Posts Tagged ‘los angeles auto show’
Two Kia Models Named Eligible for 2019 NACTOY Awards
Wednesday, August 21st, 2019
To think we’re in the third quarter of the year already. It feels like only yesterday that we were celebrating the amazing debut if the 2020 Kia Soul and the 2020 Kia Soul EV at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show. Now, only a few months away (August 2019), the 2019 LA Auto Show in November is already causing excitement in the automotive industry. Ever hear of the North American Car, Utility and Truck of the Year awards? Treated as the most prestigious and unique awards in the industry, the North American Car, Utility and Truck of the Year (NACTOY) only reviews the best the industry has to offer. A list of only 46 models eligible for the 2020 awards was named, made up of 19 cars, 22 utilities and five trucks from 23 different automotive brands. Kia has been named in two of those categories, with the 2020 Kia Soul eligible for the “Car of the Year” award and the 2020 Kia Telluride eligible for the “Utility of the Year” award.
What Do You Mean “Eligible”?
Yes, that term has popped up more than once, and there is a reason we saw the 2020 Kia Soul and 2020 Kia Telluride are eligible for their respective awards. When it comes to the NACTOY awards, car models ranging from those with mass market appeal to niche groups such as luxury vehicles and work trucks. To be considered for the list each year, a vehicle must be an all-new model, or still early in its production run, as well as being available at dealerships before the end of the year (2019). Past that, to be considered for the final round, models have to get past a panel of 50 jurors.
Great Things About the New 2020 Kia Soul
Thursday, June 27th, 2019
The 2020 Kia Soul was revealed at the 2018 Los Angeles Show alongside the new 2020 Kia Soul EV, and since then, the automaker has gone out of its way to remind us the attitude the Kia Soul has on the streets. Their new marketing campaign, The New Species of Soul, showed off new lineups Kia Motors will be releasing in multiple vehicle models, such as the GT Line, X-Line, and EX Designer Collection. Now that the 2020 Kia Soul is available, let’s talk about all the good it brings to the new model year.
A Little More Power but A Lot More Fun
With Kia Motors opening up a GT line while also planning to become the world’s next all-electric automaker, the 2020 Kia Soul is one of the first vehicles consumers will get to experience the new GT lineup with. Although the standard engine under the hood is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder able to generate 147 horsepower, there’s another engine option for a little more oomph! An optional turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder that delivers a total of 201 horsepower is slowly becoming the average engine of the new GT lineup, also powering the upcoming Kia Forte GT.
When it comes to handling the new 2020 Kia Soul, it’s nimble and fun to drive. Consumers have the choice of a six-speed manual or a nicely mannered continuously variable automatic transmission with the standard engine and get a seven-speed dual clutch automatic transmission with the more powerful engine. Whichever the consumer chooses, the new hatchback is the perfect car for crowded urban areas while also zipping through the bustling traffic of the highway. It may not be a sports car, but the new chassis gives the 2020 Kia Soul a longer stance for keeping control of the road in the driver’s hands.
Still a Hatchback
The Kia Soul is a hatchback and doesn’t shy away from its roots. There’s still plenty of room for people and cargo in the 2020 model. Getting a little more wiggle room, the tall roof provides front and rear passengers with plenty of headroom. Even with its square shape, passengers will find the cabin plenty comfortable.
Carving out a little extra space in every part of the new Kia Soul bodywork, consumers will now find 23.8 cubic feet of cargo space in the trunk with the rear seats up. It may not sound like much, but it’s a 25-percent increase from previous models. Again, the new chassis has upgraded the 2020 Kia Soul in more ways than one.
Not Just a Touch of Tech – All the Tech
Some automakers may make consumers cash out a little more for what should come standard these days – a nice infotainment system with smartphone compatibility to use Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. That’s why the 2020 Kia Soul comes standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with smartphone capabilities. For those who go higher up the lineup, especially when it comes to the GT-line and high-end EX, consumers get a 10/25-inch touchscreen instead. A 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system is another option to look for, and with the adjustable lighting in the door panels that can pulse to the beat of the music, it would be quite the show.
There’s an array of advanced safety features in the 2020 Kia Soul. Features like automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and forward collision alert all make it into the 2020 model for additional security on the road. Don’t worry if the new stance gives the 2020 Kia Soul a bit of a meaner look. Kia Motors is Quickly Becoming the Safest Car Brand in America.
Want to get behind the wheel of your own 2020 Kia Soul? Come to Miami Lakes Automall today.
