Kia Sorento

The Kia Sorento compact crossover utility vehicle (CUV), which is built at Kia Motors' U.S. manufacturing plant in West Point, Georgia, enters its third model year supported by an impressive list of accolades and sales milestones. Since its launch, Kia Sorento has offered discerning consumers a refined and value-minded CUV with class-leading power and fuel efficiency while delivering a full roster of standard comfort and convenience features and an impressive array of safety equipment. For 2013, Sorento's utility and functionality are boosted further by adjusting content to suit consumer needs more than ever before.

Among the enhancements, the 2013 model year brings newly standard leather seating for the mid-level EX trim and a newly standard third-row seat for the LX V6 trim. In addition, the base LX trim now offers the optional UVO powered by Microsoft® voice-activated infotainment system based on the Windows® Embedded Automotive platform. Available later in the model year is a new, more robust LX Convenience Plus Package, including an eight-way power driver's seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and a First Aid Kit for family-minded consumers (First Aid Kit also added to all EX/SX Premium option packages).

Dynamic Design

Kia Sorento employs a unibody design with the ability to comfortably seat up to seven passengers, and represents a modern CUV that is just the right size for today's consumer. With an overall length of 183.9 inches and overall width of 74.2 inches, Kia Sorento offers occupants a spacious interior, while providing a relatively compact exterior size.

Prominently displaying the signature grille and wraparound headlamps exhibited on all newer Kia models, Kia Sorento offers an aggressive stance and sleek profile. Sorento features swept-back lines and dynamic presence with an angled window line, large flared-back headlamps, prominent fog lamps and rounded nose, while the view from the rear offers the same forceful attitude with a rounded back and tail lamps set powerfully within the rear lift gate. The Kia Sorento CUV is available in LX, EX and SX trim levels.

Polished Exterior

The versatile Kia Sorento offers standard 17-inch alloy wheels with 235/65R17 tires and wheel moldings and body-color, heated outside mirrors with integrated LED turn signal indicators. The EX trim offers an 18-inch five-spoke hyper finish wheel outfitted with 235/60R18 tires plus fog lamps, roof rails and a rear spoiler. EX trims offer an optional panoramic sunroof (V6 models only). Advancing to the more refined SX trim adds mirror-finish 10-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels, chrome-tip exhaust, body-color wheel well molding, stainless steel under bumper trim accents and step pad, sleeker body-color front and rear bumpers and LED tail lamps for a decidedly more upscale appearance.

Modern, Tech-Savvy Cabin

The Kia Sorento provides a feeling of spaciousness with both five- and seven-passenger seating configurations, making the Sorento more versatile than most of its compact CUV competitors. With 142.5 cubic feet of interior volume when equipped with five seats or 149.4 cubic feet with seven, Kia Sorento is spacious with generous head and legroom for optimal occupant comfort. In the five-passenger configuration, the CUV offers 37 cubic feet of cargo space to accommodate both passenger and cargo needs for cruising around town as easily as weekends camping in the mountains.

In addition to a comfortable ride, an impressive slate of technology features also come standard, including an AM/FM/CD/MP3/Sat audio system with SiriusXM™ Satellite Radio, auxiliary and USB audio input jacks for connecting personal MP3 players, and Bluetooth® wireless technology connectivity with steering wheel-mounted voice activation controls to enable hands-free operation for all compatible mobile phones. Standard equipment on EX models such as UVO Powered by Microsoft, push button-start ignition with smart key and rear sonar back-up sensors, rear view back-up cameras and air ionization purification technology complete the modern and high-tech driving experience. Moving to the SX trim offers a standard voice-activated navigation system with SiriusXM Traffic™ while also adding an upgraded Infinity® surround sound system with 10 speakers for superior listening enjoyment.

Creature Comforts

Standard amenities for the LX trim include air conditioning, a tilt and telescopic steering wheel with integrated audio controls, automatic up and down driver's window function, illuminated vanity mirror, EcoMinder™ Indicator to assist with fuel-efficient driving habits and three-row seating (LX V6). Progressing to the EX trim provides even more well-appointed standard features, including newly added leather seating, dual automatic temperature control and rear air conditioning (V6 models only). SX trims add touches of sophistication with an automatic dimming rear view mirror with Homelink®, memory driver's seat, four-way power passenger seat and ventilated/cooled/heated front seats (optional on EX), leather seat trim for the first and second rows, stainless steel pedals and a stainless steel sill plate with illuminated scuff trim.

