2011 kia picanto

Specifications prices Modifications and Image 2011 kia picanto
This is the new Kia Picanto, the Korean brand’s A-segment supermini. Back for its second generation, the new Picanto wears the current Kia styling courtesy of Peter Schreyer's design team. The Kia Picanto is available in three- and five-door body styles, and comes with a choice of three petrol engines: a pair of three-cylinder engines, one of which can run on LPG or petrol, and the 1.25-litre four cylinder. We’re driving the four-pot and the non-LPG triple.

INTERIOR
In the cabin the Picanto sports a dark cloth interior with a height adjustable driver’s chair. It’s well bolstered and comfortable but could prove too narrow for those with broader backs during longer journeys. In the back seat leg room is limited but no more than you’d expect in an A-segment car and with correct front seat adjustment two adults could ride in relative comfort. The Picanto’s four-door body shape makes it easy to get in and out of the rear seat.

Instrumentation is large and easy-to-read and the controls are laid out with the stereo and climate controls separated, but all switchgear is close at hand. The Picanto’s leather-trimmed steering wheel is a particular highlight in a two-spoke design and featuring various control buttons. Other standard equipment includes cupholders, passenger under seat storage tray, air-conditioning, CD stereo with Ipod and USB connectivity, electric windows all-round, trip computer and Bluetooth hands free. The top-spec EX Picanto gets extra fruit like a 6-speaker stereo system, reverse parking sensors and electric folding side mirrors with LED indicators. Overall, it’s a very livable cabin, the materials used aren’t particularly hard or plasticky and everything feels well screwed together. It’s very small but the available space is used smartly with helpful touches like seat back pockets, bottle-holding door bins and a 60:40 split rear seat.

EXTERIOR
In terms of exterior styling the new Picanto is a sharp-looker, it’s suitably cute but with a broad, sure-footed stance. Design features include a rising character line, corporate Kia ‘tiger-nose’ grille and uniquely shaped, vertical tailights. There’s a subtle hatch spoiler, front fog lights and daytime running lamps (with LED strips on the EX variant).Standard wheel fitment is 8-spoke 14-inch alloys on the LX and sporty 15-inch multi-spoke alloys on the EX.

Dimensionally it’s a very small car but the Picanto has seen a size increase of 60mm to 3.6 metres in length and a 15mm increase to its wheelbase. Luggage capacity has also grown to 200-litres in total capacity and there has been no change to the Picanto’s height or width compared to its predecessor.

ENGINE
Under the bonnet the Picanto’s new engine is larger than before. It’s a 4-cylinder 1248cc powerplant from Kia’s Kappa family of motors. Power output is rated at 64kW with 123Nm of torque. The LX base-model features a 5-Speed manual box while there’s a four-stage auto for both LX and EX variants. The Picanto is no pocket rocket, but has enough pep to keep up with traffic, it’s best suited for around town blasts but once up to speed its well settled. Off the line the lightweight 850kg Picanto takes 11 seconds to reach 100km/h with the manual transmission, in auto form that stretches out to 12.9 seconds. It needs to be worked hard to get any real performance but as a city car the powertrain is certainly capable.

Driving Impression

The Picanto drives very well, especially in four-cylinder trim. The engine zings eagerly, the gear change and steering are both light and easy, and engaging too, and the ride felt pretty good on our car’s 14-inch steel rims – a gentle loping rhythm with only a few secondary imperfections spoiling the show. It’s even refined at motorway speeds, and little bursts of acceleration are always on tap. It just feels right and instinctively in tune with itself.
source:www.carmagazine.co.uk,www.carandsuv.co.nz

Kia's US Sales Increase by 36% in the Second Quarter of 2011

Kia Motors’ global sales increased by 21% during the last quarter - that is from April to June- compared to the same period in 2010. South Korea’s second-largest carmaker sold 621,000 units in that period, largely due to the increase in US sales.

Kia’s progress in the American market was impressive as it recorded a 67% increase in profits and 36% in sales, largely due to the surge in sales of its new Optima sedan and Sportage SUV.

