Kia has released its first commercial in Italy to launch the new Kia Cee’d hatchback, one of the most exciting car on the market today. Simple and spacious the compact uses the same platform of the Hyundai i30 and incorporates the same technical solutions as larger segment cars.

The C-segment measures 4.31 m in length and is powered by a range of engines including two petrol and three diesels. The 1.4-litre MPI petrol unit delivers 100 hp, while the 1.6-litre GDI has an output of 135 hp. The diesel range includes a 1.4-litre unit with 90 hp and a 1.6-litre in two power levels of 110 and 128 hp.

The car boasts a great Flex Steer system, which allows the driver to change the level of steering assistance in three modes, according to each situation, from city cruising to sporty driving. The interiors are elegant and comfortable, embellished with refined trims and a good infotainment system. It is expected to go on sale in the UK from September.

New official information on the Kia K9 flagship: the Korean saloon boasting a sleek, modern design, in line with the new stylistic standards of the brand and developed to please both the Asian and the Western markets. The K9 design is elegant, balanced yet simple, with the signature “Tiger Nose” front grille, slim LED headlights, long sweeping sidelines and a well proportioned tail, enriched by twin exhausts.

The premium saloon has an overall length of 5,090 mm, a width of 1,900 mm, a height of 1,490 mm and a generous wheelbase of 3,045 mm. Inside the car appears at the same level of the best German and Japanese competitors: painstaking attention to details, the use of quality materials and refined assemblies. The instrument panel features a large multifunction screen, operated by a control knob and buttons, located at the central of the dashboard. The passenger compartment is equipped with leather upholstery, prestigious trims, a sophisticated entertainment system (17-speaker Lexicon audio system) and air-conditioning.

The tech-department boasts a lane departure warning system, a blind-spot detection system integrated on the rearview mirrors, a smart cruise control and an around-view monitor system with four cameras.
At launch, the car will be available with two engines: a 3.8-litre MPI V6 with output of 290 hp, which will be joined by a 3.8-litre GDI V6 unit with direct fuel injection delivering 334 hp. Future plans for an 8-cylinder engine have not been confirmed, yet. Both engines will be mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission that sends power to the rear wheels. International sales will start later this year: at the moment Kia has no plans to bring the K9 to the UK.

Kia has released a brand new video featuring the K9. This impressive saloon is the first of the Korean brand to be equipped with rear-wheel drive, boasting powerful engines. At launch it will be offered with a 3.8-litre V6 engine or a V8, available in the 4.6 or 5.0-litres variation.

The unique design identifies in the front grille, full LED headlights and twin rear exhaust pipes, the most prominent aesthetic elements. The Kia K9 will also be marketed outside Korea and will be possibly adopt a new name, following the example of the K5 and K7, which have been renamed Optima and Cadenza. One of the reasons for a name-change might be that the acronym K9 reminds of Doctor Who’s robotic canines!

Kia releases a nice 30-second long video starring their own new Soul city car and Michelle Wie, the popular 22 years old golf star from Korea. The revamped Soul model year 2012 comes with newly designed head- and tail-lamps and bumpers: the front one has a thicker outline around the fog-lights whereas the rear one now sports an unusual black bar.

However, the most relevant news is the addition of a naturally aspirated 1.6-litre unit with direct injection to its engine range. This unit will provide the little Kia with an output of 140 hp and 164 Nm of torque, enough to push the Soul from 0 to 100 km/h in 10 seconds with 149 g/km of CO2 emission. The already familiar 1.6 CRDi engine maintains its 128 hp output but - thanks to a clever diet - it has shaven half a second off the 0-100km/h sprint-time of the equally equipped Soul of the previous generation. The CO2 emission level of this engine went down to, going from 137 to less than 130 g/km.

