Kia has unveiled four custom models at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas today, with each car featuring a different sport as its theme. A custom Soul, built by West Coast Customs, is inspired by Michelle Wie, Kia’s official golf ambassador. A Rio 5-Door was built in partnership with Antenna featuring a Retro Surf theme. A custom Forte 5-Door “Hat Trick” sports a hockey theme while Kia continues its Blake Griffin collaboration with a “Slam Dunk” Optima Hybrid, also built by West Coast Customs.

Michelle Wie’s “Hole-in-One” Soul features unmistakable original artwork by Wie herself, Kia’s official golf ambassador. The “So Blue” exterior paint scheme is offset by the custom artwork that can also be seen on the 20-inch wheels. Wie’s personal logo and artwork has also been embroidered in the Soul’s “Snow White” headrests while the dash has been painted baby blue and the headliner now rocks a stylish pink. Plenty of entertainment is in the rear with an Xbox 360 with Kinect while two of Wie’s tournament-used golf bags are mounted behind the 26-inch LED TV.

The “Retro Surf” Rio 5-Door is outfitted with everything a surfer needs in a retro-styled package. An authentic Grain wood surfboard has been mounted on the roof while a set of 17-inch Rotiform gold wheels really sets off the sunset-metallic golden-brown paint scheme. A custom body kit features a front splitter made of wood. On the inside, plaid boardshorts-themed brown and beige fabric adorns the interior while the center console features a retro wood grain theme. And to ensure everyone is nice and safe at the beach, the rear center console features a shelf to hold sunblock and other beach accessories.

Following up on Blake Griffin’s amazing dunk off a Kia, the Optima Hybrid built by West Coast Customs is probably the most basketball we’ll get during the lockout. The outside orange paint features a unique basketball theme further accented by 20-inch wheels and Griffin’s personal logo on the hood. Basketball-court flooring is in the front, rear and trunk areas while a “Pop-A-Shot” basketball hoop has been mounted in the trunk for some off-court entertainment.

The cleanly-built “Hat Trick” Forte 5-Door by Antenna features an ice-metallic gray exterior paint contrasted by 19-inch six-spoke blue wheels. A custom body kit was built onto a Forte Koup front bumper that also features carbon fiber accents and LED “hockey stick” fog lights. The headliner inside features a built-in hockey coach’s board while the rear-cargo houses four carbon fiber hockey sticks, two jerseys, an ice skate rack and glove hooks.

GALLERY: Michelle Wie “Hole-in-One” Soul

GALLERY: Rio 5-Door “Retro Surf”

GALLERY: Blake Griffin “Slam Dunk” Optima Hybrid

GALLERY: Forte 5-Door “Hat Trick”

Click here to see AutoGuide’s complete 2011 SEMA Show coverage

As promised Kia has unveiled its Rio B-Spec race car at the 2011 SEMA Show today, based on the brand’s all-new Rio 5-Door sub-compact.

More of a kit than an actual race car, this is a project for the do-it-yourselfer. On top of the $13,600 price of a Rio, Kia’s racing partner Kinetic Motorsports will sell you a B-Spec kit for $14,000. It includes everything you need to transform the sub-compact into a budget racer, including a roll cage, racing seat, quick-release steering wheel, race harness, shocks, light weight wheels and spec-series tires, plus an oil sump pan expansion kit and…. (cue the Sweidsh IKEA voice) instructions.

Want to go fast for cheap but don’t want to do it yourself? No problem, for a modest fee of $6,000 you can ship it all to the Kinetic Motorsports facility in Buford, Georgia and they’ll build your race car for you.

The B-Spec Rio will be able to complete in various sanctioned events including World Challenge, GRAND-AM, the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) and National Auto Sport Association (NASA) races starting next year.

GALLERY: Kia Rio B-Spec

See AutoGuide’s complete 2011 SEMA Show coverage here

After taking the championship in the Grand-Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge street tuner challenge this year, Kia is announcing further commitments to the world of motorsports.

