Kia Soul Does Some Inner Searching with New Special Edition

The Soul Searcher is the latest addition to Kia's Originals line-up, which includes a collection of distinctive versions of the sub-compact crossover. This here special edition is for the UK market and it follows on from the Burner, Shaker, Tempest and Echo. Sales scheduled to start from the 4th January 2011.

The car is cosmetically distinguished by a light green metallic paintwork, and cream and brown full leather interior offset by a two-tone, cream and black dashboard. Furthermore, Kia's designers added chrome front grille and door handles, roof rails, black bezel headlights, front and rear mud flaps as well as 18-inch silver alloy wheels.

Standard specification includes reversing sensors, front fog lights, electric folding door mirrors, privacy glass, dual auto air conditioning and heated front seats, plus an upgraded 8 speaker sound system with subwoofer and external amplifier, Bluetooth and iPod connectivity.

The Soul Searcher is powered by a 1.6-litre CRDi diesel engine available with either 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic, with prices starting from £16,965 OTR and £18,025 (including VAT at the new 20% rate) respectively.

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

Hyundai Group Overtakes Toyota as the Biggest Asian Carmaker in Europe

Battled by a series of recalls and dipping sales, Toyota is slowly becoming a shadow of the company that dethroned General Motors in 2009. And with Volkswagen's mind clearly set on world domination, it can't be good news for the Japanese maker that it also lost its top position among Asian makers in Europe, to Hyundai Motor Co. and affiliate KIA Motors Corp.

The two Korean companies sold a combined 521,369 vehicles in the first ten months of 2010, a 4% improvement over the last year, earning them the title of the biggest Asian carmaker in Europe with a market share of 4.5%. Meanwhile, Toyota's figures, including Lexus sales, dropped by 17% to 511,754 units, which accounts for 4.4% of the European market.

To their advantage, Hyundai and KIA have a more diversified range with the likes of the ix35 SUV, i30 and cee'd compacts, and momentum on their side, as all those recalls and controversy is costing Toyota an arm and a leg, not to mention the bad publicity.

"Hyundai and Kia have clearly benefited from Toyota's massive recalls," said Ahn Sang Joon, an auto analyst at Tong Yang Securities Inc. in Seoul. "They have also expanded their model lineups in European markets giving more choices to consumers."

Furthermore, analysts think that Hyundai Motor Group's sales may climb even more in 2011, seeing that it'll launch models specifically tailored for European taste.

Excellent North American sales are the icing on the Koreans' cake: Hyundai grew by 21% in the U.S. this year, with the Sonata spearheading the success, having a 64 percent jump in demand. And there's more to come with the new Elantra sedan, Azera mid-sizer and Veloster small coupe, just to mention a few of the debuts planned for next year.

Toyota, on the other hand, is on a downward slope, with sales dropping 6.3 percent in the U.S. this year. Nevertheless, we wouldn't be so quick to write off the Japanese brand yet as you never know what the future may bring.

By Csaba Daradics

Source: Bloomberg

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

LA Show 2010: KIA Launches Optima Hybrid, Returns 40 mpg Highway

With everyone riding the "green wave" these days, it's no surprise that KIA launched its first-ever hybrid for the U.S. market, the Optima Hybrid. Combining the standard model's good looks with several technological innovations, the newest member of the Optima family returns a frugal 40 mpg (5.88 lt/100 km) on the highway.

"By adding our first-ever hybrid in the U.S. to the Optima lineup we are providing consumers with three powerful and fuel-efficient powertrain choices, and continuing KIA's philosophy of offering stylish, value-packed vehicles with outstanding fuel efficiency" said Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing & communications, KMA.

The Optima Hybrid uses a full parallel hybrid system and can be driven in full-electric mode at speeds up to 62 mph (100 km/h). It also has a stop/start function, which eliminates idle fuel consumption and reduces overall emissions.

Compared to other hybrids on the market, the Optima doesn't use a nickel-metal hydride or lithium-ion battery, but a more advanced lithium-polymer solution, capable of holding a larger charge (30 kW) for up to 25% longer. Another plus is the reduced weight, as the lithium-polymer battery tips the scales at 95.9 pounds (43 kg), or 28 pounds (13 kg) less than the Toyota Camry Hybrid's battery pack.