The special Urban Shark version - a variant created with the input of sporty fashion brand Maui&Sons - will be made available with the 128 hp turbocharged 1.6-litre common-rail unit as the only engine option. This premium trim includes some fine features such as the standard 18″ alloys, heated wing mirrors, rear-view camera, leather coated steering wheel and gear lever knob, blackened rear windows and an audio system with CD/mp3 player, USB/AUX/Bluetooth connectivity and commands at the wheel.

View the full 2012 Kia Soul photo gallery

Kia has released today the first sketch of the new pro_cee’d, which is scheduled to debut in September at the 2012 Paris Motor Show (29th Sep -14th Oct). The Korean C-segment design will be visibly carried over from the Cee’d 5-doors and will be recognisable from the “Tiger-nose” front grille and the headlights stretching out to the wheel, while the side will be subject to a small stylistic innovation, transforming it into a 3-doors. The image looks deliberately exaggerated and portrays a low, slender car, with no side handles and fitted with large diameter alloy wheels. The actual model will be certainly less extreme and aggressive.

The new Kia pro_cee’d will be mounting the new 1.2-litre T-GDI petrol engine producing about 120 hp and the 1.6-litre T-GDI with an output of 185 hp. Yet to assess the launch of the quietest 1.4 MPI (100 hp) and 1.6 GDI (135 hp), while it is been confirmed the 1.4 WGT diesel engine with 90 hp and the 1.6 VGT offered with 110 and 128 hp. Will also be available the brand new Flex Steer system, which allows the driver to change some parameters of the car according to the Comfort, Normal and Sport operating modes.

South Korean manufacturer Kia introduces at the 2012 Geneva Auto Show the new version of its own Cee’d and Cee’d Station Wagon. In the comparison with the old versions, this new range is a significant leap forward in terms of style, quality and mechanics, positioning itself at the same level of the most prestigious European models of the C-segment. The torsional stiffness of the chassis has been increased by 45 % thanks to the adoption of high-resistance steel which has been used for the 57% of the frame, while MacPherson-type suspension at the front and multilink at the back also play a part in making this car more stable than its predecessor.

The 5-door Cee’d measures 4.31 meters in length (+50 mm over the old one), 1.4 (-10 mm because of its reduced ride height) and 1.78 in width (-10 mm), whereas the wheelbase remains the same, 2,650 mm. The new Cee’d boasts a Cd of 0,30, which says a lot about the work done on the aerodynamics, while consumption went down by 4%. Its engine range will include two petrol (a 100hp 1.4-litre MPI and a 135 hp 1.6 GDI) and two diesel options (a 90 hp 1.4 WGT and a 1.6-litre WGT available in power steps of 110 and 128 hp).

Kia expects the new Cee’d to continue the successful history of the previous range, which, launched in 2007, now stands as the best selling car ever in Europe for the manufacturer. The new Cee’d range has been designed, engineered and manufactured in Europe, has improved fuel consumption and CO2 emissions and comes with good value for money: it has all it takes to be successful, but - as always - it will be the market to have the last say on the matter. To find out more about the new Kia Cee’d and Cee’d Station Wagon, check out the official press release after the jump.

View the full 2012 Kia range live at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show photo gallery

WORLD PREMIERE FOR ALL-NEW KIA CEE’D AT GENEVA

- Second-generation of Kia’s best-selling model in Europe
- Revealed at Geneva in five-door hatchback and SW bodystyles
- Range features new 135 ps GDI petrol and 128 ps CRDi diesel engines
- Improved fuel consumption and CO2 emissions from just 97 g/km
- Available with a new Kia-developed Dual-Clutch Transmission
- Designed, engineered and manufactured exclusively in Europe

Making its global premiere at the 2012 Geneva International Motor Show is the all-new Kia cee’d. More sophisticated, more efficient, more refined and with a more engaging driving experience than its predecessor, new cee’d is expected to build on the success of the original model, further establishing Kia as one of the leading automotive brands in Europe.

