Thursday, June 28, 2012

Kia Racing Looks To Expand Its Points Lead As The Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge Heads To Watkins Glen For Round Seven

Arguably one of the most beautiful locales in the country, the finger lakes of upstate New York are home to some of the prettiest countryside and charming towns in the state; it's also the backdrop to one of the most well-known and challenging road courses in the world Watkins Glen International. Kia Racing returns to "The Glen" this weekend looking to expand its slim one-point lead in the Street Tuner (ST) class as the season is quickly coming to a close with just four races remaining. Nic Jonsson and Andy Lally, co-pilots of the No. 10 Infinity Audio Forte Koup, are coming off an emotional 13th place finish at Road America last weekend and arrive in New York as the only Kia Racing entry after Mark Pombo's single-car incident in the No. 12 Infinity Audio Forte Koup last weekend in Elkhart Lake, Wisc.

"I want to extend our warmest wishes to our teammate and friend, Mark Pombo, and the entire Pombo family. Kia Racing and Kinetic Motorsports wish him well in his recovery and we look forward to seeing his smiling face at the track very soon," said Jonsson, who finished on the podium at Le Mans driving for Krohn Racing. "Now the focus is on Watkins Glen. Even after a tough race at Road America, Andy and I are still leading in ST, and it's important for us to record a solid finish this weekend. A great result this weekend will create some momentum heading into the final three races of the season to defend our Driver and Team championships for Kia."

Having a driver with 100-career podium finishes in GRAND-AM behind the wheel is cause for optimism heading into the weekend. Lally considers Watkins Glen his home track. He recorded his first professional race victory there in 1995 and has won seven races at the upstate New York track since then, including the Six Hours of The Glen endurance race on three separate occasions.

"The No. 10 Infinity Audio Forte Koup is one of the most consistent racecars I've ever driven and that's important when making a run at a championship," said Lally, who will be on double duty this weekend, also competing in the Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen in the Rolex series on Sunday for Magnus Racing. "We just need to run a smart race and take care of the car. I have the best co-driver in the world with Nic, and the greatest pit crew in the paddock, so we should be towards the front when the checkered flag waves."

The Continental Tire 150 at Watkins Glen is scheduled for Saturday, June 30. The green flag drops at 3 p.m. ET. Check out live race status, photos and updates at www.facebook.com/kiaracing. Race fans can also tune in for television coverage SPEED Saturday, July 14 at 1 p.m. ET. (Time and date subject to change. Check local listings).

Kia

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

New Kia Rio5 impresses with 40 mpg, spunk and price

Kia Rio5’s pricing is about as good as it gets for a small hatchback. Ditto on mpg.

In fact, the redesigned Rio hatchback is quite competitive on all fronts. It’s even fun to drive in both manual and automatic form.

Rio5 replaced the Cinco for the 2006 model year.

Just as the Rio was a leap from its predecessor, the 2012 model makes strides on all fronts. For example, it joins the growing number of small all-gas vehicles that boast up to 40 miles per gallon on the highway and 30 around town.

At the same time, horsepower jumps from 110 to 138. That helps make the little Kia fun to drive. It’s not fast, but even with the six-speed automatic transmission, it’s feels spunky and is quieter and smoother than some more expensive 4-cylinders.

Click here to see other new car reviews.

There are now three trim levels; the stripped-down base model no longer is available. The entry-level LX starts at $14,250. It comes with air conditioning, power mirrors, rear spoiler, rear windshield wiper, cargo cover, split-folding rear seats, tilt-steering wheel, a full lineup of safety equipment, Kia’s long warranty, and audio system with CD player, MP3 and satellite radio capability, and steering-wheel controls.

Moving from the 6-speed manual transmission to the automatic costs $1,100, but does not change mpg ratings.

In addition to the upgraded EX model, sportier looks and handling are available in the SX. Options include Kia’s UVO voice-controlled infotainment system, navigation with real-time traffic data, push-button starter, leather and heated seats.

The second-generation Rio5 is a little longer, wider and lower than the 2011. I was pleasantly surprised at how far the driver’s bucket scoots back. There are six rather than last year’s eight ways to adjust the seat, but the procedure is much easier.

