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Automobiles

Kia Prices 2014 Cadenza; New Near-Luxury Model Starts at $35,900

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By Kirk Seaman

Kia has announced pricing for the 2014 Cadenza, its entry into the near-luxury segment. For $35,900, buyers will get a well-equipped sedan featuring a 293-hp V-6 mated to a six-speed automatic. Kia is keeping things simple, offering only one trim level to which buyers can then add their choice of two options packages.

The base Cadenza offers standard features such as keyless entry, navigation with satellite radio and SiriusXM Traffic, Kia’s UVO infotainment, Bluetooth, an eight-inch touch screen, a 550-watt Infinity sound system with 12 speakers, rearview camera, leather seating surfaces, and heated power-adjustable front seats.

For those seeking more features, the two options packages—Luxury and Technology— are available as follows:

Luxury: $38,900; adds a full-length panoramic sunroof with a power-operated sunshade, upscale Nappa leather trim, a 12-way adjustable and ventilated driver’s seat, heated outboard rear seats, a heated steering wheel with power tilt/telescope, a seven-inch LCD instrument panel, and HID headlamps with adaptive front lighting.

Technology: $41,900; the Technology package includes all of the features of the Luxury package and adds 19-inch aluminum wheels, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot detection, and lane-departure warning. In addition, the front side windows feature “hydrophobic technology,” which repels water for increased visibility when driving in rain.

Kia is making a bold move with its pricing, making the base Cadenza a higher-priced alternative to the Toyota Avalon XLE ($31,785), the new Chevrolet Impala LT V-6 ($30,760), the Buick LaCrosse V-6 ($32,555), and the Ford Taurus V-6 ($27,495). Instead, Kia seems to be stealing buyers from the competition one rung higher up the luxury ladder, such as the Lexus ES350 ($37,265) and the Acura TL ($36,800).

Is it crazy to think that Lexus shoppers might look at an Asian manufacturer that’s new to the class? Perhaps, but then that’s what a lot of people thought back when Lexus introduced the LS400 in 1990, and look how that turned out.

From: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/u801KuZQg1s/

Automobiles

Official: 2014 Kia Forte Koup bows with new look, new engine

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By Steven J. Ewing

2014 Kia Forte Koup

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Third time’s the charm. The final member of Kia’s Forte trio has been revealed here at the New York Auto Show, and this new coupe Koup will join the sedan and five-door models when it goes on sale near the end of this year.

The two-door Forte looks sharp, and we like the way Kia’s new design language for its compact car has translated onto this coupe model. LED running lights are found up front, matching the LED taillmaps at the rear. EX models will ride on 16-inch alloy wheels, while the upgraded SX model will use 18-inch rollers.

Two powertrains will be offered in the Forte Koup: a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated inline-four in the EX, producing 173 horsepower and 154 pound-feet of torque, mated exclusively to a six-speed automatic transmission; and a turbocharged 1.6-liter four in the SX, rated at 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, available with either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. The five-door Forte also gets this turbocharged mill, and if its specs sound familiar, it’s because this engine is also found under the hood of the Hyundai Veloster Turbo.

Inside, Kia says there are plenty of sporty touches to the cabin, though all that really means for buyers is a smattering of fake carbon fiber and some leather-wrapped touchable surfaces. Still, things should be pretty pleasant inside the Forte, and Kia promises standard features like the company’s UVO connectivity system, Bluetooth, Sirius satellite radio and a rear camera display.

Pricing will be announced closer to the 2014 Forte Koup‘s on-sale date later this year. We’ll have more images direct from New York in short order, so stay tuned. In the meantime, take a glance below for the official press release.

Continue reading 2014 Kia Forte Koup bows with new look, new engine

2014 Kia Forte Koup bows with new look, new engine originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Mar 2013 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at Autoblog

Automobiles

2013 Kia Optima Hybrid Gets More Torque, Better Mileage, Another Trim Level, and a Slightly Higher Price

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By Alexander Stoklosa

2013 Kia Optima hybrid

Kia has whipped up a small batch of changes for its mid-size Optima hybrid for 2013, which improve the car’s fuel efficiency and broaden its price appeal. First introduced for 2011, the Optima hybrid was offered in just a single trim level, and we found it to be handsome, if a bit rough around the edges. Now, Kia is offering buyers two trim levels—LX and EX—both of which see a host of underhood upgrades intended to improve fuel economy and drivability.