Able to suit practically any driver, Kia Sorento offers the discriminating consumer specific package options. The Convenience Package, available for the LX trim, includes the UVO infotainment system with integrated rear view camera display, roof rails, rear sonar, an auto-dimming mirror with compass readout, heated front seats and fog lamps. Later in the model year, a new Convenience Plus Package will be offered, including eight-way power driver's seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, floor mats and First Aid kit. Moving to the Premium Plus Package (EX four-cylinder) adds a power passenger seat, three rows of seating and a host of other amenities. Further adding to the feeling of spaciousness is the available panoramic sunroof (EX V6 and SX trims only). By upgrading to the Limited Package (available for the EX V6 trim), owners will benefit from luxuriously appointed features, including a voice-activated navigation system with real-time traffic, an Infinity premium surround system with 10 speakers and a 550-watt digital amplifier, power folding outside mirrors, memory driver seat and side mirror position and an air-cooled driver seat for added comfort and convenience.

Capable and Efficient Powertrains

The 2013 Kia Sorento offers three engines - an advanced 2.4-liter GDI four-cylinder engine providing class-leading 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque and a class-leading fuel efficiency rating of 32 mpg/highway; a 3.5-liter V6 providing class-leading 276 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque; and the affordable 2.4-liter Multi-Port Injected (MPI) four-cylinder engine producing 175 horsepower and 169 pound-feet of torque. All engines are coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission with Sportmatic™ shifting control. This advanced six-speed automatic transmission is a proprietary design that was developed, engineered and built specifically for Kia vehicles. To further meet consumer needs, there is a choice of either front- or all-wheel-drive configurations, the latter coming with a locking center differential to evenly distribute power to all wheels while operating the vehicle at low speeds during more severe weather conditions. For enhanced ride performance, the Kia Sorento employs a compact and light MacPherson strut front suspension and a fully independent multi-link rear suspension.

Advanced Safety Features

Like all Kia vehicles, the 2013 Sorento is equipped with a plethora of standard safety equipment. All trims come outfitted with driver and passenger advanced front airbags, front seat-mounted side airbags, first and second row side curtain airbags and front active headrests, four-wheel Antilock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD). Hill Start Assist Control (HAC) and Downhill Brake Control (DBC) also come standard on all models, the former assisting in preventing the vehicle from rolling backward when trying to pull away from an uphill gradient, while the latter helps keep the vehicle moving straight and steady down steep grades.

Industry-Leading Warranty

The 2013 Sorento is covered by Kia's comprehensive warranty program, which offers consumer protection at an exceptional value. Included in this program are a 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, a five-year/60,000-mile limited basic warranty and a five-year/100,000-mile anti-perforation warranty. A five-year/60,000-mile roadside assistance plan also is part of the comprehensive vehicle coverage.

Kia K9

Kia revealed the first official photographs of its all-new flagship sedan to be launched during the first half of 2012 in the Korean market. Referred to by its codename "KH" until now, the company also confirmed that the Korean market name will be Kia K9 - while the name for export markets, as well as overseas launch timings, will be revealed later in 2012.

K9 is Kia's first rear-wheel drive sedan. It boasts Kia's "best of the best" design, driving performance and high technology capabilities and is regarded as one of 2012's most eagerly anticipated all-new models in both Korean and overseas markets.

This model's Korean market name, K9, will complete Kia's domestic market "K" series range of passenger cars, whose members also include the front-wheel drive K5 (Optima in overseas markets) and K7 (Cadenza in overseas markets) sedans.

The letter "K" represents not only Kia and the company's home country of Korea, but also refers to the Greek word "Kratos" (meaning powerful, domination and reign) and the English word "Kinetic" (meaning active, dynamic).

The "K" series trio of sedans is a strong statement of Kia's determination to offer consumers the broadest product line-up and establish itself as a major presence in the global automotive industry through ceaseless innovation and technological developments.

The Kia K9's exterior gives solid form to the recently released sketches of the new model, and presents its design concept, "high-tech luxury sedan" image, with futuristic, sophisticated and distinctive charisma.

Kia K9 is the latest continuation of Kia's evolving design DNA, carrying its family-look radiator grille, bold "high-tech luxury car" style LED headlamps, with classic design echoes in its voluminous hood. Viewed from the front, Kia K9 presents an imposing and characterful image.

Furthermore, the sophisticated and bold profile with its simple but strong character line and the innovative and stable rear view with its high-tech LED combination lamps, luxurious chrome garnish and bumper-integrated muffler, completes the parameters for whole new level of luxury car design.

Soon-Nam Lee, Director of the Overseas Marketing Group, said, "K9 is our first rear-wheel drive large sedan, created without compromise in its design, driving performance and new technologies. K9 sets a whole new level of standards and values in the large sedan segment, and its design will be another Kia demonstration of our brand's power to surprise the world."

