The journey through Nevada’s desert, heading toward the bright lights
and mega hotels of Las Vegas, can provide its own sense of adventure—a
travelers’ simultaneous experience of freedom through mobility and the
solitude of the open road, a feeling that bonds driver to car and brings
into sharp focus the channels of connectivity to the outside world. At
the 2014 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Kia Motors America (KMA)
brings a collection of new and future technologies highlighting
telematics and infotainment, each focused on creating a safer, more
dynamic and efficient driving experience, with an eye on the expanding
horizon of connected cars. The cornerstone of these new technologies is
Kia’s UVO system, which serves as the catalyst for connectivity between
driver and car. As a design leader, Kia will also feature the North
American debut of its KND-7 concept car powered by a 1.6-liter
turbocharged, four-cylinder engine and boasting head-turning, futuristic
interior and exterior styling.
“With UVO, Kia has a strong base to build from in the advancement of
telematics and infotainment technology, pushing the boundaries of
connectivity and convenience while maintaining safety as a top
priority,” said Henry Bzeih, chief technology strategist, KMA. “Kia’s
teams are constantly looking for new and better ways to strengthen the
relationship between driver and car. Our real-world approach to in-car
technology, coupled with compelling design and premium amenities has the
Kia brand moving in new and exciting directions.”
User-centered Driver Concept (UCD)The UCD
concept focuses on safety and an intuitive interface with an innovative
multi-sensory design. Keeping the driver’s eyes on the road and hands
on the wheel is central to Kia’s approach to in-vehicle technology, as
evidenced by the UVO system. The UCD concept remains true to this
principle while enhancing functionality, providing a widescreen, 18-inch
Head-Up Display (HUD), which offers drivers an augmented-reality
snapshot of vital information such as speed, navigation and traffic
information. Additionally, the 12.3-inch TFT-LCD cluster presents a 3D
view of vital vehicle information, utilizing eye-tracking technology to
maintain a clear view from various angles.
Developed to allow full use of the vehicle’s navigation services and
other driver-controlled operations without sacrificing safety, the UCD
concept also includes a hand-gesture controller. Thanks to advanced
infrared light and camera sensors, users can quickly access radio and
navigation options with simple hand or finger movements without taking
their eyes from the road. The UCD concept also includes a mobile device
wireless charging system. The system’s power is delivered through
magnetic induction, which allows the driver to simply set the device on
the charging pad without the inconvenience of charging cords.
In-vehicle Infotainment Concept (IVI)Kia has
developed and delivered cutting-edge and user-friendly infotainment
technologies for many recent vehicle releases, including the all-new
2014 Soul. At this year’s CES, the eye-catching IVI Concept provides a
look at Kia’s latest innovations in the area of in-vehicle services.
The seamless delivery of content is achieved by a multi-display layout,
prominently featuring a 20-inch multi-touch center console display.
Information is then synchronized through a portable plug-in tablet or
the driver’s own smartphone, providing easy access to a suite of
services such as concierge, social networking and parking assist.
Innovative advancements in music-delivery technology are found in the
IVI Concept’s “Smart Radio” functions, including the ability to
personalize playlists according to the user’s mood or based on five
templates for different driving environments, such as summer driving on a
coastal road, all delivered via Kia’s proprietary music service.
The development of vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure
communication is demonstrated in the IVI Concept as a series of
real-world scenarios. Visual and auditory alerts of drive-route hazards
and real-time warnings for potential danger such as a frontal collision and lane departure, as well as current intersection conditions, provide peace of mind for driver and passengers.
Dynamic HD wireless (WiHD) technology enables and optimizes
connectivity of these various components, including front-seat display
and two independently functioning rear-seat entertainment units. This
“mirroring” technology allows passengers to enjoy their own music and
video experiences while vital information, such as pre-programmed
smartphone navigation notifications, is simultaneously provided to the
driver.
