"Space Babies" 2014 Kia Sorento Big Game Ad

Watch as a nervous father navigates through this delicate situation, with a little help from his 2014 Kia Sorento SX Limited and UVO voice-activated infotainment system that plays "Wheels on the Bus". With all of its many features, it has an answer for everything. So fasten your diapers -- these babies are ready for launch.

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2013 Kia Optima named ‘International Car of the Year’

Kia Motors is proud to announce that Road & Travel Magazine has named the 2013 Kia Optima as the International Car of the Year at the 2013 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit.  Completely redesigned for the 2011 model year, the Optima’s stunning design combined with modern amenities and impressive value propelled the mid-size sedan to becoming the top-selling Kia vehicle in 2012.

“We are thrilled that our best-selling Optima has earned the distinction of being named International Car of the Year by Road & Travel Magazine, further elevating its status in the midsize segment,” said Michael Sprague, executive vice president of marketing and communications at the Kia Motors America. “The Optima continues to attract new customers to the Kia brand by offering an impressive combination of design, performance, comfort and technology. All of this while still maintaining Kia’s unmatched value proposition.”

Road & Travel Magazine gives 10 ICOTY awards to new or existing model year vehicles with significant and/or impressive improvements.  These awards are based on the emotional connection between the consumer and vehicle.  The winners are chosen by the ICOTY jury, which consists of nationally renowned automotive journalists from respected publications such as MSN Autos, Car and Driver and Consumer Guide® Automotive.

“The Kia Optima rose to the top of the list as the most emotionally compelling vehicle above all others,” said Courtney Caldwell, Road and Travel Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief.  “Its functional yet sleek design as well as advanced features intertwines effortlessly with consumer lifestyles on many levels, qualities we look for when considering contenders for the ICOTY awards.”

In addition to this prestigious accolade, the Optima has earned a number of awards including being named the 2012 “Best New Car Value” award from Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, “Sedan of the Year” by Autobytel.com, one of the “Top Drives for 2012″ by the Boston Globe and a “Best Buy” by Consumers Digest.

Courtesy of Kia Buzz

Here's A Tip To Extend The Life Of You Car

Run your AC in winter.

To keep your car’s air-conditioning system fit for the next warm season, run it a few times throughout the winter. This will prevent moving parts in the compressor from seizing. Also, circulating the refrigerant will help keep the seals soft and pliant.

Kia Concept to Provoke at Geneva

Kia is set to deliver a provocative and racy new urban concept car at this year’s Geneva Motor Show. 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.

Here are the images of Kia’s new concept vehicle that’s born to provoke.

Courtesy of Kia Buzz

Coupons

Hey fans! Don't forget about our special offer this month. You can get a Free Car Wash with any paid service! Stop by today to take advantage of this great deal. Hurry, this offer ends on 1/31.

2013 Kia Sorento - Bluetooth Technology

Featuring steering wheel mounted audio, cruise and Bluetooth wireless technology controls, the 2013 Kia Sorento is a departure from the expected. Click here to check it out!

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Throwback Thursday!

It's Throwback Thursday! "Like" this post if you remember "Soul Streets" - the short film by Jonas & Francois. If not, click here to check it out!

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Here's A Tip To Extend The Life of Your Car

Preserve your car during long-term storage.

If you are not going to use your car for more than a month, store it properly to prevent unnecessary damage and repairs upon your return.

    Fill the gas tank to help prevent condensation from accumulating in the gas tank. Add a fuel stabilizer and drive the car around a bit to distribute the additive to engine parts.
    Wash and wax the car thoroughly to protect the finish.
    Place a vapor barrier on your garage floor. A 4-mil polyethylene drop cloth will do.
    Disengage the parking brake to help avoid brake corrosion.
    Put the car on jack stands to take the weight of the vehicle off the wheels and tires.
    Disconnect and remove the battery to keep it from draining. Place the battery on a trickletype charger. Or periodically drain the battery, using a small light bulb, and then recharge it with a low-volt charger.
    Plug the tailpipe with a rag to prevent moist air from infiltrating into it.

