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Next-gen Kia Optima previewed for New York Auto Show

To say the Optima is a vital product for Kia would be an understatement. In fact, the Korean automaker reports that the sedan has been its best-selling model in America for three years running. Replacing it with an all-new model, then, would be a big move for Kia, and that's exactly what it's gearing up to do. The all-new Optima is previewed here in a pair of teaser renderings, and the car is set to debut at the New York Auto Show. Though Kia has given us little in the way of information to accompany the drawings, it's clear that the design has borrowed heavily from the Sportspace concept that debuted in Geneva earlier this month – albeit in production form, and with a trunk instead of an extended roofline. The outgoing Optima was introduced five years ago and is built at plants around the world for local consumption, including in Georgia for the North American market. This will be the fourth iteration of the breed. KIA TO UNVEIL ALL-NEW OPTIMA AT NEW YORK AUTO SHOW Following its 2010 debut at the New York International Auto Show, the Optima became a catalyst for Kia Motors' tremendous growth and has been the brand's best-selling vehicle in the U.S. for three years running. Now, five years later, Kia will return to New York on Wednesday, April 1, for the world debut of the passionately designed and obsessively crafted all-new version of its popular midsize sedan. Related Video:

Kia teases e-AWD Soul concept for Chicago

Kia let slip just a few days ago that it is preparing an outdoorsy concept based on one of its most popular models for the 2015 Chicago Auto Show. After a brief wait, we are getting our first look at an unnamed e-AWD concept – or at least the front third of it. By all accounts, it looks to be rough and tumble version of its popular Soul compact. Beyond some tougher looks, the concept will get some extra oomph from an electric all-wheel drive system. Plus, to fit its inspiration of letting city dwellers go on off-road adventures, the styling wears a few tweaks from Kia's California design studio. The teaser shows off black body cladding around the lower air dam and wheel wells. The headlights also appear blacked-out with white trim around them for contrast, and the orange highlights in the wheels provide some visual pop. We're curious to see if Kia will do anything else for this Soul concept's design and how much power the electric all-wheel drive system adds. With the way the teaser image is tightly cropped, it could be a different bodystyle altogether, from a convertible to a pickup. All will be revealed when the concept is unveiled on Thursday, February 12, at the show. For the moment, we're just happy it appears that Kia is finally formally entertaining the idea of an AWD Soul. Kia Motors America will unveil an advanced and capable electric all-wheel drive (e-AWD) concept vehicle at the upcoming Chicago Auto Show. This bold off-roader was conceived by Kia's California design studio and built for city dwellers seeking the ultimate urban escape. Intended to enable a wide array of outdoor activities from skiing and snowboarding, to camping, hiking and mountain biking, this rugged runabout captures the essence of adventuring at higher elevations with the promise of surefootedness in the wild. Kia's newest concept will be revealed on the Kia stand Thursday, February 12 at 9 AM. See you there. News Source: Kia Design/Style Green Kia Crossover Hatchback Concept Cars Hybrid

Kia releases first photos of new Sportage

Occasionally, an automaker introduces a great looking concept that translates seamlessly into a very handsome road car. This isn't exactly one of those times. Kia has released the first three images of the new Sportage, the company's small CUV. The company says they drew inspiration for the production model from the Provo Concept, shown at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, although we see quite a lot more inspiration from the Niro Concept, originally introduced at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, particularly around the front fascia. In fact, when we originally covered the Niro, commenter sp33dklz went as far as saying, "So, by the time this gets to us it will be a new four-door Sportage?" Gold star to you, sir. The front end is a rather busy place, although the rest of the design appears far cleaner. In front, you have almost top-mounted headlights that remind us a bit of the original Subaru B9 Tribeca. Kia's Tiger Grille is there, and it's flanked by four-unit LED running lights, like those used on the Sorento and Optima. While there's a bit too much going on up front, the rear end is a much cleaner affair. A chrome strip ties together the flattop taillights, while a pair of oval exhaust poke out of the silver-colored diffuser/bumper guard. The greenhouse gets an aggressive shape and a thick D-pillar, while meaty wheel arches and large alloy wheels – we're betting they're at least 18s – add some spice to the two-box profile. Check out the trio of images of the new Sportage at the top of the page. Then scroll down for the official press release and register your opinion in Comments. We'll have much more on the all-new Sportage when we make the trek to the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show next month. FIRST EXTERIOR IMAGES OF ALL-NEW SPORTAGE All-new Sportage to be unveiled at IAA Frankfurt New "face" is biggest design change European Design Centre led styling Kia Motors has today revealed the first official exterior images of the all-new Kia Sportage, featuring a dynamic and strong new design. The all-new Sportage will make its global debut at the Frankfurt International Motor Show on 15 September 2015. Entering its fourth-generation, the all-new Kia Sportage features a bold, progressive design, with the vehicle's designers creating a sense of power and agility from every angle.