Most competitors use a power-split hybrid system, like Ford and Toyota, but KIA is following a different path once again opting for a Transmission-Mounted-Electric-Drive (TMED) layout with the electric motor separated from the transmission gear-set.

The advantages of this setup are that it needs a lot less space and can be combined with off-the-shelf parts, like the conventional Optima's six-speed automatic transmission. It also costs less.

The electric motor is coupled to the transmission and it incorporates a permanent magnet synchronous electric traction motor. In full electric mode it delivers 40 hp (30 kW) and 151 lb-ft (205 Nm) of torque and when the 2.4-liter Atkinson Cycle gasoline unit kicks in, combined output is 206 hp and 195 lb-ft (264 Nm).

Alongside the traction motor, there's also the 8.5 kW belt-driven Hybrid-Starter-Generator (HSG), which cannot drive the wheels, but it starts the engine and recharges the battery.

As other modern hybrids, the Optima Hybrid can recover energy lost during braking as well, just like the Volkswagen Golf Blue-e-motion, for instance.

When the brakes are applied, the engine is decoupled from the traction motor and used to charge the battery.

Design-wise, the Koreans made sure that the hybrid Optima stands out fitting it with redesigned front grille and headlamps, lower front and rear spoilers, plus side skirts, LED tail lamps and unique 16-inch alloys.

The Optima Hybrid also features the Virtual Engine Sound System (VESS), meaning that it plays a pre-recorded engine sound during electric only operation to attract people's attention that a vehicle is approaching.

KIA didn't release the pricing or detailed specifications, but it did confirm that the car will hit U.S. showrooms early next year.

By Csaba Daradics

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

2011 Kia Optima Sedan Priced, Starts from $19,690

As the all-new 2011 Optima sedan will be hitting dealer lots in coming weeks, Kia decided to release detailed pricing on its promising contender in the mid-size sedan segment. Prices for the new Optima start $18,995, or $19,690 if you include the $695 destination and handling fee. This means the base Optima is priced on par with Chrysler's refreshed Sebring sedan, which has been renamed to 200 and starts at $19,995.

At launch, the new generation of the Optima will be offered with two powerplants, a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with direct injection technology and an output of 200HP, and Kia's first-ever turbo engine in the U.S., a 2.0-liter 274-horsepower Turbo GDI that delivers up to 34 mpg. Early next year, the range will be enhanced with a gasoline-electric hybrid engine. The same powerplants are found in the Optima's Hyundai counterpart, the new Sonata.

To avoid confusion, we've included the $695 destination and handling fee in all prices mentioned below. The 2.4-liter model is available in two trim levels, the LX and the EX. The LX with a six-speed manual gearbox has a starting MSRP of $19,690.

Standard features include six-airbags, an AM/FM/CD/MP3/Sat audio system, power windows and locks, dual exhaust with chrome tips, a cooling glove box and auxiliary USB audio input jacks for MP3 players and Bluetooth wireless technology connectivity with steering-wheel mounted voice activation.

The same LX model with a 6-speed Automatic transmission starts $21,190 and adds alloy wheels, cruise control and an Active Eco System.

Next up is the Optima EX with the 2.4L engine that starts at $23,190. Additional standard features include 17-inch alloy wheels, fog lamps, leather trimmed seats, eight-way power driver's seat, dual-zone automatic temperature control, push-button start and auto-dimming rear view mirror with Homelink and compass.

The Optima EX is also available with the 2.0-liter Turbo unit for $25,190. With this model buyers also get larger front disc brakes, a unique front grille, and wood and metal interior accents.

Finally, the flagship model in the Optima range is the SX with the 2.0-liter Turbo. Priced at $26,690, this version adds 18-inch alloy wheels, sport-tuned suspension, unique lower body trim, HID head lights, LED tail lights, black leather and woven seat trim, Supervision meter cluster, steering wheel paddle shifters, carbon fiber interior trim, metal pedals, and illuminated door scuff plates.

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________