UVO for EV (Electric vehicle)In anticipation of
the launch later this year of Kia’s first all-electric vehicle in the
U.S. market, the Kia CES display also highlights the enhanced
capabilities of Kia’s UVO EV smartphone app with telematics
functionality specifically designed for electric vehicles. This unique
interactive exhibit, which points to the next production-ready version
of the UVO telematics system, provides up-to-the-minute battery-level
status, distance to empty, and the ability to search for nearby charging
stations. Also, via the downloadable smartphone app, owners can preset
charging time and charging level ratios, as well as precondition the
vehicle cabin with remote control of HVAC presets.
The Future of UVOAt the heart of Kia’s
telematics and infotainment innovations is UVO VR (Voice Recognition)
technology. Powering the next generation Kia telematics, this Hybrid VR
platform enables users to easily and efficiently perform functions such
as dictating messages, selecting their favorite music or asking for
directions, all while keeping their eyes on the road and hands on the
wheel.
As soon as next year, some 2015 model year Kia vehicles will arrive
with an all-new generation of multimedia suite, including the ability to
download additional apps such as the music service, iHeart Radio. The
addition of the Sound Hound music recognition app will take in-car music
engagement to the next level, and the integration of Yelp® will
help Kia owners locate the hottest restaurants and best clubs. Kia’s
own UVO-based app store will allow owners to customize their
infotainment and telematics experience.
Today and Tomorrow – Kia’s Advanced TechnologyPresented
as a cross-sectional vehicle display, Kia proudly showcases current and
future technology in engaging, interactive style. Featured are 24
different technologies, 10 of which are integrated in current production
vehicles such as the recently unveiled K900 rear-drive flagship sedan,
including Smart Cruise Control and Around View Monitoring systems. In
addition to the display, detailed video demonstrations of each
technological component provide an opportunity to learn more about the
projects currently being developed by Kia’s global R&D teams,
including advancements in Eco-friendly and multimedia technology such as
wireless charging and a water-cooled battery system.
Kia KND-7 Vehicle ConceptThe KND-7 compact
four-door coupe display makes its North American debut at this year’s
CES. Designed at the Kia studio in Seoul and under the direction of
President and Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer, the KND-7 is less
than four meters long, has rearward-opening rear doors and an
'access-all-areas' interior concept without traditional B-pillars,
providing excellent access to the luxuriously trimmed cabin.
The exterior styling of the KND-7 is both sleek and small, with a
cheerful face and a daring character. Design features created by Peter
Schreyer for the 2007 Kia Kee 2+2 concept are revisited in a new form.
The KND-7's nose has a broad wrap-around 'mouth,' and there is a 'dip'
in the top of the windshield – a design element that is featured on
Optima, Sportage and the Cadenza premium sedan. The latest
interpretation of Kia’s signature grille is a shallower design and
incorporates the turbocharger's air intake.
The KND-7 powertrain features a 1.6-liter GDI (gasoline direct
injection) turbocharged engine producing 201 horsepower for a powerfully
efficient driving experience.
Test drive a Kia today at Executive Kia and be sure to check us out on Facebook and Twitter for further news and updates.
Kia Motors America’s (KMA) 2014 Forte has been named the Best New Compact Sedan of 2014 by Cars.com, putting Kia’s European-inspired sedan in contention for the respected website’s Best of 2014 award. Cars.com
editors picked six cars to compete for the annual award, and the Forte
topped its segment with its style, performance and value.
“The all-new Forte continues to earn praise for its sleek design,
exceptional performance and plethora of features,” said Michael Sprague,
executive vice president, marketing & communications, KMA. “Cars.com
speaks for, not only the industry, but also car buyers, and we are
happy to have the Forte recognized for elevating the compact segment to
new levels of sophistication with its premium features, comfortable
cabin and refined ride.”
Cars.com will
announce the Best of 2014 award winner at the North American
International Auto Show in January, 2014. The Forte stood out in its
category for offering a wide variety of features and options, edgy
styling and a comfortable ride. Earlier this year, the 2014 Forte also
took first prize in the Cars.com/USA Today/MotorWeek $20,000 Compact Sedan Challenge.
“People buy compact cars because they are affordable and efficient,
but that doesn't mean they have to be boring,” said Patrick Olsen, Cars.com
editor-in-chief. “The Forte breaks the mold with its head-turning
styling outside and an interior full of affordable creature comforts.”