Kia Motors America Announces North American Debut Of The 2014 Cadenza At North American International Auto Show

Kia Motors America (KMA) today unveiled the all-new 2014 Cadenza premium sedan, the most technologically-advanced vehicle Kia has ever introduced in North America. The long-anticipated announcement today at Cobo Hall during the 2013 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) confirmed Kia's intentions to enter into the premium-sedan segment.  The Cadenza expands KMA's lineup of inspiring and award-winning vehicles while moving the brand up-market with an impressive list of premium standard and optional equipment, including Advanced Smart Cruise Control (ASCC), Blind Spot Detection (BSD)[1] and Lane-Departure Warning System (LDWS).  The Cadenza is expected to arrive in Kia retail showrooms in the second quarter of this year, and pricing will be announced closer to the vehicle's on-sale date.

"Since the introduction of the range-topping Optima SXL last year, we have seen an increasing number of customers in our retail outlets looking for a sedan with even more upscale amenities and technology," said Michael Sprague , executive vice president of marketing & communications, KMA.  "The Cadenza is the new flagship for Kia in the U.S. market, and when it goes on sale later this year, it will introduce a number of advanced systems that promise to set a new standard in the premium segment."

With its distinctive front fascia and swept C-pillars, the Cadenza's taut European design language is evident.  That it's propelled by Kia's most powerful V6 engine further announces its intentions to provide an invigorating driving experience.  Inside, unparalleled premium appointments for five occupants strike the ideal balance between sport and luxury.  Combining these elements with technology that, until now, has never been offered on any Kia vehicle in the market, the Cadenza quickly rises to the lofty elevation of being the brand's most advanced U.S. product.

Sophisticated Features and Technology

Offered in one opulently equipped trim level, the Cadenza takes in-car technology and premium features to an entirely new level.  Standard features include an advanced navigation system with SiriusXM Traffic™[2] and UVO eServices, displayed on a high resolution 8-inch touch screen.  Further enhancing driver assurance is a standard back-up camera[3] and warning system, as well as a premium 550-watt Infinity®[4] 12-speaker audio system including rear surround speakers and subwoofer.  The Cadenza's standard equipment level is on par with many premium brands and boasts standard leather seat trim, dual-zone automatic climate control with rear seat ventilation, Smart Key keyless entry with push-button start, 10-way power adjustable driver's seat and Bluetooth®[5] wireless technology.  Two option packages are offered: The Premium Package and the Technology Package.

Check the box for the Premium Package and receive a full-length panoramic sunroof with power retractable sunshade, HID headlamps with adaptive front lighting system (AFLS), 7-inch TFT LCD instrument cluster, premium Nappa leather seats, a memory enabled 12-way ventilated driver's seat with seat cushion extension for unsurpassed comfort, heated front and rear outboard seats, heated steering wheel with power tilt and telescoping steering column, as well as a power rear sunshade for enhanced comfort and privacy.

Stepping up to the Technology Package adds sleek 19-inch alloy wheels, electric parking brake and Advanced Smart Cruise Control (ASCC), which maintains a set distance to the vehicle ahead and can bring the car to a full stop if necessary.  The package also includes water repellant hydrophobic windshield, a radar-based Blind Spot Detection system (BSD) and a Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) that provides audible and visual alerts to the driver should they inadvertently veer into another lane without using the turn signal.

European Design Evokes Premium Sport-Sedan Elegance

Penned under the watchful eye of Peter Schreyer , Kia's global chief of design, the Cadenza's broad shoulders, contoured hood, large wheels and wide stance give it a strong and grounded appearance.  The striking design has a distinctive sport-sedan form, as if the car would be equally comfortable on the Autobahn or carving through the Swiss Alps.

The aggressive "Tiger Nose" front fascia instantly speaks to Kia's brand identity.  Flanking the grille are quad headlights that nestle deeply behind crystalline lenses.  The lower fascia is wide, lending to the Cadenza's imposing stance, and chrome trim accents around the fog lights and grille add to the vehicle's premium presence.  LED positioning lights and available HID headlights provide additional European sophistication.