Japanese manufacturers’ shortages due to the production disruption brought by the March disaster that hit Japan may also be one of the reasons for Kia’s rise according to analyst at Seoul-based Dongbu Securities’ Yim Eun Young.

But as Japanese companies recover and Kia’s market share may shrink, Young notes that this doesn’t necessarily mean that Kia's sales volume will drop as well.

And he may be proven correct, as Kia has a strong new range of products and last month increased its US target for 2011. It also announced that it will begin producing the Optima at its US plant in Georgia from September.

2011 Kia Sportage 2008 Green launched wallpapers and review

2011 Kia Sportage 2008 Green launched wallpapers and review

2011 Kia Amanti 2004 car specification and first look review

2011 Kia Amanti 2004 car specification and first look review

2011 Kia Sorento 2011 Interior car specification and first look review

2011 Kia Sorento 2011 Interior car specification and first look review

2010 Kia Cerato Hatch car specification and first look review

2010 Kia Cerato Hatch car specification and first look review

2011 Kia Sportage

Specifications prices Modifications and Image  2011 Kia Sportage
With a new bodyshell, new engines and fresh, bold styling that introduces a new kind of dynamic aesthetics, the latest Kia Sportage is an urban-friendly compact SUV for today's families - consuming less fuel and emitting less CO2.

Longer, wider and lower than the previous model - by 90 mm, 15 mm and 60 mm respectively - the all-new design successfully retains the key SUV features - a commanding driving position, heightened sense of security and powerful road presence - that made the second-generation Kia Sportage so popular.

The second-generation Kia Sportage was introduced in 2004 and marked a huge step forward for Kia. Over the next six years, it attracted thousands of new customers to Kia, and achieved global sales of more than 860,000 units - including 150,000 units in Western Europe.

Now, under the direction of Kia's Chief Design Officer Peter Schreyer, the Kia design teams have created a third-generation Sportage incorporating Kia's new design DNA and many features from the 2007 Kia Kue concept car, to be immediately identifiable and to stand out from potential rivals in an increasingly crowded segment.

INTERIOR
South Korean siblings Hyundai and Kia are industry pacesetters for standard features and the 2011 Kia Sportage is a fine example. Every model comes with alloy wheels, air conditioning, and power windows, mirrors, and locks. Cruise control, tilt steering wheel, a height-adjustable driver’s seat, three 12-volt power outlets, and a 60/40 split/folding rear seat also are included. And while many rival crossover offer Bluetooth hands-free mobile phone connectivity and USB iPod interface only as options -- sometimes only on their higher priced models -- Kia makes them standard on all versions of the 2011 Sportage. It also throws in a digital-audio auxiliary plug and Sirius satellite-radio with three months free subscription. All 2011 Sportage models also have steering-wheel button controls for cruise, audio, and Bluetooth. The wheel is leather-wrapped on the EX model, which also adds a telescopic adjustment that’s optional for the LX. The LX and EX also come with remote keyless entry, and the EX is available with keyless ignition that allows pushbutton starting while the keyfob remains n a purse, pocket, or briefcase. Leather upholstery is optionally exclusive to the EX, as are heated front seats, a cooled driver’s seat, and a dual-pane panoramic sunroof with opening panel over the front seats. Optional for LX and EX is a voice-activated navigation system that includes traffic data, rearview camera, and rear parking sensors. It’s combined with an audio upgrade that, like the base unit, includes six speakers but adds a subwoofer and external amplifier. Kia teamed with Microsoft to develop a hands-free communication and entertainment system it calls UVO, for “Your Voice.” Standard on the EX and optional on the LX, UVO is basically an enhanced Bluetooth experience. It works through a dashboard screen to provide phone and text-message reception and response and can access and store music from a variety of digital sources. UVO’s talents stop just short of the Ford/Microsoft Sync system’s because it doesn’t offer turn by turn navigation instructions.

EXTERIOR
Like a futuristic European design, the Sportage looks like a smallish station wagon that was once exposed to too much human growth hormone and has ballooned to gargantuan proportions. Well that’s not true, but they have taken the station wagon feeling to heart at the Kia Design studios in California, where the Sportage was penned.