The 2013 Optima hybrid’s engine compartment plays host to a new electric motor that packs seven more horsepower than last year’s unit; the four-cylinder engine actually loses some output, dropping from 166 horsepower to 159. The gas engine’s peak torque is unchanged at 154 lb-ft, and the new electric motor makes the same 151 lb-ft of twist as last year’s. The lithium-polymer battery pack has more capacity than before while taking up less trunk space, and contributes to a boost in overall torque—235 lb-ft from 195; combined horsepower drops by 7 to 199. The net result is an improvement from 34 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway to 36/40 for the Optima hybrid LX, a 1-mpg increase in city mileage for the Optima hybrid EX model, and a claimed increase in responsiveness and performance. Regardless, the Optima’s efficiency, at least as rated by the EPA, is significantly off of the segment-leading Ford Fusion hybrid, although the LX beats the Toyota Camry hybrid on the highway. Kia says that the increase in mileage and output come via improved battery cooling and an updated software-management system.

As for pricing, the 2013 Optima hybrid LX starts at $26,675, just $125 more than last year’s single EX model, while the up-level 2013 EX starts at $32,725 and basically comes one way: loaded. Standard equipment is essentially unchanged for the base model, and all of the goodies from the 2012 model’s $5350 Premium Tech package—HID headlights, a panoramic sunroof, 17-inch aluminum wheels, an Infinity audio system, navigation, heated front and rear seats, and a cooled driver’s seat—are standard on the reloaded EX model. LX buyers can spec a Convenience package, which adds an eight-way power driver’s seat and Kia’s UVO infotainment system, for an additional $700; both items are standard on the EX, which sees an identical $125 price increase over last year’s model equipped with the Premium Tech and Convenience packages.

It’s hard to argue with more choices, more torque, and better mileage for an almost indiscernible increase in price. We look forward to trying out the updated Optima hybrid and seeing whether it drives better, and it’ll be interesting to find out if the mechanically identical Hyundai Sonata hybrid will receive the Optima’s improvements anytime soon.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at Car & Driver

Automobiles

How Much, Good Lookin’? 2014 Kia Forte Priced from $16,700

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By Alexander Stoklosa

2014 Kia Forte EX GDI sedan

Kia’s redesigned 2014 Forte sedan is a handsome piece, and it’s larger and even better-equipped than the car it replaces. All of that added goodness, however, will only cost buyers an additional $525 relative to the least-expensive 2013 model. Kia has released pricing for the new Forte—which starts at $16,700—and released EPA fuel-economy ratings for one of the Forte’s two available powertrains. Like last year, the 2014 Forte sedan comes in LX and EX flavors, although the previously available SX trim level is absent for now. A new five-door Forte soon will replace the outgoing hatchback, but a successor to the two-door Forte Koup likely is a few years away.

The entry-level LX comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission and a 148-hp, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine. A six-speed automatic is optional, while the uplevel EX trim level gets a standard automatic and a more powerful 173-hp, 2.0-liter four with direct injection. (Yeah, we’re just as bummed as you are that the zestier engine cannot be paired with a stick.) The 2.0-liter is rated for 24 mpg in the city and 36 on the highway, which is pretty much par for the compact class. Ratings for the 1.8-liter are forthcoming. In terms of features, the LX comes standard with power windows, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, Bluetooth, and heated power-folding mirrors. Besides adding the burlier engine, stepping up to the EX brings Kia’s second-generation UVO infotainment system, 16-inch aluminum wheels, backup camera, cruise control, Flex Steering with three driver-selectable steering modes, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and keyless entry. Full pricing and option breakdown below:

Forte LX: $16,700 + $1500 for six-speed automatic transmission; available Popular package ($900) adds 16-inch aluminum wheels, keyless entry, cruise control, two additional audio system speakers, sliding center armrest, rear center armrest, soft-touch front door panels, and mirrors with integrated turn indicators.

Forte EX: $20,200; available Premium package ($2600) adds sunroof, leather seats, 10-way power driver’s seat with memory, heated front and rear seats with driver’s seat ventilation, heated steering wheel, push-button start, illuminated exterior door handles, and puddle lamps; requires $300 17-inch aluminum wheels. The Technology package ($2300) brings navigation, a 4.2-inch color gauge-cluster display, HID headlights, LED taillights, and dual-zone automatic climate control; buyers must spec the Premium package to get the Tech bundle.