In addition to the 2012 Rio B-Spec racer, built by Kia Racing and Kinetic Motorsports, Kia has unveiled an Optima Hybrid pace car for the United States Touring Car Championship. The Optima, built by GoGoGear.com, actually replaces the modified Soul that severed last year.

It may be a hybrid, but that doesn’t mean it has to be boring, already deliver over 200-hp in stock form the car gets a Magnaflow exhaust system and air intake kit. So it’s not sloppy when out on parade laps the car also gets a coilover suspension, and looks the part with a new aero kit (including front splitter and rear spoiler), plus the usual light bars. And no SEMA car would be a SEMA car without an over-the-top 2400-watt Infintiy audio system.

Look for the Optima Hybrid Safety Car to first hit the track at the USTCC in March of 2012.

GALLERY: Kia Optima Hybrid USTCC Safety Car

See AutoGuide’s complete 2011 SEMA Show coverage here.

Our friends to the north have been keeping busy by choosing their pick for the car and truck of the year, before snow takes over.

So over the last week, the Automotive Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) had assembled in the Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario to see which cars are the best in their category. The winners in each category will then go head to head with each other to name just one Car of the Year and Truck of the Year, which will be announced at the Toronto International Auto Show on February 16, 2012.

For now, here is the list of winners per category:

BEST NEW SMALL CAR (under $21k) – Hyundai Accent

BEST NEW SMALL CAR (over $21k) – Hyundai Elantra

BEST NEW FAMILY CAR (under $30k) – Kia Optima

BEST NEW FAMILY CAR (over $30k) – Kia Optima Hybrid

BEST NEW LUXURY CAR – Mercedes-Benz C350 4MATIC

BEST NEW PRESTIGE CAR (over $75k) – Mercedes-Benz S350 BlueTEC 4MATIC

BEST NEW SPORTS/PERFORMANCE CAR (under $50k) – Hyundai Veloster

BEST NEW SPORTS/PERFORMANCE CAR (over $50k) – BMW 1M

BEST NEW SUV/CUV (under $35k) – Dodge Journey

BEST NEW SUV/CUV ($35k-$60k) – Volkswagen Touareg TDI

BEST NEW SUV/CUV (over $60k) – BMW X3

Interestingly, the only American brand to have a category winner is Dodge, and the country with the most winners on this list is S. Korea, while no Japanese car made the cut.

Kia plans on making a splash this year at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show with its surf/skate-themed 2012 Rio hatchback.

This gnarly Rio is the result of a partnership between Kia and Antenna Magazine, and is touted as being a “one-of-a-kind retro ride aimed at totally radical surfing enthusiasts.” To start off, Kia took a stock five-door 2012 Rio and went to town on it, giving it a “sunset-metallic golden-brown” coat and a custom front splitter made from wood (taking its inspiration from vintage surfboards). But it doesn’t stop there – this Rio comes outfitted with an extreme exhaust system, gold-finished aluminum wheels and a new set of side skirts. Inside, this Rio boasts shelves for storage, a retro record player and a retro-style video game system.

Under the hood, you won’t find any surprises. It’s powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, just like any other standard Rio.

Along with its surf-inspired Rio, Kia also has five other sport-themed concepts on display that it has developed with high-profile partners (including a Michelle Wie themed Soul).

See AutoGuide’s complete 2011 SEMA Show Preview here and look for live coverage starting November 1st.

Read AutoGuide’s 2012 Kia Rio 5-Door review here

Kia has released pricing details for its 2012 Rio sedan, starting at $13,400 or $200 less than the 5-door version. That price is before the $750 destination and handling fee.

The cheapest version comes with a 6-speed manual transmission, but if you aren’t willing or can’t drive stick the price jumps to $15,250 with a 6-speed automatic.

The Rio comes in three trim levels: LX, EX and SX, all powered by the same 1.6-liter gasoline direct injection (GDI) making 138 horsepower. The same applies to the sedan as did our review of the 5-door sibling. Even at it’s most basic, you’re getting a well equipped car, though it won’t be impressive to driving enthusiasts, of course that isn’t the market Kia caters to.