Thankfully, the days of totally body-colored are behind us. Including the Hot Wheels-inspired alloys, the Kia Sportage SX has just the right amount of bling to make it interesting. Scalloped side panels add character to the overall vehicle while the corporate identity of the grill immediately identifies this crossover as a Kia.

A strong rear presence at the C-pillars helps to strengthen the rear end. Finally it appears that Kia design chief Peter Schreyer is paying homage to where he came from (Audi) in the form of LED running lights that are visible on the front of the Sportage.

Everywhere we look, the fit and finish of the Sportage is excellent. Panel gaps are consistently tight, and the paint is flawless. We love the look and think it’s time for Kia to come sit with the big boys.

ENGINE
Hamsters seem to be the Kia brand’s mascot du jour, but you won’t find one of those pet exercise wheels under the hood. Instead, you’ll see an inline four-cylinder gas direct injection turbocharged engine. Sizing out at 2.0-liters, this turbocharged mill produces 256 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 264 lb-ft. of torque between 1,850 and 3,000 rpm, which in the grand scheme of things results in a relatively flat, if not especially wide, power band. Using a twin-scroll turbocharger allows for more efficient combustion and the elimination of most turbo lag.

A six-speed automatic transmission with Sportmatic gearshift selection, enables the driver to row it himself (or herself) as needed.

Suspension bits for the Sportage including now ubiquitous McPherson strut system with coil springs and stabilizer bar in front, and an independent MultiLink setup with stabilizer bar in the rear. The same motor power–assisted rack and pinion set up that is in the standard Sportage is found here, and offered really good feedback from the road.

All-wheel-drive is on the options list, but our Sportage was a strictly light-duty model with front-wheel-drive. The curb weight of this spooled-up Kia is 3,466 lbs. and the EPA tags mileage for the Sportage at 22/27 mpg, about what we saw during our evaluation.

SAFETY
Fitted as standard in most European countries, new safety features will include ESC with a new Roll-over Sensor that deploys the side airbags, curtain airbags and seatbelt pretensioners when required, Hillstart Assist Control to prevent roll-back when starting on an incline, Downhill Brake Control to limit speed during a steep descent and an ESS system which flashes the brake lights during an emergency.

A new rear-view safety camera providing on an LCD colour display integrated into the interior rear-view mirror will be available as an option on all models.
reference:iguida.com,www.leftlanenews.com,www.netcarshow.com

2011 Kia Soul

Specifications prices Modifications and Image 2011 Kia Soul
Whether or not the boxy-styled cars that straddle the line between SUV and hatchbacks are a passing fad or the shape of things to come remains to be seen. Just by the very nature of their squared-off silhouettes, they offer rather remarkable space and practicality, but the aesthetics typically leave much to be desired. The 2011 Kia Soul can be counted among these boxes on wheels, but it sets itself apart with more intriguing styling and fewer harsh corners.

Like the competition, the Kia Soul offers a long list of features and customization options. It also parts with convention with funky trim names like Soul + and Soul !. No, those aren't typos: The plus sign and exclamation point are indeed the trim levels. Features like an illuminated speaker surround that pulses with the music are certainly novelties aimed at the youth market, but the Soul also has some practical appeal. An affordable price and generous warranty are two of its more prominent attributes.

Kia's engineers also managed to infuse the Soul with peppy engine performance (at least on the upper trim levels) and sporty handling. Together, they make the Soul a surprisingly fun-to-drive small car that's still a cinch to maneuver around tight city confines in relative comfort. On the highway, last year's Soul had a choppy ride quality, but the new rear shock absorbers should at least partially remedy that problem.

INTERIOR
While the Kia Soul's interior is a model of practicality, there are plenty of youthful design touches and colors to spice things up. A podlike center stack protrudes from the dash, placing simple audio and climate controls within easy reach. Optional special upholstery and two-tone color schemes add a modern feel to the cabin, something missing in much of the Kia's competition.

There's no shortage of space inside, with high-mounted seats providing plenty of legroom for even the tallest passengers, while the tall, boxy roof line offers ample headroom. Luggage space behind the rear seats amounts to 19 cubic feet. Folding these seats flat kicks that figure up to 53 cubes. This is marginally less than the Honda Fit, several feet shy of the Nissan Cube and well short of the Scion xB's 70 cubic feet.