Perhaps best enjoyed in profile, the Cadenza's silhouette is at once strong and elegant.  The vertical nose is imposing; the long hood is sensuously sculpted to meet the swept-back windshield.  The greenhouse curves gracefully to the C-pillar and is surrounded by a tasteful chrome bezel that flares upward at the rear door, effectively creating a beautiful glass droplet. Beginning just aft of the front-door cutline is a chiseled indentation that sweeps upward, seamlessly transitioning into the tail lights. Classic chrome accents adorn the lower portions of the doors and the treatment continues into the rear fascia.  The 19-inch alloy wheels offered in the Technology Package resemble a jet turbine and add to the Cadenza's athletic stature.

Moving to the rear of the vehicle, the standard LED taillights sit high on the deck and are designed to cut across a large portion of the vehicle, lending to the Cadenza's broad stance.  The twin oval tail pipes accentuate the Cadenza's sporty and elegant design.

The interior of the Cadenza envelops its occupants in a premium environment complete with soft leather upholstery and tasteful accents of wood and chrome.  Ambient lighting and horizontally positioned switch gear radiates an uncluttered and sophisticated aesthetic.  An elegant analog clock centered between the center stack buttons lends a classic feel.  The center console is angled toward the driver for optimized control, and an available large seven-inch high-resolution TFT LCD screen in the gauge cluster showcases a wide range of vehicle information including turn-by-turn navigation and infotainment.  Elegant chrome bezels surround the HVAC and audio controls, air vents and the standard push-button start.  Standard Bluetooth, wood-trim door inserts, one-touch automatic up/down power front windows and power-folding heated outside mirrors with integrated turn signal indicators all enhance the Cadenza's premium image.

Engaging Driving Experience

The Cadenza is equipped with Kia's most powerful V6 engine ever.  The smooth-revving 3.3-liter utilizes gasoline direct injection (GDI) technology that improves performance while maintaining fuel efficiency.  Power is seamlessly transferred to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission that includes a Sportmatic manual shift mode and paddle shifters flanking the leather and wood-wrapped steering wheel.  The GDI powerplant produces 293 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 255 lb.-ft. of torque at 5,200 rpm.  The advanced all-aluminum engine features dual continuously variable valve timing for improved fuel economy and performance, a maintenance-free timing chain, a three-step variable induction system for enhanced torque, and is designed to run on regular unleaded gasoline. During durability testing, the engine is run 300 continuous hours at redline under full load then for an additional 20 hours at 10 percent above redline under full load.

To maximize driver engagement and performance, the Cadenza features a sport-tuned fully independent suspension with a McPherson strut setup in front and a multilink rear design.  The Cadenza rides on standard 245/45R-18 tires while 245/40R-19 tires are included with the Technology Package.

To further enhance performance and safety, while reducing NVH, 60 percent of the body structure is strengthened through the utilization of High Tensile Steel (HTS), which helps improve torsional rigidity.  HTS is produced through a 1,650 degree hot-stamping process, designed to toughen steel.  Further reducing the Cadenza's NVH is an extensive list of noise reducing technologies, including a hydraulic transmission mount, optimally tuned damper on the rear cross member and specially designed wheels (the multiple fins help reduce wind noise at highway speeds).

Kia:  One of the World's Fastest Moving Global Automotive Brands

Kia Motors America is one of only three auto brands to increase U.S. sales in each of the past four years, and in 2012 the company surpassed the 500,000 unit mark for the first time.  With a full line of fun-to-drive cars and CUVs, Kia is advancing value to new levels of sophistication by combining European-influenced styling – under the guidance of chief design officer Peter Schreyer – with cutting-edge technologies, premium amenities, affordable pricing and the lowest cost of ownership in the industry.  Kia recently joined the exclusive ranks of Interbrand's "Top 100 Best Global Brands," and is poised to continue its momentum with seven all-new or significantly redesigned vehicles scheduled to arrive in showrooms in 2013.  Over the past decade Kia Motors has invested more than $1.4 billion in the U.S., including the company's first U.S. assembly plant in West Point, Georgia – Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia – which is responsible for the creation of more than 11,000 plant and supplier jobs.  The success of the U.S.-built* Optima and Sorento in two of the industry's largest segments has fueled Kia's rapid growth and is complemented by Kia's comprehensive lineup which includes the Soul urban passenger vehicle, Sportage compact CUV, Optima Hybrid, the Forte sedan, 5-door and Koup compacts, Rio and Rio 5-door sub-compacts and the Sedona minivan.


