Kia K9, 2013

 

 

 

•  Kia K9, 2013

Kia's all-new luxury flagship saloon, the Kia K9, has gone on sale in Korea, introducing Kia to an entirely new segment of the global automotive market. The striking new rear-wheel drive  launched in a number of key overseas markets starting in the fourth quarter of 2012.

With a 5,090 mm overall length and 3,045 mm wheelbase, Kia K9 offers generous front and rear occupant space. Overall width and height are 1,900 mm and 1,490 mm, respectively, which creates a spacious cabin environment.

Kia K9 available in some overseas markets powered by an upgraded 290 ps Lambda V6 3.8-litre MPI engine, with a 334 ps 3.8-litre GDI engine joining the global engine line-up in 2013.

The all-new saloon premiere a range of advanced luxury features and technologies, including fully adaptive all-LED headlamps, Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), radar-based Blind-Spot Detection (BSD), a 17-speaker Lexicon (by Harman) sound system, Smart Cruise Control (SCC) and an Around-View Monitor (AVM) with four cameras.

Every K9 comes with Kia's all-new eight-speed automatic transmission. The wide spread of gear ratios guarantees brisk acceleration and high-speed refinement, while shift-by-wire (SBW) technology with a joystick control delivers fast, smooth gear changes.

K9 is Kia's first rear-wheel drive sedan. It boasts Kia's "best of the best" design, driving performance and high technology capabilities and is regarded as one of 2012's most eagerly anticipated all-new models in both Korean and overseas markets.

The model's Korean market name, K9, will complete Kia's domestic market "K" series range of passenger cars, whose members also include the front-wheel drive K5 (Optima in overseas markets) and K7 (Cadenza in overseas markets) sedans.

The letter "K" represents not only Kia and the company's home country of Korea, but also refers to the Greek word "Kratos" (meaning powerful, domination and reign) and the English word "Kinetic" (meaning active, dynamic).

The "K" series trio of sedans is a strong statement of Kia's determination to offer consumers the broadest product line-up and establish itself as a major presence in the global automotive industry through ceaseless innovation and technological developments.

The Kia K9's exterior gives solid form to the recently released sketches of the new model, and presents its design concept, "high-tech luxury sedan" image, with futuristic, sophisticated and distinctive charisma.

Kia K9 is the latest continuation of Kia's evolving design DNA, carrying its family-look radiator grille, bold "high-tech luxury car" style LED headlamps, with classic design echoes in its voluminous hood. Viewed from the front, Kia K9 presents an imposing and characterful image.

Furthermore, the sophisticated and bold profile with its simple but strong character line and the innovative and stable rear view with its high-tech LED combination lamps, luxurious chrome garnish and bumper-integrated muffler, completes the parameters for whole new level of luxury car design.

Kia Ceed SW, 2013

 

 

 

 

•  Kia Ceed SW, 2013

Just three months after the arrival of the stylish all-new Kia cee'd hatchback a second model joins the family - the Kia cee'd Sportswagon. Replacing the former Kia Ceed SW, it introduces a new model name which perfectly captures the new car's character: adventurous, sporty, modern and technologically advanced, but with even more of the practicality and value which made its predecessor a major success in the UK fleet and business market.

The Kia cee'd Sportswagon was revealed alongside the cee'd hatchback at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, and matches it throughout for style, quality, technology, equipment and safety. Like its predecessor, it was designed and engineered at Kia's Frankfurt design studios and technical centre, and is made at the company's Žilina plant in Slovakia. The cee'd Sportswagon is exclusively for European markets.

The Kia Ceed SW has been one of Kia's leading models in the fleet market, and this year it is outselling the hatchback among business users. With more daring styling and advanced technology features, the cee'd Sportswagon is expected to have even more widespread appeal among user-choosers.

With the fleet market so dominant, the cee'd Sportswagon will be sold exclusively in the UK with advanced and highly efficient turbodiesel engines. With their high torque outputs and low operating and running costs, they are ideally suited to the heavy loads and high mileages often inflicted on estate cars by business operators.

The entry-level 89bhp 1.4 CRDi engine develops 220Nm of torque from just 1500rpm, while the 126bhp 1.6 CRDi raises the torque output to 260Nm from only 1900rpm. Both transmissions, including the automatic offered with the 1.6-litre engine, are six-speed units, while manual-gearbox models are fitted with Kia's Intelligent Stop & Go (ISG) fuel-saving, emissions-reducing engine stop/start technology.

As a result the 1.4-litre Kia cee'd Sportswagon is capable of 67.3mpg and has CO2 emissions as low as 109g/km, which means a Benefit-in-Kind (BIK) taxation rate of 15 per cent in 2012-13. Manual 1.6-litre versions, with CO2 emissions of 116g/km, fall into the 17 per cent BIK band, and are almost as sparing in their use of fuel, with official combined economy of 64.2mpg. With prices starting at £16,895 and rising to £24,795, and low maintenance and insurance costs, the new Kia cee'd Sportswagon will be an inexpensive car to run for business motorists and fleet operators, as well as private consumers.

