The Kia K9 is the Korean brands first venture into the luxury car segment, and it is now officially on sale in Korea. 

The April 2012 sales numbers were released today, and Chrysler and Toyota have the most to rejoice over, while Ford and General Motors need to do a little bit of catching up. 

The Kia K9 will be the Korean brands first attempt at a true luxury car, and the first official interior pictures and TV commercials have been released by the company. 

The Forte was Kia’s first shot at redemption. Replacing the simple Spectra with something more dramatic wouldn’t be difficult, especially since it would be then-new head designer Peter Schreyer’s first kick at establishing the company’s new styling direction. Although it borrowed many cues from its Honda Civic rival, the Forte sedan and two-door Koup were distinctive enough to quiet most of the complainers. Looking to add some utility to the model range, a five-door Forte was quickly added, making it one of the few hatchbacks in the segment.

The Kia K9 will be the Korean automaker’s flagship luxury sedan, flaunting design lines from Peter Schreyer who has undoubtedly helped transform Kia’s modern day lineup.

Schreyer, who is widely known for his design contributions to the Audi TT model, became the chief design officer at Kia Motors in 2006. Kia’s automobiles haven’t looked the same since then — in a good way.

In a recent video, Peter Schreyer explains the design behind the new Kia K9 rear-wheel drive luxury sedan. This is the Korean automaker’s first rear-wheel drive luxury sedan that will be built on the same platform as the Hyundai Genesis sedan and Equus models.

Watch the video of Peter Schreyer sketching the Kia K9 after the break.

[Source: Carscoop]

The Kia Rio EX got top honors in Consumer Reports’ latest tests in the sub-compact sedan category, besting the Hyundai Accent and the Chevrolet Sonic.

Maybe we just wanted an excuse to show a photo of model Adriana Lima with a Kia, but the Korean automaker along with its bigger brother Hyundai have both just been rated as the EPA’s most efficient and cleanest automakers.

No more spy photos necessary, Kia has officially revealed their facelifted 2013 Sorento to the world. The Korean automaker updated its Sorento for the 2013 model year, changing up the front end, body color accents, and adding 17-inch wheels to the SUV.

Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, Inc. (KMMG) celebrated the 500,000th vehicle being completed this morning. 

Taking inspiration from the wild GT Concept, Kia has revealed the initial photos of its very first rear-drive luxury sedan.

The Kia K9, code named the KH, is Kia’s sister car to the Hyundai Equus and Genesis, and will be the brand’s first attempt at an upscale rear wheel drive sedan.

We get a full view of the K9 for the first time, out driving in what we assume is South Korea, instead of just  spy photos.

Calling the K9 upscale seems warranted: It seems to be taking design cues from the German luxury car makers BMW and Mercedes. Based on the look we get in these videos, it seems like the K9 will be heavily related to the Hyundai’s Genesis and Equus sedans, though that is purely speculative. We’re guessing the K9 will be run by a 4.6-liter V8, which makes 385 hp sourced from the Genesis, or a larger 5.0-liter V8 that can produce as much as 429 hp.

“This all-new rear-wheel drive large sedan will definitely become the leading model of our lineup around the world, showcasing the best of the best of Kia,” Kia marketing executive Soon-Nam Lee said.

The K9 will likely be on sale in Korea later this year, with the worldwide shipment probably coming by early-to-mid 2013.

Watch the videos of the new K9 below.

Thinking of putting down a minivan owner? You may want to think twice. Minivans are among the most useful vehicles on the road. Take a look at some of these reasons why owning a minivan can be a life-enriching experience.

If you drive a Kia Sportage with the standard 2.4-liter engine that is rated at a rather ordinary 176 hp and 168 lb-ft of torque, you’ll find it to be a nice, middle-of-the-road, good quality, stylish, Crossover Utility Vehicle. However, if you drop in the Kia’s new 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder direct-injection engine from the new Optima Turbo model, you’ve got a whole different CUV experience.

Hyundai‘s U.S. CEO John Krafcik has said that “because the brand resonates with families,” and feels “this is a segment where we have the lowest market penetration,” company product planning, at least in the short term, is focused on crossovers, especially seven-seater CUVs which seem to be the hottest thing going right now.

On the market now for a few years, the Kia Sorento is due for a facelift and out photographers have snapped the first spy photos of the updated car testing in northern Europe.

Paice LLC, a company whose founder says he developed a high-voltage electrical system to power hybrid vehicles, filed a lawsuit against Korean automakers Hyundai and Kia on the claim that they infringed upon patents held by the company.

The Kia Track’ster was arguably the most interesting new vehicle at the Chicago Auto Show this year. Based on the Kia Soul, this compact racer has undeniable good looks.

The Track’ster took nine months to design, but the end product is evidence of the designers efforts. This video walks through every step of the process which takes quite a few people’s input into account.