Come
test drive the Best New Compact Sedan at Executive Kia and don't forget
to check us out on Facebook and Twitter for further news and updates.
Kia Motors America announces its first special edition Soul of
2014 with the “Red Zone” edition. Inspired by the ultra-popular
Track’ster concept previously unveiled at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show,
the “Red Zone” edition Soul is the first special-edition based on the
all-new second-generation Soul and is scheduled to go on sale during the
first quarter of 2014.
“The Soul has always appealed to those who choose to express their
individuality through their vehicle, and special editions have been a
part of the lineup since the first-generation Soul went on sale in
2009,” said Michael Sprague, executive vice president, marketing &
communications, Kia Motors America. “The Red Zone Soul underscores that independent
spirit and brings to life many styling features from our wild Track’ster
concept.”
Based on the 2014 Soul Plus, the “Red Zone” Soul exudes its own
extroverted personality with White exterior paint and an aggressively
styled body kit featuring red accents throughout, including treatment on
the front grille, front and rear fascias, and side skirts. Custom
18-inch alloy wheels fill the wheel wells and keep the “Red Zone” Soul
firmly planted on the tarmac. Power comes from Kia’s efficient 2.0-liter
gasoline direct injected (GDI) four-cylinder engine which puts 164
horsepower to the ground via a six-speed automatic transmission.
The interior makeover is equally impressive with black cloth seats
featuring red stitching, leather steering wheel, black-leather dash hood
with red stitching, black carpeted floor mats with red piping, and
sport pedals. The shift knob ring, air vent ring, dash speakers and
console tray trim have all been dipped in red paint, continuing the “Red
Zone” theme.
As with all previous special-edition Souls, the “Red Zone” will be
offered in limited quanities. Just 2,000 examples will be available.
Stay tuned at Executive Kia for availability or contact us, and be sure to stay up to date on our Facebook and Twitter.
Kia Motors America’s (KMA) top-selling crossover utility vehicle, the
2014 Sorento, was recently named one of the “Top 10 Cars of the Year”
by the Hispanic Motor Press Awards.
The Sorento took top honors in the
competitive crossover segment of the annual survey of influential
Hispanic journalists by virtue of its sleek styling, improved ride and
handling and outstanding value proposition with a base price of $24,100.
“Quality and value have universal appeal among car buyers, and the
Kia Sorento offers both,” said Michael Sprague, executive vice
president, marketing & communications, KMA. “With its multiple trim
levels and wide array of standard features – all at an affordable price
– the Sorento has earned many accolades, and we’re honored to count the
Hispanic Motor Press Awards recognition among them.”
The Hispanic Motor Press Awards honor the Top 10 Cars of the Year
annually at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The Hispanic Motor Press Awards
jury evaluates vehicles in 10 categories and in search of offerings that
represent the best value, design, comfort, safety and functionality for
Hispanic families.
“The crossover segment is gaining popularity among consumers, and the
size and attributes of these vehicles fit the needs of the family. The
all-new Kia Sorento shows that this automaker is paying attention to
what consumers want today. It won not because of its price, but because
it is the best overall value in its class,” said the HMPA jury
director, Ricardo Rodriguez-Long.
Come test drive a Sorento today at Executive Kia and be sure to check us out on Facebook and Twitter for further news and updates.
The all-new 2014 Kia Forte was recently named by Cars.com as the best
compact sedan in its league. The multi-day Compact Sedan Challenge
brings together experts from Cars.com, USA Today and MotorWeek
to conduct a series of tests on a competitive set of vehicles and
combines their professional assessments with the real-world opinions of
car shoppers currently in the market for a compact sedan.
“The Forte truly stood out against the competition,” said Patrick
Olsen, Cars.com’s Editor-in-Chief. “Between its dynamic exterior
styling, impressive standard features for the price and excellent ride
and handling, the 2014 Forte is a well-rounded car that checks off all
the boxes of the perfect, affordable compact sedan.”