Practical matters
On a practical level the new Kia cee'd Sportswagon will also appeal to those looking for a stylish and capacious estate car with the smallest possible footprint. At just over 4.5 metres long the Kia cee'd Sportswagon is more compact than its major European rivals, and just 15mm longer than the cee'd SW. Yet it offers greater luggage capacity than the majority of the competition - 528 litres up to the load cover with all seats upright and 1642 litres up to the roof with the 60:40 split rear seats folded flat.

Ease of loading has also been taken into consideration. The boot floor is flush with the tailgate opening and 60:40 split rear seat bases and backrests fold to ensure a completely flat load deck. Every version of the Kia cee'd Sportswagon has an under-floor storage compartment and side load areas, a retractable luggage cover, load-securing net hooks, a boot light and a 12-volt boot-mounted power socket.

Higher-specification models also have sliding aluminium luggage area rails and straps plus a high-level luggage barrier net to secure objects and prevent them from falling into the passenger compartment. Roof rails are standard on every model so that extra cargo can be carried outside the car. The cee'd Sportswagon has a payload of up to 500kg and can tow a braked trailer of 1500kg (manual versions).

Putting the 'sports' into Sportswagon
To ensure that the cee'd Sportswagon has the lean, lithe silhouette that its name suggests, it is not only a fraction longer than the previous cee'd SW but also 10mm narrower and 40mm lower, while still managing to offer full five-seater family space. Unusually for an estate car in its class, it has different rear doors to the cee'd hatchback so that the stylish upward sweep of the lower window graphic can continue all the way to the rear of the car without making the cabin dark or claustrophobic for passengers travelling in the back.

As with the new cee'd hatchback, the wheelbase - one of the longest in class at 2650mm - is unchanged, but the track widths have increased by 17mm at the front and 27mm at the rear to give the car a sportier stance and, along with revised suspension geometry, greater high-speed stability and cornering prowess. The cee'd Sportswagon remains unusual in its class in having fully independent front and rear suspension, with inherent advantages for ride and handling. These have been honed even further in the new car.

The Kia cee'd Sportswagon has a more sporty and premium look and feel than its predecessor, emphasised by its radically different proportions. It has a more cab-forward design and a rakish, coupé-like roofline which gives it a sportier stance and greater presence. Even the Kia badge is new - simpler, sleeker and more modern, with 'Kia' script in a raised section. At the front it is now mounted on the bonnet rather than in the radiator grille - another premium-class upgrade.

No stone has been left unturned in the quest to ensure the cee'd Sportswagon is more than a match for its European rivals. Every detail of the previous model came under scrutiny. If something needed to be changed, it was. One seemingly insignificant detail is the fuel-filler flap. In the Far East and America buyers like a separate release lever inside the car, while Europeans prefer it to be linked to the central locking system so that it can be opened with just a push - so that's what you will find.

European quality, safety and technology
The improvements in quality in the cee'd Sportswagon are actual as well as perceived. The tight shutlines would not look out of place on a premium-price luxury car, while most versions have an elegant chrome window surround. The entry-level model has a chromed grille surround, while all other versions have a graphite chrome surround with a black high-gloss mesh grille.

First impressions are matched when stepping into the cabin. Soft-touch surfaces, high-quality materials and lidded storage areas, subtle red ambient lighting, tactile door grab handles and precise panel gaps combine to give the interior of the cee'd Sportswagon a solid, mature, made-from-a-mould feel. This is emphasised by the improved refinement of the latest car. Torsional body strength has been increased by 51 per cent over the previous model. The windscreen is now bonded in rather than mounted in a seal, thus shutting out more exterior noise and adding to body rigidity. There is more filling in the pillar areas, new-style weather strips around the door frames, restyled door mirrors and thicker front door glass. All play a part in adding to refinement. Even the sealing strips on the door sills have been modified to make it more difficult for noise to enter the cabin.

The stiffer bodyshell is the result of a comprehensive package of reinforcements in critical areas with the aim of making the new Kia cee'd Sportswagon not just among the most efficient in its class, but also the safest. In total, 57 per cent of the new body is made from high-tensile steel, with ultra-high-tensile steel in the B-pillar structures.

There is an i-type subframe with a more rigid front apron, dashboard and side members. Horizontal and centre tunnel supports have been added in the dash area. The A-pillars, inner door rail and upper and lower body structures have been reinforced. New transverse cross-members link the front and rear suspension mounts, while the angle of the front side crash members has been decreased for better deformation. And there is a ring-type support around the rear roof rail and tailgate opening. The cee'd Sportswagon also provides better pedestrian protection in the event of a collision, and is easier and cheaper to repair after a low-speed (9mph or lower) accident.

