11 Kia Sorento Ex Heated Leather Alloys Roof Rack Backup Cam Net Direct Auto on 2040-cars

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Kia chasing dinero using Robert De Niro to sell e-Niro

Robert De Niro is living the ideal blueprint for a respected veteran actor. At age 75, he's continuing to make films (Martin Scorsese and Joaquin Phoenix films nonetheless), he's set to be honored at the Marrakech Film Festival, and he's still getting those advertising checks. His newest source of cash flow is coming courtesy of Kia, with the announcement at the Paris Motor Show that De Niro will lead a new advertising campaign for the Niro crossover. The new campaign was introduced in tandem with the European debut of the all-electric version of the Kia Niro. Likewise, the De Niro campaign will strictly be used for the European market. It will include not only TV spots, but digital and print advertising, as well. In a culture that is so dependent on social media that is fueled by memes, the Niro connection seems like a no-brainer. "The communication plan for the e-Niro will be as special as the car itself," Vice President for Marketing and Product Planning at Kia Motors Europe Artur Martins said in a press release. "These advertisements will draw on Robert De Niro's unique ability to entertain, as he educates drivers about the e-Niro — a car that breaks down many of the obstacles to electric vehicle ownership in a way that few others have." The e-Niro, which claims a 301-mile range on a single electric charge by European measurements (280 miles in the U.S.), is part of a larger Niro family. In the U.S., Kia currently offers a hybrid variant, as well as a plug-in hybrid variant, and is expected to launch the all-electric version in the future. Related Video:

Kia previews off-road Sorento for SEMA

Kia hasn't told us much about what it has in store for us at SEMA this year. But it is giving us a glimpse of what's to come in this latest teaser video. The short clip provides a sneak peek at the PacWet Adventure Sorento, an evidently rough-and-tumble take on the Korean automaker's midsize sport utility vehicle. Just what's going into it remains to be seen, but we can already see part of the package. There's a new tubular and sheetmetal front bumper, a snorkel intake, roof rack, winch, auxiliary lighting, knobby tires, and a Kermit-green paint job. We'd expect some sort of jacked-up suspension, too, considering this custom is for the aftermarket-obsessed crowd at SEMA. Given the brief statements Kia has issued to date, it would appear that the Sortento is just one of a variety of vehicles the company is preparing for the Vegas tuner expo. Each is poised to represent a different American region, and we're looking forward to seeing how the others take shape, as well. Related Video: 10/23/15 2015 SEMA PACWEST ADVENTURE SORENTO TEASER As Kia heads to SEMA 2015 to celebrate the American Road, here's a taste of the PacWest Adventure Sorento, a tough, off-road utility vehicle equipped with custom suspension, snorkel intake system and a paint scheme inspired by the lush forests of the region. ### 10/20/15 Kia Teases SEMA 2015 Kia is headed to this year's SEMA show to celebrate America's love for the open road and the diverse car cultures spanning the many regions of this country. Enjoy this high-speed coast-to-coast tour to whet your appetite for what we will unveil November 3rd in Las Vegas. More to come. #KiaWanderlust

Kia reveals sketches of its millennial-bait compact crossover

Kia has made the splash we had expected back during the New York Auto Show, just now releasing sketches of its coming compact crossover. This will be the production offering based on the SP Signature concept shown at the 2018 Auto Expo in India. It has been specifically "created for the millennial generation" with a "wide range of features and technologies suited to younger buyers," and is somehow promised to offer "the space and capabilities of a traditional SUV in a compact package." The sketches look like artistic versions of the actual concept, given the usual inflations of broad beam and giant wheels. Design traits left untouched from the SP concept include narrow, LED headlights that slide into a reworked "tiger nose" grille. An LED DRL runs almost the entire width of the front fascia, interrupted only by the pinch in the center of the grille. Three-lamp fog lights replace the vertical lights on the concept. In back, LED taillights grasp a chrome accent bar with caliper-like extensions. They further accentuate the already-exaggerated width of the sketch. We have a feeling the production car's plan view will be more in line with the concept, but there will be a touch of sleekness in the raked rear glass. The carmaker also says some of the design cues will show up on other products like the Sorento and Sportage. The compact crossover will launch in South Korea and supposedly India later this year, with other markets to follow. It's won't go on sale in Europe, but a U.S.-market launch should happen with the global rollout, perhaps early next year.