2013 Kia Sorento

For its second-generation refresh leading up to a 2015 redesign, Kia sweetened the deal on a 2013 Sorento with a few standardized features, new options and a modernized style. This volume-leading American-made midsize crossover may well be on the smaller side of its class, but there's a lot more than hot air inside. Weighing in at no less than 4,000 pounds, the remarkably well-appointed Kia Sorento is known for dropping jaws—and given this 2013 update with body-color and silver accents, it's building a legacy of turning heads, too.

There wasn't much room for improvement given the Sorento's history of converting even luxury buyers into Kia fans, so it looks like the 2013 lineup basically stays pat minus a Base offering. There's still a choice of 3 engines mated to a nearly flawless 6-speed automatic that pushes power to the front wheels (FWD) by default, or all wheels (AWD) optionally, but so far it appears just the LX, EX and SX trims will return for 2013 to make up the baseline, middle and top of the line, respectively.

As such, pricing and features have changed a bit, mostly to lower the starting tag on the SX, but there are as yet no details on how it will be repackaged. However, we do know the V6-equipped LX gets that roomy third row standard, while 7 passengers remain optional for V6-equipped 2013 EX and SX models. Leather seating is now standard in the EX, the Microsoft-powered UVO infotainment system joins the LX's options list, and the SX now visually differentiates itself with a chrome exhaust tip, LED taillights and larger 18-inch alloy wheels.

Aside from those few tweaks, the 2013 Kia Sorento is the very same Sorento so many renters have fallen for already. Although the baseline unmodified 2.4-liter 175-hp 4-cylinder offered in the EX can be anemic at times, there's always the option to snag the tweaked 191-hp and 181-lb-ft/torque version of the same 4-cylinder, or the LX- and SX-default 276-hp and 248 lb-ft V6 good for 3,500 pounds of towing know-how. All that power comes at the cost of 20 mpg city/26 highway, but the 4-cylinder can get as much as 22/32 mpg, manufacturing mishaps aside. (A good few lemons made it past QC for 2012, so make sure you test-drive the one you're taking home at the very least.)

If the now-baseline LX comes equipped like it did for 2012, feature highlights include heated side mirrors with integrated LED turn signals and a second-row armrest. The Convenience package adds fog lights, roof rails, rear parking sensors, heated front seats, a backup camera with rear-view display and the modified 4-banger for FWD models or third-row seating for V6-equipped LX Sorentos.

The 2012 EX notably added keyless ignition/entry, rear parking sensors, rear air-conditioning for V6 models, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob alongside the voice-activated UVO infotainment system, standard—but the new X Convenience Plus Package available to both the EX and SX adds those leather touches plus an 8-way powered driver's seat, so the standard offering for 2013 is still somewhat in question. The performance-inspired SX came loaded for 2012 with EX options in addition to more aggressive styling, a sport-tuned suspension and metallic interior accents. It's pretty safe to assume whatever the 2013 EX becomes, the SX will be it, loaded and sportier.

Kia Naimo - electric concept car

Taking its name from the Korean word “Ne-mo”, (pronounced ‘Neh-mo’, meaning ‘square shape’), the Naimo electric crossover utility vehicle (CUV) was conceived by Kia’s international design team in Seoul, and is characterized principally by its simple lines and solid, muscular stance.

The uncomplicated overall design is accentuated by a number of striking key details, such as the wraparound windscreen and asymmetric sunroof design, and the front and rear dot-style LED head- and positioning-lamps. This juxtaposition of simple and complex is a common trait of many traditional Korean arts and crafts. Asian Celadon-style pottery, in particular, was a major influence on the car’s styling – with the pottery’s asymmetric form lending itself to the sunroof design, and the typical jade coloring giving Naimo its unique exterior finish.