Compared to compact-segment stalwarts like the Ford Focus, Chevrolet Cruze, Honda Civic, Volkswagen Jetta, and the newcomer Dodge Dart, the Forte’s pricing is fairly competitive, with a base price that matches up or undercuts some of those cars’ mid-level trims. While that may not seem terribly flattering for the Kia, its bevy of standard features puts it, in base trim, closer to the other offerings’ mid-level trims. At the top end, a loaded Forte EX rings in at $25,400. A similarly spec’d Dart Limited (with the base, 2.0-liter four, not the optional 1.4-liter turbo four and dual-clutch automatic) or …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Car & Driver

Automobiles

AT&T 4G LTE Connectivity Headed for Select 2015 Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC Models

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By Alexander Stoklosa

GM AT&T 4G LTE

Automakers increasingly are adding built-in internet connectivity to their four-wheeled wares, and now GM is joining the fray. The American juggernaut has announced plans to introduce embedded—as in, no phone required—AT&T 4G LTE service on select 2015 Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC models. The connected car might not be a new concept, but one wired to accept 4G LTE is, and will prove to be far quicker than the 3G T-Mobile service offered by Audi and 3G Sprint connection available with Chrysler’s Uconnect system. 

GM is still working out the details, but it expects the embedded 4G service will allow for stuff like in-vehicle Wi-Fi hotspot capability, real-time traffic or vehicle updates, and video streaming for rear-seat entertainment systems. In fact, several of the proposed features were previewed (albeit future-fied) on a hypothetical future OnStar system powered by a Verizon 4G connection, which GM showed off at last year’s Consumer Electronics Show.

Which brings us to the AT&T connection’s relationship with GM’s OnStar telematics system—the connectivity will enhance OnStar, not replace it. The faster LTE connection means that OnStar representatives will simultaneously be able to shuffle data to the vehicle while talking to customers in their vehicle, something not possible on the telematics system’s mobile connection today. Currently, OnStar service is provided by Verizon; GM representatives have confirmed that won’t change for existing OnStar-using customers. Verizon will continue to provide a voice and data connection for pre-2015-model year OnStar-equipped vehicles, but GM will phase AT&T-powered OnStar into the lineup starting with 2015 models. It isn’t presently clear—and GM isn’t talking specifics yet—whether the 4G LTE service would be rolled into an OnStar subscription or be available independent of the telematics suite; we’re guessing it will be some variation of the former, especially since OnStar will run off of the new connection anyway.

GM’s announcement represents something of a high-water mark for the development of the car-as-mobile-device concept. Higher data speeds hardwired (figuratively speaking—it is a wireless connection, after all) to the car itself opens the door for more in-car features and capabilities that go beyond the realm of mere infotainment. Many automakers’ infotainment systems have evolved to use customers’ phones for their data connections to run apps or download directions to the nav system (Ford with SYNC, Chrysler with Uconnect, and Kia’s UVO, for example), saving users the added cost of paying for data connection for their car. But if companies like GM can package a fast internet connection with features that add value beyond simply turning cars into rolling hotspots (something most smartphones can now do), it could re-vector the phone’s future in the car.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at Car & Driver

Automobiles

Hyundai Shows Off Next-Gen Infotainment Platform, New Connectivity Features [2013 CES]

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By Alexander Stoklosa

Hyundai Blue Link

Hyundai is using the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas to demonstrate the goods it has in the works for its next-generation infotainment platform. The automaker currently offers touch-screen infotainment systems and its Blue Link telematics software, and it seems both are in for a few key improvements.

Starting with Hyundai’s next-gen infotainment hardware, the company says it will incorporate a high-resolution, multi-touch screen; Wi-Fi and 3G data connectivity; web browsing and mobile hotspot capabilities; and media streaming via apps like Aha and Pandora. Oh, and Bluetooth will again make an appearance—version 3.0—and form the core of the system’s ability to play nice with mobile devices. Backing up the new, sharper screen will be Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL), which will allow customers to route video at resolutions up to 1080p and with as many as eight channels of digital sound to the display, presumably when the car is parked.

Hyundai also is looking to improve the hands-free aspects of the man-machine interface, and is working to integrate Apple’s Siri digital assistant and improved voice recognition into its infotainment suite. Siri phone control and assistance will come by way of Apple’s Eyes Free car-integration technology, while natural-voice recognition comes courtesy of Hyundai’s existing partner in this arena, Nuance. That company’s latest Dragon Drive voice services platform will form the basis for Hyundai’s latest in-car systems, as well as the automaker’s Blue Link telematics suite, allowing more conversational interactions with in-car tech.

Finally, following the announcement by its corporate partner Kia regarding plans to integrate Google Maps and Local Search into its next-gen UVO infotainment setup, Hyundai, too, has indicated those features are headed to the next iteration of its hardware.

2013 Consumer Electronics Show full coverage

Source: FULL ARTICLE at Car & Driver