The extensive standard active and passive safety equipment of the previous generation cee'd SW - including Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Vehicle Stability Management (VSM), Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) and six airbags - has been supplemented with new features in the Sportswagon. All versions have Emergency Stop Signalling (ESS), which causes the rear brake lamps to flash in an emergency stop to alert following drivers. Depending on model, static and active cornering lights, a colour reversing camera, a Parallel Park Assist System (PPAS) which automatically steers the car into kerbside spaces and a Lane Departure Warning System are also available.

Driver and passenger comfort have also been substantially upgraded. Most models now have a Flex Steer function within the standard Motor Driven Power Steering with three settings - Comfort, Normal and Sport - so that the level of assistance can be increased when parking and decreased to make the car more stable at highway speeds.

An electronic parking brake, a heated steering wheel, automatic lights and wipers, larger vents to deliver more air to the rear footwells, dual-zone automatic air conditioning with soft and fast air-flow modes, 10-way adjustable driver's memory seat and electric lumbar support are all new features for Kia's mid-sized estate car.

The audio systems have been upgraded and are now fully integrated into the dash for a higher-quality appearance, and feature improved functionality. They incorporate Bluetooth with voice recognition in 10 languages and music streaming, iPod connectivity through the original iPod cable and 600Mb of MP3 memory within the head unit. The high-grade Audio plus Navigation system now has a 20 per cent more powerful control unit and permits voice recognition in 13 languages, full UK postcode entry when setting navigation instructions, Traffic Messaging Channel information and full phone number download from the owner's mobile telephone.

The Kia cee'd Sportswagon in the UK
The cee'd Sportswagon is available in four trim grades - named '1', '2', '3' and '4' in the now-customary Kia UK fashion - with the option of a '4 Tech' version of the cee'd Sportswagon '4'.

All models from the '1' feature a comprehensive list of standard equipment, including luggage area under-floor tray and side tray, a retractable and removable load cover, a boot light and a rear 12-volt power socket and roof rails. Also standard are electrically adjustable heated door mirrors, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment and a height-adjustable driver's seat, air conditioning, steering wheel-mounted controls, front electric windows with auto up and down function, daytime running lights, remote central locking, cooled glovebox, flat-folding 60:40 split rear seats, ambient front lighting, an iPod-compatible audio system with radio and CD player, USB port and Bluetooth connectivity, ESC and VSM, HAC (Hill-start Assist Control), six airbags, speed-sensitive auto door locking and alloy wheels on all 1.6-litre versions.

cee'd Sportswagon '2' adds cornering lights, LED daytime running lights and rear combination lamps, electrically folding and heated door mirrors with LED indicators and kerbside lights, leather trim on the steering wheel, gearshifter and handbrake, greater use of chrome highlights, a rear centre armrest, all-round electric windows, luggage net, cruise control with speed limiter, reversing sensors and the Flex Steer function.

cee'd Sportswagon '3' has in addition privacy glass, automatic headlights with a 'follow-me-home' function, rain-sensing front wipers with de-icing elements, a height-adjustable front passenger's seat, electric lumbar support on both front seats, black and silver seat cloth, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, dual-zone automatic air conditioning with two-step air-flow control and a seven-inch touchscreen satellite navigation with European mapping, UK postcode entry with built-in colour reversing camera.

cee'd Sportswagon '4' introduces the luggage area rail and partition system and barrier net, larger (17-inch) alloys, exterior illumination on the front door handles, black leather seats with contrasting grey inserts and three-stage heating, a heated steering wheel and electronic parking brake, an engine stop/start button and smart entry system, rear air ventilation, a premium centre console with sliding cover and a speed and multi-function LCD high-definition colour display, while the cee'd '4 Tech' is distinguished by its panoramic sunroof, 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat with memory, Parallel Park Assist System including front parking sensors, Lane Departure Warning System and Xenon adaptive front lighting system with automatic levelling.

As with every Kia, the new cee'd Sportswagon comes with a fully transferable seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty.

KIA cee'd SPORTSWAGON: BUSINESS CLASS
The Kia Ceed SW has been one of Kia's leading models in the fleet market, and this year it is outselling the hatchback four-to-one among business users. With more daring styling and advanced technology features, the new cee'd Sportswagon is expected to have even more widespread appeal among user-choosers.

The success of Kia's compact estate car in the business market has been built not just on price but also on its value-for-money specification, and this is even more evident with the more highly equipped cee'd Sportswagon.

Even the entry-level cee'd Sportswagon '1' leaves nothing to be desired. Highlights of the standard specification include electrically adjustable heated door mirrors, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment and a height-adjustable driver's seat, air conditioning, steering wheel-mounted controls, Bluetooth, an iPod-compatible audio system and alloy wheels on all 1.6-litre versions.