Naimo’s interior was designed to evoke a strong sense of tranquility and features hand-crafted materials throughout. Korean oak is used to trim the interior door panels and the entire interior floor, Korean “Han-ji” paper is used for the head lining. Alongside these traditional elements sit modern features such as a TOLED (transparent organic light emitting diode) storming display instrument panel and full device connectivity.

Power comes from a PMSM (Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor) electric motor with a maximum output of 80 kW (109 ps) and maximum torque of 280 Nm, enabling Naimo to reach a top speed of 150 kph (93 mph).

A twin-pack 27 kWh battery is located under the trunk floor and uses innovative LiPoly (Lithium Ion Polymer) technology that offers numerous advantages over other battery types. Equipped with this battery, Naimo provides a driving range of 200 km (124 miles) on a single charge. To enhance range, the showcar is fitted with special low-drag 20-inch diameter alloy wheels.

Under the quick recharging cycle (50 kW) the Naimo’s battery can be recharged to 80 percent of its capacity within 25 minutes.

All New KIA Optima

All-new Optima, the ambitious model by Kia, is finally over! In addition to its charismatic and sleek allure, Optima boasts quality performance and diverse high-technology features. Let’s find out more about the Theta II 2.4 GDi gasoline engine that forms the powerful core of the vehicle.

The Theta II 2.4 GDi engine was developed to answer the universal demand for cars with enhanced fuel efficiency in light of high oil prices and, at the same time, provide a high performance engine that offers a ‘fun to drive’ experience. The engine was designed to secure a stronger position in the mid-sized sedan market.

The engine boasts driving performance with a maximum horsepower of 201 and maximum torque of 25.5kg•m.

The gasoline direct injection (GDI) combustion system directly sprays fuel into the combustion chamber at a high 150 bar injection pressure. The injector and fuel pump are designed as a high pressure structure to directly inject gasoline into the cylinder and achieve greater precision. Additionally, it is able to enhance performance and fuel economy by improving the intake efficiency, reducing knocking, and increasing the compression ratio. In particular, the use of a split-injection method allows the catalyst to reach operating temperature (LOT) faster.

The GDI combustion system also offers environment-friendlier benefits: fuel efficiency is enhanced by 2-3% and engine performance by more than 10%, while the time required for the catalyst to reach operating temperature is reduced by 50-60%.

The Theta II 2.4 GDI engine was developed through the optimal GDI method to deliver improved fuel economy and performance along with reduced emissions. It is a high performance, low polluting and fuel efficient engine.

Furthermore, the application of a variable intake & exhaust valve system and a variable intake system (VIS) maximizes intake efficiency and improves driving performance and fuel economy. The variable intake & exhaust valve system adjusts the timing of the intake and exhaust valves depending on the engine RPM. VIS adjusts the intake manifold and increases output based on the engine RPM and load.

The high pressure fuel system features an integrated injector driver called Powertrain Control Unit (PCU). It was developed to assess and control the right amount of fuel injection by integrating ECU functions.

Other additions include the roller-type timing chain and piston cooling jet that cools the piston by spraying engine oil for greater wear resistance; the application of low-friction coating technology to the valve tappet, piston ring and skirt to improve fuel economy; the use of plastic material for key parts like the head cover and intake manifold for increased recyclability and reduced weight.

In particular, the piston cooling jet is attached to the main oil gallery on the cylinder block to spray engine oil. This cools the overheated piston during the high temperature/ high RPM operations to reduce knocking. Furthermore, it quickly raises the temperature of the engine oil during cold starts to minimize friction loss and improve fuel efficiency.

kia sportage 2011

Kia redesigned its midsize Sorento for 2011, and the Kia Sportage is next in line. In fact, based on its introduction at the 2010 New York Auto Show, several reviewers say it looks like a scaled-down version of its big brother.

Aside from the new aggressive-looking sheetmetal, the redesigned Sportage gets a new all-wheel drive system, two new engines (including a turbocharged four-cylinder), a new cabin design, and more standard features than ever.