Launched in 2007, the original cee’d was a landmark and game-changing model for Kia. Designed, developed and built in Europe, cee’d was the first model to establish Kia as a serious contender to the established brands. Winning praise from media and public alike for its all-round ownership proposition, cee’d claimed fourth place in the European Car of the Year Awards that year – the highest ever ranking for a Kia vehicle.

“The original cee’d was a paradigm shift for Kia, taking the company into the hotly contested C-segment with a truly competitive car for the first time,” comments Paul Philpott, Chief Operating Officer, Kia Motors Europe. “Just as the original cee’d represented a major step forward for Kia in 2007, this second-generation model represents a further leap for the brand – both in terms of the capability and sophistication of the vehicle, and what it will do to drive further momentum in our European sales.

“Since launch, the cee’d family has recorded over 430,000 sales in Western Europe, changing the public perception of our brand and laying the foundations for a series of new Kia models across a broad spread of market sectors.

“The remarkable success of our newest models, Picanto, Rio, Soul, Venga, Sportage and Sorento, owes much to the impact made by the original cee’d and the innovative seven year Kia warranty we introduced with that model,” Philpott concludes.

New cee’d five-door goes on sale across Europe from the second quarter of 2012, depending on market, and will play a significant role in driving Kia’s sales in Europe even higher. Further information about other models in the new cee’d family – including the SW version displayed at Geneva – will be made available later this year.

Longer, lower and more streamlined

New cee’d is both longer and lower than its predecessor, giving the five-door hatchback a more sporty profile. Overall length is increased by 50 mm (to 4,310 mm) and overall height has been reduced by 10 mm (to 1,470 mm) by lowering the ride height. Despite being based on a completely new platform, new cee’d carries over the 2,650 mm wheelbase, one of the longest in the C-segment, from its predecessor.

This more athletic appearance is further enhanced by a wider track. While the overall bodyshell is 10 mm narrower, the front and rear track have been increased (by 17 mm and 32 mm, respectively). The impact on the car’s aesthetics is heightened by the availability of 17- and 18-inch diameter alloy wheels, resulting in a minimal gap between tyres and bodywork.

The new model’s sleek silhouette was shaped by extensive testing in the state-of-the-art wind tunnel at Kia’s R&D centre at Namyang, Korea. A reduced windscreen angle, smooth covers beneath the engine bay and the central floor, a rear spoiler above the tailgate and carefully profiled rear lamp clusters all help new cee’d achieve a Cd figure of just 0.30, placing it among the best-in-class, and helping to reduce fuel consumption and cabin noise.

New cee’d will be manufactured exclusively at Kia’s Zilina facility in Slovakia in a range of 10 exterior colours – including five new – and will be among the first models to bear the new-look Kia badge on its bonnet. Simpler, sleeker and with a more modern appearance, the new badge design echoes the premium feel of new cee’d and incorporates the Kia script in a single raised section for greater legibility.

Powerful and efficient engines with six-speed transmissions

In developing new cee’d, Kia’s engineers had a strong focus on reducing fuel consumption and emissions without sacrificing engine response or power output. Updated engines and various small but impactful changes have resulted in an average fuel consumption improvement of four per cent across the model range.

Depending on individual market preferences, the new cee’d will be available with a wide choice of engines offering power outputs from 90 to 135 ps. Across most of Western Europe there will be two petrol engines – a 1.4 MPI and a 1.6 GDI producing 100 and 135 ps respectively – plus two diesels – a 1.4 WGT with an output of 90 ps and 1.6 VGT diesel offered in two states of tune (110 and 128 ps). Certain markets in Europe will also offer a 1.6 MPI petrol unit producing 130 ps.

Kia anticipates that its top of the range diesel – the highly-efficient 1.6-litre variable geometry turbo unit – will be the most popular choice in most markets. Generating 128 ps and 260 Nm, the engine will be offered with a choice of six-speed manual or automatic transmissions and will accelerate the new cee’d to 100 kph in less than 11 seconds. Fuel consumption will be just 4.1 l/100 km on the combined cycle (3.7 l/100 km in cars fitted with Kia’s EcoDynamics technologies), and CO2 emissions start at just 97 g/km.

