Kia cars

The iPhone 5’s New Lightning Interface May Cause Fits For i-Ready-Car Owners

We understand all too well that companies tend to change things up just for the sake of change in some cases. We see it every year in the automotive world. Fortunately, in our world, this typically doesn’t affect you all too much if you had a car just before a drastic and utterly meaningless upgrade occurred. You just keep on motoring.

Well, when it comes to some electronics, these changes can spell disaster if you are not well informed and prepared. Case in point is the new iPhone 5, which iFolk are iTrading their iPhone 4s like iHotcakes to get their iHands on, but there is a problem that they may run into when trying to dock up their flashy new iPhone 5 to their iPhone-ready car… The new “Lightning” interface connector will not connect, even if you just snagged up a 2013 model year.

The only way to rectify this issue is to go to the store and pick up $29 (Apple licensed) adapters for your car and the other numerous doo-dads that you hook it up to. Additionally, for those that have ever tried using cellphone adapters of any sort, please think of the last one you bought – licensed or not – that actually worked the way it was supposed to. Not too often, huh?

So this may, create a small tizzy in the automotive industry, as owners may take to the dealerships up in arms as to why the car companies had no idea that the iPhone 5 would not fit their massive 30-pin receptacle. This could result in automakers like Kia, Hyundai, Audi, and VW, all of which have the old-style iPhone connector, having to offer all of its new-car buyers these adapters – possibly free of charge to avoid legal issues.

This just shows how something as little as a change in the connector for seemingly no reason at all can lead to serious headaches for your customers. Apple really should have included the adapter with the iPhone 5 and very well may decide to retroactively do so in the future, if the issue becomes too big.

2013 Kia Carens

Kia is teasing us with their new generation Carens, but today at the Paris Auto Show the model has finally made its official debut. However, customers interested in buying one will have to wait until spring 2013 because this is when the model will be put on sale.

The third generation Carens is new from the ground up and Kia hopes to attract new buyers with an all-new platform, it delivers stylish, spacious practicality, with sleek aerodynamics, a cab-forward design, long wheelbase and up to seven seats.

"The new Carens builds on the family-friendly versatility and functionality of its predecessor, and features more athletic and visually dynamic design," says Hyoung-Keun Lee, Vice Chairman and CEO, Kia Motors Corporation. "This marks a dramatic shift forward for our MPV contender and brings the model in line with Kia’s distinctive current design direction."

Updated 09/27/2012: This review has been updated with the official details, images and specs.

Hit the jump to read more about the 2013 Kia Carens.

2013 Kia Sorento

After a number of testing sessions, the first details on the new Kia Sorento have finally been unveiled. The new SUV will make its official debut in September at the 2012 Paris Auto Show, with sales on the US market to begin in 2014.

As everyone expected, the mid-life refresh of the Kia Sorento includes a re-engineered bodyshell and enhanced powertrains for best-in-class fuel economy with lower emissions. The revised SUV will also come with an improved ride, handling, and refinement and additional convenience and safety features, as well as a fresh, new look for the exterior. This new look will consist of new headlamps with LED positioning lights, a new tailgate with LED rear combination lamps, new bumpers (front and rear) with vertical-axis fog lights, a larger area of body-color surface, and a new set of 19" wheels.

The interior gets improved materials, a new LCD instrument cluster, a new center stack with a 7-inch display screen, and a new console featuring a straight-gate selector with a leather-booted lever (on automatic transmission models).

UPDATE 08/16/2012: PaulTan is stating that the refreshed Kia Sorento will be riding on a new platform for the 2013MY, a platform that will also underpin the new Hyundai Sante Fe. This new platform will have new, stronger subframes which give more precise location of the suspension components. Other new features include larger suspension bushes, longer trailing arms at the rear, “High Performance Dampers,” and more direct steering. As an option, Kia will also be throwing in their new FlexSteer system which provides three different steering weights. Inside, the Sorento will also get an additional 30mm to stretch out in.

New pics of the interior also show that the refreshed Sorento will seat seven and will have a two-part glass panoramic roof and a new LCD instrument cluster with an 8" LCD screen (seven-inch in Europe). It will also benefit from satin chrome finish for the door handles, air-vent surrounds, and switches.