The Rio is all about value and practicality with a host of standard features and an estimated 30 mpg with city driving and 40 mpg on the highway. Fuel economy gets a boost thanks to and Idle Stop and Go generally reserved for hybrids and luxury cars. The engine shuts down when the car isn’t moving and starts when the driver’s foot comes off the brake pedal.

Standard features include air conditioning, electric power steering, an MP3-capable audio system with USB ports, SiriusXM Satellite Radio with three months of free service, electronic stability control, ABS, hill control assist and vehicle stability management.

If you opt for the premium SX package (starting at $18,250), Kia dolls the car up with LED accent lights on the front as well as LED tail lights. The interior gets also gets improvements with a leather wrapped steering wheel and metal pedals. Dual illuminated vanity mirrors and power-folding side-view mirrors and a backup camera are also meant to add a luxurious feeling.

Finally, the car comes with their Supervision meter cluster and a voice-activated “infotainment” system.

GALLERY: 2012 Kia Rio Sedan

10. Toyota Yaris 3-Door: $14,115

You can sound polite and say “inexpensive” but if you’re strapped for cash, the most important question when shopping for a new car is: what’s the cheapest car on the market? AutoGuide has got the answer, along with the nine runners up.

Toyota‘s warmed-over Yaris makes the 10th spot on our list with a base price of $14,115 for the 3-door model. The pricier 5-door will run you $15,150.

Using a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder like many of its counterparts the Yaris makes 106-hp and is rated at 38-mpg on the highway making it one of the most efficient models in its class, but not the most efficient. Growing three inches overall, Toyota claims the new car has 68 percent more cargo room than the outgoing model, which it shares a near-identical resemblance with. Standard on all models is air conditioning, nine airbags and power windows.

Kia is hoping to reach the 500,000 unit milestone and add 40 new dealers by 2012, as the Korean automaker enjoys increasing success in the U.S. market.

Kia Vice Chairman Hank Lee said that Kia is on pace to sell 470,000 vehicles in 2011, up from 356,258 in 2010. Lee also said that in addition to adding new dealers, stores that failed to meet Kia’s expectations would be terminated. Lee also stated that Kia is focusing on 20 key markets in the United States, but declined to elaborate on what they were. Kia’s Optima mid-size sedan has won critical acclaim, but failed to sell in significant volumes.

[Source: Automotive News]

When it comes to automotive brand loyalty, consumers trust Hyundai, this according to a new study.

The study was done by Experian Automotive, a data service that tracks vehicle registration data and consumer attitudes, and it found that consumers really trust Hyundai. But making big progress is Ford – the automaker took six of the top spots in the top 10 product categories.

Nabbing the top position, Hyundai scored well with a loyalty rate of 49.6 percent. This is the first time the Korean automaker topped the list, beating out GM, Ford and Toyota. In this study, loyalty is determined by the repurchase rate of its owners. And Hyundai had a good year, sales wise -  its brand market share jumped to 9.2 percent during the second quarter of this year (up from 7.9 percent last year).

In second place was General Motors, with a loyalty rate of 48.1 percent, with Ford taking the third spot at 47.6 percent. Ford did great when it came to loyalty for specific products – the Ford Fiesta and Fusion are just two of Ford’s vehicles that took six of the Top 10 positions.

Driving away with first place for the product with the highest individual loyalty was the Kia Forte with 68 percent loyalty rate. The Soul came in fifth at 59 percent, with the Forte Koup coming in eighth with 57 percent.

[Source: The Detroit Bureau]

It’s been years since George Bush was in office, but a trade bill from his presidency finally made it past the House and Senate.

The deal includes Columbia, Panama and South Korea to open trade between those countries and the U.S. with changes aimed to aid U.S. auto manufacturers.

“I’ve fought to make sure that these trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia and Panama deliver the best possible deal for our country, and I’ve insisted that we do more to help American workers who have been affected by global competition,” said President Obama, when asked about the deal.

Despite support from President Obama and many Republicans, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid disagreed. “I don’t favor these bills, but the majority of this Senate does, so it was important that we move forward,” he said.

Public Citizen, a watchdog group, also opposed the deal saying that it would make importing easier for foreign manufacturers but that the same balance wouldn’t be maintained for domestic companies.

