According to Advertising Age, a sister publication to Automotive News, Chevrolet‘s Cruze, Kia‘s Soul and Jeep‘s Wrangler are among America’s top 25 hottest products for 2011, alongside Dove soap, Arizona Tea, Goldfish crackers, Sharpie markers and the Forever 21 clothing chain.

There’s no doubting those three vehicles’ success, but we’d be willing to debate that they belong in America’s 25 hottest products. But nonetheless, the Cruze has sold more than 200,000 units as of October, which allowed it to surpass the Malibu as GM’s hottest selling model. Media spending by Chevrolet totaled more than $1.1 billion last year with a huge bulk of it towards marketing the Cruze’s 40-mpg fuel economy rating.

The good ‘ol Kia Soul has benefited from collaborating with stylish and hip hamsters, perfectly targeting younger buyers. Through October, Kia has racked up 405,095 in total sales, with over 85,000 of those being Souls. We’re not really sure if the Soul is a hot new product or if the hamsters are just that cool.

Lastly, Jeep’s Wrangler is Jeep’s best-selling vehicle with 101,820 vehicles sold through October. Their partnership with virtual Wranglers and the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 fans probably won’t hurt either. By bringing together live action and game footage, Jeep is clearly targeting a huge audience and perhaps a different market with their Wrangler. Jeep as a brand has had overall sales up 44-percent this year through October.

[Source: Automotive News]

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

The 2012 Kia Rio and a facelifted Soul will be unveiled at the New York Auto Show next week.

The Rio and its five-door hatch Rio5 will get the same design language and H-shaped grille as the rest of the Kia lineup. The Rio sedan was last shown at Geneva, but the Rio5 hatchback will be an all-new debut. Both Rios will feature direct-injection and stop-and-go technology, enabling 40mpg on the highway or better.

The new Soul will get LED headlights and more streamlined styling, as well as a host of new six-speed transmissions that will deliver 35mpg.

Kia introduced a new special edition Soul dubbed the “Shadow Dragon” at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

From afar, the Shadow Dragon gives off a sinister impression with its black paint, but Kia kept its usual sense of fun at the car’s unveiling at the Detroit Auto Show. Kia’s press unveiling was presented like an infomercial, emcee’d by TV pitchman Anthony “Sully” Sullivan. With Sully calling the shots, models pulled the wrapping off the Shadow Dragon Soul, revealing a giant stuffed hamster sitting in the driver’s seat.

Featuring a matte black dragon design on the hood and rear, the Shadow Dragon Soul is based on the Soul+ like the other special editions the Denim and Ignation.

The black motif extends to the interior with black leather trimmed seats, the first leather seats on any Soul model.

The special edition Shadow Dragon Soul is now available in dealerships, priced at $18,195.

Gallery: 2010 Kia Shadow Dragon Soul

Official release after the jump:

Continue Reading…

So far Kia has had a lot of success with its trendy new Soul model, receiving plenty of positive feedback on the car.  The Korean automaker isn’t about to let the favorable public relations end there either, as it is poised to launch a new special edition of the compact crossover-thingy.

The folks over at Autoblog spotted this special edition version while out reviewing the Forte and have confirmed that it will be called the Denim Soul – presumably after the blue-shade of paint and not because the interior features a Levis-esque fabric.

The only other details we have are what you can see here. It will come with a set of white stripes and also features white-painted wheels. We should expect some interior upgrades, but they will most likely come in the form of audio equipment.

The decision to start launching special edition Soul models by Kia is a smart one as people looking to purchase a unique car like this will certainly appreciate the extra-individuality offered by a limited edition car. Scion has followed a similar formula with its many “Release Series” models, which makes us wonder if this is just the first of many special edition Souls.

GALLERY: Denim Soul

[Source: Autoblog]

[Photo Credit: Drew Phillips]

The Kia Soul hasn’t even hit dealerships and already the Korean manufacturer is showcasing a “convertible” version of its box-on-wheels.

Looking somewhat like a cartoon Jeep, or a creation from the Rinspeed design studio, the Kia Soul’Ster was designed to prove that basic transportation can be cool.

While still a concept the Soul production model is certainly affordable with a just-released MSRP of $14,000.

Design cues include a rivet design for the bodywork and a shorted windshield. The two-piece top allows passengers to expose the front and rear independently, using what Kia calls “elbow grease technology.”

While a cute means of transportation the Soul’ster has plenty of masculine designs including the use of anodized metal for the thick roll-bar, fender vents and skid-pad inserts.

The concept features 19-inch wheels and, says Kia, could come with the 1.6-liter or 140hp 2.0-liter engine found in the Soul. A 1.6-liter turbodiesel is also a possibility as it is offered in the Soul in other markets.

Official release after the jump:

Continue Reading…

Looking a lot like a Scion xB, the Kia Soul will be aimed at the same consumer and has a lot to offer, including all those crazy options and trim levels. The Soul is based on the Kia Rio platform and will come with two engine options, a 122hp 1.6L four-cylinder and a larger and more powerful 142hp 2.0L four-cylinder. The smaller engine is available with only a five-speed manual (finally a car for the economy minded), while the 2.0L model can be had with an optional four-speed auto. (Apparently a six-speed is in the works).

Official press release after the jump:
Continue Reading…