2006 Kia on 2040-cars

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Kia Soul now has more turbo and 201 hp

Back in May, Kia revealed in a new hamster commercial that we would be seeing a turbocharged version of the Soul sometime this winter. After months of waiting, we finally get our first look at the Soul Turbo in the form of the European-market Soul SX. Obviously, the most important part of the newly-boosted Soul lies under the hood. There you will find the familiar turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder from the Veloster Turbo and the Elantra Sport. Unsurprisingly, it makes the same 201 horsepower as its corporate cousins. But that's still a healthy 37-horsepower improvement over the naturally aspirated 2.0-liter. The engine is bolted up to a new 7-speed dual clutch transmission. Kia didn't say anything about a manual option, but we certainly hope they'll offer one. The company claims the Soul SX has a 0-62 mph time of 7.8 seconds and a top speed of 124 mph. Aside from the engine, there are subtle exterior and interior tweaks that distinguish this quicker Soul. The front bumper gets a larger, more aggressive grille, and the side sills are slightly wider. The car also receives exclusive 10-spoke, 18-inch wheels, red accents and Soul badge, and a twin-tip exhaust. Inside, the Soul SX has a black cloth and leather interior featuring orange stitching and the obligatory flat-bottomed steering wheel. Kia also revealed that the Soul SX is now available for ordering. However, this is just the European model. We still have yet to see the final US-spec version, but we'll probably see it very soon. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2017 Kia Soul SX: Paris 2016 View 12 Photos Image Credit: Live photos copyright 2016 Drew Phillips / Autoblog Paris Motor Show Kia Crossover Hatchback Performance 2016 paris motor show kia soul turbo

Hyundai, Kia expanding plug-in vehicle line-up in Korea

Hyundai is shedding a bit of light on its electric vehicle plans. About time, too, since the company has spend a long period being quite vague about plugging in while touting its hydrogen plans. The Hyundai and Kia brands will both release their first plug-in hybrid vehicles next year in Korea; an all-electric version of the Kia Soul will roll out in May of this year and a mid-size electric vehicle will be launched as early as next year. Test versions of the Hyundai i10 electric vehicle have been on Korean roads since first being used at the G20 summit in Seoul in 2010. There have been hints about an electrified Hyundai coming to America, and at the Washington Auto Show last week, Michael O'Brien, vice president of corporate and product planning for Hyundai Motor America told AutoblogGreen that a new EV will be coming to the US market sometime within the next three years. A Hyundai executive told Korean national daily The Chosunilbo that the company will be significantly increasing its investment in hybrids and EVs to roll out a few eco-friendly models starting in 2015. It's hard to say which of these might come to the US market – a new LF Sonata will be coming out in both a regular gasoline and hybrid system in Korea; the US already has the Sonata Hybrid for sale. As for plug-in hybrids, Hyundai said that there will be both Sonata and Kia K5 (Optima) models coming out next year. These will also be the first-ever plug-in hybrids in the Korean market. Featured Gallery 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid View 13 Photos News Source: The Chosunilbo Green Hyundai Kia Electric Hybrid Hydrogen Cars PHEV

Kia introduces sleek Novo Concept at Seoul Motor Show

As you've no doubt noticed, we're deep, deep into coverage of the 2015 New York Auto Show. But despite the glitz and glamor of the Big Apple, our attention is also draw to Asia today, where Kia has introduced the handsome Novo Concept at the 2015 Seoul Motor Show. Powered by a 1.6-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder and with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission shipping power to the front wheels, the Novo's powertrain is not unlike what we saw yesterday in the 2016 Optima. Of course, that's the extent of the technical details, as the Novo is far more of a design exercise than a tech demonstrator. Taking its name from the Latin for "to make new," the Novo was designed by Kia's team in Namyang, South Korea. Billed as a four-door coupe – as is the trend nowadays – the Novo rides on a version of the company's C-segment platform, giving some idea of its size. Kia's hallmark "tiger nose" grille is flanked by laser headlights, and is the most obvious tie-in to the brand's current design language, while other elements, like its fastback profile and pillar-less greenhouse are add some spice to the visuals. Those compact rear doors are hinged at the rear. Meanwhile, a vertical side grille, reminiscent of the early Jaguar XF, meets a strong shoulder line that extends from the headlights and terminates in the middle of the rear door. Kia has released a spate of images of the new car, which accompanies the company's design-oriented press release. Head down and take a look. Related Video: KIA NOVO FASTBACK CONCEPT PREMIERED AT SEOUL MOTOR SHOW Coupe style for Kia's latest concept Minimalist interior with high-tech features 1.6 litre turbo GDi engine and seven-speed DCT Delivering a bold and exciting, coupe style with a driver-focused cabin, Kia's latest concept car, the Novo, has been unveiled at the 2015 Seoul Motor Show. Giving clear hints at future Kia styling and strategy the Kia Novo is aimed at modern urbanites with stressful jobs and frantic schedules. Interpreted by Kia's designers, the name 'Novo' represents the concept of making something new and fresh. Taking its name from the Latin 'novatus' the Kia Novo concept establishes a calming, focused environment in which drivers can refresh and rejuvenate as they transition from one life commitment to the next. Fittingly, 'novatus' also provides the origin of the English word, 'innovation', which the Novo concept brings to life with thoroughly innovative styling and high-tech interior features.