While the deal is meant to open business traffic for both countries, the fact remains that South Korea is traditionally a very closed market, meaning U.S. manufacturers are likely to see less of an increase in exports out of the deal.

This could potentially help Hyundai-Kia, whose vehicles are already established in North American markets.

[Source: Left Lane News]

Kia will be joining in on the B-Spec racing series fun by offering race-prepped versions of the new 2012 Rio 5-door, joining the likes of the Mazda2 and Honda Fit. The B-Spec racing series is designed for low-budget racing enthusiasts featuring compact hatchbacks with little to no engine modifications. Kia will be working with Kinetic Motorsports to get Rio 5-Doors ready to race and is planning to announce more details at the upcoming 2011 SEMA Show.

Based on other B-Spec racing vehicles, we can safely assume that the race-prepped Rio will feature a roll cage, racing seats, harnesses, suspension modifications and a new wheel and tire package. B-Spec series racers are designed to compete in SCCA, NASA, Grand-Am and World Challenge race series. With basically stock engines in all of the vehicles, the race-ready Rio will sport the factory 1.6L that pumps out 138-hp and 123 lb-ft of torque, significantly more than either the Honda or Mazda.

Click here to read AutoGuide’s 2012 Kia Rio 5-Door review and see a preview of the 2011 SEMA Show here.

Kia‘s heart-stoppingly cool GT concept was was powered by a 3.3L turbo V6 packing 400 horsepower – but the production version might not get such an exotic powertrain.

Speaking with Auto Express, Kia styling boss Peter Schreyer said that “I think done in the right way, with a smaller engine or hybrid technology, it would work,” he said. “It would still be fast, but return good fuel economy, too.”

Screyer said that the GT is aiming for the German coupe set, which we can assume as being the BMW 3-Series and Audi A5. Schreyer also described the GT as Kia’s “halo car”.

[Source: AutoExpress]

Surging volumes and a lag in Japanese output helped Hyundai surpass Honda as America’s fifth largest automaker in 2011, selling 522 more units (from both Hyundai and Kia combined) than Honda did through September.

Analysts cite Honda’s inventory disruption due to Japan’s natural disasters in March as a leading cause of the change in rankings. While Honda was crippled by a lack of parts inventory and forced to disrupt their normal production schedule, Hyundai carried on virtually unaffected.

While Honda’s new Civic and CR-V may help narrow the (currently) small gap, there are still 3 more months of sales results to be analyzed and we won’t truly know the full story until January 1, 2012.

[Source: Left Lane News]

Kia will unveil its first electric vehicle by the start of 2012, but did not say whether the vehicle would be sold in the United States.

The EV will reportedly be based on the Hyundai i10, a vehicle considered much too small for North American tastes. A production run of just 2,000 units is expected in 2012. A second electric vehicle is expected to follow in 2014 for Kia, with Hyundai launching a mass market EV in 2015. Hyundai currently has a small fleet of i10-based EVs testing in South Korea.

[Source: Automotive News]

Kia will hold off on expanding its production facilities and sales targets in favor of improving the quality of its vehicles, CEO Lee Sam-ung told Automotive News at a launch event for its new Rio hatchback.

“Quantitative growth is important, but qualitative growth is also important. We plan to focus on improving product quality and our brand,” said Sam-ung. Industry analysts worry that limited production capacity will be the biggest factor stunting Kia’s future growth. Sam-ung set a goal of 2.5 million vehicles sold in 2011, and wants to boost Rio sales from 110,000 in 2011 to 260,000 in 2012.

Sam-ung also said that Kia will get an all-electric compact car in 2015, one year after Hyundai launches their own model.

[Source: Automotive News]

While Hyundai and Kia are the best known Korean automakers,  Ssangyong, still exists in the rest of the world, and the automaker (who has never sold vehicles in North America) has some very ambitious goals for the near future.

Ssangyong wants to sell 160,000 vehicles worldwide by 2013, and hopes to raise that number to 300,000 by 2016. Accompanying the sales targets will be a whole range of both facelifted and fully re-designed vehicles. Although Ssangyong released a series of goals that are little more than marketing fluff, the key to their progress seems to be leveraging their tie-up with Indian corporate whale Mahindra, which has the financial resources to help Ssangyong make something of itself.

Based on some of their past works (like the Rexton and Rodius) we think that these guys have a long way to go.

Kia will launch their 2012 Rio Hatchback with a starting price of $13,600, plus a $750 destination charge (bringing the total to $14,350).

The base car will come only with a manual gearbox, while an automatic transmission equipped version will cost $14,700 ($15,540 with destination included) while the top-of-the-line SX model will set you back $18,000 ($18,750 with destination included). The Rio will come generously equipped with air-conditioning, power steering, stability control, ABS, a hill-holder for manual transmission cars, and a 1.8L 138-horsepower engine capable of returning 30/40 mpg.

The Rio will also offer a start-stop feature, a class exclusive, that will boost city fuel economy to 31 mpg.

It’s that time of the year again as Car of the Year begins the laborious task of whittling down new Car of the Year contenders for 2012.

A total of 59 journalists, representing automotive authorities across 23 European countries, have been recruited for the task of choosing top car. The number of journalists to represent each country is based on the relative size of the said country’s car market. Countries like Spain, Germany, Italy, and Great Britain have a well established market, and each will be represented by six journalists.

As for cars, only completely redesigned new models that have launched within the twelve months before the contest are counted. Each car must be available in at least five European countries and must have an expected sales volume no less than 5,000.

Categories considered include design, safety, performance, and price. This year, says the judging committee, technical innovation and value will be especially influential. What also makes Car of the Year unique is the absence of separate genres for its candidates. Rather than selecting the best of the compacts or the best trucks, vehicles with all sorts of engine size and body types will be vying for the same allotment of points.

Comparison testing of the vehicles will be performed in Sweden.

The following 35 candidates selected for the 2012 Car of the Year award include:

Continue Reading…

Only until recently did Kia find its groove and really start to deliver a lineup of attractive cars. However, Hyundai‘s vision for Kia’s future has something different in store. Rumors have suggested that Hyundai-Kia Automotive group may be performing an unprecedented hedge to have Kia carry a solely electric vehicle green model range while Hyundai continues to develop plug-in hybrid and fuel cell cars.

The motivation behind this strategy is to push Kia to unveil the automaker’s first highway-capable electric vehicle (code named TAM) by the end of 2011. Furthermore, Hyundai will continue their research and development over a hydrogen fuel cell Tucson concept set to debut for 2013.

Kia’s most recent move towards a production-ready EV came at the Seoul Motor Show, with the Naimo Concept, an electric car that’s slightly larger than the Toyota Yaris. In concept form it used an electric motor and lithium-polymer battery pack to make 109-hp and 207 lb-ft of torque with a range of 124 miles.

There’s no denying that leading automakers are vying to be future leaders in alternate energy. With Hyundai-Kia’s two prong approach, chances seem likely that the competition will be in for a surprise.

GALLERY: Kia Naimo Concept

[Source: Chosun via Autoblog Green]

10,631 Kia Sorento SUVs built between June 15th, 2006 and November 27th, 2007 will be recalled due to a faulty airbag issue where the passenger-side air bag may be turned off even when an adult is occupying the seat. Naturally, the Occupant Classification System is designed to be turned off when children or small adults are seated in the front passenger seat, but in the recalled models it can mistakenly classify an adult passenger as a child. If the air bag is deactivated, the light will illuminate on the center instrument panel.

The recall will have vehicle owners’ programming updated by Kia in the Sorento’s OCS module at no charge. Owners that are affected may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542.

NHTSA has announced a safety recall for 10,600 model year 2007-2008 Kia Sorento SUVs. A sensor used to deactivate an airbag when a child or baby seat is installed at the front passenger side may incorrectly deactivate the airbag when an adult is in the passenger seat. Airbag deactivation will cause an increased risk of occupant injury in the event of a frontal collision.

According to studies, this malfunction occurs when a heavier adult rider is present. The “passenger airbag off” warning light will illuminate in such an occurrence, notifying the occupants of the vehicle.