As long as you don’t recline the seatback all the way, there is enough leg room in back for an average adult. Rio helps compensate for its subcompact size with a deep cargo bay, which means there is a small step up if you fold down the rear seats.

Another improvement for 2012 is the interior, which takes on a higher-quality look in addition to its functional setup. Materials are softer to the touch and nicely grained. I’m not wild about the long dash, though.

Federal crash test results are not yet available, but i'm hoping the Rio can improve on its previous generation’s score 3 of 5 stars for rear side impacts.

The Rio also comes as a sedan, starting at the same price and with the same fuel stats. As with most hatchbacks, Rio5 looks jazzier than the sedan, and the format is a little handier. The trade-off comes with the wide C pillar framing the hatch, which cuts into rear vision.

Kia also offers the larger Forte coupe and hatchback and the boxy Soul.

Courtesy of Phoenix Business Journal

Rio

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Kia Sorento facelift – first images released

As you can see from the official image provided by Kia and posted below, the 2013 Sorento model is coming with a major facelift, a revised aesthetics and an updated platform. Besides all of these changes, the 2013 Kia Sorento also has a recalibrated suspension system and an optimized interior design. The facelifted Kia Sorento is getting a new front bumper, a fresh set of LED headlamps, a new rear bumper and the option of ordering 19-inch alloy wheels.

Kia says that the 2013 Sorento facelift is being offered only with seven seats and its cabin has been fitted with a seven-inch multimedia interface which has been mounted in a redesigned central console. Moving on to the engine lineup where we find out that the facelifted Sorento is still keeping the 2.2 liter CRDi unit, but it might receive a turbocharged petrol engine, from the Hyundai Santa Fe. The 2013 Kia Sorento has lost 100 kg from its total weight and its maneuverability has been improved. More details on the 2013 Kia Sorento will be announced in September, during the 2012 Paris Motor Show, where the Asian crossover will make its debut.

Courtesy of inautonews.com

Kia

Thursday, June 14, 2012

2011 Kia Optima SX Turbo Long-Term Test

Kia_2

What We Got
The Kia Optima was all-new for 2011 and it was astonishing. Here was a sedan with a Kia badge that made people's heads turn. Sure, it was similar to the Hyundai Sonata under its skin, but that skin had some serious style. Then Kia said there would be a turbocharged version with 274 horsepower, not to mention a full hybrid model.

Clearly there was plenty to talk about, so we immediately looked into one for the long-term fleet to see if it would live up to its hype. We decided on a 2011 Kia Optima SX Turbo. It promised V6 power, four-cylinder mileage and a sport sedan feel. We opted for the SX Premium package that added a panoramic sunroof, power front seats, heated and cooled front seats and heated rear seats. The Technology package accessorized our SX Turbo with a navigation system, back-up camera and Infinity eight-speaker audio system. All told, the MSRP was $30,840, about as expensive as an Optima gets. There was no negotiation, however, as Kia loaned us the car for the year.

As hard as it was to ignore the stunning Corsa Blue paint, this test was really about the powertrain. How could we say no to a 2.0-liter, turbocharged inline four-cylinder with 274 hp on tap? Further, it generated 269 pound-feet of torque and achieved 22 city and 34 highway mpg, at least according to the EPA. We were curious if it would live up to those numbers and impress us with its power in the process. Here's what we found out.

Our Impressions

  • Kia intended for this engine to replace a V6, and I have to say it succeeded. Buyers of V6s want immediate torque, and that's what this turbo mill provides. It's a very linear engine. Rarely with this engine do you get the rubber-band sensation typical of turbo engines; instead, the rise in torque is immediate and in lockstep with your right foot." — Jason Kavanagh

  • "The Optima's engine remains impressive after all these miles. It's responsive, smooth-running and quiet even at full throttle. The quick-shifting transmission helps, even if the paddles are a little on the cheap side." — Ed Hellwig

  • "The ride quality isn't as soft as some other cars, but it's still comfortable and controlled on the freeway. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the SX for daily driver duty. Road noise does seem to be a bit more pronounced than the norm, however." — Brent Romans

