2014 Kia Sorento Sx Limited on 2040-cars

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Redesigned Kia Sorento lineup to include hybrid, plug-in models

The next generation of Kia's mid-size crossover will be electrified, a company executive confirmed Friday. The redesigned Kia Sorento, due in 2020 as a 2021 model, will be offered in both hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants. Kia's European COO, Emilio Herrera, confirmed the new green models in an interview with Automotive News Europe. They will join the Niro (which is offered both as a PHEV and a pure EV) and the delayed 2021 Soul EV in Kia's stable of electrified crossovers.  Details are still slim, and while the U.S. is the largest potential market for the Sorento, American buyers have been hesitant to jump on larger hybrid models. At this point, it's not clear whether the two hybrid models will be included in the variants available with the new Sorento launches, or whether they will be added to the lineup later in the crossover's product cycle.  Autoblog has reached out to Kia for clarification on timing and availability and we will update this story if we learn any pertinent information.  We do know that the new Sorento is due in 2020, and will share its fundamental architecture with sister brand Hyundai's new Santa Fe. Hyundai has not announced formal plans to offer hybrid variants of the Santa Fe here in the states, but electrified powertrains were hinted at for Europe when the crossover was originally unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show back in 2018.  Like Hyundai, Kia has been working hard to overhaul its crossover and SUV lineup here in the United States, where customers are migrating to taller vehicles in droves. The introduction of the larger Telluride has made some room for the stretched Sorento to shrink back into its primary role as a two-row mid-sizer. Related Video    

South Korea firms up fuel economy regs following Hyundai/Kia debacle

According to a report from Reuters, South Korea's government has drafted strict new rules for automakers to follow when calculating fuel economy. The legislation comes after a major snafu by Hyundai and Kia that resulted in the automakers lowering the estimated fuel mileage of many popular models - some by several miles per gallon, including the Soul subcompact above - and compensating owners in the US and Canada for the reduction.
The new fuel economy rules were announced by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy in South Korea and will see average mileage ratings drop by roughly three to five percent, according to the report. In addition, manufacturers found guilty of overstating mileage figures will be liable for fines of up to $900,000.
These sweeping new regulations will go into effect in the second half of 2013 and, while they won't have any effect on EPA estimates for Hyundai and Kia vehicles in the United States, they are expected to result in new ratings for the two automakers in their home market of South Korea, where they enjoy a whopping 70-percent market share.

Limited-edition Kia Stinger GTS gets all-wheel drive with a drift mode

The Kia Stinger is currently available with either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, each with fairly distinct characters. With the limited-edition Stinger GTS, Kia wants to blend the best parts of each and create a third option for buyers: Drift Mode. Although the GTS will still be available as RWD or AWD, the all-wheel setup is focal point of the new limited-edition model. Revised to integrate "rear-wheel DNA," the new D-AWD system features a mechanical limited-slip rear differential for improved traction and power distribution. Kia also says the control logic has been tuned with a new transmission shift pattern, improved stability control, better slip control, and countersteer detection. The D-AWD-equipped Stinger GTS will have three different driving modes: comfort, sport, and drift. Comfort mode sends 60 percent of power to the rear, sport mode sends 80 percent to the rear, and drift mode gives the rear wheels 100 percent control. Drift mode will also hold gears to maintain power. No powertrain alterations will be made, as the GTS will get the 365-horsepower twin-turbo 3.3-liter V6 that pairs with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The rest of the changes aim to make the GTS feel slightly aftermarket. It gets an exclusive Federation Orange paint job, a Stinger emblem on the rear, and a rear GTS badge. Kia also gave the GTS real carbon fiber on the hood, side mirror caps, and side vents. Inside, the GTS is equipped with a Chamude headliner, an Alcantara steering wheel and center console, a wireless smartphone charger, a 720-watt Harmon/Kardon sound system, and a sunroof. Kia plans to start production of the GTS this spring and is limiting the run to 800 units. The RWD model starts at $44,995, and the AWD model starts at $47,495. Featured Gallery 2020 Kia Stinger GTS: New York 2019 View 14 Photos Related Gallery Kia Stinger GTS View 16 Photos News Source: KiaImage Credit: Live photos copyright 2019 Drew Phillips / Autoblog.com New York Auto Show Kia Hatchback Performance Sedan 2019 new york auto show drift mode