The ‘Gamma’ petrol engines also offer an excellent balance between performance and economy. The most powerful, the 1.6-litre Gamma GDI engine introduced in the Kia Sportage, features direct injection to maximise power (135 ps) and torque (165 Nm) while minimising fuel consumption and emissions. With this engine, new cee’d will accelerate to 100 kph in 9.9 seconds while delivering fuel consumption of 5.8 l/100 km (5.2 l/100 km with EcoDynamics), and tailpipe CO2 emissions from 119 g/km.

All engines will be offered with a choice of manual or automatic six-speed transmissions. Depending on version, the 1.6 GDI will also be available with Kia’s all-new six-speed Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT), which improves fuel efficiency and delivers smooth automatic gear shifts for maximum comfort.

Developed by Kia’s in-house transmission development team in partnership with a German-based engineering firm, the DCT makes the Korean brand one of a very small number of car makers in the world to produce its own dual-clutch transmission.

The DCT combines two manual transmissions within a single housing, each with its own dry clutch. One transmission shaft is dedicated to 2nd, 4th, 6th and reverse gear, while the other operates with 1st, 3rd and 5th gears.

Working in parallel, one shaft prepares to engage the next ratio, while the other is still engaged with a gear. Electric motor-driven actuators controlled by the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) execute gear selection and clutch engagement, resulting in swift and precise gear changes and uninterrupted torque transfer to the driven wheels, with a minimum of the efficiency loss normally associated with conventional automatics (with a torque converter).

As with other Kia models in Europe, new cee’d will be available with fuel-saving technologies developed under the company’s EcoDynamics™ sub-brand to optimise efficiency and lower emissions. These technologies, which will be available on both diesel and petrol models with manual transmission, include ISG (Start/Stop), low-rolling resistance tyres and an alternator management system (AMS).

Smoother ride with improved handling, plus variable power steering

Ride and handling for new cee’d was benchmarked against class-leading competitor vehicles from near-premium brands.

Fully-independent, subframe-mounted suspension with MacPherson struts at the front and a multi-link set-up at the rear exploit the newcomer’s wider track to deliver improved handling and road-holding.

The hugely increased torsional rigidity of the new cee’d bodyshell (45 per cent stiffer than the original model), has also enabled Kia’s engineers to introduce numerous small changes to components, springs and shock absorbers that influence ride quality, refinement and NVH.

Improvements to the front suspension include an increased castor angle (from 4.4 to 5.2 degrees) for greater straight-line stability, larger wheel bearings in a reinforced hub, and larger diameter bushes for the subframe attachments. At the rear, geometry changes ensure more accurate tracking, the trailing arms have larger bushes and friction has been reduced throughout the system.

The standard steering system employs electric power-assistance and requires 2.85 turns lock-to-lock for a 10.34-metre turning circle. New cee’d is also available, on certain models, with an all-new Flex Steer™ system for improved driving dynamics. This system introduces three operating modes – comfort, normal and sport – allowing the driver to vary the level of steering assistance and the weight of feedback, in order to best suit the current driving conditions and the driver’s personal preferences.

Less cabin noise, more cabin space

Kia’s engineering team was determined to achieve significant improvements over the previous model in terms of cabin refinement and NVH. Measures adopted include fitting 14 per cent thicker front door window glass, low-drag exterior mirror housings, new vibration-damping engine mounts, hollow drive shafts, stronger bodyshell joints between the sills and B-pillars, double-layer door seals, and increased foam-filling in the A-, B- and C-pillars. As a result of these measures, cabin noise levels have been cut to match class-best standards.

Although the 2,650 mm wheelbase is carried over for new cee’d, the increase in overall length contributes to more interior space for people and cargo. Front seat occupants have 12 mm more headroom and 21 mm more legroom, while rear passengers gain 5 mm of shoulder room. Cargo capacity is boosted by 12 per cent to 380 litres (up 40 litres) with the rear seats upright and the split-folding rear seats can be made fully flat for maximum versatility.

