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2014 Kia Forte Sedan Previewed in New Renderings

[[posterous-content:pid___0]]Kia's international press site previewed what it calls the K3 sedan this morning, but it included an extra piece of information: the K3 sedan will also go by Cerato and Forte, which means an all-new Forte is headed to American dealers in the near future.

The Cerato and Forte have long been the same thing, but European markets ditch the Forte sedan in favor of the similarly sized Cee'd hatchback. We first saw the new Cee'd at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show this March, at which point we wondered when the Forte/Cerato would receive its updates. A set of drawings posted to Kia's international press site tagged Cerato (Forte) would suggest that those updates are coming very soon.

Anyone familiar with - or a fan of - Kia's next generation of design language will instantly recognize this as a Kia. The new Cerato features the next generation of Kia's tiger grille, flanked by blocky headlights that ape those on the larger Quoris/K8 sedan. The sloping character line gives the sedan an arched stance, and extends all the way around the back of the car, through the Optima-like taillights and trunklid, back to the front.

It's too early to predict anything about what'll end up under the hood, but the current U.S.-market Forte is powered either by a 2.0-liter I-4 making 156 hp or a 2.4-liter I-4 making 173 hp and mated to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.
Kia promised a first look at the new K3 in the flesh later this year, which would suggest that a Cerato will follow. Kia's American press office confirmed that the Cerato will come here as the Forte, but couldn't say exactly when. At this point it looks like the Forte is headed towards an early-2013 U.S. debut, which would set the car up to reach Kia dealers by the 2014 model year.

Courtesy of MotorTrend Magazine

Live at The Kia Soul Lounge: We Are The Ocean

2012 Kia Optima Hybrid

Some automakers-notably Toyota and Honda-leaped upon the hybrid-powertrain bandwagon early. Others joined the gasoline/electric group later, but several continued to hold back, searching for other ways to boost gas mileage. Among the reluctant entrants was Kia, which finally launched its first hybrid model in 2011, echoing the introduction of a gasoline/electric Sonata sedan from its South Korean corporate parent, Hyundai. Like its corporate cousin, the 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid sedan brings an appealing level of fuel-efficiency.

Up to 40 MPG on the Highway
Kia claimed "class-leading" fuel efficiency for the Optima Hybrid when it appeared as a 2011 model: up to 40 miles per gallon on the highway and 35 mpg in city driving. Two configurations are available: the base model, and a more costly version fitted with a Premium and Technology Package. The 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid has added an HE Radio and power-folding mirrors to its available Hybrid Premium and Technology Package.

An air-cooled 270-volt lithium-polymer battery pack, developed in partnership with LG Chem, works with an electric motor. Compared to the older nickel metal hydride batteries, Kia's Li-PB battery is said to be 20-30 percent lighter, occupies 40 percent less volume, and is 10 percent more efficient. According to Kia, it also holds a charge 25 percent longer than many competitors' batteries, and is warranted for up to 10 years or 150,000 miles.

Hybrid Power and Performance
Developing 166 horsepower, Kia's 2.4-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder gasoline engine is connected via a wet clutch to the electric motor, which yields 40 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque in full-electric mode. Rather than using a continuously variable transmission (CVT), as in most hybrids, Kia's gasoline/electric system is connected to a six-speed automatic transmission.

Because it's a full parallel hybrid system, the Kia Optima Hybrid can be driven in full-electric mode at up to 62 mph, for a relatively short period. When the car comes to a halt and the electric load is slow, the engine shuts off completely, restarting again as the driver touches the accelerator pedal. Or if it's starting off from a stop in electric-only mode, the gas engine restarts later. A Virtual Engine Sound System plays a prerecorded engine sound during electric-only operation at up to 12 mph, to help notify pedestrians (including the blind) that the car is approaching.

Couple-Like Styling
Claiming a "coupe-like profile," the 2012 Optima Hybrid sedan sits 5 millimeters (0.2 inch) lower than regular Optimas-a difference that isn't likely to be noticed. Distinctive Optima Hybrid features include a chrome version of the customary grille, lightweight 16-inch alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, foglamps, heated outside mirrors, and LED taillamps. Unique headlights help to channel air, while smooth underfloor panels aim to improve airflow.

Front/rear lower bumpers and side sills were inspired by the sporty SX trim level. An active air flap system in the grille automatically opens and closes based on speed, engine temperature and airflow, to help reduce drag. At 0.26, the car's drag coefficient is 10 percent "slippier" than non-hybrid Optimas. Models equipped with the Premium Technology Package get 17-inch wheels with low-rolling-resistance tires, power-folding mirrors, and high-intensity-discharge headlights.

Interior and Safety Features
Inside, the instrument panel is said to be "contoured toward the driver." Standard Kia Optima Hybrid features, comparable to the LX trim level, include an eight-way power driver's seat, dual-zone automatic temperature control, pushbutton start, a "Supervisor" instrument cluster with LCD display for hybrid information, and leather-wrapped steering wheel. Fixed rear seats include a ski pass-through.

Six airbags are standard, along with electronic stability control. Kia's Premium and Technology Package adds a panoramic sunroof, four-way power front passenger seat, driver's seat memory, heated/cooled front seats, heated rear seats and steering wheel, and a navigation system with backup camera.

Kia Optima Hybrid Driving Impression
Magnificent is the word for operation of Kia's hybrid powertrain system, which stays in EV mode for quite a while as long as you don't push hard on the accelerator pedal. Battery/gasoline transition is barely perceptible-sometimes, not noticeable at all. Excellent sound insulation keeps engine sound well subdued. Occupants get plenty of front-seat space, with a comparatively long driver's seat bottom. Visibility is top-notch.

Smooth and quiet on the highway, the Optima Hybrid has a pleasantly light steering feel-but not excessively so. Thus, you can expect nice control in turns. A superior ride is the rule, too, at least on good roads.

Acceleration is rather enthusiastic from a standstill, but more modest when pushing the pedal at 50 mph or so. Either way, response is quick, with no significant delay for a downshift. In fact, the transmission often feels almost like a CVT in terms of smoothness.

Optima Hybrid Packages and Pricing
A neat ECO indicator with a green segment that reveals efficient driving sits at the left of the instrument cluster, with a bright, easy-to-read speedometer at the right. With a nearly full tank, the indicator showed Distance to Empty greater than 550 miles, suggesting that gas-station stops will be infrequent.

The 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid has a Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price of $26,450 (including $750 destination charge). Adding the Hybrid Premium and Technology Package adds a hefty $5,350 to the total. In contrast, a conventional Optima sedan ranges from $21,750 for an automatic-transmission LX model to $27,250 for the sportier SX edition.

Courtesy of Auto Media

Changing an Air Filter

Air Filter

This project should cost you about $10, requires no tools and about 10 minutes of your time. You should do this every 12 months or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first. Here's what you do:

1. Find your filter under the hood of your car in a black rectangular box with metal clips on the side. If you don't see this when you pop the hood, just check your owner's manual.
2. Remove the old air filter and insert the new one in the same position that the old one was in.
3. Close the metal clips when you're finished.
4. You're done! To earn extra savings in the long run, try hitting your new air filter with some compressed air to clean out debris from time to time.

2013 Kia Optima SX Limited Commercial Video Ad

Spied: Kia’s Mazda 5-Sized People Mover

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE We spotted this camouflaged Kia test vehicle near our offices in Ann Arbor, Michigan — which is no surprise given that Hyundai and Kia have a joint technical center on the outskirts of the city. This model appears to be a new people mover, slightly smaller than a minivan but without the typical proportions of an SUV.

Our spy photographer informs us that the Kia was approximately the same size as a Mazda 5, which is a seven-passenger vehicle that is about two feet shorter than every other minivan sold in America. The Kia’s fascia wears the wide, rounded mesh grille seen on other new models like the Rio and Optima. The rear doors are quite long, presumably to make for easier access, while the roofline curves only subtly toward the rear window.

We believe this is a new version of the Kia Carens people mover, which is sold in several foreign markets. As with the almost-identical prototype we spied in Europe, the new vehicle is probably based on the European-market Kia Cee’d. The Cee’d hatchback and wagon ride on a very similar platform to the Hyundai Elantra, and that platform sharing could make it easier for Kia to federalize a Cee’d-based people mover for the U.S. market.

Courtesy of Automobilemag

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