2012 Kia Soul Plus Hatchback 4-door 2.0l on 2040-cars

Auto blog

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.

Why BMWs are cheaper than Hyundais in Korea

Bloomberg reports shifting tariff regulations have upended the traditional automotive pecking order in Korea. Thanks to cheaper import taxes, foreign brands have seen market share jump from 28 percent to 41 percent over the last two years. BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi have all capitalized on the shift, with domestics like Hyundai and Kia suffering at the hands of their German rivals.
Taxes on European imports have fallen from 8 percent in 2011 to just 3.2 percent today. Over the next few years, tariffs will all but be eliminated for most imports, and taxes on US-made vehicles are expected to fall to just 4 percent in 2014. By 2016, that number will be zero. Needless to say, Hyundai and Kia are concerned about the shift.
Hyundai has seen profit fall by 15 percent last quarter, and the company says it is on pace to see the slowest sales growth since 2007. The company's shares have fallen by 12 percent. In order to stem the losses, Hyundai has discounted its midsize sedans and started working on diesel engine options.

Dan Neil pokes fun at the celeb cars of 2014

Look, we try really hard not to pay any attention to the Kardashians and their vapid reality TV empire. But, as troubling as that brood may be, occasionally we're impressed and/or horrified by their four-wheeled conveyances. In fact, that curiosity extends beyond talentless reality stars with rotund glutes to celebs in general. That's why we're enjoying Dan Neil's sometimes biting take on the celebrity cars of 2014. Besides paying tribute to Kim K, husband Kanye West and the adorable Lamborghini that their spawn rides about in, Neil also takes a look at LeBron James' turn as a Kia spokesman and boxer Floyd Mayweather's trio of Bugatti Veyrons. Matthew McConaughey is a focus of Neil's as well, thanks to his oft-panned advertisements for Lincoln (and the raucous parodies they inspired), before finishing on the high, with Jerry Seinfeld and his new Porsche 918 Spyder. Take a look at Neil's recap of the celebrity cars of 2014. News Source: The Wall Street Journal Celebrities Humor Bugatti Kia Lamborghini Lincoln Porsche Videos porsche 918 spyder celebrity dan neil