High-quality equipment and advanced technologies

Higher quality cabin materials and a broader range of high-tech equipment will ensure the interior of new cee’d matches the premium exterior appearance.

Primary and secondary controls are grouped in a driver-oriented layout for intuitive ease of use, while new standard equipment will include tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, iPod, Aux and USB support, six speaker audio system and a multi-mode trip computer.

A choice of bright chrome, piano black and anodized metal trim accents will be offered, while indirect LED lighting of the centre console and sweeping ‘vertical fin’ door handles establish an upmarket ambience for the cabin. The seat and cabin trim will be available in a choice of two colours as standard – black one-tone and stone beige two-tone – in cloth, with a full leather interior available on high specification versions.

Available features will include enhanced instrumentation – with a TFT ‘Supervision’ Cluster delivering high-definition resolution clarity of the instrument binnacle, dual-zone climate control, powered driver’s seat adjustment with memory and a full length (1,045 mm long) powered panoramic glass sunroof.

New cee’d will be available, depending on version, with LED daytime running lights, fixed cornering lamps (illuminated depending on steering angle), and advanced HID headlamps that turn the low beam to match curves in the road and enhance the driver’s night vision.

Parking can be made easier with the new Parallel Park Assist System (PPAS). This features front, side and rear sensors and automatic steering control by an on-board computer to safely perform parallel parking. The driver remains in control of the accelerator and brake.

Safety structure and features target maximum rating

Kia continues to make safety a top priority and the new cee’d features advanced active and passive safety technologies to ensure maximum protection for its occupants and other road users. Kia is determined to achieve the maximum rating when tested by EuroNCAP with this new model.

Available active safety features will include ESP (Electronic Stability Program), ABS (anti-lock braking system), BAS (emergency Brake Assist System), HAC (Hill Assist Control) to prevent roll-back, VSM (Vehicle Stability Management) and ESS (Emergency Stop Signal) which flashes the brake lights when the system detects that the driver is making an emergency stop.

In terms of passive safety, the bodyshell is constructed using a high percentage (57 per cent) of ultra high-tensile steel and features numerous improvements to enhance impact resistance. New transverse cross-members are fitted to link the front and rear suspension mounts, new pressings link the rear trunk floor to the tailgate opening and the rear roof rail is connected to the C-pillars and a new floor cross-member to create an extremely strong ’safety ring’.

Side impact protection is enhanced with 50 per cent thicker door beams, plus a stronger roof cross-member between the B-pillars and side sills made from ultra high-tensile steel.

Each new cee’d is fitted with six airbags as standard – front, front side and full length curtain. Pedestrian safety is improved with the adoption of collapsible headlamps, a stiffer lower bumper lip, and shock-absorbing structures in the hood and its hinges.

The brand new flagship K9 is the last Kia saloon car to be added to the K family. The letter K, shared by the words Kia and Korea, identifies the concepts of Kratos (power, dominion and kingdom) and Kinetic (dynamism, vitality) in the Greek and English vocabularies. The Kia K9 will be introduced later this year on the Korean market and it is the first car by this brand equipped with rear-wheel drive. At launch it will be offered with either a 3.8 V6, a 4.6 V8, or a 5.0 V8, which summarise the ambitions and aims of a refined and well-kept saloon.

Aesthetically speaking, the K9 is recognisable by the stylish tiger nose front grill, the full-LED headlights and the twin rear exhaust, plus a few more pretentious details like the chrome insert wrapping the side glazing and the (Maserati style?) double socket above the front wheel. The flagship Kia will also be exported outside Korea with a different name, following the example of the K5 and K7 converted into Optima and Cadenza.

