) February 24, 2009 — Kia will be displaying an all-new MPV concept, a range of Idle Stop & Go cars and an innovative hybrid at the 79th Salon International de l’Auto which opens in Geneva on 3 March.  There will be a total of 18 vehicles on the Kia stand [Stand 5231, Hall 5] including three models making their first appearance in Switzerland – the Kia Soul, upgraded 2009 Kia Sportage compact SUV and upgraded new-look 2009 Kia Optima sedan.

All-new, the Kia No 3 Concept Car redefines the small MPV genre by creating a beautiful car that is also fun-to-drive.  The concept features a unique extended windscreen and panorama glass roof with a diagonal supporting bar, an automatic sun visor and the new ‘face of Kia’ displays the front grille, head lamps and brand logo in a new constellation.  The 159.25 inch long concept is finished in matte Titanium Grey with contrasting gloss-white accents.

Kia cee’d ISG

The new Kia cee’d ISG (Idle Stop & Go) models, which offer up to 15% fuel savings in city driving, are now on sale in many countries across Europe.  Kia’s innovative ISG system automatically switches the engine off when the car is stopped in traffic and restarts the engine instantly when the driver wishes to move off.  Kia cee’d ISG cars are available with a choice of 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre gasoline engines and each of the three cee’d family body styles – five-door hatchback, five-door sporty wagon and three-door pro_cee’d.  The 1.4-litre ISG models at Geneva have a 137 g/km CO2 rating.

Kia cee’d Hybrid

Kia Motors has produced a fleet of prototype Kia cee’d Hybrid cars especially for testing and evaluation in Europe.  The cee’d Hybrid uses an upgraded powertrain with Kia’s Gamma 1.6-litre gasoline engine, mated to a 20 hp, 77.5 lb.-ft. AC synchronized electric motor, a CVT transmission and the new ISG (Idle Stop & Go) system.  Kia calculates that the cee’d Hybrid accelerates to 62 mph in 11.8 seconds and can reach a top speed of 115 mph.  The prototype achieves fuel consumption of 49 mpg and a CO2 figure of 109 g/km – down 25% compared to the standard 1.6-litre gasoline cee’d.

Cars and Computers

Everyone here at LotPro.com knows how important technology is to the auto industry. Virtually every automotive system, from engine management to steering, braking and listening to music, is dependent upon modern technological wizardry to make it function properly.

This week, Kia Motors announced that it is partnering with Microsoft Corporation to become a worldwide sponsor of RoboChamps 2008, a global IT competition to “advance development of intelligent, autonomous driving technology.” Say what?

Danger, Will Robinson!

It turns out that this is a logical extension of an earlier agreement between Hyundai-Kia and Microsoft that was signed in May of this year in which both parties agreed to co-develop in-vehicle technology and entertainment systems.

The purpose of the RoboChamps competition is to encourage excellence in robotics programming. Using Microsoft software, programmers can “build” a virtual robot and program it to complete a number of different tasks or “challenges” in a virtual world. There are a total of 5 challenges, each taking place in its own world.

Attention all programming geeks!

The overall competition began July 5th, while the Urban Challenge portion got underway on October 9th. Most of the challenges allow entrants about a 6 week window in which to complete each challenge. The Urban Challenge segment ends on November 30th. There is no charge to enter and the development software is also available from Microsoft for free.

If it’s virtual, shouldn’t a Spectra be a Spectral?

In addition to the obvious advantages of partnering with Microsoft, Kia will also establish its presence in the virtual world. As part of the urban challenge, robot cars (all Kias) will travel from an initial position past multiple Kia dealership buildings. Points will be awarded for, among other things, each unique Kia building passed. Five Kia models will be represented, as well as Kia’s new U.S. headquarters, outdoor advertisements and videos (remember Bladerunner?).

Here is the official press release:

(SEOUL) October 13, 2008 – Kia Motors Corporation, a maker of quality vehicles for the young-at-heart and a leader in automotive information technology convergence, announced today that it is a global sponsor of RoboChamps 2008, Microsoft’s virtual-world robotics competition.

The sponsorship is designed to encourage the nurturing of professionals specializing in intelligent, autonomous automotive technology as well as further research and interest in auto-IT convergence. Kia also hopes to reach new audiences through the innovative promotion of its brand and a range of new Kia vehicles embedded throughout the simulation.

Kia Motors is providing 3D rendered models of five of its vehicles – the all-new and recently launched Soul, Borrego SUV, pro-cee’d (not sold in the U.S.), refreshed Optima and all-new Spectra. Event participants will use the simulated Kia cars to complete the RoboChamps Urban challenge, programming and autonomously operating a vehicle in a simulated city environment with accuracy and priority.  Backdrops integrated into the simulated city will also include the new Kia Motors America headquarters, Kia Motors dealer shops, outdoor Kia advertisements and a Kia Motors’ promotional video.

