Kia Motors America (KMA) has launched a new national advertising campaign for Hispanic audiences to coincide with this month’s arrival of the redesigned and U.S.-built* 2014 Kia Optima midsize sedan in showrooms nationwide. The light-hearted 30-second spots highlight the Optima’s easy-to-use technology features, turbocharged performance and redesigned front and rear fascias – which stay true to the award-winning original design while introducing several new styling cues – as well as the optional SXL trim which offers premium amenities such as Nappa leather trimmed seats and 18-inch chrome wheels.
“Performance enhancements and high-tech amenities are core to the redesigned 2014 Optima,” said Michael Sprague, executive vice president of marketing & communications, KMA. “The new spots help to increase Kia’s presence among the important and growing Hispanic demographic by placing the Optima in everyday situations people can easily identify with while highlighting our midsize sedan as not only attractive and stylish but also functional, safe and feature-filled.”
Set to a Spanish-language track from the music company, Human, “Pez” features a frantic father who utilizes the Optima’s Sport driving mode to get home in a hurry. Meanwhile, the Optima’s Blind Spot Detection system1 saves the day for a group of friends in “Cuidando de ti.”
According to the press release, the videos should be found at www.youtube.com/kia, but we couldn't find them at the time of this blog. Stay tuned with Executive Kia on our Facebook and Twitter, and we'll link you to them when they show up.
The iconic Soul enters the 2014 model year with an all-new take on
design, driving dynamics and desirable features that totally transform
one of Kia Motors America’s best-selling cars into an urban utility
vehicle that is as comfortable in the city as it is on the open highway.
The signature Soul design is instantly recognizable yet thoroughly
fresh, with more than a passing nod to the hot Track’ster concept that
was unveiled last year. Riding on a new chassis that is stiffer, longer
and wider, the all-new Soul has grown up without losing its edge,
allowing for more passenger and cargo room while reducing NVH levels. A
flatter torque curve and significant suspension upgrades make the 2014
Soul a nimble and agile companion in congested urban environments.
Honoring Soul owners’ fierce individualism, three unique trim levels
will be available when U.S. sales are expected to begin in the fourth
quarter of this year: Base, Plus and Exclaim.
The all-new Soul
displays its own individuality through a blend of funky personality,
fun-to-drive characteristics and premium upgrades intended to set it
apart from the pack. A playful color palette, including Soul-exclusive
colors such as Solar Yellow, Kale Green, and Inferno Red, along with
sporty new wheel designs, pump up the dynamic equation that has made
Soul such a dominate competitor in the “boxy” car segment.
Keeping
what made the current Soul special while addressing areas for
improvement was no easy task. As the design team at Kia’s California
studio began putting virtual pen to virtual paper, engineers in the U.S.
and Korea focused on making Soul a joy to drive. Starting with a solid
foundation was key, and the new body enjoys a 28.7 percent increase in
torsional rigidity over the current Soul. With the hard points set, the
all-new Soul was boiled down to three focus areas: Maintaining the
iconic design while adding modern cues; providing premium features and
content; and improving driving dynamics to make the 2014 Soul more
desirable than ever.
Keep an eye out at Executive Kia as the 2014 Souls roll in, and be sure to check out our Facebook and Twitter for more news and updates.
Details about the Soul's incredible features below the jump.
At the media launch of the all-new 2014 Soul, Kia announced plans to offer an all-electric version of the
company’s iconic Soul urban passenger vehicle in select markets in 2014.
Already one of Kia’s best-selling vehicles, an all-electric variant is
a natural extension of the Soul’s urban-friendly place in the brand’s
lineup of award-winning vehicles. More details about the Soul EV’s
powertrain, range/MPGe, packaging and go-to-market strategy will be
announced at an upcoming major U.S. auto show.
“Eco-consciousness already comes standard on the all-new Soul with
85-percent of its materials able to be recycled at the end of its
lifespan, and the Soul EV will further demonstrate Kia’s engineering
capabilities as well as our commitment to producing vehicles with
reduced environmental footprints,” said Orth Hedrick, executive director
of product planning, KMA. “The Soul has always been a terrific choice
for drivers in urban environments, and the all-new version’s blend of
technology, refinement, style, improved dynamics and value has allowed
us to create a car that is as efficient as it is fun to drive.”
Kia Motors was recently ranked by Interbrand as one of the “50 Best
Global Green Brands,” and Soul EV will be the second alternative-fuel
Kia vehicle to be offered for sale in the U.S. The award-winning Optima
Hybrid was introduced in 2011 and for 2013 sees a number of enhancements
including numerous powertrain refinements for smoothness and
drivability, including a more robust 47 HP electric traction motor, a
stronger Hybrid Starter Generator (HSG) and a more powerful 47 kW
Lithium Polymer battery.
Check out our Souls at Executive Kia and be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for news and updates.
