2014 Kia Sedona Lx Mini Passenger Van 4-door 3.5l on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Kia Telluride Concept is a 400-hp hybrid based on Sorento SUV [w/video]

After teasing the exterior and the interior of the Kia Telluride, here we have the full monty in Dark Pyrite Green. Although Kia warned us that this is only a design exercise for a full-sized, three-row, seven-seat hauler, the brand notes that all of the primary bits are based on existing production Kia technology. It's built on the modified underpinnings of the mid-sized Sorento crossover, but the Telluride's wheelbase is 11.9 inches longer, and overall it's 9.5 inches longer, 4.7 inches wider, and 4.4 inches taller than the mid-sizer. Inside, Kia worked hardest on the well-being of second-row passengers. Four captains chairs comprise the first two rows, and the second-row thrones have footrests that can be folded nearly flat when not in use. Sensors in the forward four seats have sensors that read the "vital health information" of occupants and display it on door panels. Those in the second row will then benefit from Light Emitted Rejuvenation – a light show provided by an LED panel under the sunroof – to treat jet lag. Other notables inside include 3D printed components in front, and a swipe-controlled media panel behind the front seats. As for the design, the front fascia goes so bold that it reminds us of an American pickup truck. Behind what Kia calls the "tiger nose" grille is a 270-horsepower, 3.6-liter V6 paired with a 130-hp electric motor, said to return more than 30 highway miles per gallon in all-wheel-drive guise. Kia has a less powerful hybrid crossover coming soon called the Niro. Kia wants you to recall that it has a history of turning concepts into production vehicles. But you should also remember that the firm's first and only other full-size entry, the body-on-frame Borrego that lasted all of a year in production, started off as the Mesa concept. Check out the press release below for more. KIA TELLURIDE CONCEPT MAKES WORLD DEBUT AT NORTH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW IN DETROIT Elegant and Sophisticated, the Kia Telluride Combines Breakthrough Technology, Rugged Beauty, and Functionality in a Full-Size Sport Utility Vehicle • Telluride takes Kia's design language in a bold new direction and suggests styling of a possible future premium large SUV in the brand's lineup • Telluride pushes the boundaries of technology with unique in-cabin health-and-wellness technology and luxury DETROIT, Jan.

Kia's regionally inspired concepts converge on Las Vegas [w/poll]

Kia has, over the past couple of weeks, been steadily streaming an array of concept cars it's prepared for SEMA this year. But with the doors now open at the Las Vegas Convention Center, it's now released the full monte – so to speak – including one we hadn't seen before at all. The lineup takes a geographic approach, each representing a different region in this great country of ours, and each is based on a different model in the company's product line. Arguably the most outlandish is the A1A Optima. The sedan has been converted into a four-door convertible, taking its name and inspiration from the coastal highway in Florida. The project was carried out by Lux Motorwerks, which reinforced the Optima's bodywork for the chop job, fitted suicide rear doors, and painted it a bright shade of turquoise. It rides on 20-inch HRE alloys, with an interior trimmed out in cream leather and titanium accents. A coilover suspension drops it down to the tarmac, and a new exhaust system helps with the turbo four's sound. Next up is the PacWest Adventure Sorento, inspired by the Pacific Northwest with a woodsy approach. The Sorento crossover has been customized by LGE-CTS Motorsports with a candy-effect green paint job and matte black trim, tubular bumpers, a raised suspension, off-road tires, a snorkel for fording streams, and a pop-up tent on the roof. They're joined by the Photo Safari Sedona, which is a new addition we hadn't seen until now. The minivan has been thoroughly transformed into a rolling observation point for shutterbugs in the wild. The rear section has been converted into a pickup bed, the seats have been swapped out for deploying buckets to get closer to the action, and the whole thing rides on an air suspension with off-road tires on 17-inch wheels. It's even got an iMac workstation on board for processing photos. In short, it's everything you could want to embark on a photographic adventure in the Northeast – or anywhere else for that matter. Finally there's the Mud Bogger, a Forte Koup inspired by the South. It's jacked up four inches on an off-road suspension, with an open rollback vinyl roof to let in the elements. The bodywork has been painted a deep shade of blue, offset by the white powder-coated roll cage, brush guards, and wheels. And the interior has been stripped out and fitted with Sparco racing seats. Kia has also brought the Ballast Point Sedona back to the show this year.

Feds open investigation into recall of 1.7M Hyundais, Kias

US safety regulators have opened a formal investigation into the recall of nearly 1.7 million vehicles by Hyundai and affiliate Kia over engine defects, according to filings published Saturday. A South Korean whistleblower reported concerns last year to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which will probe the timeliness of three recalls carried out in the United States and whether they covered enough vehicles. Fines could be imposed on the automakers if the NHTSA determines the recalls were not conducted properly. The agency did not immediately comment on the probe. A Hyundai spokesman in Seoul the company "has conducted recalls in compliance with US regulations and procedure" and will "sincerely" cooperate with the investigation. In 2015, Hyundai recalled 470,000 U.S. Sonata sedans, saying engine failure would result in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash. At that time, affiliate Kia did not recall its vehicles, which share the same "Theta II" engines. Kim Gwang-ho, then an engineer at Hyundai, flew to Washington in August 2016 to tell NHTSA the companies should have recalled more vehicles over the problem, citing an internal report. He also reported several alleged safety lapses to both U.S. and South Korean authorities. On March 31, Hyundai expanded its original U.S. recall to 572,000 Sonata and Santa Fe Sport vehicles with "Theta II" engines, citing the same issue involving manufacturing debris, the NHTSA said. On the same day, Kia also recalled 618,160 Optima, Sorento and Sportage vehicles which use the same engine. The recall, which was also conducted in Canada and South Korea, cost the duo 360 billion won ($322.40 million). "TIMELINESS AND SCOPE" According to the filings published Saturday, the agency opened a probe May 18 into "both the timeliness and scope" of the "Theta II" engine recalls and their "compliance with reporting requirements." In August 2014, Hyundai agreed to pay a $17.35 million fine to settle a NHTSA investigation it delayed the recall of 43,500 Genesis cars to fix a brake defect linked to two injuries. NHTSA said in 2014 Hyundai "must change the way they deal with safety-related defects." Hyundai vowed to make improvements to how it handled safety issues after the fine. In 2015, the company retained former U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood as an adviser on safety issues.