Hyoung-Keun Lee, Senior Executive Vice President and COO, International Business Division of Kia Motors Corporation, said, “We are building on our strategic alliance with Microsoft and want to continue as a leader of next-generation automotive technology, enabling development of auto-IT convergence in Korea and around the world.  By integrating our products and advertising into the simulation environment, our brand is connecting with an audience of potentially 10 million IT professionals in a new and exciting way.”

This announcement follows the strategic alliance agreement signed between Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group and Microsoft in May to co-develop in-vehicle IT and infotainment systems, and to work together toward establishing the Automotive IT Innovation Center in Korea.

Microsoft is encouraging IT academics, hobbyists and developers to take part in the challenges of RoboChamps.  Using Microsoft Robotics Developer Studio (MSRDS) 2008 CTP (Community Technical Preview), participants are provided with immersive 3-D environments, simulated versions of robots, and compelling scenario-specific challenges. Environments range from a maze to the surface of the planet Mars to downtown driving, to robot rescue, and to soccer.

The Urban challenge kicked off at 12:01 AM PT (Pacific Time) on October 9, 2008 and ends at 11:59 PM PT on November 30, 2008. Top prizes include a $15,000 cash prize or, for the domestic Korean competition, an all-new Kia Soul vehicle.

More information can be found at www.robochamps.com.

250,000 sales by 2010

According to the press release, Kia expects to sell over 200,000 Fortes in 2009 and as many as 250,000 by 2010 including exports to Europe and South America.

In addition to its improved styling, the Forte features an optional navigation system, push-button start/stop with smart key and stability control.

Korean market Forte will have a choice of 1.6 liter engines

Although details were not available on which engines will power the new North American Spectra, Kia released the specifications on the first 2 engines that will power the vehicle in Korea.

The first is a 1.6 liter gas engine. This version produces 124 hp. and 159 lb-ft. of torque. Gas mileage is said to be a combined 30-plus mpg with the automatic transmission.

A 1.6 liter common-rail direct-injection diesel will also be offered. This variation will offer 128 hp. and a combined fuel economy rating of 39 mpg.

Here in North America, the new model will feature a version of the 2.0 liter CVVT engine found in the current Spectra sedan.

Along with the engine specifications, Kia also released the dimensions of the new sedan which are 4530mm (178.35 inches) in length and 1775mm (69.88 inches) in width. These specs represent an increase of 1 inch in length and 2.56 inches in width.

Name will not change in U.S.

Although the new model will carry the name “Forte” in the Korean domestic market, there are no plans at this time to bring the name over to the North American market. Instead, according to sources at Kia, the export name will remain “Spectra” here as well as “Cerato” in other markets.

In what has become almost a monthly mantra, Korea-based Kia Motors reports another record-setting month along with solid year-over-year sales gains.

(SEOUL) August 11, 2008 – Kia Motors Corporation announced today that its global sales (export sales, domestic sales and sales from overseas plants) of passenger cars, recreation vehicles (RVs) and commercial vehicles in July 2008 recorded 122,230, representing a 24.1% year-on-year increase.

By region, Kia posted large, year-on-year sales increases in China (11,110 units, a 114.1% year-on-year increase), Korea (27,514 units, a 37.5% year-on-year increase) and general markets (22,973 units, a 37.3% year-on-year increase).  Sales increases were also significant in Europe and North America where 28,670 (8.4% year-on-year increase) and 31,963 (6.2% year-on-year increase) Kia vehicles were sold in July, respectively.

Cumulatively, through the first seven months of 2008, Kia’s global sales increased by 16.9% year-on-year and reached 839,384 units. China (90,863 units sold) and general markets (142,402 units sold) have experienced the largest gains of 42.7%, and 33.3%, respectively. Cumulative year-on-year sales increases have also been experienced in all other sales regions: Korea (18.2% gain with 181,544 units sold); Europe (12.4% gain with 216,332 units sold); and North America (3.5% gain with 208,243 units sold).

Kia Spectra5

So far in 2008, Kia’s best selling model in overseas markets has been the C-segment Cerato (known as ‘Spectra’ in some markets) with 124,058 units sold.   It is followed by a close group of three vehicles: the B-segment Rio at 94,340, the C-segment cee’d at 91,857 and Kia’s Sportage compact SUV at 87,547.  Meanwhile the A-segment Picanto continues to perform well with 61,498 units sold.

Kia Rio

Hyoung-Keun Lee, Senior Executive Vice President, International Business Division, said, “As we enter the second half of 2008, we continue to experience strong sales growth across all markets, and we have achieved consistently high and significant year-on-year gains in China and general markets in particular. These results represent great performance by our sales team, especially given the difficult industry environment.”

