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Top Gear Season 17: Episode 3
  The third episode of Top Gear was aired over the weekend and to our surprise, the show can actually put out a meaningful 60 minutes without all the usual wisecracks. Granted, there were still jokes, but humor was somehow left in the sidelines in lieu of some pretty fascinating reviews on the McLaren MP4-12C and the Range Rover Evoque. On top of that, reigning Formula One World Champion Sebastian Vettel also stopped by for a quick chat with Jeremy Clarkson while also taking his talents behind the wheel of a Kia Cee’d as part of the Star in a Reasonably-Priced Car segment. The two best segments though include the Stig’s scintillating lap of the MP4-12C, posting a lap time that you wouldn’t believe until you see it and a segment on second-hand cars that left us with an idea on the merits of owning a brand-new city car as opposed to a second-hand version of something that’s more appropriate to our tastes. Check out full details of Top Gear Season 17 Episode 3 after the jump. Full story Top Gear Season 17: Episode 2
Last Sunday, the second episode of Top Gear’s 17th season aired and like most of the shows these days, we were treated to some hilarious segments, a rather pointedly pointless car review, some canned and scripted studio jokes, and - for once - a surprisingly fast lap on the Kia Cee’d. Par for the course for Top Gear. In this episode, James May will tell you things about the Aston Martin Virage that you already probably know. This is then followed by a highly-entertaining hot hatch triple threat madness along the streets of Italy that included finding a dog, an ice cube, and branch from a cedar tree. Comedian Russ Noble also stopped by for a little chat with Jeremy - an entertaining interview by our measure - after which the former strapped on his helmet for his hot lap on board the show’s Reasonably Priced Car. The show concludes with a sort of dream of dreams, at least as far as Jeremy Clarkson was concerned: three laps around the Monaco Grand Prix. It probably didn’t matter that the cars they were driving were the same three hot hatches they drove in Italy. At the end of the day - Clarkson especially - had a blast to finally drive their way around Monaco’s world famous street circuit. Full details after the jump. Full story 2011 Kia VR-7 Special Editions
As if Kias weren’t inexpensive enough, now the South Korean automaker has created two special editions based off of their c’eed and pro_cee’d models. They’re called the VR-7 Special Editions and they are currently on sale. The special editions will offer additional equipment including reversing sensors and a number of other high level features. The VR-7 Special Editions will come with a 1.4 liter petrol engine and a manual gearbox. It will be distinguished by 16inch Style ‘A’ Alloys, body color door panels, and heated and electronically controlled door mirrors. Inside, both Special Editions will get air conditioning, remote central locking, and front electric windows, as well as Bluetooth functionality with iPod connectivity. Tweeter speakers are added for a 6 speaker surround sound system. The exterior will be available in Arctic White, Silver Storm, Phantom Black, and Tempest Grey (which is unique to the Special Edition). The interior will get leather trim on the steering wheel, gear shift, parking lever, and the floor console/front arm rest. Press release after the jump. Full story Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz take on the Top Gear track
Who’s the next star showcasing in Top Gear’s "Star in a Reasonably Priced Car"? Well, according to The Sun, it’s none other than Days of Thunder star, Tom Cruise and his Knight and Day co-star, Cameron Diaz. THese two are said to be taking a lap around the Top Gear track in a Kia c’eed in hopes of getting on top of the leader board. Apparently Cruise and Diaz were in Britain for the premiere of their new movie Knight and Day when Cruise’s "people" gave Top Gear a call. A Top Gear source is the root of this story and he says, "Tom knew we were filming so asked if he could give the old Kia a whirl. "Cameron was up for it too so we’re getting two A-list stars for one show. Jeremy Clarkson and the boys couldn’t be happier." The Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz edition of "Star in a Reasonably Priced Car" is said to be airing as soon as this Sunday so make sure you keep your eyes and ears open to catch these two stars whipping it around the track. Top Gear returns for 15th season with new "Reasonably-Priced Car"
