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Wallpaper Wednesday

The innovative lines on the Kia Provo Concept are just the thing you need to get your creative juices flowing. Switch up your desktop this Wallpaper Wednesday and let the inspiration flow!

Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.COM Names 2013 Kia Soul to List of Coolest New Cars Under $18,000

Soul Picked Based on its Fun-to-Drive and Fun-to-Own Personality

•  The Soul stays cool with its fun design and technology
• Soul’s extensive list of standard features makes it a superb value

Kia Motors America’s (KMA) top-selling urban passenger vehicle, the 2013 Soul, was named to Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com list of the 10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000. Chosen by the site’s editors, the 2013 Soul was celebrated for its fun and bold design, high-tech offerings and roominess.
“The Soul, which paved the way for Kia’s design led transformation with its fun and funky personality, quickly established a reputation as the spunkiest car in the Kia lineup, and now KBB has recognized it as one of the coolest vehicles on the market,” said Michael Sprague, executive vice president, marketing & communications, KMA. “Kia has always strived to provide customers with value, style and substance, and the Soul fulfills that promise with an extensive roster of standard features and unique design that has become iconic.”
The Soul placed third on Kelley Blue Book’s annual list of the coolest cars. Editors at Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com looked for new cars that were fun to own and drive. The Soul’s one-of-a-kind look and feel stood out amongst its competition.
“Born in 2010 and significantly updated in 2012, the Kia Soul has managed to keep its cool the whole time,” said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com. “Like a small cargo van with bold lines and high tech, the Soul’s impressive standard equipment list includes Bluetooth^®1 phone connectivity, an auxiliary audio input and iPod^®2 integration.”
For more information about KBB.com’s 2013 list of the 10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000, please visit http://www.kbb.com/car-reviews-and-news/top-10/10-coolest-cars-under-18000-2013/.

About the 2013 SoulRefreshed for the 2013 model year, the Soul features technology and styling upgrades, bringing a new level of cool with enhanced power and efficiency. New for 2013 are power-folding side mirrors, darkened chrome around the signature grille, upgraded leather on the leather-wrapped steering wheel, standard Bluetooth^® wireless technology with steering wheel-mounted controls, standard steering wheel-mounted audio controls, and cruise control. The Soul also offers Idle Stop and Go (ISG) technology as part of the Eco Package, which senses when the vehicle is stopped and shuts off the engine to maximize efficiency and results in reduced engine load and less fuel consumption.

Kia’s Unprecedented GrowthKia Motors America is one of only three auto brands to increase U.S. sales in each of the past four years, and in 2012 the company surpassed the 500,000 unit mark for the first time.  With a full line of fun-to-drive cars and CUVs, Kia is advancing value to new levels of sophistication by combining European-influenced styling – under the guidance of chief design officer Peter Schreyer – with cutting-edge technologies, premium amenities, affordable pricing and the lowest cost of ownership in the industry.  Kia recently joined the exclusive ranks of Interbrand’s “Top 100 Best Global Brands,” and is poised to continue its momentum with seven all-new or significantly redesigned vehicles scheduled to arrive in showrooms in 2013.  Over the past decade Kia Motors has invested more than $1.4 billion in the U.S., including the company’s first U.S. assembly plant in West Point, Georgia – Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia – which is responsible for the creation of more than 11,000 plant and supplier jobs.  The success of the U.S.-built* Optima and Sorento in two of the industry’s largest segments has fueled Kia’s rapid growth and is complemented by Kia’s comprehensive lineup which includes the Cadenza flagship sedan, Soul urban passenger vehicle, Sportage compact CUV, Optima Hybrid, the Forte sedan, 5-door and Koup compacts, Rio and Rio 5-door sub-compacts and the Sedona minivan.

Courtesy of Kia Media

2014 Kia Sorento gets Spiderman-like transformation

How new the 2014 Kia Sorento really is depends on how you look at it, or more correctly, where you look at it.

Kia's current design renaissance encompasses the street-wise Soul and Sportage wagons as well as the Optima and Rio sedans. You can also place the current-generation Sorento that was launched for 2011 on that list. The lines are so right on the money in terms of contemporary style and carrying capacity that there was obviously no point in monkeying around with the mid-sized wagon's looks.

