Thursday, November 29, 2012

Kia Donates $205K to Children’s Cancer Hospital in Egypt

Kia
Kia Motors’ Regional Headquarters for the Middle East & Africa along with its respective distributors made a $205,000 USD contribution to Children’s Cancer Hospital Egypt ‘57357’ (CCHE) in Cairo,

Founded in 2007, CCHE is one of the largest children’s cancer hospitals in the world, whose purpose is to provide free treatment for those in need. It is solely funded by charitable donations and the hospital’s ‘57357 name’ is also the bank account number to which donations can be sent, and aptly serves as a public reminder of its philanthropic support engine.

Kia management attended the official donation ceremony which was held at CCHE in Cairo. The group toured the hospital’s facilities and witnessed firsthand how CCHE is creating a new healthcare system and becoming an icon of change and beacon of hope for millions of families.

Kia Motors donation to CCHE is the latest in a series of recent aid and involvement programs in the Middle East & Africa region, including its $13 million USD ‘Green Light Project’, which was launched this past August in Tanzania, and aims to improve the social mobility of needy children through accessible education and healthcare programs. Kia plans to expand the Green Light Project to other countries and regions through the cooperation of its global network, and its next project will take place in the southeast African nation of Malawi.

Courtesy of Kia-Buzz

Thank you for your outstanding review, Laura!

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Road test proves Kia Sportage is a value for money package

Sportage
THE medium SUV market is a tough nut to crack especially with perennial favourites often scoring sales on reputation and loyalty instead of what is actually on offer.

Kia has done relatively well with the Sportage since a revitalised launch in 2010 with decidedly more buyers falling for the Korean manufacturer's charms.

A six-month wait on cars in the early part of the year didn't help sales figures with consumers going elsewhere but supply issues seem to be a thing of the past and the Sportage's definite style coupled with performance, comfort and price should have it high on the shopping list once again.

Comfort

The Sportage's heavy duty cloth seats have funky stich detailing and are especially generous particularly in terms of width and cushioning to the driver and front passenger.

Those in the rear have to make do with a shorter squab and slightly harder surface. You can fit three adults in relative comfort in the back although the sloping roofline may make matters uncomfortable for very tall occupants.

The inside of the Sportage seems quite dark probably because of the prevalence of black on the dash and fittings but the cabin has been designed with ease of use in mind.

Plastics are decidedly hard, although concession is made for those surfaces which gain the most contact. The boot, at 740 litres, is better than average for this class although that does climb to 1547 litres when the 60:40 seats are lowered.

On the road

The Sportage places more emphasis on ease of use than driving excitement and to that end it is efficient in delivery.

The electrically assisted steering is pretty light during linear driving but push her around a corner and there is enough feedback to keep the driver engaged. The Sportage is agreeable to most surfaces thanks in part to the tinkering by

Australian engineers to make it suitable for our conditions. We found the 2.0-litre 2WD lacked a bit of courage and appeared at times a different car than its AWD brother with a 2.4-litre petrol engine.

Much to our delight the latter seemed to find most tasks rather effortless and is probably a fairer reflection on how far the Korean manufacturer has come.

What do you get?

Inclusions have to be on the mark for SUVs to be competitive in such a tight market. Standard equipment in our SLi included 17-inch alloys, reverse camera, auto headlights, three 12V outlets, dual zone climate control and Bluetooth connectivity.

The entry-level Si misses out on reverse camera and auto headlights while the range-topping Platinum adds sat-nav, a cooling glovebox, smart key and rear parking sensors. A five-star crash rating comes courtesy of six airbags, stability and traction control, brake assist and hill hold. The AWD also has hill descent.

Practicality
The concession to design has left the Kia with large A-pillars and side mirrors and a small rear window that impedes vision.

While a reverse camera and sensors can help with problems in the aft, you still have to crane your neck when turning right.

Ground clearance of just 180mm means the Sportage is best suited for the school run than the Dakar but with ease of use and space and comfort that's where its strengths lie anyway.

Running costs

Fuel costs are on the steep side with the AWD consuming close to 10 litres/100km and the 2WD averaging only slightly better.

The diesel improves with official figures of 7.5 litres/100km.

Kia offers a five year unlimited kilometre warranty and capped service and insurance costs are mid-table.

Funky factor

The Sportage is a reflection of Kia's commitment to design with its sharp lines, tiger grille, fashionable lighting and chrome accents sparking interest. In a class with so many options it pays to stand out and the Korean manufacturer has done just that.