Concept designs are some of the hardest work car companies will put in because each piece needs to be designed and manufactured by hand. Then, once all the parts are made, each piece is checked over to make sure it perfectly fits the specifications it was built to. Once the car is assembled it is gone over with a fine-toothed comb to check for errors. The process is gruelling and puts any company’s commitment to the test.

Watch the video of the making of the Kia Track’ster after the jump.

The Kia Soul Red Rock special edition draws its inspiration from the American Southwest rock formations that dominate the landscape. The package debuted at the 2011 New York auto show and has now made its way into a production model.

Kia has at last confirmed it is planning a rear-drive luxury sedan, releasing several teaser images of what is code named the KH. Based on Hyundai’s rear-drive architecture, some reports indicate that it is in fact the stretched platform used by the larger Equus sedan, and not the mid-size Genesis.

Whether you’re heading to the Chicago Auto Show and want to know what to check out, or your trip is a bit more virtual, AutoGuide editors have compiled a list of the must-sees at this year’s event.

Figuring out a vehicle’s total cost of ownership before setting out to make the purchase can be very difficult. Luckily for us, Kelley Blue Book has conducted a cost of ownership study factoring insurance, maintenance, repairs and fuel expenses. According to KBB’s findings, pinchpenny  shoppers stand to gain the biggest bang for their buck by choosing Kia automobiles.

Kia has been talking about a rear-wheel drive luxury sedan for a while, and now we’ve got the pictures to prove that they’re serious.

If you were able to keep your eyes off of Adriana Lima to acknowledge that there was indeed a car in Kia‘s Super Bowl ad, then you should find this Optima SX Limited familiar. The top-of-the-line Limited Package for the 2012 Optima SX was made official today at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show.

You wouldn’t expect a Kia to be the star of an auto show. Then again, you probably wouldn’t expect a 250 hp, widebody Kia Soul.

Kia, you’re such a tease. Today at the Chicago Auto Show, the Korean automaker revealed what it’s calling the Trak’ster Concept. But this sport cross came with a disclaimer, “there are no current plans to produce the Track’ster”.

In the auto business, 2011 proved to be the year of the Koreans; both Hyundai and affiliate Kia sold a record number of vehicles, while their shares outperformed those of other automakers, including the likes of heavyweights such as General Motors, Toyota and Volkswagen.

Did you think that every automaker’s secrets were revealed at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit? Think again.

Kia‘s new Track’ster concept is set to be debuted at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show, and Kia is building more hype today as the Korean brand released a new photo of the sporty crossover.

Unveiled at the 2009 Detroit Motor Show, the Kia Soul’ster concept dared to prove basic transportation could also be stylish and interesting.

Kia is looking to create some excitement at next week’s Chicago Auto Show, debuting a new concept car called the Track’ster.

Similar to the Ford Fiesta, Europeans will be able to enjoy the cooler and more fun 3-door Kia Rio while Americans are stuck with the less-cool 5-door and downright dull sedan variants.

Kia released information on their newest Superbowl commercial last week, but now the Korean automaker is teasing us a little more with a 15 second video spot featuring supermodel Adriana Lima in slow motion as the Chordettes classic “Mr. Sandman” sings sweetly in the background.

The slogan for the Super Bowl spot is “Drive the Dream” and will follow a couples dream sequence as they snooze the night away. The story will wind through the couples dreams after “Mr.Sandman” sneaks into their room and sprinkles “sweet dream” dust on the sleeping pair. Then things really take off, diving into  the couples ridiculous wildest dreams; getting up close and personal with MMA fighter Chuck Liddell, being front row at a Mötley Crüe concert, having Adriana Lima wave the checkered flag as you cross the finish line, and even a heroine and hero on horseback entangled in a romantic love scene. The spot will feature the 2012 Optima Limited racing through each dream sequence.

Kia chose personalities that they thought would capture any football fans heart, whether young or old. Michael Sprague, vice president of marketing & communications for Kia Motors American said,  “We selected an eclectic group of celebrities and personalities for ‘Drive the Dream’ to enable us to tap into a diverse body of fan bases and leverage each talent’s expansive social media footprint.”

Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx puts it bluntly,“A hot model, a fast car, a pro fighter, pyrotechnics and rock n’ roll…What’s not to love?”

Kia’s past Superbowl commercials have yet to disappoint, and this one should be no less entertaining. Watch for the spot during the fourth quarter of next Sunday’s big game. Check out the teaser after the jump.

Kia Motors America’s motorsports program hit a new high last year grabbing the Team and Driver titles in the 2011 Street Tuner (ST) class in the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge. Now they’re looking forward to 2012 with new driver pairings for both the number-10 and number-12 Infinity Audio Forte Koups.