From the beginning of 2013 Kia will market a new medium-size MPV and to confirm this there are these spy shots which have been taken during a test carried on the vehicle on snowy ground. The Kia Cee’d based MPV 3 will be mounting the same engines of the Kia Cee’d - 1.6 and 2.0 l petrol as well as 1.7 and 2.0 diesel - its passenger compartment will accomodate either 5 or 7 people and it’s style will be more conventional than Hyundai’s people carrier.

Kia MPV 3 can’t be traced back to any prototype unlike the Hyundai ix30 - which has been developed around the HED-5 iMode Concept displayed at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show - and its most likely competitors will be the Ford C-Max, the Mazda5 and the Volkswagen Touran.

A mule of the face-lifted Kia Sorento has been photographed while undergoing some cold weather testing. The pictured prototype still wears quite some heavy camouflage and has been spotted carrying out the test alongside an Audi Q5 and a Mercedes GLK, which might hint at the fact that the South Korean engineers are currently working to make the new Sorento up to the standards of its most prestigious German competitors.

The pictured mule sports new LED running day lights and, probably, newly designed head lamps too. The new front bumper is still hidden, but we would expect it to be quite similar to what we have seen on the new Kia Cee’d. Same goes for the tail lights.

As for the engine line-up, it isn’t clear whether the current units will be confirmed or not. Powertrain options for the ongoing Sorento’s generation include a 2.4-litre 4-cylider CVVT petrol engine delivering 175 hp and a 2.2-litre CRDI VGT diesel engine producing 197 hp, both of which can come in front- or all-wheel drive configurations.

South Korean manufacturer Kia releases new official images of the Track’ster concept, a prototype styled at its own Design Studio in California and described as a one-of-a-kind sporty crossover delivering unbelievably high performance. This intriguing model is being introduced to the public right now at the ongoing 2012 Chicago Auto Show, and has quickly become one of the most sought-after models of the event. This concept is supposed to be an anticipation of a future production model that combines sporty aesthetics with some quite original and peculiar technical feature, but for some reason we doubt it will be as cool as this concept.

To start with, its 2-tone Whiteout and Inferno Orange color scheme seems to be absolutely spot-on. The front end has a massive air intake placed right in the middle of the front bumper, full LED fog-lights as well as modern looking head lamps, while its exclusive 19″ alloys are fitted with Michelin performance tyres and Brembo brakes. The grille is quite reminiscent of Kia’s most recent production and the shape of the sides provides the vehicle with a quite athletic feeling. Under the bonnet we have a 2.0-litre turbocharged unit coupled with a 6-speed manual gearbox that produces 250 hp, which is a staggering 66% more than the most powerful engine currently available in the production Kia Soul’s line-up.

At the back we have the tail lights that are integrated in the rear window and a grille that retrieves the shape of the one at the front with a pair of mufflers at its sides. The sharp air-outlets on the sides of the car complete the wicked look of this concept. Inside Kia Track’ster Concept there are only two seats, with spare wheel, fire extinguisher and storage bays in place of the rear bench, just like in a rally car. However, the red/white/gray theme continues in the cabin too, and from what we can see the overall look of dashboard, wheel panels and all is just as harmonious and well-thought as the exterior. To find out more about Kia Track’ster Concept, see the official Press Release after the jump.

View the full Kia Track’ster Concept photo gallery

KIA DREAMS BIG WITH TRACK’STER CONCEPT CAR UNVEIL AT 2012 CHICAGO AUTO SHOW

Performance Concept Kick Starts Driving Enthusiasts’ Hearts

• World debut of high-performance Soul-based concept

• Aggressive design, all-wheel drive and 250 horsepower make for a driver’s dream

CHICAGO, February 8, 2012 – What happens when a dream becomes reality? In the case of the Kia Track’ster concept unveiled at today’s Chicago Auto Show, car enthusiasts begin to salivate. Amid the driving rhythm of heavy-metal music, smoke and blinding lights, Kia Motors America (KMA) took the wraps off a performance-oriented three-door Soul coupe concept that hints at what could possibly be the future of Kia’s wildly successful Soul.