For 2014, the Georgia-built Sorento receives a minor nose tweak, including the ubiquitous mesh-style grille, updated headlights and optional fog lights, plus new taillight lenses. Otherwise the silhouette remains basically the same.

Surprisingly, however, just about every other part of the Sorento's DNA has been altered, redesigned, or otherwise enhanced, kind of like when Peter Parker was bitten by the spider to become Spiderman. Same kid on the outside, but better reflexes and more power.

For 2014, Kia has mounted the Sorento on a platform that's identical to that of parent Hyundai's Santa Fe Sport. Kia claims the new structure is 18 percent stiffer than the 2013 version; attached to that is a stouter sub-frame that holds the powertrain more firmly.

There's also a new independent front suspension, while a more compact rear suspension aids interior space and restricts noise and vibrations from entering the cabin.

The Sorento's hydraulic power-steering system has been exchanged for a more efficient electric unit that features Comfort, Normal and Sport settings, depending on your desired level of steering firmness.

Kia's design team also took care of business on the inside, installing a new instrument panel and center control stack with easier-to-find buttons and knobs.

As before, Sorento can accommodate up to seven passengers with the optional third-row seat, but there's precious little legroom in back and equally scarce stowage room when loaded to the max with passengers. There is a solution if a more comfy back row is a must, but it requires visiting your Hyundai dealer to scope out the extended-wheelbase version of the Santa Fe.

Big changes are also to be discovered in the engine bay. The 175-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder powerplant that was standard for 2013 has been dropped, and the previously optional 191-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder with direct injection (fuel is sprayed under very high pressure directly into the combustion chambers instead of the intake manifold) now assumes base-engine duties.

Added performance is at hand with the available 290-horsepower 3.3-liter V6 (also direct-injected) that delivers 18 more ponies than the outgoing 3.5-liter V6.

The four-cylinder's six-speed manual transmission has been deleted, leaving only a six-speed automatic with manual shift controls.

As before, you can order your four-cylinder or V6 Sorento in front- or all-wheel drive. The latter is a full-time system that constantly varies the torque to all four wheels and can direct power to the outer wheels in high-speed turning situations for added control (known as torque vectoring).

Interestingly, estimated four-cylinder fuel economy is 20 mpg in the city and 26 on the highway (two-wheel-drive), which is close to the V6's 18/25 rating. That points to the extra work the four-cylinder has to do to lug the Sorento around, which might make you wonder what the point is.
Clearly, the four-cylinder enters the market at a more favorable pricepoint.

The 2014 Sorento starts at just under $25,000, which is a price jump commensurate with the increase in power, content and that one great intangible, class.

Along with the existing LX, EX and SX/SX-L trims, Kia has added a new SX Limited model that does its luxury best to coddle passengers with a wood-trimmed interior with ventilated soft leather-covered seats on the inside, while self-leveling headlights and exclusive 19-inch wheels (17- and 18-inch wheels adorn lower trims) are installed outside.

As for options, the tricks up the Sorento's sleeve include a power liftgate, panoramic sunroof, advanced voice-activated communications, infotainment and navigation controls (incorporating an eight-inch touch-screen) and a blind-spot monitoring system that constantly tracks vehicles in the immediate vicinity and issues an audible and visual alert should any get too close.

Courtesy of Newsday

If you're a fan of the Vans Warped tour, you'll love our video series this summer! Kia's video blogger Tiffany Mink gives you a behind the scenes look of the tour.

Another reason to love your 2013 Kia Optima Hybrid: Kia Motors made the Interbrand’s list of the 50 Best Global Green Brands!

Motoring: Kia Reaches For The Top

With 47 new or refreshed vehicles coming by 2017, it was inevitable Kia would take another step up the product ladder which it has done with the 2014 Cadenza.

The Cadenza is considered a "near luxury" sedan with a similar size and a host of features found in the $50,000 plus bracket like the Mercedes E-Class or Audi A6.