The Soul has seating for up to five with its front bucket seats and rear bench seat. The bench seat is split and can be folded down to expand the cargo area. Interior features include:

    *Standard air conditioning, tilt steering wheel, CD stereo with USB and auxiliary inputs
    *Standard cloth seats
    *Optional cruise control, keyless entry and height-adjustable driver's seat
    *Optional uplevel audio system

EXTERIOR
the Soul now features new projector headlamps with LED daytime running lights and revised tail lamps.

Two new paint colors – Canyon and Moss – are also added to the Soul’s design chart for 2012.
Featuring a rounded front end that's reminiscent of a Mini Cooper, the Soul has short front and rear overhangs and a fairly raked windshield. Exterior features include:

    *Standard 15-inch wheels
    *Optional 16- and 18-inch wheels
    *Optional moonroof
    *Optional rear spoiler and fog lights

 ENGINE
Base Souls will be rated at 34 mpg on the highway thanks to a 1.6-liter direct-injected four-cylinder. So-equipped Souls will only be offered with a six-speed manual, which will help make the most of the 135 horsepower and 121 lb-ft. of torque.

A six-speed automatic will be optional on the upgraded 2.0-liter four-cylinder. Putting out 160 horsepower and 143 lb-ft. of torque, this larger four will be standard on Soul+, Soul! and Soul Sport models.

The 1.6-liter is rated at 28 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway, while the 2.0-liter checks in at 27/33 mpg with either transmission.

SAFETY
Standard safety equipment for all 2011 Kia Soul models includes four-wheel antilock disc brakes with brake assist, active front head restraints, stability control, traction control, front side airbags and side curtain airbags.

The Kia Soul has not been rated using the government's new, more strenuous 2011 crash-testing procedure. Its 2010 rating (which isn't comparable to 2011 ratings) was a top five-star rating for frontal and side crash protection for both front seat occupants and four stars for side-impact protection for rear passengers. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the Soul its highest score of "Good" in its frontal offset, side-impact and roof-strength tests.
reference:www.edmunds.com,www.leftlanenews.com,www.cars.com

2011 Kia Sorento

Specifications prices Modifications and Image 2011 Kia Sorento
Within my first mile in the original Kia Sorento I couldn’t help but wonder, “Is that a live rear axle I feel?” I stopped the vehicle, peered beneath it and, sure enough, there it was. The Sorento looked like a car-based crossover, but body-on-frame construction, a two-speed transfer case, and a live rear axle dwelled beneath the Mercedes-inspired sheetmetal. The upshot: superior off-road capability, but subpar fuel economy and ride quality. Well, the Sorento has been redesigned, and as with the Sportage before it the trucky bits have been tossed in favor of a Hyundai car-based foundation. Specifically, the 2011 Kia Sorento is now a Hyundai Santa Fe beneath the surface. Now that it’s much like all of the others, why buy the Kia?

Ironically, the second-generation car-based Kia has more angular, and so truckier, exterior styling than the original did. It looks more upscale and sophisticated than the utterly forgettable Santa Fe, but doesn’t induce double takes. Inspiration has been drawn from many other SUVs, including those from Acura, BMW, and Lexus, such that this time there’s no clear source. But there’s nothing obviously Kia here aside from the badge, either.

Interior appearance is a matter of trim level. The design itself is fairly plain, with a detail lifted here and there from the Lexus RX. In base trim the interior ambiance borders on cheap. The EX Package 2’s perforated leather does much to make the interior a place worth spending some time in. Even then the interior only seems upscale if you don’t touch anything or look at it too closely. Kia has turned out nicer interiors in the past.

INTERIOR
Far more important to the Sorento buyer, we believe, is the ability to carry people and things in comfort without breaking the bank. Kia’s penchant for cramming a lot of features into a vehicle is demonstrated artfully in this crossover. The Sorento will be offered in base, LX, and EX forms, all of which get niceties such as a tilting-and-telescoping steering wheel, USB and aux inputs, Bluetooth connectivity, steering-wheel audio controls, and a full raft of safety equipment. EX versions add keyless ignition, rear parking assist, dual-zone climate control, and a list of luxury-grade options including navigation with real-time traffic updates, a 10-speaker Infinity audio system, leather seats, and, for V-6 models, a two-row sunroof.