Further up the range, cornering lights, cruise control with speed limiter, reversing sensors, Flex Steer, automatic headlights and front wipers, dual-zone automatic air conditioning, a seven-inch touchscreen satellite navigation system, leather seats, a speed and multi-function LCD full colour display, a panoramic sunroof, 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat with memory, a Parallel Parking Assist System, Lane Departure Warning and Xenon adaptive front lighting are fitted, depending on model.

And as with every Kia, the new cee'd Sportswagon comes with a seven-year, 100,000-mile fully transferable warranty.

With the fleet market so dominant, the cee'd Sportswagon will be sold exclusively in the UK with advanced and highly efficient turbodiesel engines. With their high torque outputs and low operating and running costs they are ideally suited to the heavy loads and high mileages often inflicted on estate cars by business operators. The 1.4-litre CRDi turbodiesel engine is new to Kia's compact estate model, while the 1.6-litre CRDi turbodiesel develops 5Nm more than that in the previous Kia Ceed SW.

Six-speed gearboxes become standard across the range. Manual-gearbox models are fitted with Kia's Intelligent Stop & Go (ISG) fuel-saving stop/start technology, which means improved fuel economy, lower CO2 emissions and a Benefit-in-Kind (BIK) taxation of 15 per cent for the 1.4 CRDi and 17 per cent for the manual 1.6 CRDi in 2012-13.

With prices starting at £16,895 and rising to £24,795, fuel economy of well over 60mpg for all manual models and low maintenance and insurance costs, the new Kia cee'd Sportswagon will be an inexpensive car to run for business motorists, fleet operators and retail customers.

Servicing
Routine servicing is needed only once a year or every 20,000 miles for both petrol and diesel versions.

Care-3 - Kia's servicing package for retail customers - is available for the cee'd Sportswagon and offers a fixed cost and inflation-proof servicing for the first three or five years. All work will be carried out by trained product technicians, using genuine Kia replacement parts and specified oils.

The Care-3 package is just £299 including VAT, which covers the first three services, while the Care-3 Plus package is £549 including VAT which covers the first five services.

Both packages are transferable should the vehicle be sold, and if a vehicle with a Care-3 package is sold on the new next owner may upgrade to the five-year service package. The cost of the vehicle's first MoT test fee can be included for an additional £30.

EUROPEAN BY DESIGN
The cee'd family is fundamental to Kia's policy of creating specific cars in and for the markets where they are sold, and the Kia Ceed SW and new cee'd Sportswagon perfectly illustrate that. While there is little or no appetite for estate cars in the Korean domestic market, Kia recognises their importance in Europe, and planned one right from the start of the design stage for the first cee'd family.

The cee'd range is designed and engineered at Kia's Frankfurt design studios and technical centre, and is made at the company's Žilina plant in Slovakia. It is sold exclusively in European markets. From the outset, it was therefore imperative that it was seen as European - not just in styling and ride and handling, or through the availability of state-of-the-art diesel engines, but also in the hundreds of small details which separate European preferences from those in other parts of the world.

Haptics - how things feel and move - and ergonomics, the placement of controls and inter-relation between them, were of paramount importance and played a large part in the design. Europeans like handwheel-type seat adjusters because they offer a fine degree of backrest angle variation, for instance, and they prefer the indicator stalk on the left of the steering column rather than the right. The cee'd designers took note of this. In Europe, quality is also as much about how things feel and look as it is about durability, so the designers also addressed these issues.

For the new cee'd range there is an even finer amount of small detail to ensure the car is in many ways more European than its European competitors. No stone has been left unturned. Every detail of the previous model came under scrutiny. If something needed to be changed, it was. One seemingly insignificant detail is the fuel-filler flap. In the Far East and America buyers like a separate release lever inside the car, while Europeans prefer it to be linked to the central locking system so that it can be opened with just a push - so that's what you will find.

In cold, hard figures, the cee'd Sportswagon is 15mm longer, 10mm narrower and - partly as a result of a 10mm reduction in ride height - 40mm lower than its predecessor. The wheelbase, one of the longest in class at 2650mm, is unchanged, but the track widths have increased by 17mm at the front and 27mm at the rear to give the car a sportier stance and, along with the revised suspension geometry, greater high-speed stability and cornering prowess.

At just over 4.5 metres long the cee'd Sportswagon is more compact than all its major European rivals, yet it offers greater luggage capacity than any of them - 528 litres up to the load cover with all seats upright and 1642 litres up to the roof with the 60:40 split rear seats folded flat. This is 10 per cent more than at least one leading European estate car.

Ease of loading has also been taken into consideration. The boot floor is flush with the tailgate opening and the 60:40 split rear seat bases and backrests fold to ensure a completely flat load deck. Every version of the cee'd Sportswagon has an under-floor storage compartment and side load areas, a retractable luggage cover, load-securing net hooks, a boot light and a 12-volt boot-mounted power socket.

Higher-specification models also have sliding aluminium luggage area rails and straps plus a luggage barrier net to secure objects and prevent them from moving around in the rear. Roof rails are standard on every model so that extra cargo can be carried outside the car. The cee'd Sportswagon has a payload of up to 500kg and can tow a braked trailer of 1,500kg (manual versions).

The most obvious change between the Kia Ceed SW and the cee'd Sportswagon is found in their proportions. The new model has a more cab-forward design and a rakish, coupé-like roofline which gives it a sportier stance and greater presence, without impinging on the original car's outstanding passenger space. Unusually for an estate car in its class, it has different rear doors to the cee'd hatchback so that the stylish upward sweep of the lower window graphic can continue all the way to the rear of the car without making the cabin dark or claustrophobic for passengers travelling in the back.

Kia's Chief Design Officer Peter Schreyer says: 'We wanted to build on the strengths that have already made the first-generation model such a success, but with added emotion and character and improved proportions and stance.'

The athletic appearance of the new cee'd Sportswagon is emphasised by its significantly wider front and rear tracks and heightened by the availability of wheels of up to 17-inches in diameter, tightly encased by the stylish bodywork. With its steeply angled A-pillars, low belt line and emphatic glasshouse, the cee'd Sportswagon has something of a coupé-like profile, while the front is dominated by the latest interpretation of the Kia 'tiger-nose' grille flanked by wrap-around lamp clusters housing signature LED daytime running lights on the majority of models.

Even the Kia badge is new - simpler, sleeker and more modern, with 'Kia' script in a raised section. At the front it is now mounted on the bonnet rather than the radiator grille - another small, premium-class upgrade.

The aerodynamics have been improved so that the cee'd Sportswagon cuts through the air more efficiently at speed. The co-efficient of drag is 0.30. Even a tiny improvement in Cd brings measurable benefits in fuel economy. Kia aerodynamicists spent more than 100 hours in the wind tunnel at the company's research and development centre at Namyang, in Korea, to effect an improvement in the car's Cd.

Improvements in quality are actual as well as perceived. The tight shutlines would not look out of place on premium car, while most versions have an elegant chromed window surround. The entry-level model has a chromed grille surround, while all other versions have a graphite chrome surround with a black high-gloss mesh grille.

First impressions are matched when stepping into the cabin. The classy new key fob with metallised inserts is merely a foretaste of what is to come. Soft-touch surfaces, high-quality materials, damped sun visors and lidded storage areas, red ambient lighting, tactile door grab handles and precise panel gaps combine to give the interior of the new cee'd a solid, mature, made-from-a-mould feel. Even the operation of the tailgate has come in for scrutiny, and now features improved self-closing force.

The elevation in quality is emphasised by the improved refinement of the latest car. Torsional body strength has been increased by 51 per cent over the previous model, aided by a windscreen which is now bonded in rather than mounted in a seal, thus shutting out more exterior noise. There are new-style weather strips around the door frames, more filling in the pillar areas, restyled door mirrors and thicker front door glass. Even the sealing strips on the door sills have been modified to make it more difficult for noise to enter the cabin.

The driver-centric dashboard layout features intuitive controls clearly grouped, with superb attention to detail. Kia's familiar three-dial sporty instrument layout is enhanced by a speed and multi-function LCD full colour display on the '4' and '4 Tech' versions, while trim level '3' and above have the Audio and Navigation system with seven-inch touchscreen and built-in reversing camera.

There are newly shaped seats offering greater side support, with 10-way power-adjustment and memory on the driver's side in the '4 Tech'. Fin-style door grab handles, an asymmetric centre console surround framing a deep storage area, bright chrome highlights in the majority of models, soft-touch surfaces and padded door trims and storage boxes all attest to the attention to detail and enhanced quality of the cee'd Sportswagon.

In the UK the car is available with a choice of seven exterior colours, depending on version. The interior of cee'd Sportswagon '1' is trimmed in black 'Abstract' cloth, cee'd Sportswagon '2' is in black and silver 'Oval' cloth and cee'd Sportswagon '3' has either black or stone cloth - dependent on exterior colour, with a contrasting Mesh design and faux leather inserts. cee'd Sportswagon '4' and '4 Tech' have black leather upholstery with grey inserts.

RANGE FINDER
The new cee'd Sportswagon is available in four trim grades - named '1', '2', '3' and '4' in the now-customary Kia UK fashion - with the option of a '4 Tech' version of cee'd Sportswagon '4'.

All models from the '1' feature a comprehensive list of standard equipment, including luggage area under-floor tray and side tray, a retractable and removable load cover, a boot light and a rear 12-volt power socket. Also standard are electrically adjustable heated door mirrors, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment and a height-adjustable driver's seat, air conditioning, steering wheel-mounted controls, front electric windows, projection headlights, daytime running lights, remote central locking, a cooled glovebox, a flat-folding 60:40 split rear seat, ambient front lighting, an iPod-compatible audio system with radio and CD player, USB port and Bluetooth connectivity, ESP and VSM, HAC (Hill-start Assist Control), six airbags, speed-sensitive auto door locking and alloy wheels on all 1.6-litre versions.

cee'd Sportswagon '2' adds cornering lights, LED daytime running lights and rear combination lamps, electrically folding and heated door mirrors, leather trim on the steering wheel, luggage net, gearshifter and handbrake, greater use of chrome highlights, a rear centre armrest, all-round electric windows, cruise control with speed limiter, reversing sensors and the Flex Steer function.

cee'd Sportswagon '3' has in addition privacy glass, automatic headlights with a 'follow-me-home' function, rain-sensing front wipers with de-icing elements, a height-adjustable front passenger's seat, electric lumbar support on both front seats, dual-zone automatic air conditioning with two-step air-flow control and a seven-inch touchscreen satellite navigation with European mapping, full UK postcode entry and built-in colour reversing camera system.

cee'd Sportswagon '4' introduces the luggage area rail and partition system and barrier net, larger (17-inch) alloys, exterior illumination on the front door handles, black leather seats with contrasting grey inserts and three-stage heating, a heated steering wheel and electronic parking brake, an engine stop/start button and smart entry system, rear air ventilation, a premium centre console with sliding cover and a speed and multi-function LCD full colour display, while the cee'd '4 Tech' is distinguished by its panoramic sunroof, 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat with memory, Parallel Parking Assist System including front parking sensors, Lane Departure Warning System and Xenon adaptive front lighting with automatic levelling.

THE TECHNICAL STORY
From the outset the entire cee'd range has been roundly praised for its smooth and torquey engines, European driving dynamics - aided by the comparative rarity in the C-segment of independent multi-link rear suspension where most rivals have a simple twist beam - and refined driving manners. But Kia is not a company to rest on its laurels. Every single aspect of the powertrains, running gear and noise suppression measures has come under scrutiny to see if it could be made better. The result is a comprehensive package of changes that has made the performance, economy, driveability, ride and handling and NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) of the cee'd Sportswagon better than that of its predecessor.

With the fleet market so important to sales of Kia's compact estate car, the cee'd Sportswagon will be sold exclusively in the UK with advanced and highly efficient turbodiesel engines. With their high torque outputs and low operating and running costs they are ideally suited to the heavy loads and high mileages often inflicted on estate cars by business operators.

Completely revised suspension and steering geometry and tuning have preserved the outstanding handling of the Kia Ceed SW while adding greater finesse to the ride of the Sportswagon. A variable-assistance Flex Steer system is standard on the majority of models, allowing greater personalisation and a set-up to suit any owner, whether the car is being driven in crowded town streets or on fast highways. There has been a major step forward in NVH, too, thanks to a minutely detailed inspection of all areas of the car. The outcome of all this is that the cee'd Sportswagon is more enjoyable to drive and quieter to ride in and has a more mature, more premium feel.

Kia Ceed, 2013

 

  

 

•  Kia Ceed, 2013

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.

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 Kia cee'd 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 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 Kia 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.

Kia Carens, 2013

 

 

 

 

•  Kia Carens, 2013

The all-new Kia Carens is a completely fresh model from the ground up, and its sleek and sculpted design marks a dramatic shift away from the more utilitarian look of its predecessor.

It builds on the functionality and versatility of the original Kia Carens, with a spacious five or five-plus-two seating layout, a generously proportioned luggage bay and numerous stowage spaces, but wraps this family-friendly adaptability in more purposeful sheet metal.

Both Schreyer and Gregory Guillaume, Kia's Chief Designer Europe, are candid when discussing the design of the Kia Carens. "A vehicle like the Carens is probably one of the hardest of all to get right because we are very tightly constrained by the car's functionality," says Guillaume. "That packaging versatility cannot in any way be compromised by the design of the car because to do so would eradicate the car's raison d'être."

Schreyer and Guillaume's team created subtle styling cues to enhance the Kia Carens' elegant and balanced proportions and deliver an air of sophistication and refinement.

As an example Schreyer singles out the understated chrome strip that runs from the base of the windscreen, along the lower level of windows and curls up to meet the C-pillar. "This not only adds a premium feel to the clean-cut exterior, but also creates a visual link with the new Sportage, which features the same design motif," he explains.
 

The one of Schreyer's design goals was improved visibility - a key element for safe driving, particularly in congested urban areas. "The base of the windscreen is very low and this works with the front quarter windows and the low and wide sweeping dashboard design to deliver excellent visibility," explains Schreyer. The panoramic glass roof that floods the cabin with light further enhances this sense of spaciousness.