This years’ competition included the 2014 Ford Focus, 2013 Honda
Civic, 2013 Hyundai Elantra, 2013 Subaru Impreza, 2013 Nissan Sentra and
2014 Toyota Corolla. The Kia Forte bested all the rest with its
roominess, performance and premium amenities. The Compact Sedan
Challenge judges cars based on a series of criteria, including fuel
economy, comfort, styling and drivability.
“The Forte is designed to bring our customers premium amenities at an
affordable price,” said Michael Sprague, executive vice president of
marketing & communications, KMA. “Cars.com’s recognition of the 2014
Forte as being the best compact sedan among these worthy contenders
clearly highlights Kia’s commitment to quality and value for our
customers.”
With its sleek European-inspired styling, the Kia Forte was designed
to offer more room, more performance and more amenities to an ever
growing segment of compact sedan consumers.
Come test drive the award-winning Forte today at Executive Kia and be sure to check us out on Facebook and Twitter for further news and updates.
Kia Motors America (KMA) provided the perfect rolling
soundtrack to Las Vegas’ never-ending light show as the 2013 Specialty
Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show opened with five music-inspired
all-new 2014 Soul urban passenger vehicles, collectively making their
presence known with a display worthy of the best Las Vegas nightclub
parties. The five sound-blasting creations feature music-themed builds
including a DJ Booth Soul, an “Amped” Soul, the museum-like Music
Memorabilia Soul, a Soul inspired by NBC’s hit show, The Voice, which
Kia has sponsored for four seasons, and a Soul highlighting the brand’s
partnership with the Vans Warped Tour. All five Souls of SEMA tell
their own unique story with music as their common language.
“Since the Kia Soul first arrived on the scene in 2009, it has
established a very real and remarkable connection with music,” said
Michael Sprague, executive vice president, marketing and communications,
KMA. “After harnessing five major marketing campaigns with songs
spanning from Black Sheep to LMFAO to this year’s Lady Gaga spot, which
debuted during MTV’s Video Music Awards, music has become a core
attribute of the Soul’s persona. The SEMA show presented the perfect
opportunity to bring that personality to life – with the volume turned
up to 11.”
Built by Galpin Auto Sports and LUX Motorwerks, three of the
vehicles feature premium audio components intended for live
performance, while the others showcase musical lifestyles and trends.
Amped SoulPopular Mechanics has
energized this Kia Soul with the power of larger-than-life JBL
speakers. Integrated into the rear-hinged doors, the JBL Pro Live sound
equipment transforms this Soul into a full size boom box on wheels.
With LED ambient lighting and four 12-inch Infinity power subwoofers, this Soul is ready to wow the crowds at any venue.
The Amped Soul features a modern and sleek design enhanced with
blacked out windows and a custom paint job. It rolls on performance
22-inch Forgiato custom three-piece wheels with Hankook 245/30/22
tires. And to make room for the club-sized stereo, the passenger side
B-pillar has been removed. All the world’s a stage when riding in the
Amped Soul; a portable platform invites musicians ready to plug in and
perform for their fans.
Vans Warped Tour SoulEmbodying the youthful and fun spirit of the Vans Warped Tour, Popular Mechanics
designed a Kia Soul ready to hit the road on a musical journey. This
unique Soul features a full custom paint job – inspired by the colors of
the Van’s Warped Tour – with eye-catching air-brush artwork.
The side windows have been replaced with custom-built fiberglass body
panels housing eight Infinity 8-inch speakers to deliver a true concert
experience. And to really put you in the middle of the performance, a
50-inch flat-panel monitor has been mounted atop the car with running
footage from the tour itself.
The Vans Warped Tour is about music, friends and food. To
that end, this Soul has been outfitted with a slide-out rear barbeque
for the full music-inspired tailgating experience. And a specially
designed hood ornament pays homage to the iconic shoe company that
serves as the namesake of the Warped Tour. With 20-inch wheels
outfitted with performance low-profile tires and vibrant LED ambient
lighting, this Kia Soul is made to take music lovers on a rockin’ ride
they’ll never forget.