Hyundai has made incredible gains in the global market, challenging larger automakers in markets they once dominated. While Volkswagen has globally sold a record number of vehicles in 2011, Hyundai Motors and its Kia affiliate have exceeded VW’s numbers in the United States. According to senior analyst of auto website Edmunds.com Jessica Caldwell, “Hyundai offers compelling design at an affordable price– a win-win for must consumers. Brand exposure has long been the problem for Hyundai, but that has certainly eased.” The South Korean automaker has made some smart moves to gain publicity, including ads aired during the Super Bowl as well as the company’s sponsorship of the World Cup.

Kia Motors America has announced that it’s recalling 145,755 vehicles today. The two models affected are the 2006-08 Optima sedan, specifically those manufactured between September 29, 2005 and January 29, 2008, and Rondo MPVs (pictured above) built between September 13, 2006 and March 21, 2008, for issues with the cars’ supplementary restraint system.

It’s becoming the latest thing on internal combustion engined vehicles, as automakers aim to boost fuel economy and reduce vehicle emissions, yet stop/start technology isn’t without its issues, as Kia Motors has discovered.

In terms of prime time viewing, it often doesn’t get any better than during the Super Bowl. As a result companies want to make every second of air time count during the commercial breaks, often leading to some of the most inventive ads of all time.

NHTSA Administrator David Strickland says, “Crash-worthiness has been the guiding star for NHTSA. But if there’s an opportunity to prevent a crash– that is the goal.” Holding a speech for the Society of Automotive Analysts the day before the North American International Auto Show, Strickland wants to raise consumer awareness towards these new technologies.

With the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto just around the corner, the finalists for Canadian Car and Utility Vehicle of the Year (the winners of which will be announced during the opening ceremonies of the show on February 16) have been announced.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced that investigations of the Honda Accord Hybrid and the Kia Sorento have both ended.

2011 marked another year of success for South Korean automaker Hyundai Motor Co. and affiliate Kia. Having capitalized on its Japanese rivals’ year of challenges, sales for Hyundai and Kia have climbed like a rocket.

With the companies current shift towards inspired design, Kia motors will produce the GT concept which was first shown at the Frankfurt auto show in 2011. The GT’s slick design is clearly aimed at competing with European luxury brands such as Audi.

Kia has formally introduced Korea’s first electric production vehicle, the Ray EV, with a range of 86-miles and an impressive fast-charging in just 25 minutes. Only 2,500 units will be produced initially, all of which will be used by government agencies.

If this is a hint of what the 2013 Kia Forte may look like, the Korean auto manufacturer might have a winner on their hands. Despite only being on the market since 2009, Kia is looking to refresh their Forte by next year, as a 2013 model.

Ward’s Auto released their 10 Best Engines List for 2012 today, and no surprise here but direct-injection and turbocharging – the two big trends for today’s automotive era – are heavily represented.

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.

Kia design boss Peter Schreyer took Automotive News reporter Ryan Beene on a tour of the Los Angeles Auto Show, outlining his favorite designs of the show floor.

For a long time, the only brand with a poorer reputation than Hyundai was Kia. Despite being a subsidiary of Hyundai, Kia‘s vehicles were often a grade lower in quality, using decade-old Mazda engineering and projecting an image of cheap vehicles for those with poor credit (or poor taste).

Kia has just announced at the LA Auto Show that they’ve teamed up with Kinetic Motorsports to campaign a pair of Optima SXs in World Challenge. The pair of race cars will join the Rio 5-Door B-Spec that debuted at the SEMA Show earlier this month as part of Kia’s racing efforts with Kinetic Motorsports.

Gas, tires and insurance probably don’t matter much if you’re in the market for a 2012 Chevrolet Camaro or Ford Mustang, but safety does.

Well if you happen to live in Kia’s home market of S. Korea, you could look into their newest offering, dubbed the Ray.

Yes it’s true. The actor who once won an Academy Award nomination for his portrayal of Buddy Holly, can be found today doing cheezy television ads for a Houston, Texas area car dealer.  Then again, former martial arts action star Chuck Norris is doing infomercials for fitness equipment.

Busey, who also starred in films such as Lethal Weapon (they call me Mr. Joshua) Under Siege and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, has been appearing in commercials for Century III Kia, alongside a guinea pig with the punch line “tell ’em Gary sent ya!”

It’s perhaps a little tragic to see an actor who had such great potential, doing TV ads like these, but then again, in these hard times, even Hollywood stars need to find ways to pay the bills. Click below to see our man Gary in action:

The 2012 Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Grand Caravan, and Volkswagen Routan all earned Top Safety Pick awards from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

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.

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.

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.

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.

While many other automakers, including Japanese and American manufacturers, have taken a bit of a battering in recent years due to economic uncertainty and natural disasters, Hyundai and Kia have been bucking the trend, reporting steady gains in market share, particularly in entry level segments, where their vehicles have proved appealing to cost conscious buyers.

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

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.