  • "The Optima turned out to be a pretty good dance partner. I still think it needs better tires and a bit more front end grip, but I was smiling most of the time and the car was enjoying it. I discovered the Optima's need for a little trail braking and its ability to spin a tire on corner exit if you jump on the accelerator harder than you really should. I also was impressed with the brakes. Sure, I could have cooked them if I really wanted to, but at eight-tenths they were happy and heat-resistant. And its steering feels better in the hills than it does in the city.... I had a newfound respect for the Kia." — Scott Oldham

  • "It's still a little too much for me. You know, trying too hard with the way it looks, those less-than-resilient seats, all that rebound damping, and stiff-sidewall tires. Then again, this Kia is not for wimps, and it's nice to see a sport sedan that lives up to its billing.... After a year and the new wears off, a lot of cars are genuinely frayed at the edges. Suddenly the compromises in quality, specification or performance are more apparent than ever. And this has been especially true with cars with a Korean nameplate.

    "The 2011 Kia Optima seems to be a conspicuous exception. It might not be exactly my kind of car, but it looks and drives just as it did when it arrived. And considering the things this car has been through while in our hands, the fact that it still seems the same to me makes a bigger statement about quality than even a 100,000-mile warranty." — Michael Jordan


  • "While I can't yet weigh in on the long-distance comfort of the Optima's seats, I was immediately impressed with another aspect. That ring of cloth around the leather seems like a brilliant idea. The edges of the side bolsters almost always wear down with leather, and sometimes quite quickly.... Placing a more resilient material such as the Optima's tech fabric should not only reduce wear, but perhaps even increase grip." — James Riswick
  • "This car always feels like it's a good set of tires away from being really good... But [with] these Nexen Classe Premiere CP662 all-season things, it rides a little rougher than it should and it stops, steers and turns like it's wearing bottom-basement buy-three/get-one-free rubber from Costco." — Scott Oldham

  • "Love how [as a passenger] I can program a destination into the nav while the car is in motion. The dual climate controls and dual seat heaters/coolers only reaffirm my opinion that the Optima is a great road trip car. The passenger seat wasn't exactly plush or OMG comfy but neither did it compel me to jump out of the car rubbing my tush at every pit stop." — Caroline Pardilla

  • "In back, we had two adults and one 6-year-old in a bulky booster seat. The main thing everyone noticed was the surplus of rear legroom in the Optima. It's absolutely not a problem to have adults seated behind adults.... plenty of room for four and just enough for five." — Erin Riches

  • "When a car company goes to the trouble of mounting a gear changing apparatus to the steering wheel, you'd think they would put the controls within easy reach. Surprisingly, not everyone does that.... Thankfully, our Optima SX Turbo's paddles fall right at your fingertips. The paddles are quite broad, making them easy to flick up or down a gear without having to move your hands at all from the 9 and 3 o'clock positions. I like the lip on the end of the paddles, too; it's a nice finger hold." — Kurt Niebuhr

Maintenance & Repairs

Regular Maintenance: Optima Turbos request routine maintenance at 5,000-mile intervals. It was not until its first service appointment that we discovered a glitch with the onboard service warning light. The warning can only be programmed, at the least, for 6,000-mile increments. Our reliance on the computer to keep us informed caught us off guard and we were late for its first service. We resorted to tracking mileage on paper for subsequent visits. Overall, routine maintenance on the 2011 Kia Optima was affordable, as we averaged about $50 per visit.

Service Campaigns: We encountered a handful of unexpected repair items during our test. Kia paid to remedy all of them under warranty. First, it replaced the driver seat after the upholstery started separating. Then Kia reflashed the onboard computer to fix an interior light malfunction. During our test we also experienced some issues that occurred without warning and disappeared before we could address them. There was a failure of the back-up camera. It went blank on a couple of occasions and then worked fine. We also noticed a distinct yet muted rattle during cold starts. We returned the car to Kia prior to a formal recall being issued; however, during our test Hyundai published a TSB for a similar rattle on the Optima's cousin, the Sonata 2.0T.