Kia is currently informing all affected Sorento owners to bring their vehicles to authorized dealerships to receive a reprogram for their OCS system.

[Source: NHTSA]

Kia has been changing what people think about Korean cars for well over a year now thanks to some impressive designs, and now the automaker is looking to add some performance to its lineup with the new GT Concept – the first ever rear-drive vehicle by Kia.

Set to be unveiled tomorrow at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show, the GT Concept is a rear-drive coupe-styled sedan that we can now confirm is powered by a turbocharged and direct-injection 3.3-liter V6 making 395-hp and 394 lb-ft of torque. Helping get power to the ground in a smooth and fuel efficient manner is an 8-speed automatic transmission.

“This concept allows us to explore exciting new design directions, as using a rear-drive layout creates very different proportions compared to a front-wheel drive car,” says Peter Schreyer, Kia’s Chief Design Officer.  ”The classic front-engined, rear-wheel drive layout of a performance saloon has distinct appeal not just for the domestic Korean audience, but also for the European and American markets.”

Said to be inspired by iconic GT cars of the 1970s, the GT also takes design cues from the Kia Kee concept that debuted in Frankfurt back in 2007. Measuring 185-inches in length this 4-seater is roughly a foot shorter than the Hyundai Genesis sedan (on which it is believed to be based), putting it right in the same size category as the BMW 3 Series.

Will Kia build the GT Concept.. or something like it? You bet! “One of the great things about working on this project was that this is a very real car,” says Schreyer.  “It felt good to be working on a car that could roll down the road tomorrow.  Yes, it would be a dream to put this into production – it has a logical layout, with four seats, and good luggage space, and it’s also engaging and dynamic and makes a strong statement.  It’s exactly the kind of car Kia should be making.”

Look for more details and live photos tomorrow at AutoGuide’s official Frankfurt Auto Show page here.

GALLERY: Kia GT Concept

Not too long ago, a beauty contest in the sub-$20k segment would seem like a competition for the most attractive bar of soap. But now, Kia‘s current line-up will make you look twice.

Men’s lifestyle and fashion magazine Esquire has announced the Kia Optima as the “Most Gorgeous Car Under $20K.” Editors were especially impressed by the South Korean automaker’s “clean and inspiring” design. Moreover, numerous other automotive publications have made positive comparisons of its exterior to the more upscale Audi.

VP of Kia America marketing & communication Michael Sprague says, “Esquire defines and shapes men’s style and fashion in today’s contemporary culture, and this recognition further validates Optima’s tremendous value proposition with its unmatched combination of world-class design, advanced technology, and fun-to-drive performance. The stunning design and value of the Optima has significantly increased awareness, perception and consideration for the Kia brand…”

More than just a pretty face, the 2011 Optima is available with luxury and technology including a satnav/audio system with Sirius XM radio and live traffic, Bluetooth capability, USB and auxiliary input, and steering wheel integrated voice controls.

The Optima is available with an economic 2.4 liter four cylinder producing 200 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque or a turbocharged 2.0 liter four cylinder producing 274 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque. Finally, the Optima Hybrid provides the 2.4 liter combined with an electric motor, combining for 206 hp and 193 lb-ft of torque. Prices begin at $19,200.

GALLERY: 2011 Kia Optima

Click here to read AutoGuide’s 2011 Kia Optima Review

Rumored to be called “Veredus”, leaked photos of Kia‘s new rear-wheel drive performance sedan have emerged revealing that it will instead wear the simple “GT” badge – in concept form anyway.

The next step in the design evolution of the Kia brand, the GT is bold look for a bold vehicle that will take the Korean automaker into a segment it has never before occupied. No details about the car’s powertrain have yet to be revealed, but expect to see a large V8 engine under the hood – perhaps the 429-hp 5.0-liter V8 from the new Hyundai Genesis R-Spec.

Look for full details with AutoGuide’s Frankfurt Auto Show coverage starting Tuesday, September 13th.

GALLERY: Kia GT Concept

[Source: Car & Driver]