Courtesy of Kia Motors America

Here's A Tip To Extend the Life of Your Car

Clean dash gauges carefully.

Use a soft damp cloth to lightly wipe dust from the clear plastic lenses on your dashboard. Too much pressure will scratch them. Too many scratches can make it difficult to read your gauges under certain lighting conditions.

All-new Cerato (Forte) Styling & Design

The all-new ‘look’ of the third-generation Cerato (Forte) was created at Kia’s American Design Center in Irvine, California.  The design team was directed by Peter Schreyer, Kia’s Chief Design Officer and headed by Tom Kearns, Chief Designer, Kia Motors America.

Sculpted to portray ‘dynamic muscularity’ and provoke an emotional response, the sleeker new Cerato has cab-forward styling, a lower coupe-like roofline, distinctive eye-catching concave door contours and a rising beltline with a chrome window molding extending into the C-pillar to project an aura of elegance.

Moving the A-pillar forwards and the C-pillar backwards allows the addition of front and rear quarter glass panels which enhance the car’s sense of spaciousness and improve visibility by eliminating blind spots – while also adding to the car’s premium image.

The Kia badge is moved from the grille to the panel in front of the shortened bonnet. At the rear, the trunk lid is shaped to reduce aerodynamic drag and the rear combination lamps smooth the airflow while also reinforcing the Cerato’s wide stance.

Compared with its second-generation predecessor, new Cerato is 30 mm longer (4560 mm), 15 mm lower (1445 mm) and 5 mm wider (1780 mm).  The wheelbase has been extended by 50 mm (to 2700 mm), becoming the longest in the C1 segment and is now the same as Kia’s Sorento SUV. The wheelbase of the second-generation Cerato was 40 mm greater than the original model, so over time Kia’s compact car has become a significantly larger and much more accommodating model.

New Cerato’s front and rear overhangs have been reduced, by 15 mm and 5 mm respectively, to give the newcomer a truly sporty appearance.  Despite the shorter rear overhang, trunk capacity is increased by 6 liters to 421 liters (SAE) – the largest in class.

New Cerato’s external size and proportions, together with careful attention to surface detailing and airflow-smoothing panels beneath the car, have cut the sedan’s aerodynamic drag to Cd 0.27 (down from 0.29) and lowered the car’s aerodynamic lift – which is Cl 0.11 compared with 0.16 for the second-generation model.

In Korea, the new Cerato sedan is manufactured in a range of 10 exterior colors.  However, depending on local customers’ preferences the line-up of colors may vary in individual markets.  Standard factory finishes for new Cerato include Clear White (solid), Snow White and Aurora Black (pearl), plus Bright Silver, Glittering Metal, Golden Beat, Temptation Red, Planet Blue, Abyss Blue and Milky Beige (metallic).

Courtesy of Kia Buzz

Kia and Hyundai Announce Google Maps and Search Integration for their Telematics Systems

South Korea's Hyundai and Kia brands have both announced a new partnership with Google that will see the integration of latter's content and search-based solutions enabled by Application Program Interfaces (APIs) on their respective telematics platforms.

The move will enhance the new generation of Kia's UVO eServices and Hyundai's Blue Link with fresh features supported by the integration of Google Maps APIs such as Send to Car, Point of Interest Search and Local Search by Voice.

“We’re always looking for ways to make it easier for people to discover more relevant information to help them make informed choices — whether that's where to go for a coffee, or where to take dry cleaning,” said Tarun Bhatnagar, head of Enterprise Geo at Google. “It’s great to see that more drivers now have access to fresh, web-based content while on the go with the Hyundai Blue Link Google Maps integration.”

Kia said that the first car to benefit from the Google-powered, second-generation of its UVO eServices telematics system, will be the facelifted 2014 Sorento crossover.

"The newest iteration of the UVO platform is a breakthrough as one of the industry’s first mobile pure app-based telematics systems, and now with the Google solutions and APIs, we take the platform to yet another level of enhancement for the Kia customer,” said Henry Bzeih, head of the connected car program and chief technology strategist at Kia Motors America. “Due to the popularity and ease-of-use of Google Maps, owners can remain confident in the technology and information being delivered to them.”

Both Google-powered systems are to be formally introduced at the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) January 10 in Las Vegas.

 

Courtesy of Car Scoop