Fuel Economy and Resale Value

Observed Fuel Economy: We averaged 22 mpg in the 2011 Kia Optima Turbo over 19,035 miles of driving. This equaled the EPA city estimations. Our best single tank of 31 mpg was well shy of the EPA highway calculations of 34 mpg. Its fun-to-drive character distracted from consistent, fuel-efficient driving. Still, in the fuel economy category, this Turbo did not live up to our expectations.

Resale and Depreciation: By test end, Edmunds' TMV® Calculator valued the Optima at $24,758 based on a private-party sale. That equated to slightly less than 20 percent depreciation from its original MSRP. Historically, depreciation of 20 percent deserves recognition. It is a place for elite vehicles. Say what you will about the fuel economy, but the Optima Turbo is in demand in the used car market.

Summing Up

Pros: Exterior styling was a hit with our group. The 274-hp turbo-4 delivered plenty of power in any situation. There is legitimate space for four adult occupants.

Bottom Line: Kia has made a contender out of its previously invisible Optima. It's not only one of the most stylish midsize sedans on the market, it also offers one of the more entertaining drivetrains, too. Anyone who's willing to give up a little fuel mileage in the name of performance will find a capable partner in the 2011 Kia Optima.

Total Body Repair Costs: None
Total Routine Maintenance Costs: $100.32 (over 12 months)
Additional Maintenance Costs: None
Warranty Repairs: Replace driver seat, reflash ECU
Non-Warranty Repairs: None
Scheduled Dealer Visits: 2
Unscheduled Dealer Visits: 1 for seat repair and ECU reflash
Days Out of Service: 2 for warranty repairs
Breakdowns Stranding Driver: None
   
Best Fuel Economy: 31.1 mpg
Worst Fuel Economy: 12.6 mpg
Average Fuel Economy: 22.2 mpg
   
True Market Value at service end: $24,758 (private-party sale)
Depreciation: $6,082 (or 20% of original MSRP)
Final Odometer Reading: 19,035 miles

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Maintenance Tip: Night Driving

The most dangerous time to drive on any roadway is between the hours of midnight and 6am, especially on the weekends. Luckily, there are some things you can do to improve your safety when driving at night.But by following a few basic guidelines, you can minimize your risk.

You must obey this rule for night driving: To See and Be Seen.

Keep your car in good condition

  • Ensure all lights work. Lights on your car are the most vital night-driving tool.Without them, you will can’t see or not be seen by other drivers, it can cause accident easily.
  • Clean and clear may increase your visibility, inside and out
    Windows, instrument panels, headlights, tail lights—all of these are components that increase visibility inside and outside your car. Consider regularly cleaning your dashboard and instrument panels, mirrors, windows, and windshields (inside and out) to gain greater visibility.
  • Adjust your headlights for maximum effectiveness
    Check your headlights for proper alignment and ask your mechanic to adjust them properly. Adjusting your headlights may help you see more of the road while also protecting other drivers from wayward beams.

Keep your body in good condition

  • Never drink and drive
    Not only does alcohol radically impair motor skills and driving ability, but even one social drink can trigger fatigue. This can lead to an exceptionally lethal combination.
  • Avoid smoking when driving at night
    The carbon monoxide and nicotine in cigarettes has a measurable, physical effect on your eyes. These chemicals can actually make it difficult to see well and clearly, especially at night.
  • Stay sharp
    Try chewing bubble gum to keep your mind humming. Also, drinking water and staying well hydrated may do wonders for mental alertness.
  • Rest early, rest often
    If you’re planning a longer night-driving expedition, make sure you bank a couple nights’ worth of good sleep before hitting the road. Also, plan on making frequent stops to stretch, walk, or have a small snack or moderate meal.  Some experts recommend stopping every two hours for a body/mind break.

Other Tips for night driving

  • Turn on your headlights in time.
    When it’s getting dark, turn on your lights in time to make sure that your car is seen by other drivers,even if you can see the road clear.

·         Don’t exceed your reach
When driving at night, remember that your sight—and safety—are only as good as the reach of your headlights. Don’t assume that the road is clear. What lies beyond the pavement you can see may be sudden and unexpected hazards you can’t see. Reduce your speed, increase your following distance, and expect the unexpected, especially on darker country roads.

