2024 Kia Sorento S on 2040-cars

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Kia Forte5 hotted-up hatch could be coming back to U.S. market

CarBuzz discovered an executive order Kia submitted to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) that appears to leave a placeholder for a new Forte5. The previous Forte5 — the hatchback version of the Forte sedan — was sold in the U.S. until last year. The tailgated version didn't make the jump to the new-generation Forte sedan that went on sale in the latter part of 2018. The question is whether the lodged paperwork means we can expect a new Forte5 to come our way, or if Kia's U.S. arm is merely preparing for the possibility. Kia's CARB filing lists four 2020 model-year Forte trims: A Forte sedan without smart cruise control (SCC) that can be had with Kia's seven-speed dual-clutch transmission or a six-speed manual; a Forte sedan with SCC that comes with the DCT; a Forte5 with the DCT; and a Forte5 with the DCT and SCC. All four cars get a 1.6-liter four-cylinder. The only such engine Kia has is a turborcharged GDI unit with 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, currently found in the Soul GT. The only engine available in the Forte sedan at the moment is a naturally-aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 147 hp and 132 lb-ft, with a CVT manipulating gear ratios. In an interview with Motor Trend at the 2018 Detroit Auto Show where the latest Forte sedan was launched, the Forte's product manager said, "We're not done with Forte. ... We have more exciting products that are coming that I can't speak of." We know there's a production version of the Forte GT on the way with the 1.6-liter, so that takes care of two of the listed vehicles. At the time of the interview, MT wondered if the Kia exec was alluding to "a return of the Forte5 hatchback," something cribbed off the gorgeous Proceed concept shown at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show. If we were to peer perhaps too closely at the tea leaves, in January of this year Kia launched the new Forte5 hatchback at the Montreal Auto Show (pictured). An exec with Kia Canada said that country is "the first in North America to get up close to a brand-new vehicle." Perhaps we'll be the second. That car in Canada comes with the 2.0-liter four-cylinder in base trim, and will offer the 1.6-liter as part of a "GT performance upgrade." We know the Forte GT sedan will come with nicer and sportier bits like LED headlights and 18-inch wheels on Michelin Super Sport tires. If there is a hotted-up Forte5 hatch on the way, we should know before too long.

Hyundai spooks investors by paying $10B for new Gangnam HQ location

Doing things Gangnam style apparently costs a serious chunk of change, because Hyundai is reportedly paying roughly $10 billion for 19.6 acres (79,342 square meters) of land in the trendy district of Seoul, South Korea, to serve as the location for its new headquarters. That eye-popping number represents the highest amount ever paid for a plot of land in South Korea, according to Reuters. The hefty price tag reportedly scared investors enough for stock prices to sink dramatically.
Shareholders were apparently upset because the massive outlay could instead have been put back into the company for research and development or other improvements. Instead, the company reportedly bid triple the land's appraised value, says Reuters. The announcement caused Hyundai's stock price to plummet a massive 9 percent, and there were losses from Kia and the company's parts arm, as well. All told, the three of them lost nearly $8 billion in value from the falling share prices - almost enough to pay for the controversial land.
Hyundai currently has its headquarters on the outskirts of Seoul, but seems keen to move to the high-end Gangnam district to show off its rising status. It plans to build a new office complex, hotel, convention center and theme park on the site. According to an analyst speaking to Reuters, that could all cost an additional $6 billion to complete.

2021 Kia Seltos officially costs $23,110; trim features detailed

Kia has broadcast the Seltos' arrival in a Super Bowl commercial, but the South Korean automaker has done its usual stealth reveal of pricing, quietly uploading trims and MSRPs to the build site. Turns out the prices leaked to Motor1 last month are all correct. Including the $1,120 destination and handling charge, here are the Seltos trim steps and prices: LX AWD $23,110 S FWD $23,110 S AWD $24,610 EX AWD $26,410 S Turbo $26,610 SX Turbo $29,010 The base LX packs a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque running power through a CVT to all four wheels. EPA-rated mileage comes in at 27 city, 31 highway, 29 combined. Standard features include keyless entry, 8-inch touchscreen-based infotainment with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and 17-inch wheels. The S, with the same engine but front-wheel drive, ups gas mileage to 34 highway, 29 city, and 31 combined. Features get a boost, too, with a different grille and LED DRLs and taillights, mixed Sofino leatherette and cloth surfaces, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear shift, roof rails, and heated outside mirrors. Standard driver safety kit bundles automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, and lane departure warning. Blind spot detection is an optional extra. Requesting all-wheel drive with the center-locking differential costs $1,500. The EX comes with AWD, as well as all of the S features plus full Sofino leatherette seats, heated front seats and a power driver's seat, keyless entry, push-button and remote start, climate control, power sunroof, wireless phone charging, and a USB port for rear passengers, and upgraded 17-inch wheels. Safety tech includes blind spot detection, rear cross traffic alert and avoidance. The S Turbo is based off the S trim but fits the a 1.6-liter with 175 hp and 195 lb-ft that shifts through a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox and only comes in AWD. The $3,500 premium over the S pays for the AWD, the superior engine, and much of the feature set from the EX trim except the seats; the S Turbo sticks with the synthetic leather and cloth seating. The top-tier SX Turbo goes beyond the S Turbo with LED headlights and fog lights, full Sofino leatherette, a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen, Bose premium audio and "Sound Connected Mood Lamp, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and Safe Exit Assist. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.