In fact, the Cadenza starts at $37,795 for the "Base" model and $44,995 for the Premium.

Kia more sensibly sees the Cadenza as going up against Acura TL, Nissan Maxima, Lincoln MKZ and Buick LaCrosse. But Kia had a big chart at the Napa press preview showing its competitors dont have all the available extras as the Cadenza, which is something Im sure Kia sales people will be pointing out to potential buyers.

I suspect the Premium will be the top seller because of what it offers for the price, but Ill get to that a little lower down.

The Cadenza is not a new car but new to Canada and will be sold as Kias flagship model. It is known as the K7 in Korea sold alongside the K9 which is Kias flagship over there.

The Cadenza is considered a full-size sedan and it is in every sense of the word, especially the back seat. During our drive time in San Francisco and the Napa Valley, I made a point of getting in the back and I had more than enough legroom.

Later while driving, I had to stop smartly and that caused my travel bag to slide forward off the back seat and onto the floor. Its a big bag and normally it gets wedged between the front seat back and the rear cushion. In this case, it plopped onto the floor and looked rather lonely with all the room around it.

Kia/Hyundai is the only automaker to produce its own steel and in the Cadenza, high-strength steel makes up 60 per cent of the chassis.

Kia said at the Cadenza press launch this ensures only the highest quality steel is used in the Cadenzas construction.

There is one engine, Kias new 3.3-litre direct injection V6 producing 293 hp and 255 lb/ft of torque driving the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission featuring paddle shifters on the steering wheel.

Using regular gasoline, fuel consumption is rated at 11.2/7.4L/100 km city/highway.

One thing that caused some discussion among autowriters present for the press launch in the Napa Valley of California was the steering.

My Quebec co-driver found it "vague" while Graeme Fletcher of Motoring TV called it one of the best hed driven. I did note that FlexSteer (that offers three response modes in the latest Kia offerings) was not on the Cadenza. I was told thats because it was an older model and it could not be refitted with FlexSteer.

I know the roads in Napa fairly well and one of those is the Silverado Trail that runs north-south beside the Napa River.

Twisting and turning, but with pavement as smooth as glass, you can really put any vehicle through its paces, which I did.

Bottom line was the steering was precise and predictable with a hint of on-centre lightness which one expects from electric power steering. The feel of the Cadenza steering fits the nature of the car as buyers in this segment expect comfort in a sedan not the input effort one needs in a sportscar.

Standard equipment is extensive, the partial list includes: rear parking sensors, rear camera, multimedia interface Navigation, AM/FM/CD/AUX/USB, SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluetooth wireless technology, Infinity 12-speaker audio system, chrome outside door handles, solar glass, projection headlights, front fog lights, LED daytime running lights and positioning lights, LED light bar tail lights, power heated body coloured outside mirrors, power folding outside mirrors with LED side repeaters, front and rear splash guard, dot matrix LCD cluster and trip computer.

But it was with the Premium that the Kia blurs with line between "near luxury" and the real thing.

This car is loaded. Again, just a partial list of goodies includes: panoramic sunroof, HID headlamps with adaptive front lighting (AFLS), triple stage cooled/ventilated drivers seat, dual stage rear heated seats, power tilt and telescopic steering wheel, memory seats, memory outside mirrors, memory steering column, drivers seat knee extension, heated steering wheel, wiper deicer, power rear window curtain, Supervision TFT LCD instrument cluster, premium Nappa leather seats, 19-inch alloy wheels, smart cruise control, blind spot detection, Lane Departure Warning System and Electric Parking Brake (EPB).

One of the things that caught everyones attention is the use of "hydrophobic" glass on the front side windows. They are treated with a special, permanent coating that repels water and dirt.

And you like to golf, you can take a foursome and their bags in the 451-litre trunk.

Suspension is MacStruts at the front and a multi-link setup at the rear. Part of the suspension comprises "dynamic dampers" that automatically soften when cruising but stiffen when more handling performance is wanted.

Im not a fan of adaptive cruise control but many are, especially at the luxury level. On the Cadenza speed can be set between 30-180 km/h.

I feel the same about lane departure systems because I find the bell/chime/whatever is annoying and distracting plus it adds to the stress level in the middle of a critical situation. Luckily, it can be turned off by a button located to the left of the steering wheel.

By that I mean people used to think of Kias as "cheap and cheerful" transportation. But with each new product, Canadians continue to be won over by the styling that is the gateway to the built quality and content.

The Cadenza marks new territory for Kia and it is very much the new boy on the near luxury block.

But based on what we've seen so far, Kia will probably be one of the big boys on the block before very long.

Kia Cadenza 2014

Body Style: Full-size near luxury sedan

Drive Method: Front-engine, front-wheel-drive

Engine: 3.3-litre DOHC direct injection V6 (293 hp, 255 lb/ft)

Fuel Economy: (Regular) six-speed automatic 11.2/7.4L/100 km city/highway

Cargo: 451 litres

Tow Rating: Not recommended

Courtesy of Kelowna Capital News

Warped Tour and Kia team up to provide fans with daily autograph signings and select acoustic sessions with We Came As Romans and Sleeping With Sirens.

Happy Wallpaper Wednesday, fans! Set the 2013 Kia Optima Hybrid as your computer's wallpaper and get a glimpse of beauty every time you go online! Photo: Happy Wallpaper Wednesday, fans! Set the 2013 Kia Optima Hybrid as your computer's wallpaper and get a glimpse of beauty every time you go online!

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Comparison: The Big Test: 2013/2014 Full-Size Sedans Chevrolet Impala LTZ vs. Chrysler 300S vs. Ford Taurus SEL vs. Kia Cadenza vs. Toyota Avalon Ltd

Is there a more peculiar automotive segment than that of the entry-level, full-size sedan? Loved by comfort-seeking retirees, client-shuttling businessmen, and family-hauling parents alike, the full-size sedan means many things to many people. To us, the full-size segment should mean comfort, interior space, and lots of features. As a step up from the popular midsize market, these sedans are aimed squarely at those who can't quite afford (or don't want to pay for) a full-fledged luxury platform. The last time we visited this space, we pitted the Toyota Avalon (the very same one we have here, in fact) against the new Hyundai Azera and the aging Nissan Maxima. The result of that comparison was a photo finish between the Hyundai and the Toyota, with the Avalon winning by just a grille. Now, we've invited the Avalon back to take on two brand-new-to-market challengers, the Chevrolet Impala and Kia Cadenza, along with two recent large refreshes, the Chrysler 300S and the Ford Taurus. The winner will need to display superiority through multiple criteria, including ride comfort, interior refinement, performance, fuel economy, safety, and value. Full-size sedan shoppers are about as concerned with the fun-to-drive aspect as they are Justin Bieber, so we'll put our normal enthusiast perspectives aside for this one and concentrate on what makes a full-size sedan so desirable to so many people.

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Ride and Handling

Let's face it: If you're shopping for a full-size sedan, ride comfort is paramount. Leave the kidney-busting, sport-tuned damping for the sport sedans of the world -- this segment is all about a ride that won't leave sloshed latte all over your business colleague's white-collared shirt. Sad to say, a comfortable, composed ride is something the Avalon just doesn't have, as we noted in our last full-size comparison. Associate editor Mike Febbo found "it crashes and bangs over the smaller bumps, then just floats away over the bigger ones." Those crashes and bangs also transmitted a lot of noise through the cabin, leading to a "cheap and unrefined" feel, according to executive editor Ron Kiino. The Avalon's steering seemed artificial, though the Toyota did feel fairly nimble on the twistier sections of our drive route, in part because of its low 3557-pound curb weight. The Chrysler 300 had a firmer than average ride as well, but managed to maintain a strong level of comfort and composure. It rolled little in corners and had plenty of grip, but as the only one in the pack to tip the scales at more than 2 tons, there was no hiding the 300's bulk. Perhaps most disappointing was that the Chrysler's rear-drive platform didn't make it feel much different from the rest of the front-drivers. Around the curves, the car felt much more nose-heavy than its best-in-test 51/49-percent front/rear weight split would suggest.