Not that you’d ever mistake this for a Lexus inside. Indeed, the Sorento’s interior, which features red backlighting and conventional ergonomics, is as simple as its exterior. As with the Mitsubishi Outlander and Toyota RAV4, the Sorento has third-row seats in the cargo area that few people more than 12 years old will find tolerable for long. Optional on four-cylinder models and standard with the V-6, the extra seats are best suited for those with the occasional need to pile an extra two kids into the car when carpool duty comes around. You might have to make a choice, however, between kids and soccer balls, as the space behind the third-row seat is limited to nine cubic feet when it’s in use. Five-passenger models, however, can handle up to 37 cubic feet with all seats up and 73 cubic feet with the second row folded, making the Sorento among the most capacious utes in its class.

EXTERIOR
Many compact SUVs have become so car-like that I was surprised to encounter the seating position of a conventional SUV in the new Sorento. You sit high relative to the instrument panel, and the windshield is upright by current standards. As a result the cabin feels narrow, even though the specs sheet asserts an impressive 59.3 inches of front shoulder room. Those seeking the character of an SUV will prefer the high, upright driving position, those essentially seeking a tall wagon won’t. Only the shortest drivers will see a point to the driver seat’s height adjustment.

One nifty trick abandoned by the Santa Fe for 2010, but adopted by the Sorento: an available third-row seat within a relatively compact 184-inch-long exterior. To fit three rows within such compact dimensions, something’s got to give, and that obvious something is legroom and cargo room. Second-row legroom looks decent in the specs, but in reality it’s just adequate for adults, and the seat is a little low to the floor. The third row is very low to the floor, as is often the case, and my 5-9 self barely fits. For transporting kids, though, there’s more than enough space. Just don’t count on putting more than a single row of grocery bags behind the third-row seat.

ENGINE
All Sorento trim levels come standard with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 175 horsepower and 169 pound-feet of torque. The base model has a six-speed manual transmission, while the others come with a six-speed automatic. Front-wheel drive is standard across the board, while LX and EX models are eligible for all-wheel drive. The AWD system comes with a locking center differential to improve low-speed traction in icy or off-road situations.

In our performance testing, the four-cylinder brought a Sorento EX from zero to 60 mph in a leisurely 9.9 seconds -- one of the slower times in the class. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 21 mpg city/29 mpg highway and 24 mpg combined with the front-wheel-drive automatic. It is 21/27/23 with AWD.

Optional is a 3.5-liter V6 rated at 276 hp and 248 lb-ft of torque; it comes only with the six-speed automatic and gets the Sorento from zero to 60 mph in an impressive 7.4 seconds, which is one of the quicker times in the class. Fuel economy stands at 20/26/22 with front-wheel drive and 19/25/21 with AWD.

SAFETY

The 2011 Kia Sorento comes standard with antilock disc brakes, stability control, hill-start assist, hill descent control, front-seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and front active head restraints. In Edmunds brake testing, both four- and six-cylinder Sorentos came to a stop from 60 mph in 120 feet, which is very good for this class.

In the government's new, more strenuous crash testing for 2011, the Sorento earned an overall rating of four stars out of a possible five, with four stars for overall frontal crash protection and four stars for overall side crash protection. The Sorento earned a top score of "Good" for its performance in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's frontal-offset, side-impact and roof-strength crash tests.

Driving Impressions

As with the RAV4, the 2011 Kia Sorento is a tale of two engines. The base 2.4-liter four feels punchy enough around town and with light loads, but it struggles a bit with extra passengers and cargo. The 3.5-liter V6, on the other hand, is strong and smooth, and its fuel economy deficit isn't huge; too bad it's only available on the top-of-the-line EX.

