Auto For Speed

Kia has a lot of experience producing alternate fuel vehicles. The manufacturer has produced its first electric vehicle (EV) – based on the Besta van – as long ago as 1986, and an electric version of the Sportage in 1999.

At the 2010 Los Angeles International Auto Show, Kia revealed a petrol-electric hybrid version of the new Optima saloon, which is now on sale in both the USA and Korea. It is powered by a a 2.4-litre petrol engine and a 30kW (48 PS) electric motor driving through a hybrid-specific six-speed automatic gearbox. The combined power is 206PS (151 kW) 263Nm (195 lb-ft) of torque.

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While the all-new Kia Rio five-door hatchback is generating positive media coverage around the world and arriving in dealer showrooms across Europe this month, Kia is celebrating the world premiere of its new Rio three-door model at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

Designed primarily for the European market, the new Rio three-door will expand the appeal of Kia’s latest B-segment model to attract a new group of consumers to the brand for the first time – boosting conquest sales after its introduction during the first quarter of 2012. Ultimately, Kia expects the Rio three-door to account for approximately 20 to 25 per cent of total Rio sales.

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Continuing our flow of stories from the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show, we now have some fresh news on the Kia GT sports saloon concept, new pictures of which we showed yesterday.

The South Korean maker had told us the GT will feature a traditional layout with the engine mounted up front and power being delivered to the rear wheels, however, we knew nothing about the motor lurking under the hood. Up until now, that is.

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KIA will hit the market with the new 2012 Picanto 3-door joining the line-up for the first time since the model appeared in 2004. The small city car will also come with several new trim levels, and CO2 emissions from 99g/km – VED and Congestion Charge exempt.

Still, both 5-door and 3-door versions are identical in order to ensure the same levels of interior space and crash safety. However, the new 3-door model boasts bigger grille, restyled front bumper with large black-bezelled foglamps with the two upper trim grades. The rear bumper has a rectangular black central section in place of body colour.

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In the US, the Korean manufacturers Kia and Hyundai are going through steady and profitable times. Worth mentioning that both of the manufacturers have posted record sales figures, they managed to cut their own client niche proving that their vehicles are reliable, affordable and most important fuel efficient. It looks like the waters are clear in the US but do they look the same in their homeland?

First, it might be a good ides to observe that the current car market lean towards green, hybrid vehicles as safer alternative to the gas guzzlers that have dominated the US market until now. Another concerning fact might be the worrying rise of gas prices, a phenomenon that shows no signs of slowing down. A result of the astronomic gas prices the consumers were driven towards alternatives like the fuel efficient cars and hybrid models built by the manufacturer they trust.

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