“The idea was to make the Track’ster tough looking, like a bulldog,” said Tom Kearns, chief designer for KMA. “But the car had to be approachable as well. We wanted to base the car in reality so people instantly knew it was a Soul, but with a lot of attitude. It had to be a bold interpretation that would change people’s conceptions of what a sporty Kia could be.”

Mission accomplished.

The bold attitude Kearns refers to starts with the eye-catching Whiteout and Inferno Orange paint scheme. While the white portrays complex layers and shades that contribute to dramatic depth, the orange is perfectly suited for racing. Kia’s signature grille features an air intake slit and is trimmed in lightweight carbon fiber. Smoothly integrated head lights sweep back suggestively over the sculpted front-wheel arches. The deeply recessed lenses echo the trapezoid themes found throughout the Track’ster and are accented with compelling LEDs.

Most striking up front is the Track’ster’s lower intake grille. Flanked by immense LED driving lights with billet aluminum surrounds, the Track’ster is capable of swallowing prodigious amounts of air to keep the engine running cool even under the most grueling conditions. The lower valance, trimmed in carbon fiber and accented with Inferno Orange, rides just inches off the ground and lends to the car’s menacing stance.

The Track’ster is not just another pretty face; it has a body to match. Sculpted surfaces seem to flow into each other naturally. The flanks are smooth but accented with well-defined wheel enclosures. Tucked beneath the Track’ster’s hips are custom HRE-K1 monoblock billet performance wheels that were a joint effort of Kia’s California design team and HRE. The wheels are wrapped in 245/40-19-inch front and massive 285/35-19-inch rear Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 high-performance tires. The wheelbase on the concept is stretched to 101.2 inches, almost an inch longer than the production Soul. As expected on a car with the Track’ster’s performance intentions, large 14-inch Brembo vented and cross-drilled disc brakes are embraced by six-piston calipers in front and 13.6-inch discs are paired with four-piston calipers at the rear.

Soul fans will instantly recognize the Track’ster’s angled roof, accented with Inferno Orange. Closer inspection reveals this concept, while Soul inspired, is missing the production car’s rear doors. The front doors have been lengthened and adorned with smooth billet push-style handles which echo the racing-inspired billet fuel filler door. Carbon fiber lower side valances also are accented in Inferno Orange and incorporate functional rear-brake cooling ducts. The back hatch incorporates a horizontal Inferno Orange “backpack” panel that accentuates the Track’ster’s 75.5-inch width, which is more than five inches wider than a production Soul.

With performance as the top priority, the Track’ster rolls into Chicago with a concept drivetrain sure to kick start any driving enthusiast’s heart. KMA’s design team dreamed big, but also kept their vision firmly rooted in reality. A 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine pumps 250 horsepower to the pavement, a 66 percent increase over that of the production Soul. Power is routed to all four wheels via an electronically controlled four-wheel-drive system. The short-throw six-speed manual transmission is capped with a stubby spherical shift lever. The Track’ster rides on a lowered sport suspension tuned for track performance.

Opening the driver’s door reveals a light and airy interior highlighted with deeply bolstered Inferno Orange suede-covered racing seats. Granite Gray leather envelopes the interior landscape and imparts a feeling of strength and stability. Granite Gray suede wraps the sport steering wheel and door panels. Located deep within red-glowing nacelles, the primary instruments are large and easily readable. Auxiliary vehicle information such as oil temperature and battery voltage is found atop the dash panel while navigation, entertainment and HVAC controls are accessed through a large touch-screen panel located just above the engine Start/Stop push-button.

Behind the front seats is where Track’ster takes a significant step away from its Soul stable mate. The rear seats have been removed and replaced with a fully integrated equipment tray and spare-tire well. “We saw the Track’ster as a performance-inspired concept that could spend time on the road and racetrack,” said Kearns. “The idea was to make the tools and equipment necessary to keep the car performing in top condition easily accessible.” Large paneled bins stow racing gear such as helmets, suits, gloves and tools while emergency supplies are housed within a separate and highly visible Inferno Orange container. A custom rear strut brace incorporates a quick-release handle to allow for fast wheel changes.