The lowdown

The Sportage impressed when it was relaunched in 2010 and the latest editions seem to be an improvement on that model. Kia has found a way to marry European engineering and looks with cost-effective Asian manufacturing. It is a pleasant drive that offers space and value for money and the all-wheel drive variants, both petrol and diesel, are worth a look


What matters most
What we liked:
The Sportage offers nice comfort and space and generous inclusions.
What we'd like to see: An improvement to the vroom of the 2.0-litre two-wheel drive, reverse camera and parking sensors as standard across the range.
Warranty: Kia offers a five-year unlimited kilometre warranty, while there is also capped price servicing.

Courtesy of Frasier Coast Chronicle

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

A Unique Journey With The Kia Car

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It is amazing on how the Kia car works smoothly on the road. It's an investment that will make your transportation life easier to deal with. It makes all things attainable. The way it performs gives enough focus and determination for every car owner to do things appropriately. It is every person's dream to have a kind of car that can be with them in all seasons. It is a durable and tough vehicle. It will not let you down. If you're looking for a vehicle, Kia has everything that will match your interest and personality. It is available in different unique models. The Kia vehicle is considered as a genuine investment in a lot of ways.

I can definitely see many car owners who found contentment and joy with the kind of engine they have. The real challenge is to keep it functions and value as each day pass by. You go out everyday and drive to your desired destination. You may use the car in going to work, school, events, road trips, vacations or just the normal drives to the ordinary destinations. There will be a lot of situations that you will be dealing with. How do you make sure that your car is still in its proper condition?

Ensuring the Kia's appropriate features, functions and performance is a big challenge. It's like taking care of a child. A lot of maintenance needs to be done. You need to make sure that the engines are working. It's difficult to be an expert of very details of the vehicle. Well, you don't need to have the skills of a mechanic just to be updated with it. The simple daily assessment and checks will be fine. The owner's manual will be a good partner in knowing your Kia better. It is an instructional booklet that includes every single basic information about your engine. You can have a guideline for assembly, basic trouble shooting, installation, maintenance, programming and safety. It is also on the manual where you can find the warranty information It is the right guide in taking care of your vehicle. Be attentive enough for suspicious smells on your car. Report to the mechanic right away for proper actions. It's better to anticipate things to happen. Don't wait for the time that you'll be paying for expensive repairs because of your negligence. Be attentive and knowledgeable of everything that's happening on your car.

Customize the interiors and exteriors of the Kia. It will add charm and style to the engine. Buy car accessories. It is advisable to look for high quality materials. It's proven that faulty accessories my result to a possible problems in your vehicle. It's better to choose quality over quantity. What's the use of buying the cheapest accessories if it will not give you a good function? You'll end up of buying a new one again. Instead of saving money, you'll be paying more. High quality accessories will give you a promise of durability, longevity and security. I'll give one example for each category. The Kia car mats and car covers will be a perfect example of the interior and exterior accessory.

The Kia car mats also absorb dirt, dust, mud, moisture and other unwanted materials. They keep your car secured and protected all the time. They serve as a barrier from the soles of your shoes and the floor. The car mats are the first line of defense against all unwanted materials. Aside from that, they provide comfort, cushion, protection and warmth to your feet. These will make you feel comfortable when you drive. They are dependable in all types of weather. Different kinds of car mats are designed for different weather changes and conditions. You need to have the correct mats for the season. It is beneficial for the engine. You can rely on them in cases of extremes in temperature like rainy days and winter. The Kia car mats even enhances your mood to drive cautiously. They create a certain spark that will relax your mind. They will give you a touch of warmth all throughout your driving. The car mats are available in a wide assortment of colors, styles and trims that will surely match the interiors of your car. They come in different designs like your favorite cartoon character, sports team, logos and even initials will do. The Kia car mats also have an anti-slip backing that will prevent them from moving. They also fit the foot wells of your vehicle perfectly.

Car covers are a good way in protecting your vehicle against possible damages while you are parking. They prevent dirt, mud and scratches. They are an excellent barrier between the paint of the car and the bad weather or pollution. You can find a variety of designs wherein you can also choose customized car covers for your vehicle.

Handle everything positively. A lot of unexpected things will happen. The road is unpredictable. You need to be ready in all kinds of driving situations. Be an optimistic person. Take good care of your driving. It will be the key to a safe journey. Pay attention on the road as well. Be careful in driving at night. Follow the right driving precautions during the extremes of temperature. Most importantly, just enjoy what you're doing. Appreciate your Kia car. The features, functions and performance that it gives you is all worth it. A happy driver will reach his destination safe and sound. You'll get to extend the life of your car as well. The small and simple things that you can do for it will be enough to keep its value. A Kia car owner will have all the privileges when it comes to transportation. Have fun on your driving. You'll experience a journey that will give happiness and contentment in life.

Courtesy of Rubber-Plastic.net