2020 Kia Soul Ex on 2040-cars

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2014 Kia Sorento

For most new car shoppers, three-row crossovers are little more than a way for the family-minded to avoid succumbing to the minivan stigma. Admit it - the only things that differentiate most larger CUVs from minivans are their lack of sliding side doors and - on most of them - the option of all-wheel drive. Having blossomed into a popular segment with thicker profit margins, though, automakers have plenty of incentive to keep their offerings fresh, and that's exactly why Kia is presenting its 2014 Sorento so soon.
At first glance, the crisply styled utility vehicle seen here appears to be nothing more than a mid-cycle refresh - and not a particularly extensive one, at that. But that's not the case at all. Despite looking very similar to the second-generation vehicle that came on the scene for the 2010 model year, this is an all-new Sorento. Or, more precisely, it's about 80-percent new. Kia says less than 20 percent of the parts have been carried over from the 2013 Sorento, and that's a pretty typical amount for an 'all-new' vehicle generation.
Since we've yet to spend quality time with the "Made in the USA" Sorento for more than a short First Drive in Arizona last February, we snagged the keys to a 2014 model in the all-new SX Limited trim level for a lengthy backroad sojourn from Florida to South Carolina.

Kia Soul EV fitted with wireless charging

As the industry continues to build out electric vehicle charging infrastructure, parallel projects are working to improve it as quickly as it's deployed. Now we're seeing some groups launching fast charging stations capable of 350-kW, and more. Meanwhile, wireless charging is making advances, which would allow drivers to simply park and charge without fussing with a cable. Kia is the latest to test inductive charging, and has announced that it has deployed a fleet of Soul EVs capable of recharging wirelessly. The three-year project — a partnership between the Hyundai-Kia America Technical Center, wireless charging company Mojo Mobility and the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) — culminated in the system being equipped to five vehicles and tested in real-world environments. The system uses electromagnetic fields transmitted between a transmitter coil on the ground and a receiver on the bottom of the car to transfer energy. It can charge at over 10 kW, with 85 percent grid-to-vehicle efficiency. Kia adds that because the system is so efficient, it can still charge even if there is some misalignment between the two coils. That means an imperfect parking job doesn't mean the car won't charge. Other automakers are also testing wireless charging, and BMW plans to offer it on a limited basis in the U.S. for its 530e plug-in hybrid. Kia is not making any promises to customers yet, though. "There is no current plan to offer the wireless charging system on production vehicles for sale to consumers," Kia stated in its press release, "however, the success of this development project suggests similar systems are possible on future Kia electric vehicles." Wireless charging could play well with other technology for Kia. For instance, it would be a boon for autonomous efforts, which the Korean automaker has begun undertaking with the testing of self-driving Soul EVs in Nevada. Wireless charging means an autonomous Kia could not only drive and park itself, but also take care of its own charging duties. Related Video: Related Gallery Kia Soul EV Autonomous Testing in Nevada News Source: Kia Green Kia Technology Emerging Technologies Hatchback Electric doe wireless charging inductive charging eere

2016 Kia K900 introduces new 3.8-liter V6 base model

Kia has announced a series of updates to its K900 flagship sedan. Some of the enhancements applied to the 2016 model are more significant than others. The biggest news here is the arrival of a new V6 base model. Previously available Stateside only with the V8, the 2016 Kia K900 will now be offered with an all-new 3.8-liter V6 engine option, good for 311 horsepower. That base model still includes navigation, a leather interior, and a panoramic sunroof as standard equipment – just with a smaller engine to move it all. No changes were announced for the 5.0-liter V8, which is quoted at 420 hp. Revised pricing and realigned trim levels place the base Premium V6 model at $49,950, the Luxury V6 at $54,950, and the top-of-the-line Luxury V8 model at $62,850. This compared to $56,350 base MSRP that Kia charged for last year's eight-cylinder model. A $950 destination charge is included in all of those prices. Some stylistic changes have been made to the K900 as well, including new 18-inch wheels for the V6 model (19 for the V8), a new front grille, and updated rear-end styling that includes chrome trim, new exhaust pipes, taillights, and rear bumper. New equipment includes a hands-free trunk lid and optional autonomous braking system, along with a new 9.2-inch infotainment display and a system that can operate the ignition, door locks, and climate control from a remote smartphone app. The arrival of the new K900 (known as the K9 back in Korea) coincides with the emergence of a more substantially updated Cadenza (known domestically as the K7). Along with the refreshed Kia premium sedans, Hyundai is separating its luxury lineup into the new Genesis sub-brand. Between them, the Korean automaker aims to take a larger slice of the pie from the usual upscale suspects from Japan, Europe, and these United States. Will this entry-level model move the needle much further? Probably not, but we'll see. 2016 K900 OVERVIEWKia's Luxury Flagship Sedan Adds more Features, Technology and Style - 2016 K9001 receives all-new V6 powertrain - First-class interior and exterior enhancements continue to set K900 apart from segment IRVINE, Calif., November 23, 2015 – The K900 continues to challenge conventional notions of luxury as it did in 2015 when it earned the "International Car of the Year" award by Road and Travel Magazine and set a record-high score in its segment to earn AutoPacific's Vehicle Satisfaction Award (VSA).