Check out the news pics of the interior in the gallery provided!

Kia Names its New Luxury Flagship the Quoris

Kia has been working on a flagship luxury sedan to compete with the likes of BMW and Mercedes. Yeah, we know... A Kia competing with BMW and Mercedes? Believe it or not, it is really true. The company that brought us disposable cars through the 1990s and early-2000s is stepping up in the world.

We first brought the idea of this car to you in April, but at that time it was simply known as the K9. We also knew that it was set to boast a slew of powerful engines, including a 333-horsepower 3.8-liter V-6, a 385-horsepower 4.6-liter V-8, and a range-topping 5.0-liter V-8 that punched out 429 horsepower. Despite all of that information, we did not have an official name for it.

Well, Kia has officially announced the name for this new sedan, and it’s a wild one. Kia has dubbed it the Quoris in all markets except the Korean market. This nonsense name is claimed to be a combination of the words “core” and “quality,” but aside from having a few of the same letters, we just don’t see the connection.

Then again, this name isn’t much odder than its sister company’s flagship sedan, the Hyundai Equus. Well, at least Equus is a word...

Back on topic here... The Quoris – that’s even hard to type – is all set to debut later on this year, but pricing has yet to be released. We will continue to update you on this new luxury Kia as more info becomes available.

2012 Kia Sportage KX-4

Kia UK has just added a new top of the line version to its Sportage line-up. The new Sportage KX-4 features a higher output turbodiesel engine alongside the most luxurious level of specification. The model is on sale starting July 2nd, 2012 at a price of £27,195 (about $43,000 at the current exchange rates).

The new KX-4 is powered by a 2.0-litre CRDi "R" engine that delivers a total of 181 HP at 4,000 rpm and 282 lbs-ft of torque delivered from just 1,800rpm to 2,500rpm. When mated to a six-speed manual transmission, the new Sportage KX-4 will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 9.4 seconds and up to a top speed of 120 mph (121 mph when equipped with an automatic gearbox).

The list of standard equipments is quite impressive and includes: a full leather upholstery, 18" alloy wheels, privacy glass, seven-inch touchscreen satellite navigation system with EU mapping, Xenon lights, automatic lights and wipers, panoramic sunroof, dual-zone climate control, heated front and rear seats, cruise control, iPod connectivity, colour reversing camera and a seven-speaker stereo complete with external amplifier and sub-woofer.

Spy Shots: New Kia Sorento Strips Down

Ever since the beginning of 2012, the next generation Kia Sorento has been caught testing a few times, but the SUV was heavily camouflaged every single time. Now, it seems as though the stripping process has begun for the Sorento, as new spy shots reveal the prototype without the traditional Kia/Hyundai sack at the front and back.

As we have previously reported, the next Sorento will feature some design elements inspired by the new generation C’eed, including its new designed headlights with LED day driving lights and new front and rear bumpers. The interior will also get higher quality materials and new technologies.

As for the engine lineup, Kia is still keeping the power sources a secret, but we expect to see the same choices of four-cylinder and V6 engines with updates to improve both the final output and fuel economy.

The next generation Kia Sorento is expected to be unveiled sometime in 2013.

Spy Shots: Kia Sorento facelift goes testing at the Nurburgring

The Nurburgring has been extremely crowded these past few days with new prototypes taking their turn burning up the track and finishing up their testing. The latest car spotted isn’t exactly killing any speed records, but it will tickle the fancy of soccer moms everywhere. The new Kia Sorento facelift was spotted testing for the first time back in February somewhere in Sweden, but this new prototype has been stripped of that awkward sack up front and also appears to have different rear light graphics.

As previously reported, the future Sorento will feature the same design language as seen in the recently announced C’eed, including its new designed headlights with LED day driving lights and new front and rear bumpers. The interior will also be heavily modified in order to make it a more competitive model in the SUV market.