DJ Booth SoulRIDES magazine totally
transformed this all-new 2014 Kia Soul into the ultimate DJ booth on
wheels. The roof was removed to give the DJ the ability to rise up and
stand on a custom diamond-plated stage—which replaced the rear seats—and
start spinning on the pro-grade Pioneer CDJs and mixer. Influenced by
both EDM and hip-hop, this Soul is painted an eye-catching purple with
turquoise accents. Outfitted with 19-inch Rotiform BRU wheels and
Continental tires, the DJ Soul has been lowered with Ark Performance
springs to give it an aggressive stance. With LED lighting, front and
rear strobes, and a speaker enclosure built into the lower grille, it
promises even the most seasoned club-goers a once-in-a-lifetime
experience.
For the headlining DJ, black leather, graphite suede and turquoise
stitching give the Soul’s interior a vibe reminiscent of an
ultra-lounge. With the Maschine Mikro production studio molded into the
passenger dash, every control is available at any time. Blasting the
beats is a Pioneer audio system that includes five amplifiers, three
component speakers, two 10-inch and two 12-inch Champion Series
subwoofers, and a sound bar housing four coaxial speakers, making sure
the most important part of any DJ set—the music—is heard loud and clear.
Music Memorabilia SoulThis one-of-a-kind Kia
Soul encompasses the passion, raw talent and diversity of music as an
industry and an art form. Creating a music museum on wheels, RIDES
magazine curated music memorabilia spanning rock, hip-hop and EDM
history. The collection includes a signed Slash guitar, a G-Unit
sneaker signed by 50 Cent, a Jimi Hendrix gold album and a signed John
Legend microphone, which are displayed in hand-built Plexiglas
enclosures in the trunk, rear windows and rear hatch insert.
As a nod to industry icons, this Soul was influenced by platinum and
gold records: The Soul’s exterior received PPG waterborne platinum
silver, gold exhaust tips and anodized 20-inch gold HRE 935s. The
interior received gold diamond stitching and painted trim that
highlights the custom black suede and leather interior. Ark Performance
springs and Nitto Invo tires make sure the Soul gives an award-winning
performance at every appearance.
The Voice SoulThe name of this Kia says it all: Soul. With NBC’s The Voice
inspiring so many talented people to sing their hearts out and bare
their souls through music, this car represents the sheer talent needed
to perform in front of a live audience and millions at home. RIDES magazine customized the exterior with a bright red airbrushed The Voice
logo on the side, incorporating vinyl on the window portion, as well as
the inspiring words “I Want You” illuminated in the lower grille, along
with the LED puddle projectors. In order to perform under pressure,
20-inch three-piece Niche Scope wheels color-matched to the vehicle,
coupled with Falken tires, add style and confidence.
The four replicated coaches’ chairs are the highlight of an interior
that is decked out in red leather, black suede and red stitching.
Control the “I Want You” logo with the red button on top of the dash.
Using a unique platform such as The Voice to become a star requires practice; luckily, an iPad Mini connected to a 40-inch LED TV allows you to use the preloaded The Voice
app and sing at the top of your lungs through the wireless microphone,
amplified through Rockford Fosgate speakers in their fiberglass custom
pods.
Come test drive the redesigned Soul at Executive Kia and don't forget to check us out on Facebook and Twitter for further news and updates.
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 Cadenza is unlike anything Kia has made in the past, and critics are taking notice. Read some of the amazing things people have to say about Kia's most luxurious model yet:
"[...] the Cadenza offers a wealth of standard and optional high-end features
along with sharp styling that manages to make it stand apart from the
crowd without looking strange." - Edmunds
"Now Kia's rivals have another vehicle to watch out for in their rearview mirror: the all-new 2014 Cadenza." - MSN Autos
"[...] the 2014 Kia Cadenza's unique mix of price, features and materials makes
it a viable alternative to players on both the mainstream and
luxury-brand sides of the divide." - Kelley Blue Book
"One of Kia's core focuses has been offering value to customers, and even
with a starting price of $35,100, the Cadenza still represents plenty
of that kind of thinking." - AutoBlog
These are only some of the amazing reviews of the Kia Cadenza. Don't believe the hype? Just come in and test-drive one!
Visit the Executive Kia website to check out our inventory and schedule your first drive.