Editor’s notes:
* Global sales figures are based upon CBU export sales and sales from overseas and Korean production plants
** Includes figures from Western and Eastern European markets
***General markets includes the regions of Central and South America, Asia and the Pacific, and the Middle East and Africa

Kia Motors Corporation (www.kia.com) — a maker of quality vehicles for the young-at-heart — was founded in 1944 and is Korea’s oldest manufacturer of motor vehicles. As part of the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group, Kia aims to become one of the world’s premier automotive brands. More than 1.4 million vehicles a year are produced in 14 manufacturing and assembly operations in eight countries which are then sold and serviced through a network of distributors and dealers covering 165 countries. Kia today has over 40,000 employees worldwide and annual revenues of almost US$17 billion. It is the major sponsor of the Australian Tennis Open and an official worldwide sponsor of the Davis Cup. Kia is an official automotive partner of FIFA — the governing body of the FIFA World Cup — as well as a EUROTOP partner of UEFA. Kia Motors Corporation’s brand slogan — “The Power to Surprise” — represents the company’s global commitment to surpassing customer expectations through continuous automotive innovation.

IRVINE, Calif. – Kia Motors America (KMA) announced its best June ever with record sales of 28,292 units, an increase of 7.6 percent over the same period last year, and year-to-date sales of 157,619 units, an increase of 2.1 percent over the same period last year.  For the just completed quarter, the company reported sales of 89,405 units.

Kia Spectra

Kia’s June record sales were led by Spectra and Optima, with 7,131 and 6,865 units sold respectively.  Small car Rio and family vacation favorite Sedona also had strong sales with 3,337 units and 3,719 units respectively, both increases over the same period last year.

Kia Optima

“As the economy continues to fluctuate, consumers are turning to vehicles that are known for value and quality,” said Byung Mo Ahn, group president and CEO of KMA and Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG).  “Thanks to a strong marketing plan and the hard work of the Kia dealer network, Kia continues to have success during this difficult economic time.”

Kia Rio

Kia Motors America (KMA) is the sales, marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea.  KMA offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 640 dealers throughout the United States.  For 2007, KMA recorded its 14th consecutive year of record U.S. sales.  Kia Motors subscribes to a philosophy of building high value, high quality, safe and dynamic vehicles.  Kia Motors prides itself on producing vehicles that are exciting and enabling and evoke the Kia tagline “The Power to Surprise.”

Kia Motors America is the “Official Automotive Partner of the NBA.”  Information about Kia Motors America and its full vehicle line-up is available at its Web site – www.kia.com.

Korean market Forte will have 2 1.6 liter engines

Although details were not available on which engines will power the new North American Spectra, Kia released the specifications on the first 2 engines that will power the vehicle in Korea.

The first is a 1.6 liter gas engine. This version produces 124 hp. and 159 lb-ft. of torque. Gas mileage is said to be a combined 30-plus mpg with the automatic transmission.

A 1.6 liter common-rail direct-injection diesel will also be offered. This variation will offer 128 hp. and a combined fuel economy rating of 39 mpg.

Along with the engine specifications, Kia also released the dimensions of the new sedan which are 4530mm (178.35 inches) in length and 1775mm (69.88 inches) in width. These specs represent an increase of 1 inch in length and 2.56 inches in width.

Name will not change in U.S.

Although the new model will carry the name “Forte” in the Korean domestic market, there are no plans to bring the name over to the North American market.
Instead, the export name will remain “Spectra” here as well as “Cerato” in other markets, according to sources at Kia.

IRVINE, Calif., June 3, 2008 – Kia Motors America (KMA) today announced its best sales month ever for the second consecutive month with record May sales of 31,047 units, an increase of nine percent over the same period last year, and year-to-date sales of 129,327 units.

May’s record sales were led by the Kia Spectra and Kia Optima, which both had their best months ever with 9,407 and 8,197 units sold respectively, increases of 10.5 and 120.8 percent over same period last year. The Kia Rio also continued with strong sales in its best month of the year at 4,474 units, a 28.6 percent increase over the same period last year.

“With gas prices continuing to rise, record sales of the fuel-efficient Spectra and Optima are proof that consumers are recognizing Kia’s value now more than ever,” said Byung Mo Ahn, group president and CEO of KMA and Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG). “Achieving the best month ever for two months in a row is the result of enhancement efforts to Kia’s brand image and the Kia dealer network’s total endeavors in a difficult market environment to sell more vehicles.”

Kia Motors America (KMA) is the sales, marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 640 dealers throughout the United States. For 2007, KMA recorded its 14th consecutive year of record U.S. sales. Kia Motors subscribes to a philosophy of building high value, high quality, safe and dynamic vehicles. Kia Motors prides itself on producing vehicles that are exciting and enabling and evoke the Kia tagline “The Power to Surprise.”