Kia has already released two images of its 2011 Optima [Magentis] family sedan before its world premiere at the New York Auto Show later this month, but thanks to an amateur spy photographer in Korea we now have a few extra shots. These new angles confirm the Optima’s handsome good looks, especially as the car still manages to look stylishly European, even without the help of a pro photographer.

The 2011 Optima is longer, lower and wider than its predecessor, which should result in a more comfortable ride, better handling and more interior room. Based on the same platform as the newly released Hyundai Sonata, the Optima doesn’t have quite the coupe-like look, with a rather high Lexus IS-like rear end. It features Kia’s “tiger” front end design with a flat nose and large grille, while LED lights are used on the bumper.

While no powertrain info has been provided, it’s safe to assume that much like the Sonata (reviewed here), it will receive a GDI (gasoline direct injection) 2.4-liter 4-cylinder with 198-hp and a six-speed transmission. In the Sonata that engine gets 22/35 mpg (city/highway). With Hyundai set to unveil a 250-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged Sonata and a Hybrid at the NY show, it’s likely that Kia will do the same either in NY or soon after.

Kia claims the new Optima will have class-leading safety and luxury equipment.

AutoGuide will be on hand in New York for the official debut, with live coverage starting March 31st.

GALLERY: 2011 Kia Optima [Magentis] Spy Photos

GALLERY: 2011 Kia Optima [Magentis]

[Source: TheCarBlogger]

The sub-$20,000.00 2010 Kia Forte Koup has made quite the splash amongst the younger demographics with its attractive price tag and 2.4L 173-hp engine. Its attractive, stylish yet aggressive lines clearly make a statement that Kia has stepped up to the plate to play ball, capturing a market that used to be almost exclusive to Honda, Acura and Scion. But much like their Japanese counterparts, Kia has looked towards marketing with customization and personalization, especially with the hip Forte Koup. The result? The Kia Forte Koup SX-R with a fine collection of accessories that have Forte Koup SX owners going wild for. The major disappointment for those in the US? It’s currently only available in Canada.

The buzz was started with the official debut at the Toronto Auto Show and a little less than a month later the orders are coming in. The Forte Koup SX-R will be made available to Canadian Kia dealers by mid-May with pre-orders starting now. The aesthetics of the Forte Koup has been further complemented with a front chin spoilers, new side skirts, and a rear lip spoiler. Minor details on the outside come in the form of chrome “R” badges while the interior receives “R” branded door sills. Engine performance has been enhanced thanks to an AEM Performance drop-in air filter and performance axle-back exhaust system. The car rides lower and stiffer thanks to a set of Eibach Pro lowering springs (1.3-inch drop) and a front upper strut brace. No custom car is complete without a fine set of wheels and tires and Kia delivers in a big way with a set of 18-inch Europa wheels wrapped with, surprisingly, Yokohama S-Drive performance tires. The Kia Forte Koup SX-R is available in three attractive colors: Titanium Silver, Racing Red and Black.

Now all these accessories will be available for order through Canadian Kia dealerships only for those already cruising around in  Forte Koup SX. American enthusiasts will probably have to open up their wallet a little bit for freight across the border, but we anticipate many of them to be willing to do so. If you’re interested, contact any Canadian Kia dealership and reference accessory bulletin AY10 007. It’s exciting times for Kia owners and we can’t wait to see what’s next from the Korean manufacturer.

[Source: ForteForums.com]

Gallery: Kia Forte Koup SX-R

Kia unveiled the third generation Sportage new styling and a longer, wider and lower body at the Geneva Auto Show.

The 2010 Kia Sportage takes many of its styling cues from the Kue concept model shown in Detroit in 2007.

For Europe, Kia will offer the Sportage with four engine options, two diesel and two gasoline. The new Sportage will be available at launch with a 2.0L gasoline engine rated1 at 161 hp and a 2.0L version of Kia’s next-generation “R” family diesel engines, producing 134 hp. By late 2010, Kia will begin offering a 138 hp 1.6L gasoline engine and a 113 hp 1.7L diesel plant, both with Start/Stop fuel saving technology

Gallery: 2010 Kia Sportage

Official release after the jump:

Kia has just released a single teaser image of the aggressively-styled 2011 Kia Optima (sold as the Magentis in some markets), which will debut at the 2010 New York Auto Show. Based on the same platform as the Sonata, this Optima is also likely to get coupe-like styling and feature Kia’s bold grille (as shown in the sketch above).

We can also expect similar engines, including the Sonata’s GDI 2.4-liter 4-cylinder with 198-hp, with a turbocharged 4-cylinder and hybrid model to follow. In fact, it’s possible that Kia will launch the 2011 Optima as a hybrid.

We’ll be sure to bring you full details on the car when it debuts at the New York Auto Show in late March.

Official release after the jump:

Kia is working to infuse all of its vehicles with passion, even hybrids. Over the past year Kia launched the exciting Forte Koup, along with a related motorsports program and more recently it advertised during the SuperBowl for the first time with an edgy commercial featuring the all-new Sorento and a bucnh of life size toys – two of which made an appearance at the Chicago Auto Show. And so if Kia can make a mid-sized crossover seem fun, why not a hybrid?