Top Gear’s 15th season kicked off in the UK last week and as we have come to expect from those fellas, well, we really don’t know what to expect from them because unpredictability has always been their calling card. This season figures to be no different. That being said, one popular segment that looks like it’s going to continue for Season no.15 is the "Star in a Reasonably-Priced Car" and Top Gear, in an attempt to get something a little more up-to-date than the Chevy Lacetti they’ve been prancing around with in past seasons, is gearing up - no pun intended - to debut a new car for celebrity guests to punch in their best lap times on the Top Gear race track. And during the first episode of the 15th season, we finally caught a glimpse of what the new reasonably-priced car is, and as fate would have it, that car turned out to be none other than Kia’s affable Cee’d, a car that, incidentally, isn’t available in America. Whether Top Gear’s celebrity guests will have as good a time behind the wheel of the Cee’d as they did with the Lacetti, and the even older Suzuki Liana, remains to be seen. But what we do know is Top Gear’s back, which means its time for season downloads to resume. 2010 Kia Cee’d
Kia will unveil at the Frankfurt Motor Show the facelift version of the most successful model in the line-up: C’eed, in both sedan and station wagon versions. For 2010, the new C’eed receives numerous exterior and interior design refinements, upgraded standard equipment and technical innovations. The cee’d also gets a fully-revised suspension set-up. Also Kia will focus on reducing fuel consumption (5% for all the line-up).  "The new cee’d is 25 mm longer and is more distinctive in appearance with a stronger road presence. Following our established model range line-up, customers will enjoy a thoroughly revised interior including a new-style steering wheel and gear lever, all-red instrument illumination, a new centre console and new audio systems, plus dual-zone climate control air-conditioning." Press release after the jump. Full story Kia Cee’d facelift rendering
Kia will unveil at the Frankfurt Motor Show a facelift version for the Kia Cee’d hatchback. The car was designed by Audi alum Peter Schreyer. The new Cee’d features a redesigned bumper with a large air intake and rectangular fog lights. The engine line-up will include a 109hp 1.4-liter, a 122hp 1.6-liter and a 140hp 2.0-liter engine. Diesel line-up will include a 115hp 1.6-liter CRDi and 140hp 2.0-liter CRDi. We’ll get back with more details in September.
Kia cee’d Hybrid coming in Paris
Next to the Soul Hybrid Concept, Kia will also reveal the cee´d Hybrid concept at the Paris Auto Show. The Kia cee´d Hybrid has been created by Kia R&D to take part in ‘real-world´ test activities in Europe. Like the Soul Hybrid, the cee´d uses an upgraded powertrain with a 1.6-litre engine and 15 kW electric motor. Environmental performance targets are 4.8 l/100 km and a CO2 figure of 114 g/km.
Kia pro Cee’d by Giacuzzo
The Euro-only pro Cee’d coupe represents one of the most beautiful cars from the Korean manufacturer (of course Kia had nowhere to go but up,) and there are still many people who don’t find it perfect. In order to correct that Giacuzzo, an Italian manufacturer unveiled today its customization program for the coupe. The new kit consists in a front lip spoiler, new side sills, a roof spoiler and a rear lip spoiler with integrated air diffuser and exhaust cutters.  Also, in order to improve the stability of the vehicle new Eibach components and the vehicle was lowered with up to 20 millimeters as well as a new set of 19 inch alloy wheels fitted with 225/35 R19 tires. Giacuzzo also added a set of Foliatec black foil on the rear windows while the hood and the front grill was painted in black to create a stylish contrast.
2008 Kia pro_ceed Nurburgring 24-hour race version
Kia’s stylish and sporty pro_cee’d is no stranger to Germany’s Nürburgring having been extensively tested there during development but this weekend is back to prove itself in the Nürburgring 24-hour race.  The barely modified three door pro_cee’d has been entered into Europe’s toughest and most legendary long-distance race by a team from Continental Italia who are hoping to triumph over the competition with as few tire changes as possible. In fitting ContiSportContact 3 standard tires to the pro_cee’d rather than race tires, the team expect to have an advantage over those that have to swap tires with each change in weather conditions. Full story | featured reviews:Kia Ceed latest reviews:
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