As far as power is concerned, we are still in the dark as to if any changes will be made. The current model is powered by a choice of two engines: a 2.4 Liter four cylinder engine that delivers 175 HP and 169 lb-ft of torque and a more powerful 3.5 Liter V6 engine making 276 HP and 248 lb-ft of torque. Both are coupled to Kia’s six speed automatic transmission. Worst case scenario is that the same engine choices will be offered, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing at this point.

We’ll keep you updated on the newest information concerning the 2013 Kia Sorento, so stay tuned!

2013 Kia Quoris

A few years ago, if anyone had said that Kia and Hyundai would end up producing vehicles that would target luxury models from the likes of Audi, BMW, and Mercedes, many people probably would have laughed in their faces. Now, the two companies are chipping away at their cheaper car reputation and we have a series of new spy shots to prove it. The vehicle seen here is the new Kia Quoris (known as the K9 internally), as it takes its turn in Northern Sweden for some winter testing.

Known as the Maserati Quattroporte from Korea (weird), the Kia Quoris will be based on the rear wheel drive platform from the Hyundai Genesis sedan and will take most of its design cues from the recently announced GT Concept, including the concept’s full LED headlights.

The engine line-up will include a series of three petrol engines, plus a diesel for the European market. The entry-level will use a 3.8 liter V6 engine that will deliver about 333 HP, then there will be a 4.6 liter V8 version delivering 385 HP, and the top model will use a 5.0 liter V8 with a powerful 429 HP. The engines will be offered with a choice of an 8-speed automatic transmission, but a new 10-speed automatic transmission that is currently under development could find its way in the K9 as well.

The new Kia Quoris will make its world debut at the end of 2012 as a 2013 model.

UPDATE 04/02/2012: Kia has unveiled a new video featuring Peter Schreyer explaining the design of their new K9 sedan. He shares his thoughts and philosophies about coming up with one perfect design while drawing a brief sketch of Kia’s new flagship sedan, code-named KH. He says his dream, Kia’s dream, and customers’ dream have come true with the KH. Hit the jump for the video!

2013 Kia Pro_cee’d

After launching the second generation C’eed at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, Kia has unveiled the Pro_cee’d at the 2012 Paris Motor Show. Sales will begin in the spring of 2013.

When compared to the previous generation, the new Pro_c’eed features a 40 mm lower roofline than the previous model, a B-pillar moved back by 220 mm, new side panels behind the B-pillar and new side windows, C-pillar, tailgate, rear light clusters and rear bumper.

On the exterior the model will be distinguished thanks to a unique dark chrome front grille, LED daylight running lights, LED rear lamp clusters and a new selection of bold alloy wheel designs. On the interior the model adds leather seats and steering wheel, a piano black dashboard and center console and alloy pedals.

As for the engine line-up, customers will have to choose between two gasoline engines: a 98 HP 1.4-litre and a 133 HP 1.6 liter; plus two diesel engines: 89 HP 1.4 liter and a 108 or 126bhp 1.6-litre. These four engines will be mated to either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic gearbox.

UPDATE 09/28/2012: This review has been updated with the official details, images and specs.

UPDATE 02/17/13: Kia has officially unveiled the UK pricing for the pro cee’d. The base S trim level will retail from £17,495 ($27,145) while the higher trim SE model will sell from £19,495 ($30,240).

2013 Kia Cee’d MPV

At the 2012 Geneva Motor Show next week, Kia will unveil the new generation Cee’d hatchback, but they already have another variant in the works. An MPV/Crossover model will also be offered to serve as Kia’s version of the upcoming Hyundai ix30 and it has just been caught testing for the first time.

The new Kia Cee’d MPV will be built on the same platform as the upcoming Hyundai ix30 and will come as a replacement for the Carens/Rondo. The new model will be offered in both 5 and 7 seat configurations and will feature a more conventional design language than the Hyundai ix30. Expect to see an exterior design similar to the one already previewed by the new Cee’d hatchback with Kia’s new trademark "tiger-nose" grille and aggressive, wraparound headlamp clusters housing signature LED daytime running lights.

The new Cee’d MPV will be unveiled sometime in 2013 and will be fighting against the Volkswagen Touran, the Ford C-Max, and the Mazda 5, among others.