Kia Trackster Concept

What happens when a dream becomes reality? In the case of the Kia Trackster Concept unveiled at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show, car enthusiasts begin to salivate. Amid the driving rhythm of heavy-metal music, smoke and blinding lights, Kia Motors America (KMA) took the wraps off a performance-oriented three-door Soul coupé concept that hints at what could possibly be the future of Kia's wildly successful Soul.

"The idea was to make the Trackster tough looking, like a bulldog," said Tom Kearns, Chief Designer for KMA. "But the car had to be approachable as well. We wanted to base the car in reality so people instantly knew it was a Soul, but with a lot of attitude. It had to be a bold interpretation that would change people's conceptions of what a sporty Kia could be."

Mission accomplished

The bold attitude Kearns refers to starts with the eye-catching Whiteout and Inferno Orange paint scheme. While the white portrays complex layers and shades that contribute to dramatic depth, the orange is perfectly suited for racing. Kia's signature grille features an air intake slit and is trimmed in lightweight carbon fibre. Smoothly integrated head lights sweep back suggestively over the sculpted front-wheel arches. The deeply recessed lenses echo the trapezoid themes found throughout the Kia Trackster Concept and are accented with compelling LEDs.

Most striking up front is the Trackster's lower intake grille. Flanked by immense LED driving lights with billet aluminium surrounds, the Trackster is capable of devouring prodigious amounts of air to keep the engine running cool even under the most gruelling conditions. The lower valance, trimmed in carbon fibre and accented with Inferno Orange, rides just inches off the ground and lends to the car's menacing stance.

The Kia Trackster Concept is not just another pretty face; it has a body to match. Sculpted surfaces seem to flow into each other naturally. The flanks are smooth but accented with well-defined wheel enclosures. Tucked beneath the Trackster's hips are custom HRE-K1 monoblock billet performance wheels that were a joint effort of Kia's California design team and HRE. The wheels are wrapped in 245/40-19-inch front and massive 285/35-19-inch rear Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 high-performance tyres.

The wheelbase on the concept is stretched to 101.2-inches, almost an inch longer than the production Soul. As expected on a car with the Trackster's performance intentions, large 14-inch Brembo vented and cross-drilled disc brakes are embraced by six-piston callipers up front and 13.6-inch discs are paired with four-piston calipers at the rear.

Soul fans will instantly recognize the Trackster's angled roof, accented with Inferno Orange. Closer inspection reveals this concept, while Soul inspired, is missing the production car's rear doors. The front doors have been lengthened and adorned with smooth billet push-style handles which echo the racing-inspired billet fuel filler door. Carbon fibre lower side valances are also accented in Inferno Orange and incorporate functional rear-brake cooling ducts. The rear hatch incorporates a horizontal Inferno Orange "backpack" panel that accentuates the Kia Trackster Concept's 75.5-inch width, which is more than 5-inches wider than a production Soul.

Performance on road and track

With performance as the top priority, the Trackster rolls into Chicago with a concept drivetrain sure to kick start any driving enthusiast's heart. KMA's design team dreamed big, but also kept their vision firmly rooted in reality. A 2.0-litre turbocharged in-line-four engine puts 250 horsepower to the road, a 66 per cent increase over that of the production Soul. Power is routed to all four wheels via an electronically controlled four-wheel-drive system. The short-throw six-speed manual transmission is capped with a stubby spherical shift lever. The Trackster rides on a lowered sport suspension tuned for track performance.

Opening the driver's door reveals a light and airy interior highlighted with deeply bolstered Inferno Orange suede-covered racing seats. Granite Grey leather envelopes the interior landscape and imparts a feeling of strength and stability. Granite Grey suede wraps the sport steering wheel and door panels. Located deep within red-glowing nacelles, the primary instruments are large and easily readable. Auxiliary vehicle information such as oil temperature and battery voltage is found atop the dash panel while navigation, entertainment and ventilation controls are accessed through a large touch-screen panel located just above the engine Start/Stop push-button.

Behind the front seats is where Kia Trackster Concept takes a significant step away from its Soul stable mate. The rear seats have been removed and replaced with a fully integrated equipment tray and spare-tyre well. "We saw the Trackster as a performance-inspired concept that could spend time on the road and racetrack," said Kearns. "The idea was to make the tools and equipment necessary to keep the car performing in top condition easily accessible." Large panelled bins stow racing gear such as helmets, suits, gloves and tools while emergency supplies are housed within a separate and highly visible Inferno Orange container. A custom rear strut brace incorporates a quick-release handle to allow for fast wheel changes.

While there are no current plans to produce the Trackster, Kia's California design centre team enthusiastically took on the project. "Concept cars are icing on the cake," said Kearns. "They allow KMA's design team to dream about what could be. Whether that dream becomes a reality or not is a separate question."