The full-size segment should mean comfort, interior space, and lots of features

By comparison, the 3968-pound Ford Taurus (the second-heaviest car here) was decidedly middle of the pack. "On the road, the Taurus is acceptable," said associate online editor Benson Kong. "The car bounces around a bit, but it isn't uncomfortable." That soft, floaty ride contributed to massive body roll in corners that, when combined with quick turn-in, tossed occupants around more than we'd like. The Impala, while lighter on its feet than the 300, drew fans for its "American car" ride -- supple and never crashy, though well-composed and stable at the same time. Said Kong, "The Impala is my pick for most appropriate ride of the segment. There's a bit of a controlled heave to let you know, 'Hey, the car is going to provide as plush a ride as it can.'" Kiino agreed, "The ride is well composed. Much better than Toyota's and marginally better than Kia's." But what of the Kia? Associate online editor Nate Martinez noted of the Cadenza, "It's extremely smooth, well-sorted, and amazingly comfortable." While the Kia's steering lacked much feel, it wasn't significantly worse off than most others in the group, and body roll was minimal. Also worth noting: The Kia drove like the smallest car in the group, even though it's larger in every exterior dimension than the Avalon.

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Performance

Fun fact: Every vehicle in this test has a dual-overhead cam, 24-valve, 60-degree V-6 under the hood. In fact, the greatest variance between the smallest engine in our group (Kia) and the largest (Chrysler) is a measly 16 cubic inches. It's what they did with those cubic inches that mattered. The Avalon impressed everyone with its smooth, punchy power delivery and a transmission that was quick to respond, especially in Sport. With the lightest weight and such an eager V-6, it wasn't a surprise when the Toyota posted the top quarter-mile time of the group. "The 3.5-liter V-6 is the best part of this car," said Kong. Kia's Cadenza also impressed with its eager 3.3-liter mill and paddle-shiftable six-speed auto. Though only midpack on output with 293 hp on tap, the Kia tied for second-quickest quarter-mile time with the most powerful car in the group: the 305-hp Chevy Impala. On the road, both cars felt plenty quick merging into busy freeway traffic, but on winding, hilly roads, the Chevy's transmission hunted endlessly for the proper gear, resulting in frustration and a lot of engine noise. Manual mode is an option, but per Kiino, "The toggle buttons aren't the quickest or easiest to use. Give me paddles!" Most editors found the Kia's shift paddles well-placed, but thought downshifts were a little slow to arrive, while upshifts were usually quick. Another car in this pack to offer paddle shifters was the Chrysler 300S. Feedback was generally positive for the 300's 3.6-liter Pentastar engine and adjoining eight-speed automatic. Though the Chrysler was the heaviest car of the group, it trailed the Avalon by just 0.2 second in the quarter mile and did it with a burly rumble from its exhaust. The 300 also earned praise from Kiino for its quick-acting gearbox. "The eight-speed is sweet -- smooth, quick, and intuitive."

The Impala drew fans for its plush "American car" ride over rough stretches of road

The Taurus brought up the rear of the pack in most performance measures. Slowest in the quarter mile and the longest-stopping car from 60 mph at 125 feet (the 300 and Impala were shortest at 115), the Ford had just 20 more horsepower than the Avalon to bring its additional 400 pounds up to speed. That said, its quick turn-in and huge 255-width tires were enough to bring it the second-quickest time in our figure-eight testing, behind the 300. Unfortunately, the Ford suffered from lots of engine noise and a balky transmission, with similar gear hunting and awkward button-style manual modes to those of the Chevy.

