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2015 Kia Soul EV whirrs in to the Windy City

Earlier this week, we got our first glimpse of the 2015 Kia Soul EV out on the road, completely uncovered. And even before then, executive editor Chris Paukert had the opportunity to drive a camouflaged electric Soul prototype on Kia's home turf in Korea. But now, finally, officially, the electron-happy Soul makes its debut at the Chicago Auto Show.
Powering the Soul EV is an 81-kilowatt electric motor that sends 109 horsepower and 210 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels. That's not immensely powerful, with Kia quoting a 0-60 time of "fewer than 12 seconds," but we're big fans of the instant torque thrust that EVs like the Soul provide. Top speed is electronically limited to approximately 90 miles per hour.
Kia says the Soul EV is good for roughly 80 to 100 miles of driving range.

Kia bringing new Picanto city car to Geneva

The Kia Rio may be one of the smallest cars available in the United States, but over in Europe, the Korean automaker offers something even smaller. It's called the Picanto, and Kia is set to reveal an updated version at the Geneva Motor Show next month. Measuring just over 140 inches long and weighing less than 2,000 pounds, the Picanto shares its underpinnings with the equally tiny Hyundai i10, with power coming from an upgraded 1.0-liter inline-three with multi-point fuel injection. The new model also benefits from redesigned bumpers front and rear, new 14-inch (that's right, 14-inch!) alloys, larger brakes and a revised interior with a new center stack, chrome accents and cloth upholstery. Buyers will also be able to choose between three- and five-door body-styles and new color packs to make it stand out from other city cars in the urban landscape, along with a new seven-inch display for the infotainment system and cruise control. Kia to reveal new Picanto at 2015 Geneva Show - Updated exterior and interior design with new customisation options - New premium features include cruise control and touchscreen infotainment - Updates to 1.0-litre gasoline engine and reduced stopping distance - On sale across Europe by the end of Q1 2015 Frankfurt, 2 February 2015 – Kia Motors Europe will unveil the enhanced Kia Picanto at the 85th Salon International de l'Automobile in Geneva on 3 March 2015. Kia's stylish A-segment city hatchback features a range of dynamic and visual improvements to maintain its competitiveness. The enhanced Kia Picanto boasts redesigned front and rear bumpers to enhance the car's bold looks, as well as updates to Kia's hallmark 'tiger-nose' grille. Buyers can now choose a new 14-inch alloy wheel design, and the inclusion of an optional sport pack makes the upgraded car stand out as one of the best-looking vehicles in the A-segment, in both three- and five-door variants. Inside, the Picanto is now fitted with new chrome accents surrounding the driver's instrument binnacle and dashboard air vents, and a new cloth upholstery pattern boosts the car's youthful appeal. At the centre of the dashboard, a more modern fascia now surrounds the Picanto's audio system. Premium features and greater customisation A range of optional premium features are being introduced to the Kia Picanto for the first time, including the latest generation of Kia's AVN (audio-video navigation) system with a large 7.0-inch display screen (available from Q3).

KIA: Walken Closet

Kia quite literally had no other option than to secure Christopher Walken to star in this commercial. It's entitled Walken Closet, and the misspelling is clearly intentional. Watch as Walken portrays himself as only he can (obviously) in this humorous ad. Oh, and the sock puppet. How could you forget the sock puppet? Marketing/Advertising Kia Super Bowl Commercials 2016 super bowl ad