2000 Kia Sportage Ex Sport Utility 4-door 2.0l on 2040-cars

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Genesis bringing an EV concept and G90 to New York Auto Show

It's official, the entire Hyundai Group has plans for the New York Auto Show. During the Hyundai Sonata press launch in South Korea, design head Luc Donckerwolke told Roadshow "You'll have an electric show car for Genesis." This year will be the charm for Genesis and EVs, after showing the GV80 SUV concept and its hydrogen fuel cell powertrain in 2017, and the electric Essentia coupe concept last year. We will also see the production version of the U.S. market Genesis G90 and its mongo grille. The premium brand's debuts will join the new Sonata sedan and Venue crossover, and an as-yet-unnamed Kia show car expected to be our version of the SP Signature concept potentially called Tusker. Hyundai-Kia isn't getting its electric razzle dazzle ready for New York alone. Auto Express reports the group is working on a new electric car platform to serve the carmaker the same way Volkswagen's MEB architecture serves the German group's brands. At the moment, the only four EVs in the South Korean automaker's range are the Hyundai Kona and Ioniq, and the Kia e-Niro and Soul. They are all built on ICE platforms, the Kona and e-Niro still proving popular enough for this year's planned UK-market production to sell out already. According to a "company insider," the dedicated EV platform is around two years away and will focus on B- and C-segment cars. That's the same year that Genesis is expected to have its EV ready, but unless the luxury arm has plans to dip its grille into C-segment waters, Genesis likely has other EV platform plans. By 2025, Hyundai and Kia have said they'll have 14 EVs in the combined lineup as part of 38 electrified offerings. Whatever's on the way could prove far more radical than today's offerings. Donckerwolke told Auto Express that in order to attract the future EV buyers that aren't necessarily car people, "[You] have to ask whether you want science fiction or whether you want to conform. We can create something that doesn't appeal to someone in the traditional sense." If the head designer gets his way, 3D-printing will help whip up those attractions. Last year's Essentia concept showed off 3D-printed carbon fiber ornament, but the potential goes much further.

Supply issues force Kia to delay new Soul EV until 2021 model year

The electric version of the new, third-generation Kia Soul won't join its gasoline-powered siblings in showrooms for the 2020 model year. Kia announced it was forced to delay the model. American motorists seeking an electric Soul will need to wait until the 2021 model year, Green Car Reports learned. Kia blamed the delay on a shortage of electric motors, and on battery-pack-related supply issues, and it warned the new timeline might change. Autoblog reached out to the company to find out whether the delay is linked to its decision to sell only the electric variant of the hatchback on the European market. We can confirm the model already arrived in showrooms in many European nations, and several dealers we spoke to in France told us they had a handful in their inventory. The Soul EV will be worth the wait when it finally disembarks in the United States. It can drive for up to 243 miles on a single charge, which is about twice the number its predecessor was capable of achieving. It shares its 64-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack with the Hyundai Kona Electric, and it offers a Soul Turbo-like 201-horsepower output. We called it a top choice among entry-level electrics after driving it for the first time in its home country of South Korea. The other reason why the Soul EV might be worth the wait is that Green Car Reports added Kia might choose to sell it in more states. The last-generation model axed after the 2019 model year was only available in 13 states, including Hawaii, New York, Georgia, and, of course, California.

Kia goes Rebel with Forte Mud Bogger for SEMA

Kia is planning a raft of six custom creations for the SEMA show this year, each representing a different region of the United States. Just the other day we brought you a teaser showing off the Sorento built for adventure to represent the Pacific region. Now the Korean automaker is giving us a glimpse at the next addition to the lineup. Based on the Forte Koup is this Mud Bogger concept, representin' the Dirty South "and the inexplicable joy of getting dirty on four wheels." It's got a suspension lifted by four inches, 28-inch off-road tires, riveted fender flares, a panoramic vinyl roof panel, and a stripped-down interior. The seats have been replaced by a pair of Sparco racing buckets, the carpet's been removed and replaced with a spray-on bed-liner, and a full roll cage has been fitted and powder-coated to match the white wheels and brush guard. Scope it out in the teaser video, and watch this space for more on the rest of Kia's localized lineup for the Vegas tuner expo. FORTE KOUP MUD BOGGER Kia returns to SEMA this year embracing the spirit of adventure found on the open road with six highly customized, hand-built concepts, each showcasing unique geographic regions found throughout the country. Bringing to life the various car cultures that help define America's love of the automobile, here's a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the Forte Koup Mud Bogger, representing the adventurous American South and the inexplicable joy of getting dirty on four wheels. Giving this one-of-a-kind Koup the clearance to tackle extreme terrain started with a generous four-inch body and suspension lift along with meaty 28-in. off-road tires. To further accommodate the massive wheel and tire combo, the fenders and side skirts were modified and custom riveted fender flares added. A panoramic roof with a vinyl pushback top gives way to the stripped-down interior where the carpet has been removed and the entire floor is lined with Line-X protective coating. The stock seats of the Forte Koup have also been replaced with two Sparco Evo II Red Race Seats and the Forte Koup Mud Bogger incorporates a hand-built roll cage powder coated white to match the wheels. This Kia with a southern flare is purpose-built for off-road fun that takes you down the road less traveled. News Source: Kia Aftermarket SEMA Show Kia Coupe Off-Road Vehicles kia forte SEMA 2015 kia forte koup