Kia hasn’t yet announced fuel economy numbers, but says the engines are expected to provide better figures than the 2010 Sportage. A new quick-ratio electric power steering system will also save on fuel and improve handling. The Sportage is expected to earn fuel economy ratings similar to its Hyundai Tucson cousin, which would make it one of the most fuel-efficient SUVs in the class. The base Tucson is rated at 23 mpg in the city and 31 on the highway.

The Sportage will continue to offer Kia’s great warranty coverage: a five-years/60,000-mile basic warranty and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty

Key Details

The 2011 Sportage will be offered in two trims, LX and EX. The base LX model is expected to come with more equipment than before, providing Bluetooth and satellite radio as standard features. The uplevel EX is expected to come with more innovative and luxury features than Kia typically offers -- such as a panoramic sunroof, heated and cooled seats, a cooled glove box, and Kia’s new UVO voice control system (a system similar to Ford’s SYNC).

The Sportage’s new base engine is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder that makes 176 horsepower. Sometime after launch, Kia also plans to offer a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder in mid-2011 (horsepower has not yet been announced). These will be paired with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.

The Sportage’s new all-wheel drive system is biased toward the front wheels but also includes a lock feature that splits torque between the front and rear wheels at speeds up to 25 mph. Though it’s designed more for inclement weather than rough terrain, the system comes with Hill Start Assist Control and Downhill Brake Control, which help out when driving on uphill grades or steep descents.

Stay tuned for our full review of the 2011 Kia Sportage

First Drive: 2011 Kia Sorento

By Eric Tingwall

For the gift of this global recession, Kia should be singing in the streets. While others have endured bankruptcy, brand dismemberment, and double-digit declines, Kia's sales and market share are up for 2009. But don't give all the credit to the Koreans' value image. The automaker has also been steadily feeding new -- and substantially improved -- products into the market. The 2011 Sorento is the company's latest effort and, like the Soul and Forte before it, this fresh crossover puts Kia into the mainstream mix.

Save for the name, the Sorrento is genuinely new from the ground up. A unibody architecture replaces the old body-on-frame design, and the optional four-wheel drive is now ready to step in at any time rather than waiting for the driver to switch it on. The two V-6s from last year have been replaced with new four- and six-cylinder engines. And an optional third row provides seating flexibility for occasional kid-shuttling duty.

In rain-swollen Georgia, we piloted a front-wheel drive V-6 Sorento between downtown Atlanta and West Point, where the crossover will be built at Kia's new $1 billion manufacturing facility. Immediately, we noticed the Sorento's solid chassis and well-tuned suspension that dismisses road imperfections adeptly without being too soft or too harsh. The Sorento also packs a new 273-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 that delivers smooth and linear acceleration. The 2.4-liter in-line four makes 172 hp but will likely only deliver a 1 mpg improvement in highway and city driving.

A six-speed manual is fitted to the base car, but almost all buyers will end up with the six-speed automatic. In most situations, the automatic transmission works well, however we found it reluctant to shift a few times. On the highway, when looking for a six-to-four downshift, we prodded the accelerator without response until finally the Sorento produced a dramatic, abrupt shift to third gear. Steering, braking, and handling, however, are all drama free.

The interior is comfortable, with supportive seats and logical controls. The middle row provides adequate legroom and the seatback angle is adjustable. Although the materials are on par with competitors, Kia hasn't perfected the finer details of texture, graining, and finishes. There's an abundance of matte black plastic where other automakers would inject a touch of style. Frankly, stepping up the interiors one more notch appears to be Kia's last major hurdle.

Kia's steady improvement in vehicle dynamics and quality has been an evolution, but the change in styling is a radical mutation. At the hand of former Audi designer Peter Schreyer, the vehicles have gone from pragmatic to passionate, with a recognizable family look. The Sorento is no exception. Where the last model was dull and derivative, this new crossover has its own personality. On top of a very capable vehicle, the design-not the price tag-adds a compelling reason to consider the Sorento. And that's something Kia should sing about.