Similarly, the Kia Carens design team worked hard on ensuring the front and rear overhangs were kept as short as possible to boost manoeuvrability when parking and negotiating city traffic.

Neat touches abound - the integrated roof rails, the sleek rear spoiler, the three-way split second-row seats that feature individual fore and aft adjustment, and Kia's tactile new steering wheel.

Kia K2, 2012

• Kia K2, 2012

Kia Motors and its Chinese joint venture partner, Dongfeng Yueda Kia, unveiled the Kia K2 B-segment sedan at the 2011 Shanghai Motor Show - heralding the all-new Kia Rio due to arrive in Europe in the late summer of 2011.

Based on the platform of the all-new Kia Rio, which made its world premiere at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show in March, the new Kia K2 was designed and engineered specifically for the Chinese market and enter production at Dongfeng Yueda Kia's manufacturing facility in Jiangsu province starting this June. A 5-door hatchback of version of the Kia K2 commence production in August of this year.

Kia K2  positioned as a premium small car with advanced styling and upgraded levels of quality and performance, and is expected to be a highly competitive offering in a segment that accounts for 16 per cent of all new car sales in China.

Kia K2 represents the next phase in Kia's strategy to better satisfy customers in various regions of the world by developing and marketing products that reflect local tastes and needs. Following the introduction of the cee'd family of C-segment vehicles and Venga B-segment MPV, which were designed and engineered specifically for European customers, the new Kia K2 is a clear sign of Kia's commitment to become a leading automotive brand in China.

While sharing the same technical underpinnings as the all-new Rio, the K2 has been completely redesigned for the Chinese market, drawing on styling cues from the popular K5 sedan (known as 'all-new Optima' in many markets), including sophisticated lines that create a dynamic, bold and sophisticated exterior appearance.

The front view features Kia's signature "tiger nose" radiator grille and exudes a high-tech and bold image thanks to the innovative fog lamp design, large air intake and dynamic swept back headlamps. A side character line, side air vent and trunk edge line add to the sporty image of the Kia K2 while the rear view features a two-tone bumper and modern combination lamps.

The driver-focused futuristic interior conveys a spacious and comfortable feeling and drivers will enjoy a 3-cylinder supervision instrument cluster, cloth lined door panels, leather steering wheel, engine start-stop button and smart key.

Measuring 4,370 mm (overall length) by 1,700 mm (overall width) by 1,460 mm (overall height), the Kia K2 is longer, wider and lower than the previous generation Rio and boasts the longest wheelbase (2,570 mm) in its class. The expanded dimensions allow Kia K2 to claim best-in-class interior space and ample luggage capacity of 500 litres (VDA). Space utilisation is further enhanced thanks to the 60:40 split rear seat.

Kia K2 available to Chinese customers in six trim levels with either a 1.4-litre or 1.6-litre Gamma petrol engine mated to a manual or automatic transmission.

Kia Cadensa, 2011

Kia Cadensa, 2011

The Kia Motors Corporation has taken the wraps off its new Kia Cadenza, the production version of its VG concept car - an all-new saloon car designed to deliver refinement, safety and emotional satisfaction in an 'ideal' driving package.

A stylish luxury sedan, which is to be called 'Cadenza' in markets outside of Korea, will make its overseas premiere at motor shows in the Middle East, towards the end of the year.

The Kia Cadenza name is derived from an Italian musical term used to describe an elaborate, ornamental flourish for a concerto or aria. It perfectly symbolises the dynamic saloon's striking design philosophy and premium image.

Sporty and sleek in appearance, Kia Cadenza features a bold headlamp design with attention-grabbing LED surrounds and a purposeful, athletic character line. The prominent front grille and stylish tail-lights emphasise the car's high-tech feel and are a continuing expression of Kia's dramatic design DNA.

Inside, 

There is a futuristic 'floating' dashboard that highlights Kia's uniquely innovative design approach.
The welcome system turns on the exterior puddle and interior lights to 'greet' the driver, while the interior mood lighting strip, which runs along the dashboard to the door trim, creates a warm atmosphere within the vehicle.

The Kia Cadenza's dynamic design and driving performance, allied with a raft of competitive passenger-friendly high-tech features, will make it a leader in the large, luxury sedan market segment.

Luxury features will include a heated steering wheel for winter driving in cold countries, powered extendable seat cushions to give extra thigh support, automatic defogging of the windscreen and ventilated front seats providing cool comfort in hot countries.

The new Kia Cadenza will showcase the continuing evolution in Kia's striking design language through the harmonious blend of light and lines. It will also present a new concept in luxury sedans in terms of performance and technology.

Kia za is positioned above the existing Magentis model in Kia's global line-up but currently there are no plans to bring to vehicle to the UK.

