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LA 2008: Kia's Soul-ful debut
Filed under: LA Auto Show, Crossovers/CUVs, Kia 
Click above for more live shots of the Kia Soul in LA
Kia put on quite a show today, prancing out a slew of new Souls at the LA Auto Show. Expected to drop as an early 2010 model in late '09, the new boxy Soul will go head-to-head with the equally-new Nissan Cube for the affections of ex-xB buyers here in the States. While the Cube really goes after the square-edged look, Kia has softened the Soul. The box's rising beltline starts lower in the front and gradually sweeps skyward at the rear, adding a unique look to the little crossover. A standard 1.6L four banger pushes roughly 120 horses through a five-speed manual tranny and an optional 2.0L unit with about 140 horsepower can be mated with either the stick or a four-speed automatic on uplevel models. Each should exceed 30 mpg on the highway.
The Korean automaker promises that there will be an abundant number of customization possibilities for its new Soul and there will be three separate Soul models in addition to the base kit, including the Soul+, Soul! (exclaim) and Soul sport. We think that they may be trying a bit too hard to be young and hip with these odd model designations, but standard auxiliary and USB input jacks in the center console with full iPod control through the steering wheel audio controls strike us as an excellent idea for its target demographic. Details on what each model gets are in the press release pasted after the break.
Live Photos Copyright (C)2008 Jeremy Korzeniewski / Weblogs, Inc.Continue reading LA 2008: Kia's Soul-ful debut LA 2008: Kia's Soul-ful debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Official U.S.-spec Kia Soul images pop up on web
Filed under: LA Auto Show, Crossovers/CUVs, Kia, Canada 
Click above for more official images of the U.S. Kia Soul
Official images of the new Kia Soul have just begun making their first rounds on the interwebs. The boxy little crossover will see its first U.S. unveiling at the LA Auto Show later this month and we'll be on hand to capture the event in all its glory. Until then, take a look at these early shots of the U.S.-spec version to whet your appetite. The U.S. market Soul will get a 142-horsepower, 2.0-liter gasoline-fed four-cylinder engine that can be mated to either a four-speed automatic or a five-speed manual gearbox.
Kia is set to take on the Scion brand with the new Soul and is hoping to compete on level footing by offering a slew of factory customization options right from the dealer. Our second gallery shows some of those options that are being made available in Canada and should be a decent preview of what U.S. buyers are likely to choose from. Expect the new mini 'ute to go on sale in the Spring of next year.
[Source: Kia-World]Official U.S.-spec Kia Soul images pop up on web originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Nov 2008 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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SEMA 2008: Kia Borrego Limited Concept does its best Escalade impression
Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA, Tuners, SUVs, Kia 
Click above for high-res gallery of the Kia Borrego Limited SEMA Concept
With the Escalade on the ropes, it looks like Kia might step in to rescue all those lovers of blacked-out blinged-up chromed-out big-wheeled SUVs. The metallic black Borrego Limited Concept that debuted at SEMA today gets chrome exterior mirrors, chrome upper and lower grilles, chrome door handles, a chrome rear bumper insert, and "flashy 22-inch Avarus chrome wheels." Inside it gets (faux) alligator skin. That's right. A Kia Borrego with (faux) alligator skin. And what good is a (faux) alligator without a TV and a DVD player to complete that "assertive and sophisticated stance fit for a motorcade as much as cruising down the Vegas strip." True, this would be generic medication compared to the Escalade's real deal, but it'll be much cheaper and probably still get the job done. Maybe. But watch out for the side effects. Have a look at the not-quite-reptilian Borrego in the gallery of high-res photos below. Oh, and for the record, the Soul will be officially revealed on the 19th, at the LA Auto Show.
Continue reading SEMA 2008: Kia Borrego Limited Concept does its best Escalade impression SEMA 2008: Kia Borrego Limited Concept does its best Escalade impression originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Nov 2008 18:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Hyundai/Kia teams up with Microsoft on in-car infortainment
Filed under: Tech, Hyundai, Kia 
Ford won't be the only automaker in the U.S. to have Microsoft technology underhood for long, as Hyundai has hooked up with the software giant on new infotainment technology partnership. The first new jointly produced system will provide voice-controlled connectivity between mobile devices for Hyundai and Kia vehicles beginning in 2010. Microsoft will also work with Korea's Institute for IT Advancement to open an Automotive IT Innovation Centre in Seoul. The Korean auto giant will partner with Microsoft on auto telecommunication, telematics, navigation systems, and improving Human Machine Interface technology.
Recent developments in automotive technology show that infotainment tech like Ford's SYNC and BMW's in-car Internet systems are hot. Microsoft appears to be capitalizing on the new trend by netting a second automotive partner, while Hyundai gets the new interactive tech that customers are craving. If its cars are anything to go by, Hyundai's version of the technology will probably cost less and do more.
[Source: Hyundai]Continue reading Hyundai/Kia teams up with Microsoft on in-car infortainment Hyundai/Kia teams up with Microsoft on in-car infortainment originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Nov 2008 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Paris 2008: In love with Kia's funky Soul
Filed under: Economy, Paris Motor Show, Hatchbacks, Kia 
Click above for high-res gallery of the Kia Soul
The Scion xB may have written the book on small-and-boxy, but it appears that Kia may add another volume to the work with the Soul. We have no idea how the new Soul will go on the road, or how it will hold up - either materially or financially - but taking a seat in the giant shoe on wheels was a revelation. For a car that isn't expected to cost too much, the details alone would almost have to be worth the price: the chunky moldings around the grille and bumper, the contrasting surrounds for the headlights and contrasting panels for the doors, the gearshift knob housing a ball within a plexiglass ball, the court jester seats. And when we put the driver's seat all the way back, we could sit in the back seat without our legs touching anything else. And we're not short. If the Soul can mind its manners on the road, there's no reason it shouldn't go straight to sales heaven. Get the scoop on the Soul after the jump, and the check out the gallery of high-res photos below.
Continue reading Paris 2008: In love with Kia's funky Soul Paris 2008: In love with Kia's funky Soul originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
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