While there are no current plans to produce the Track’ster, Kia’s California design center team enthusiastically took on the project. “Concept cars are icing on the cake,” said Kearns. “They allow KMA’s design team to dream about what could be. Whether that dream becomes a reality or not is a separate question.”

Kia’s Unprecedented Growth
Kia Motors is the one of the world’s fastest moving global automotive brands; from 2009-2011 Kia launched more new vehicles in the U.S. than any other automaker, and under the guidance of chief design officer, Peter Schreyer, earned a reputation as an industry leader in automotive styling. Kia Motors America’s full line of fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive cars and CUVs has earned critical acclaim and dramatically increased consumer awareness, perception and consideration for the brand. In 2011, KMA recorded its 17th consecutive year of market share growth, thanks in part to the largest increase of any major brand in perceived quality and the industry’s highest brand loyalty ranking. Kia’s U.S.-based manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia – KMMG – is responsible for the creation of more than 10,000 plant and supplier jobs and builds the company’s two best-selling vehicles in the U.S. – the Sorento CUV and Optima midsize sedan. Kia’s value and technology-laden 2012 model year lineup also includes the Sportage compact CUV, Soul urban passenger vehicle, Optima Hybrid, Forte compact sedan, Forte 5-door compact hatchback, Forte Koup two-door coupe, all-new Rio and Rio5-door sub-compacts and Sedona minivan.

About Kia Motors America
Kia Motors America is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 755 dealers throughout the United States and serves as the “Official Automotive Partner of the NBA.” In 2011, KMA recorded its best-ever annual sales total and became one of the fastest growing car companies in the U.S. Kia is poised to continue its momentum and will continue to build the brand through design innovation, quality, value, advanced safety features and new technologies.

Information about Kia Motors America and its full vehicle line-up is available at its website – www.kia.com. For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com.

The heavily disguised mule featured in these spy shots from Northern Sweden is the new Kia K9, a new sedan based on the same rear wheel drive platform of the Hyundai Genesis that some people on the internet call ‘the South Korean answer to the Maserati Quattroporte‘. That’s a bit of an exaggeration, isn’t it? Still, the next flagship for the Korean manufacturer will come with an engine line-up that does sound quite promising: a 3.8-litre V6 delivering 333 hp, a 4.6-litre V8 delivering 385 hp and also a 5.0-litre V8 producing 429 hp. The V8 units will be available in North America only while a diesel powertrain is also in the works to rise more interest among European motorists. The new K9 will come with a standard 8-speed automatic transmission, but a 10-speed gearbox option is also being developed.

Rumor has it that the car will eventually adopt the name ‘Opirus’ and will complete Kia’s three-box line up that features the Forte (C-segment), Optima/K5 (D-segment) and Cadenza/K7 (E-segment). Aesthetically, this car seams to bear some resemblance with the GT Concept we had seen at the latest Frankfurt Motor Show (see gallery below), while the headlights seem to be using full-Led technology. Kia K9/Oprusl is expected to debut by the end of the current year.

View the full Kia K9 spy shots photo gallery
View the full Kia GT Concept at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show photo gallery

The commercial starring the new Kia Soul that got aired during the recent XLVI SuperBowl was nothing new as it was honored by the Nielsen Automotive Advertising Awards as“Automotive Ad of the Year” last June. This ad is staged in a modern day metropolis populated by hamsters, where a few of them dressed up as hip-hop stars hang around in the city with their new South Korean crossover, with a background tune blasting off the speakers. Surely a nice ad that deserved a re-run.

The Kia Soul was unveiled at the latest New York Motor Show and is available with either a 122 hp 1.6-litre engine coupled with a 5-speed manual transmission or a 2.0-litre unit producing 142 horsepower that can be mated to a the same 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic transmission.