Paris Motor Show Live 2010 Kia Optima, better than a Peugeot 508?

Kia played both ways at the Mondial de l'Automobile de Paris 2010: the concept cars with the tiny pop, and one of the series with the European premiere of the new Optima. A car, like all latest models released by the Korean automaker, has nothing to do with the cars in the drawing terribly bland often associated with these cars before.

Designers KIA presented an innovative concept of Pop 2010 Paris Live

At the Paris Motor Show debut of the Concept Kia Pop. Told reporters the main designer «KIA Europe, Gregory Guillaume, triple electric length of 3 meters is designed to" stir up the automotive world, to surprise people even more. " To this end, the project authors deliberately refused loans moves, already used in car design, and turned to unusual sources of inspiration - such as spaceships, speed bikes, and gliders. As a result of Pop was an unusual elliptical side windows and opening up doors and glass "dome" over the whole length of the roof.

2012 Model Kia Picanto spotted near the Nurburgring

Compact Korean city car has become more dynamic and sporty, that does not interfere notice even camouflage. Although the specifications are still not disclosed, it is known that the project involved experts in Rüsselsheim, Germany, making the new Asian products become more competitive in Europe.

Probably, under the hood Kia Picanto will be a 1.2-liter gasoline engine Kappa, which can also be seen on the Hyundai i10. Moreover, this unit complies with Euro-5. It is planned that the Kia Picanto will arrive in three and five-door versions.

Debut of new products planned for next year at the Geneva Motor Show.

Kia Soul: After the hamster, who is Michelle Wie takes the wheel ... and always music! (Video)

The young American of Korean origin, aged only 21, is currently doing blow women's golf (at least in the U.S. and Asia) and is also early this year became the brand ambassador for Kia on the LPGA Tour and everywhere else.

As for his role, the pretty young golfer appeared for the first time in an ad that highlights the Kia Soul once again transformed into a music box!

It's nice, well done, very American, so predictable, a bit sterile and it is there.

2011 Kia Optima Test Drive

If the Optima were a farmer, its standard-equipment crop would be bountiful. A dual exhaust with chrome tips; turn signals integrated into the mirror housings a sound system with Sirius satellite radio and USB, auxiliary, and Bluetooth connectivity; a tilting and telescoping steering wheel; and power locks and windows are all standard on the base LX model. The rear seat splits 60/40 and folds, and all automatic models come with cruise control.2011 Kia Optima Test Drive

Three trim levels are primarily differentiated on the outside by their wheel sizes. LX models wear 16s, EXs get 17s, and the big-dog SX rolls on 18s. To the LX’s gear, the EX adds fog lights, heated outside mirrors, body-color door handles, a little more chrome pizzazz, a rearview camera, push-button ignition, dual-zone climate control, and Kia’s new Uvo vehicle-interface system developed with Microsoft.

Spring for the SX, and you’ll net HID headlights, LED taillights, and an LCD information screen tucked into the instrument panel. The SX also is set apart with a unique appearance, thanks to a separate grille design, exclusive rocker moldings, a lip spoiler, and red brake calipers. Inside is French-stitched black leather, with metal pedals and paddle shifters to make the driver feel faster.

While the look is thoroughly overhauled, don’t expect pricing to change much. When the new Optima goes on sale in early fall of 2010, the sticker should stay close to today’s range of $18,000 to $23,000.

Regardless, in the hyper-competitive mid-size-sedan market, Kia has nothing to lose and everything to gain by turning its milquetoast Optima into something other than what it is today.

Right now Kia is busy at this year’s New York auto show, for debut of the redesigned Sportage, the new Forte hatchback, and the all-new Optima sedan detailed here.While preliminary sketches suggested an Optima with a hot-rod chop to the roof, the production version has less-severe proportions and windows out of which people can actually see. Longer (by 1.7 inches), lower (by an inch), and wider (by 0.9 inch) than the outgoing car, the Optima forms a much more dramatic shape than the model it replaces, yet its shape is not as commanding as that of its platform-mate, Hyundai’s suddenly smokin’ Sonata.

Optima design isn’t quite as sultry as the Sonata’s, the powertrains will be precisely as stimulating, because they’ll be shared. A direct-injection, 2.4-liter inline-four is the standard engine, available in the base LX trim with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic. A direct-injection, turbocharged four is the hot mill, with a whopping 274 horses from just 2.0 liters. Sadly, that engine will only be available with the automatic. And like the Sonata, the Optima will yield a hybrid option early in 2011. The suspension, too, is shared with the Sonata, with MacPherson struts, coil springs, and an anti-roll bar up front and a multilink setup with coils in back.

Kia Forte 2010

Vehicle Summary:
The Forte is Kia's new entry in the compact-car segment, replacing the Spectra when it hits dealerships in summer 2009. Offered in LX, EX and SX trim levels, the Forte is available with a choice of four-cylinder engines and comes standard with numerous safety features, including an electronic stability system. Competitors include the Honda Civic, Ford Focus and Toyota Corolla.

Vehicle Overview:
The Forte is Kia's new entry in the compact-car segment, replacing the Spectra when it hits dealerships in summer 2009. Offered in LX, EX and SX trim levels, the Forte is available with a choice of four-cylinder engines and comes standard with numerous safety features, including an electronic stability system. Competitors include the Honda Civic, Ford Focus and Toyota Corolla.

Exterior:
The Forte sports crisp styling that gives the sedan an athletic shape. You don't have to look too closely to find resemblances to other small cars. The front end, for instance, looks similar to a Honda Civic coupe, and the Forte's taillights remind me of the Mitsubishi Lancer's.

The base LX sedan has standard 15-inch steel wheels, while the midlevel EX model gets 16-inch alloy rims. The performance-oriented SX trim, which features a sport suspension, has 17-inch alloy wheels and a rear spoiler. A sunroof is optional.

Interior:
The five-seat cabin features mostly good materials and panel fit. Some of the elements, like the available steering-wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls, have a high-end feel that you don't see in every compact car. The audio system's display has attractive red graphics.

The front bucket seats are finished in cloth, and leather upholstery is optional. The backseat is quite spacious for a compact car and can comfortably accommodate taller passengers. The 14.7-cubic-foot trunk is sizable for this class, and it can be expanded by folding the 60/40-split backseat. The release levers for that function are in the trunk.

The base LX trim goes without niceties like air conditioning, cruise control, and power windows and locks, but that should help keep its starting price low. The EX has all those features plus remote keyless entry, map lights and steering-wheel audio controls. The SX adds a telescoping steering wheel and cloth seats with red stitching.

Under the Hood:
LX and EX models are powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 156 horsepower. Choosing the SX trim brings a 2.4-liter four-cylinder that generates 173 hp. Both engines are offered with a manual transmission — a five-speed for the base engine and a six-speed for the SX trim — or an automatic.

Safety:
Standard features include all-disc antilock brakes, side-impact airbags for the front seats, side curtain airbags, an electronic stability system and active head restraints for the front seats.