At highway speeds, the Sorento's cabin remains impressively isolated from both road and wind noise. We're also fond of the Sorento's handling ability, as this crossover responds directly to steering inputs. This is indeed one of the more enjoyable small family crossovers to drive. The ride quality should be OK for most folks, but we've found that it gets overly harsh when the Sorento is driven over potholes and similarly broken pavement.
reference:www.edmunds.com,www.thetruthaboutcars.com,www.caranddriver.com

2011 Kia Sedona

Specifications prices Modifications and Image 2011 Kia Sedona
The 2011 Kia Sedona is the South Korean automaker's minivan. Like every other full-size minivan offered for sale in the United States, the Sedona is being spruced up for the 2011 model year, though with the Kia, the changes are less significant than those on the Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey.

For 2011, the Sedona has been retooled with a new powertrain and some new entertainment and technology features. The new engine is a 3.5-liter V-6 with 271 horsepower, teamed to a new six-speed automatic transmission. With the new drivetrain, the Sedona manages better fuel economy than in the years past--up to up to 18/25 mpg, according to the EPA. For drivers who might be lured by Toyota's "swagger wagon" Sienna, Kia counters with a sport mode for the automatic transmission.

A Top Safety Pick in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's tests in the past, and historically a strong performer in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash tests as well, the Sedona has yet to be rated for the 2011 model year. Both agencies have changed their standards for the new model year, but the Sedona is essentially identical in safety performance to the 2010 model, since the only exterior changes are a mildly revised grille, which brings it into the family of Kia cars a bit more naturally.

INTERIOR
The Kia Sedona comes standard with a plethora of features, including SIRIUS Satellite Radio with three months complimentary service, Bluetooth wireless technology, ABS, six airbags and a six-speed Sportmatic transmission. The LX trim also comes standard with air conditioning, sliding doors with power windows, power mirrors and door locks, cruise control, an AM/FM/CD/MP3/Sat audio system that includes an auxiliary and USB-MP3 input jack, captain's chairs for the second row and keyless entry. The back-up warning system also comes standard and is used to alert the driver of an object in close proximity to the rear of the vehicle.

Moving to the EX trim adds fog lamps, six-way power-adjustable driver's seat, four-way power-adjustable passenger's seat, heated power mirrors, an eight-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system with auxiliary input jack, auto-dimming rear view mirror with HomeLink, leather-wrapped steering wheel, power rear quarter glass, trip computer with compass and a roof rack.

The EX trim also offers a standard rear view mirror camera display in addition to the back-up warning system to help the driver better see surroundings and reverse more safely.

The Luxury Package, available on EX models, combines leather seat trim, heated front seats, power-adjustable pedals, driver's memory seat, mirrors and adjustable pedals, tri-zone automatic temperature control, four-way power front passenger seat and a sunroof. EX models also offer the Entertainment Package, which includes a six-disc in-dash CD changer and a 660-watt premium rear seat DVD entertainment system with an eight-inch monitor, wireless headphones, remote control and an Infinity surround sound system. A navigation system also is available for the EX trim.

EXTERIOR
The seven-passenger 2011 Kia Sedona minivan is offered in two trim levels: LX and EX. Standard features on the LX include 16-inch steel wheels, roof rails, keyless entry, full power accessories, rear parking sensors,Upgrading to the EX trim will add 17-inch alloy wheels, foglamps, heated sideview mirrors, a power tailgate, power rear quarter windows, power-adjustable front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a trip computer and wood grain interior trim. Also included on the EX and available on the LX as part of the optional Power package are 16-inch alloy wheels (LX), dual power-sliding doors, chrome exterior trim, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and a rearview camera.

 ENGINE
The 2011 Kia Sedona is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 that produces 271 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic with manual shift control is the only available transmission. The EPA estimates fuel economy at 18 mpg city/25 mpg highway and 21 mpg in combined driving, which is about average for a minivan.

 SAFETY
Standard safety features on the 2011 Kia Sedona include antilock disc brakes with brake assist, stability control, front-seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and active front head restraints.

The Sedona has not been rated using the government's new, more strenuous 2011 crash testing procedures. Its 2010 ratings (which aren't comparable to 2011 tests) resulted in perfect five-star ratings in both frontal and side impacts for the structurally similar 2010 model. It also received the top "Good" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in frontal-offset and side-impact tests.
reference:www.leftlanenews.com,www.edmunds.com,www.thecarconnection.com