Efficiency

With curb weights in this group ranging from just shy of 3600 pounds to more than 4100, your average 3-and-then-some-liter V-6 has to work reasonably hard to gather and maintain momentum. While we do tend to push our test cars a bit harder than the average user, our figures take into account freeway driving, city driving, and the type of winding, hilly back roads you might find on your next weekend getaway. With all the cars driven the same way on the same roads, we're able to draw some conclusions about which are more efficient in the real world -- EPA numbers aside. Just looking at EPA numbers shows that four of our cars are rated at 19 mpg city (the Avalon is 21 mpg city) and a spread of 28 to 31 mpg highway (Kia at the bottom end, Toyota and Chrysler at the top). Our observed, real-world numbers were nothing close to those. Even an eight-speed transmission couldn't help the Chrysler. The 300's Pentastar V-6 downed fuel like a hipster chugging PBR to keep its 2 tons moving, returning a lackluster 16.1 mpg in our testing. That's 3 mpg less than even its EPA city estimate. The Ford fared a bit better at 18.1 mpg, but with its constant gear-hunting and second heaviest curb weight it couldn't contend for the top spot. Not surprisingly, the Ford and Chrysler had the worst weight-to-power ratios of the group, with 13.8 and 13.7 lb/hp, respectively. The Chevy and Kia finished just 0.1 mpg apart at 19.0 and 18.9 mpg, respectively, an especially impressive performance for the Chevy given its extra 100 pounds over the Kia and its penchant for gear-hunting. Both cars effectively matched their estimated city EPA rating, which, considering our road driving loop, is fair. The not-so-surprising winner of the fuel-economy shootout was the Toyota Avalon. With observed fuel economy of 22.1 mpg, not only did the Toyota beat its city EPA rating by 1 mpg, it also beat the Chrysler's observed rating by a huge 6 mpg, despite an equal EPA highway rating of 31 mpg. In our last full-size test, the Avalon outsipped the Hyundai Azera and Nissan Maxima by nearly 3 mpg.

The 300S rode well and rolled little in corners, but there was no hiding its considerable bulk

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Cockpit/Cabin

A full-size sedan's interior is a complex thing. Not only does it have to provide the driver with comfort, practicality, and pleasing aesthetics, it also has to provide the same for up to four passengers. As a near-luxury segment, there's also a higher expectation of quality for full-size sedans. Just as no one would pay for business class and be happy flying coach instead, full-size sedan shoppers shouldn't settle for midsize amenities. The Avalon made up some ground in this category, too, with an interior that drew style praise from nearly everyone. Though the material quality didn't wow every editor, the rear seat did with an abundance of legroom and separate climate controls instead of just vents as in the competition. The Avalon was also exclusive in offering three (instead of just two) 12-volt outlets and featuring auto up/down rear windows. As with the Kia, the rear seats are also heated. Kia scored high here as well. Though on paper, rear seat legroom comes up a few inches short to the Toyota, sitting in the rear cabin reveals little difference in actual space. We also praised the Kia for its rear-window sunshade (as in the 300 and Avalon), soft leather upholstery and heated and cooled front seats (also seen in the Toyota and Chevy). One strike against: Front and rear headroom were found to be slightly lacking for 6-plus-footers, possibly to do with the panoramic sunroof. Some also disliked the virtual gauge display.

The Avalon crashed and banged over bumps, transmitting lots of harsh noise to the cabin

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The best of the rest was the Chevy Impala, with a fairly spacious but somewhat hard and uncomfortable rear seat. We also griped about the laggy center display and questionable gray leather with teal stitching, a color combination we might have seen at a Sizzler restaurant in the 1990s. That said, headroom was good front and rear, and there were two USB ports in the center console. Trailing just behind was the Chrysler 300 with less usable rear seat room than the others despite its huge dimensions. While the dashboard layout was pleasant enough and the display worked well, some felt the all-black interior needed to be livened up a little. Bringing up the rear was the Ford Taurus, with its "gun-slit" rear window visibility, marginal rear seat room (though some found slightly more foot and legroom than in the 300) and plenty of hard plastic interior materials. This being a low-optioned tester, the Taurus was also low on features and many found the front seating area cramped as well, with an oversized center console and protruding dash.

2013 Toyota Avalon Limited
Big on room and features, but materials need improvement.

2014 Chevrolet Impala LTZ
It's middle of the road in most areas, but the rear cabin is roomy.

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Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/1307_the_big_test_2013_2014_full_size_sedans/viewall.html#ixzz2VOAzTmGY

Courtesy of Motor Trend

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Musical group Boyz II Men serenaded three of their biggest fans and gave them a surprise that will last a lifetime of memories.