2014 Kia Forte Ex on 2040-cars

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2020 Kia ProCeed is a gorgeous wagon with a spunky turbo engine option

The 2020 Kia ProCeed wagon has finally been unveiled, and it looks pretty much like the concept from the last Frankfurt Motor Show. It has the almost-fastback roofline of the swoopy concept, the wide taillights, and the signature chrome window trim with a dorsal fin highlight at the back. According to Kia, it's also the longest and lowest member of the Ceed compact car family. It's an all-around striking wagon that should stand out in the parking lots of Europe. Still, while it is attractive and distinctive, the ProCeed's design has been a bit compromised in the shift to a production car. The taller body and less dramatic curves detract a bit from the radical roof. The concept also had distinctly rear-drive proportions with the front wheels pushed far forward and plenty of space between them and the base of the windshield. Since the production ProCeed is based on the front-drive Ceed, the long, lean nose is truncated and less elegant. These are nitpicks, though, as the car is far sleeker than the regular Ceed Sportswagon, and we applaud an automaker anytime they come close to delivering on a beautiful concept. The ProCeed is more than just a pretty body, though. Despite being lower and sleeker than the regular Ceed Sportswagon, it only loses about one cubic foot of cargo space. Under the hood, a couple of small-displacement turbo gas engines and a turbo diesel are available, but the really interesting engine is the 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that's shared with the Veloster Turbo. Just like in the force-fed Veloster, it makes 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, and it can be coupled to a 6-speed manual or 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. The engine is only available in the ProCeed GT trim, which Kia notes had its ride and handling tuning overseen by former chief engineer at BMW's M division, Albert Biermann. While the ProCeed GT has unique suspension tuning, all models benefit from fully-independent suspension and sticky Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires. Pricing hasn't been announced yet for the ProCeed, but it will go on sale early in 2019. Of course, it won't be coming to the U.S., since we don't even have the regular Ceed. Interestingly, it appears it will only be available in Europe, since the press release says it will go "on sale exclusively to European drivers." So even Kia's home market of South Korea may not get the wicked wagon.

J.D. Power study identifies top seats for your tush

File under News your fanny can use: The seating systems in the Ford Escape and Edge, the Audi A3, Chevrolet Cruze, Kia Cadenza, Porsche Cayenne and Toyota Tundra received top marks in a new J.D. Power study on seating and seat belt quality and satisfaction. The J.D. Power 2017 Seat Quality and Satisfaction Study asked more than 77,000 new owners and lessees of 2017 model-year cars and light trucks to rate their vehicle's seats and seat belts within the first 90 days of taking ownership. The survey is broken up into seven vehicle segments and scored on total seat problems per 100 within each segment, with awards presented to the seating system supplier. Canadian auto supplier Magna won three of seven first-place awards for its seating systems in the A3, Escape and Edge. Ireland-based Adient got top marks for its seats in the Cadenza and Cayenne. Lear Corp. won for the Cruze, and Avanzar Interior Technologies scored highest for seats in the Tundra. J.D. Power says its study is intended for automakers and suppliers with quality and satisfaction information to be used in developing and marketing seating systems. "But the results are just as interesting to a consumer audience," the company says. "After all, some drivers spend a considerable amount of time behind the wheel, and it's helpful to know which vehicles offer the most comfortable seats for those long commutes." Ain't that the truth. Ford was the only automaker whose seat systems, both manufactured by Magna, received top honors in two segments: the Escape for mass-market compact SUV and the Edge for mass-market midsize/large SUV. J.D. Power says it used 22 attributes to measure seat quality, three measures of seat belt quality and 12 to measure satisfaction. Awards were presented to the seating suppliers. Related Video: Image Credit: Audi Auto News Design/Style Audi Chevrolet Ford Kia Porsche Toyota Safety JD Power seats

Hyundai Motor Group reveals the E-GMP modular electric platform

Just as Volkswagen has the MEB platform for its ID. line of electric cars, Hyundai Motor Group is launching a modular architecture of its own. It's called E-GMP for "electric-global modular platform," and the motor and battery powertrain is called PE for "power electric." These components will underpin models from Hyundai, Kia, Genesis and the new Ioniq brand. The first to launch with it will be the Ioniq 5. One of the interesting aspects of this platform is that it will be designed with rear-wheel drive in mind. Like VW's and Tesla's EVs, the basic layout will feature a rear-mounted motor powering those back wheels, and the battery pack fits in the floor between the wheels. All-wheel drive will be available on some of these models with the addition of a second, front-mounted motor. That front motor will be able to mechanically disconnect from the front drive axles when not needed, allowing for less mechanical drag and more efficient driving. Hyundai is promising impressive performance from the E-GMP and its batteries and motors. The company claims that a car built on the platform could be capable of 0-62 mph sprints of 3.5 seconds with a top speed of about 162 mph. This will vary depending on motors, and Hyundai Motor Group revealed that there are three outputs of motor in development. Maximum range is expected to be 311 miles on the WLTP cycle. Hyundai didn't give exact power outputs or battery capacity in kWh, though. The battery pack is made up of standardized modules that can be added or subtracted depending on the needs of the vehicle, and the individual cells are pouch-type, similar to what GM is using in its Ultium batteries. The E-GMP cars will also support fast charging up to 800V and 350kW, so an 80% charge from empty could happen in just 18 minutes. Two-way charging will also be supported, so your electric Hyundai or Kia could provide up to 3.5kW of power to various appliances or even to another EV. Hyundai says you could run a "midsize" air conditioner and a 55-inch TV for up to 24 hours with an E-GMP car. Hyundai 45 View 14 Photos We won't have to wait long to see the first car based on this platform. The Ioniq 5, which will take design inspiration from the Hyundai 45 concept, will launch next year. The Ioniq 6, based on the Hyundai Prophecy concept, will come in 2022 and the Ioniq 7 in 2024. The first Kia model will be a crossover revealed next year, and it will have a performance variant.