Photo Source/Copyright: Cars.com
Kia Teases New EV for Geneva Motor Show
Tuesday, February 26th, 2019
Kia Motors has always been an automaker quick to embrace change it seems. Their lineup is one of the most expansive and welcoming of alternative fuel vehicles. They have the Kia Soul EV, the Kia Niro hybrid, and Kia Niro Hybrid Plug-in. The 2020 Kia Telluride went into production, and one day Kia Motors spoke of turning it into a hybrid SUV. We thought Kia was going to take a break from alternative fuel after they made a lot of commotion at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show with the 2020 Kia Soul EV, and the 2019 Kia Niro EV finding its way to city streets soon enough. Why take a break with all that success? Kia Motors teases a new electric concept for the 2019 Geneva Motor Show.
That’s right, Kia Motors is also bringing a new concept to Geneva. Oddly enough, Kia Motors in Mitsubishi Motors seem to be in-sync these days. Both automakers brought new autonomous technology to the 2019 Consumer Electronics Show, and now Kia will be debuting a new model at the 2019 Geneva International Motor Show alongside Mitsubishi. Maybe it’s just a coincidence?
A New Refreshed 2019 Kia Forte Is a Great Catch
Tuesday, December 18th, 2018
With Kia Motors changing the focus of their auto brand with a new GT lineup, Kia will soon shake the auto market once again. Just like the automaker did with the Kia Stinger, the vehicle that started it all with its own GT trim, the new GT-Line from Kia will mark a whole new age for the brand. It all begins with the 2019 Kia Forte GT, debuted during the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show, and in Korea prior. Before the GT-Line takes over though, take a look at what makes the new 2019 Kia Forte so great.
Power
For consumers that want a spacious vehicle that is fuel-efficient while delivering performance, the 2019 Kia Forte can foot the bill. Kia Motors is known for making vehicles with spacious cabins, like the Kia Optima and Kia Stinger. The cabin is also pretty comfortable, allowing us to enjoy the 147 horsepower of the naturally aspirated 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine under the hood.
Optimized with dual continuously variable valve timing and multi-point injection fuel delivery, this engine comes paired to a six-speed manual transmission that comes standard on the base, but an intelligent variable transmission (IVT) with Sportmatic on the rest of the lineup (optional on the base). The engineering lends itself to a fuel economy of 27/37 mpg city/highway for the Forte FE with manual transmission, 31/41 mpg city/highway with the IVT. The rest of the lineup comes with a combined fuel economy of 34 mpg. On average, most consumers will have about 35 mpg over several hundred miles – not bad at all.
Introducing the 2020 Kia Soul EV
Thursday, December 6th, 2018
Like the 2019 Kia Niro EV at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show, the 2020 Kia Soul EV took the stage. With Kia Motors expanding its alternative fuel vehicle lineup, like the Kia Niro, Kia Niro plug-in hybrid, and the upcoming Kia Telluride hybrid SUV, the Kia Soul EV is due for a bit of a refresh. Before the 2018 LA Auto Show, several press conferences were held by automotive brands to show off what they have coming up, and the Soul EV is one of them. With a full press release sharing all the details, we can finally talk all about the new 2020 Kia Soul EV.
Battery and Performance
It would seem the 2020 Kia Soul EV is sharing some new technology with the 2019 Kia Niro EV. The new Soul EV now comes with a new state-of-the-art liquid-cooled lithium ion polymer 64 kWh battery hooked up to a new electric motor that can generate 201 horsepower and 291 lb-ft of torque. Kia also stated that the Kia Soul EV can be charged at about 100 kW for a 50-percent charge up when using Combined Charging System (CCS) DC fast-charge, standard equipment for the 2020 Kia Soul EV.
2019 Kia Niro EV Makes Debut at 2018 LA Auto Show
Thursday, December 6th, 2018
The internet has been filling with updates about the new Kia Niro and its electric vehicle (EV) counterpart since early 2018. Now that we’re heading towards the end of the year and into 2019, automakers are using the last of auto shows to make some noise for their 2019 model year vehicles and even 2020 models. Kia Motors is one automaker using the hype train to their advantage, debuting the 2020 Kia Forte GT and Kia Telluride at the 2018 SEMA Auto Show. During the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show, Kia appeared again, this time with the reveal of the 2020 Kia Soul and the Kia Soul EV. Also sharing the limelight during the auto show in LA was the all-new 2019 Kia Niro EV, finally with some solid specs.
Called the “Kia Niro EV” in the states, and the “e-Niro” overseas, the Niro EV was already up and coming with its own style and tech a part form its hybrid crossover parent, the original Niro. Many automakers tend to hold a press conference the week of the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show, and Kia Motors did not slouch. An entire press release covering the conference reveals a world of possibilities for electric vehicles.
Powertrain and Battery
Information on the powertrain was previously minimal, mainly known as two options – an optional 39.2 kWh battery system that can travel 150 miles or a high-capacity 64 kWh lithium-polymer battery pack for travelling 280 miles. The 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show press conference brought us a little more information. The liquid-cooled 64 kWh lithium ion polymer battery is packaged under the floor of the vehicle, and via an electric motor, the Niro EV can generate 201 horsepower and 291 lb-ft of torque.
