2014 Kia Optima Lx on 2040-cars

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Kia GT4 Stinger concept headed for Detroit with 315 rear-drive horsepower

With reveals expected to include the 2015 Ford F-150, the new Chevrolet Corvette Z06 and the high-strung Lexus RC F performance coupe (among many others), there are plenty of vehicles we're looking forward to seeing at the Detroit Auto Show. But now, with a rendered teaser image and short press release that includes some savory details, Kia may have just hit the top of our list with its GT4 Stinger Concept. Not even looking at the above image (which you can click to enlarge), Kia managed to grab our interest with just one sentence in said release detailing the car's powertrain: "A turbocharged 2.0-liter that pumps 315 horsepower to the rear wheels."
This low, wide concept has the face of a Kia-fied Audi R8, but the previous teaser stated that the concept will be a 2+2 hatchback. There is little other information to go on, but we'll see the concept car live in just 10 days. Until then, scroll down for the brief press release.

2014 Kia Sportage facelift arrives with updated 2.4L, new grille

The third-generation Sportage has been around for a few years now, but Kia is making some minor changes to its compact crossover for 2014. As expected with a small, mid-cycle refresh, there isn't anything too major to report here, but the important news for the 2014 Sportage involves what's behind that modestly updated fascia.
Kia has revamped the Sportage's base 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine to add direct injection, which is said to improve efficiency, although no fuel economy numbers have been released yet. Switching to DI has also increased the engine's output, up slightly from 176 horsepower and 168 pound-feet of torque in 2013 to 182 hp and 178 lb-ft for 2014. Additionally, LX models now receive the sportier shock setup previously available only on EX and SX trims.
More importantly, the base trim level has been dropped from the 2014 Sportage lineup, meaning the car's manual transmission has been axed, as well. Pricing hasn't been released yet, but the 2013 Sportage already undercut competitors like the Chevy Equinox and Toyota RAV4 by thousands of dollars, so even a modest increase for 2014 would still position the Kia rather nicely in the segment.

Kia spotted testing new 2016 Sportage in Germany

Though the first-generation Kia Sportage stuck around for a whopping eleven years, its successor was on the market for six years before the current model was introduced in 2010. At that rate, Kia is likely to reveal the fourth-gen model some time next year, and that is precisely what we seem to have here in this latest batch of spy shots. Spotted undergoing testing at the Hyundai-Kia Technical Center in Russelsheim, Germany, this pair of Sportage prototypes are wearing a lot of camouflage to keep us from extrapolating too much about their design. Still, we're expecting much of the KX3 concept to make it onto the production Sportage as Kia moves its crossover design language in one direction and the sedans in another. Look for a wider, lower grille, wrap-around headlamps and more prominent fog lights to characterize the front end, new LED taillights around back and a silhouette similar to the current model's in between. Expect a range of gasoline and diesel engines to be offered in markets around the world, from 130 horsepower up to 250, mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Equipment can be anticipated to be upgraded inside as well, bringing to bear the resources of what has become one of the world's largest automakers. Featured Gallery 2016 Kia Sportage: Spy Shots Image Credit: CarPix Spy Photos Kia Crossover kia sportage