Kia: Sportage Lx on 2040-cars

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Kia rolls out updated Cee'd hatches in Europe

Kia makes some models specifically for the North American market, and keeps some models back at home in South Korea that we never see. But it also makes some for other markets, like the Cee'd. And now it's rolling out a revised version for the European market. Top Gear jokes aside, the Cee'd has been a popular model for Kia in Europe, selling over a million units since its introduction there nine years ago to take on the likes of the Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus. The updated model benefits from revised styling inside and out, improved NHV refinement (particularly for diesel models), new tech, and several new engine options – all of which are now Euro 6 compliant. The biggest news, which we already knew, is the addition of a new 1.0-liter turbo three-cylinder engine. It's available in two states of tune, producing 99 horsepower or 118, but produces the same 127 pound-feet of torque either way. The 1.6-liter diesel option now packs a stronger punch at 134 hp (up from 126) and 210 lb-ft (instead of 195), and offers a new seven-speed dual-clutch transmission option. The remaining four-cylinder engines carry over essentially unchanged. The flagship Cee'd GT and Pro_Cee'd GT performance models benefit from some new trim inside and out, as well. The 1.6-liter turbo four carries over with the same 201 hp and 195 lb-ft, but a new turbocharger improves low-end response to cut a fraction of a second off the 0-62 time. There's also a sound synthesizer that replicates the engine note inside the cabin, and larger brakes available. European buyers will once again be able to choose between three body-styles: five-door hatch, extended Sportswagon and three-door Pro_Cee'd. There's also a new GT Line that offers the looks of the performance models without the mechanical upgrades (and commensurate hike in purchase and fuel costs). Dealers across the pond will begin taking delivery next month. Major upgrade for Kia cee'd with new look, new engines and improved dynamics 26-Jun-2015 Kia has today announced details of a comprehensive upgrade to its increasingly popular Kia cee'd, a model that has provided the foundation for Kia's continuing success in Europe over recent years. Kia's European designers have evolved the interior and exterior styling of the current cee'd into an exciting new look, with the powertrain team developing a wider range of engines and transmissions.

Kia sold 123 North American Soul EVs in October

How happy were those Kia hamsters last month? We're guessing they were pretty pleased, because reports are out that the South Korean automaker sold 123 Kia Soul electric vehicles in North America during the model's first month of sales on the continent. Now crank up that funky music. Kia sold 109 Soul EVs in the US and another 14 in Canada, Kia-World reports (the site is unaffiliated with the automaker). Kia's expected to move about 5,000 Soul EVs in North America by the end of next year. Kia spokesman James Hope, in an e-mail to AutoblogGreen, said the automaker doesn't specifically disclose the number of gas and electric Soul models it sells in North America. Those volume numbers are on par with lower-volume electric variants of conventional models that are generally positioned as "compliance" vehicles (i.e., vehicles sold specifically to comply with California's zero-emissions vehicle mandate). For instance, the Ford Focus Electric sold 186 units in the US last month, while the Smart ForTwo ED electric moved 150 vehicles. Honda sold 23 Fit EVs in October. The Kia Soul EV has base price of $33,700 and a single-charge range of 93 miles. You can read our Quick Spin impressions of the new EV here.

2015 Kia Soul EV production model glimpsed before Chicago

A few days before its on-stage reveal at the Chicago Auto Show, the production version of the 2015 Kia Soul EV has been spotted, tagged and bagged in this series of spy shots. On the EV captured by our photographer's lens, we can see unusual baby blue accents on top, on the mirrors and up front, as well as a closed-off "Tiger Nose" that is both taller and larger than the grille on the standard Soul. The special "Eco Electric" badge on the sides is useful for identifying the car in the picture, but we can't imagine it'll make the transition to showroom floor (at least, we hope). The Soul EV's rear side is different, too, with the bottom lights moved lower and the design of the main taillights tweaked a bit (compare our spy shots gallery to the standard model here). The wheels get a fresh five-spoke design as well. What lies under the new exterior? Some things we already know. The Soul is supposed to have a "class-leading" range of over 120 miles on a charge thanks to a 27-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion polymer battery pack. The electric motor offers 109 horsepower and 210 pound-feet of torque to create a 0-62 mile per hour time of under 12 seconds and a top speed of around 90 mph. What we can't see in these shots is a window sticker, but from what we've heard before, the Soul EV, "won't be priced to stimulate demand." Early predictions put the price at $35,000-$40,000 US – before government incentives – when the car launches in the US in the second half of this year. The gas-powered Soul starts at $14,400. We should learn more in Chicago later this week.