·         Keep it dark inside the car
Turn off all interior lights. Any source of light inside the car will seem extremely bright and will make it more difficult to see.

·         Minimize glare
Look to the bottom right of the road to avoid approaching headlights. (Some headlights are blindingly bright.) Also use the night setting on your rearview mirror to deflect the glare from vehicles behind you. Older drivers find it more difficult to see at night because it takes longer for them to recover from glare.

·         Use high beam carefully
Be careful to lower the head light beam when necessary otherwise it might blind the oncoming driver. It is also necessary to switch on the headlights when you are uncertain of what you are seeing. And try not to overdrive your headlights which will make it impossible for you to stop inside the illuminated area.

Courtesy of Car-Use.net

Night

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Kia Named to “Top 10 Best Car Brands for 2012” List by Total Car Score

IRVINE, Calif., June 12, 2012 - Total Car Score (www.totalcarscore.com), one of the most comprehensive automotive ranking and comparison websites, has named Kia Motors America (KMA) as one of its "Top 10 Best Car Brands for 2012." One of only two non-luxury brands listed, the fastest-growing automotive brand in the U.S. also posted the biggest improvement over 2011 with a gain of 3.76 points. The list, based on the average Total Car Score for every model within the manufacturer's product line up, comes on the heels of the 2012 Soul urban passenger vehicle and 2012 Sorento midsize CUV being honored with "Top Scoring Car Awards" and the 2012 Forte compact sedan landing on the "Top Cars for College Grads" list from the website.

"With record sales that have contributed to Kia becoming the fastest growing car company in the U.S. over the last five years and a full line of critically acclaimed vehicles, consumer awareness of the Kia brand has dramatically increased, and this recent accolade from Total Car Score is further evidence of the breadth of our transformation," said Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing & communications, KMA. "Kia continues to be committed to offering consumers a comprehensive array of vehicles with a hard-to-beat formula of cutting-edge technologies, high fuel efficiency, immense value and world-class design."

The "Top 10 Best Car Brands for 2012" list by Total Car Score is based on numerical ratings for 2012 model year vehicles currently on the market. The list provides a data-driven assessment of which automakers are producing the most desirable, highest quality cars, crossovers, SUVs and pickup trucks.

"As one of only two non-premium brands on the list, Kia has validated its ongoing efforts to produce some of the best cars on the market," said Karl Brauer, chief executive officer and editor-in-chief of Total Car Score.

Courtesy of kiamedia.com

Kia

A big thanks to Tim for his outstanding customer service!

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Kia Motors America Sells Four Millionth Vehicle During Record-Setting Month of May

IRVINE, Calif., June 1, 2012 - With a diverse line-up of fuel-efficient, stylish and fun-to-drive vehicles that is attracting more new customers to its showrooms, Kia Motors America's (KMA) momentum continued with best-ever May salesof 51,771 units, a 7.4-percent increase over the same period last year. Year-to-date sales are up 18.7 percent, and May also saw the sale of Kia's four millionth vehicle in the U.S. (since entering the market in 1994) and extended the brand's run of consecutive monthly sales records to 21.

Vehicles that achieve more than 30 mpg on the highway2 accounted for78 percent of sales in May, while sales of the fuel-efficient 2012 Rio subcompacts, which can deliver up to 40 miles per gallon3 on the highway, increased 59.5 percent over the same period in 2011. The record-setting May performance was driven by strong demand for the brand's two U.S.-built* products – the Optima midsize sedan and Sorento CUV built at Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG) – as well as the ongoing popularity of the Soul urban passenger vehicle.

"Kia has experienced dramatic growth over the past few years, and our record-breaking momentum continues as we gather industry-wide recognition for reliability, low cost of ownership, increased residual values and outstanding brand loyalty," said Byung Mo Ahn, group president and CEO of KMA and KMMG. "Our line of fuel-efficient vehicles combines cutting-edge technologies with world class design to create a standout value formula, and we'll have more new products and technologies arriving in showrooms within the next year."

Courtesy of kiamedia.com

Kia

Monday, June 4, 2012

Don't miss the latest offer on the 2012 Forte LX!

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$169 a Month / 36 Month Lease $1,999 Due at Lease Signing See Dealer for details.