Kia Motors (UK) Limited Managing Director Michael Cole commented: "Despite its striking appearance and high-tech engineering I do not believe this is the right time to try and extend our range into a sector of the market that is dominated by German brands. But Kia Cadenza shows clearly how Kia's design-led philosophy under Peter Schreyer is producing startling new products and it is clear from this car that our future new model programme - which starts next year with Venga and the all-new Kia Sorento - is going to continue the dramatic development of our brand in the UK."

Kia Venga, 2010

 

 Kia Venga, 2010

A Kia's stylish and uniquely spacious new premium.
Designed, engineered and manufactured in Europe, the 4,068 mm long Kia Venga features an unusually long wheelbase for its class of 2,615 mm - and a 1600 mm high roofline to maximise cabin space.

The Kia Venga redefines the category by offering levels of interior space typical of a larger C-segment vehicle, but within a B-segment footprint, and the engine in the Kia Venga line-up will be available with Kia's fuel-stretching Intelligent Stop and Go technology and will comply with Euro 5 emission standards.

The Kia Venga will be equipped with a sliding 60/40 split rear seat that also folds flat into the floor to create a spacious cargo bay and, a twin-level boot floor and depending on model a tilt-and-slide all-glass panoramic roof.

The recent economic turmoil - a fantastically flexible package providing big-car comfort and space within a compact package. It will offer our customers style, sophistication and refinement coupled with environmental economy.

Kia Soul, 2010

 

 

 

Kia Soul, 2010

The Edgy and Confident Exterior
The Kia Soul's exterior remains true to the original Kia Soul concept design implying power and strength. With an angled window line, rounded nose, large flared back headlamps and chrome grille, the Kia Soul is given a friendly face and exudes a youthful exuberance for coasting along the beach or cruising downtown city streets, redefining the concept of freedom.

The State-of-the-Art Interior
In the cabin is where Kia Soul really shows its power to surprise. For those who want a personal lounge on wheels or an efficient cargo carrier with 14 storage zones, Soul has it covered. While Kia Soul offers a relatively small footprint, it offers a surprisingly spacious interior. Passengers will find comfort in the roomy cabin. All five adult passengers will find ingress and egress simple and effortless, credited to tall doors and a high seating position, and each Kia Soul will be able to have its own personality thanks to multiple options for interiors with different colors, fabrics and audio system packages available for selection.
The Soul's interior design is decidedly influenced by the car's highly specified audio system. An uncluttered dashboard with a three-dial instrument cluster, LCD illumination, a floating center stack design is the key visual feature and offers enticing access to the AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system outfitted with SIRIUS Satellite Radio capabilities and three months complimentary service . Standard auxiliary and USB input jacks also can be found in the center console with full iPod® controllability via the audio head unit and steering wheel controls.

The standard interior features include a tilt steering column, power door locks, power windows with driver's side auto-down, map lamps and a rear wiper and washer. Stylishly appointed cloth seats provide comfortable seating while a 60/40 split-folding rear seat offers multiple seating and cargo arrangements depending on driver and passenger needs.

The Advanced Platform/Chassis
The Kia Soul is different, right down to its all-new platform. With its own distinctive style, Soul features front-wheel drive, a high roofline and an unusually long wheelbase. Built on a platform with a wheelbase of 100.4 inches, an overall length of 161.6 inches, an overall width of 70.3 inches and overall height of 63.4 inches the Soul offers a comfortable interior with roomy seating for up to five passengers. With more than 70 percent high-tensile-strength steel to enhance structural strength without adding a lot of weight, the all-new, Kia-engineered body achieves high torsional stiffness, benefiting handling, ride quality and refinement. Additional measures to help ensure good noise vibration and harshness (NVH) qualities are fitted throughout the Kia Soul.
Mounted on the front sub frame that supports the engine and transmission, the Kia Soul is fitted with a fully independent front and twist-beam rear suspension system, with front MacPherson struts and coil springs, designed to deliver responsive handling and an agile ride. In the rear, the Soul suspension is sub-frame-mounted with a transverse torsion beam axle with trailing arms for a smooth ride and minimum intrusion into the cargo space. For optimal space, the rear anti-roll stabilizer bar is mounted inside the torsion beam.

Under-the-Hood Options
The Kia Soul offers an agile, smooth and spirited ride. Its 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine is mated to a five-speed manual transmission, which produces approximately 120 horsepower. For those looking for a little more power, a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is available with either the five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission. The latter engine produces approximately 140 horsepower, and is available for Soul+, Soul! and Soul sport. Fuel economy for both engines is estimated at 30 or more miles per gallon.

The Standard Kia Safety Features
The Kia Soul continues to offer the same high level of standard safety equipment as all Kia vehicles, with features such as front seat active headrests, dual front advanced airbags, front seat-mounted and full-length side curtain airbags and a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). An antilock brake system (ABS) with electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD), electronic stability control (ESC), and rear disc brakes are standard on Soul+, Soul! and Soul sport models.