Using Kia’s new Eco Dynamics philosophy, the company’s design team set out to make concept car that would reduce a person’s carbon footprint, while not being a carbon copy – hinting at the obvious fact that all hybrids tend to look the same. The result is the Ray plug-in hybrid concept. And as wild as it looks, Kia’s VP of Marketing Michael Sprague said it’s closer than you can imagine, announcing that later this year the automaker would deliver its first “alternative energy” production model. Sprague did not clarify if it would be a hybrid, but it will likely be a hybrid version of the Optima/Magentis model, following Hyundai’s release of the hybrid Sonata.

Kia didn’t release any info on the Ray, ignoring things like miles per gallon, recharging times and horsepower. Instead it focused on the Ray’s design with plenty of glass, light weight seats, solar panels on the roof, a full covered underbody and a rear spoiler than elongates at speed to recude drag on the vehicle thereby making it more efficient.

GALLERY: Kia Ray Plug-In Hybrid Concept

After an entertaining teaser, Kia has just released its complete SuperBowl commercial a day before the big game debut. With some catchy tunes and life-sized toys out for an adventurous road trip it will certainly catch your attention.

Kia is also hoping its new Sorento will catch the attention of young families, who want a vehicle that will let them be both parents and kids. The Korean automaker has put out some pretty impressive vehicles lately, and as much as it’s likely to be a quality machine, we’re not so sure about the fun factor.

The other message Kia is working to communicate to American consumers is the fact that the all-new Sorento is built in the U.S.A. In fact, the new Sorento is the first made-in-America Kia.

Kia has released one more teaser photo of the Ray plug-in hybrid concept that it will debut at the Chicago Auto Show next week. As with all modern Kia’s it has a sporty, if not downright aggressive look and we’re eager to see what the whole package looks like.

We expect that the Ray will use the same hybrid setup as found in parent-company Hyundai’s Blue-Will concept, with a 152-hp 1.6-liter direct-injection 4-cylinder engine and a 100kW electric motor that achieves a 50-55 mpg in standard hybrid mode, or as much as 106 mpg in plug-in hybrid mode.

This same hybrid setup is also rumored to be what will power the upcoming Hyundai Sonata hybrid, although the Sonata won’t get the plug-in capability.

For complete 2010 Chicago Auto Show coverage click here

GALLERY: Kia Ray PHEV Concept

Kia has just released the first photos of its upcoming 2011 Sportage crossover, which will officially debut at the Geneva Auto Show in March. With Kia’s new front grille and a muscular new body, the 2011 Sportage is all-new, inside, outside and under the hood.

With many design cues similar to the new Sorento, the smaller compact crossover Sportage has a more butch look. It also promises to be a big improvement over the outgoing model as we expect it will use the same engine featured in Hyundai’s new 2010 Tucson. That engine is a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder that makes 176-hp and 168 ft-lbs of torque, giving it roughly the same power and performance as the old optional V6 while at the same time delivering 20 percent better fuel economy than the old 4-cyl. In the Tucson, this engine gets a fuel economy rating of 23/31 mpg.

In international markets, the new Sportage will also be available with a new diesel engine.

Kia promises a compact crossover that will compete head-on with segment powerhouses like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V, thanks in part to a longer and wider body that should deliver more passenger and cargo room..

AutoGuide will bring you live coverage of the 2011 Kia Sportage from the Geneva Auto Show starting March 1st.

Click here for AutoGuide’s live 2010 Geneva Auto Show coverage starting Monday, March 1st.

GALLERY: 2011 Kia Sportage

Official release after the jump:

Kia has just launched the above commercial to drum up interest in its first-ever SuperBowl ad set for this Sunday. The bizare campaign features several strange life-sized children’s toys, that look like they’ve been plucked from an internet meme.

At least one of them is a “real” character – monster Muno from the Nickelodeon show Yo Gabba Gabba. There’s even a sock monkey. Heck, we half expect to see pedo bear.. but that’s really not a marketing move anyone wants to make.

As for the robot character, there’s a chance you’ve seen it before, as Kia paraded it around the Detroit Auto Show a few weeks ago. Now Kia didn’t officially say the robot belonged to them, but among the journalists present it was probably talked about more than any car at the show.

Presumably the SuperBowl ad will help promote the all-new 2011 Kia Sorento. We’ll be sure to be watching in the 3rd quarter to see the ad and what Kia’s crazy characters are up to.

Kia has been promoting its first entry into motorsports in the U.S. in a big way since the Korean automaker first introduced its Forte Koupe race car at the SEMA Show last year. Prior to the green flag at Daytona Speedway, kicking off the Grand-Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge season (formerly Koni Challenge), Kia was working hard to drum up excitement for its two-car effort. And why shouldn’t they, with the vehicles being built by Kinetic and the driver’s including such names as Andy Lally and Nic Jönsson in the #10 car.

Well, things didn’t go quite as Kia had planned with Lally and Jönsson completing just 25 laps for a dismal 31st place in the ST class. The No. 12 car of Trevor Hopwood and Adam Burrows, a duo which clinched the 2007 Grand Am ST class championship, placed significantly better in 19th, but hardly in the running with average speeds well below the front runners.

Kia’s commitment to Grand-Am and to racing isn’t likely to be discouraged by the results, however, as the Korean automaker plans to use motorsports to help build the brand into one that is seen as sporty and desirable – particularly by young males.

We’ll look to see more from the Kia team in the future with the next Grand-Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge taking place March 5-6 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

GALLERY: Kia Forte Koup Race Car

Official release after the jump: