How To Build A Concept Car - The Downshift Episode 3

Kia models ranked best in class for consumer appeal

Two car models from Kia Motors America, headquartered in Irvine, received the highest scores in a recent study by J.D. Power and Associates for consumer appeal. The Kia Optima and Soul were recognized as two of the most appealing vehicles within their class.

In the "Midsize Car" category, the 2012 Optima ranked highest in a tie with the Volkswagen Passat. The 2012 Soul outclassed other vehicles in the "Compact Multi-Purpose Vehicle" group.

The 2012 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout study measures the vehicle buyer's gratification with their recent purchase. Design, layout, performance and content are among the factors taken into consideration. This year's study focused on buyers' needs and preferences to downsize their vehicles without sacrificing quality or amenities.

"As key entries in Kia's design-led transformation, the Optima and Soul have attracted new customers to our showrooms, and the results of the J.D. Power and Associates' APEAL Study illustrates just how delighted these new buyers are with the purchase of their new Kia vehicles," said Michael Sprague, executive vice president of marketing and communications at KMA.

Owner evaluations of more than 80 vehicles were gathered in the study, along with responses from more than 74,000 new car owners who had purchased a car within 90 days.

"Both of these popular models, along with the rest of the Kia vehicle line, continue to deliver on a promise to offer U.S. consumers high-quality vehicles with an impressive combination of design, performance, comfort, safety and technology," Sprague said.

Courtesy of OC Metro (Online)

Be patient during the break-in period

You’ve bought your dream car and now you want to make it last at long as possible in top condition. Here are some things to remember as you pull it out of the dealer’s lot:

• During the break-in period, typically the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km), keep your speed under 55 mph (88 kpm) or to the speed recommended by your car’s manufacturer.
• Avoid heavy loads on the drive train, such as towing trailers, and loading the roof rack or trunk with heavy construction materials.
• Do not allow your new car to idle for long periods — this is good advice for the life of your car, but especially during breakin. The oil pressure generated by doing so may not be sending oil to every part of your engine.
• Use only light to medium acceleration, keeping the engine rpms below 3,000 for the first few hours of driving.

2012 Kia Smart Move Sales Event

AutoTrader Auto Games Reveal Top Models

Being a top performer in the world of sports means beating some very tough competition. The same applies to building a winning vehicle. The contenders in our Automotive Games exemplify the best vehicles in 10 highly competitive categories, such as luxury, family-friendly and hauling. We considered every new car currently for sale in the U.S., representing automakers from seven different countries: U.S., Germany, Italy, Sweden, U.K., Korea and Japan. Our editors selected one semi-finalist from each country that best fit the key criteria for each category.
The winners were selected by the roughly 16 million car shoppers who visit AutoTrader.com every month. Gold, silver and bronze medalists were selected based on which models received the most views from shoppers.
Kia took silver in the two categories below!
Hauling: SUVs & Crossovers
The most popular haulers among SUVs and Crossovers can not only tow a trailer, but also have plenty of space inside for people and stuff. The gold medalist is the Chevrolet Suburban from the U.S., an SUV with up to three rows of seats or 137.4 cubic feet of cargo volume. Placing second and winning silver for Korea is the Kia Sorento. It also offers up to three rows of seating, and can accommodate 72.5 cubic feet of cargo with all of its seats folded. The bronze medal-winning Range Rover from the U.K. combines luxury with practicality. The two-row Range Rover offers up to 74.2 cubic feet of cargo space.

Versatility
Drivers who rely on just one vehicle require versatility. Winners in this event can do it all, offering plenty of space along with efficiency, comfort and value. Taking gold for the U.S. is the newly redesigned Ford Escape. All-wheel drive and turbocharged power are available, but even the base 4-cylinder engine gets up to 31 mpg. The Kia Sorento earns another silver medal for Korea, thanks to its available third-row seat, V6 engine and all-wheel drive. From Japan, the bronze medal-winning Honda CR-V is also newly redesigned. It's available with all-wheel drive and is rated at up to 31-mpg highway.

Courtesy of secure.strategyone.net

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Kia Wins Three New Design Awards

Ever since Peter Schreyer took control of Kia design, they have been on a roll. Not only his designs gave the company a new face and increased their sales like they wouldnt believe, hes bringing in design awards almost every month. They recently snatched three new awards in the Automotive Brand Contest 2012.

In this contest the Kia GT Concept - revealed at IAA back in 2011 - was chosen as the winner of the concept award, while the new generation Kia Ceed won two titles for exterior and interior design. With the Ceed judged were impressed by the cars styling typically found on a sporty coupe, but space and functionality of a five-door hatch.

Ceed design features include chrome-framed glasshouse and muscular lines on the bonnet, complemented inside by an ergonomic, driver-oriented control panel and refined interior. In the case of the GT, which is a far cry from anything weve ever seen with a Kia badge on it, it was inspired by 1970s grand tourers, and combines supple, muscular proportions with a sophisticated, elegant four-seat interior.

Kia is still striving at design and hasnt even reached its peak yet. The recently revealed 2013 Kia Forte is another example of this progress.

Courtesy of Motorward (Online)