Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Superhero Kias: Green Lantern Kia Soul

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Kias SEMA show stand will be full of superheroes this year. After showing off a teaser of The Flash-themed Forte, and unleashing the Batman Optima on New York, Kia is now teasing a Green Lantern-themed Soul thatll make its public debut at the SEMA show next week.

Although Kia is mum on details on the Green Lantern-themed Soul, the front-quarter panel teaser gives us a glimpse of the Soul wearing the Green Lanterns signature shades of black and green. The custom Soul will also get a custom front bumper with a carbon fiber diffuser. The Green Lantern Soul also gets blacked-out headlights with green projector bulbs, and deep dish wheels sporting the Green Lanterns logo.

The Green Lantern Kia Soul is the latest collaboration between DC Entertainment and the Korean automaker. In addition to the Green Lantern Soul, The Flash Forte, and the Batman Optima, Kia will also be showing off Aquaman- and Cyborg-themed concepts at next weeks SEMA show.

The Green Lantern Kia Soul is shown in the gallery below along with the Flash Forte teaser, Batman Optima images, and stock 2013 Kia Souls.

Courtesy of: Motor Trend

Monday, October 29, 2012

New car care tip: Like all cars, your brand-new Kia has a “break-in” period, during which you should drive it gently and with extra care.

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This period lasts for about the first 621.3 miles or 1,000 kilometers. During this time, you should also keep your engine under 4,000 RPMs as much as possible.

Courtesy of: Kia-Buzz.com

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Kia enters ranks of 'Top 100 Global Brands'

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Kia Motors Corporation enters the exclusive list of the ‘Top 100 Best Global Brands,’ according to the 2012 study released today by Interbrand, the world’s largest brand consultancy agency.

Kia’s remarkable increase in brand value is now estimated at $4.1 billion USD, which firmly sets the automaker at 87th place on the ‘Top 100 Best Global Brands’ list. This is a 50% increase from last year’s estimated brand value and far exceeds the average automotive brand value growth rate of 11%. The 2012 edition of Interbrand’s annual ‘Best Global Brands’ study was executed through a comprehensive brand performance analysis using best practice research methodology by expert analysts. The study measures a corporation’s financial performance in terms of the raw financial return to investors; role that a brand plays in the actual purchase decision; and brand strength, which is the ability of a brand to secure the delivery of expected future earnings.

The strong increase in Kia’s brand value closely mirrors the company’s recent surge in global sales, which have posted three consecutive double-digit year-or-year gains to cement Kia’s position as the world’s fastest growing major automotive brand. Over this three year period (2008-2011), Kia’s annual global sales have grown by 81% to nearly 2.5 million units.

Claire Chai, Vice President of Kia Motors Corp. Marketing Division, said, “Entering the ‘Top 100 Best Global Brands’ validates Kia’s commitment to continuously provide exciting and inspiring brand experiences. And it’s amazing to see what we can accomplish by staying true to who we are – a young and dynamic challenger that goes beyond expectations.

In addition to the major advances Kia has made on the product front, the company has also been executing numerous large-scale marketing initiatives that have helped raise awareness of the brand, including its sponsorship agreements with the world’s premier sporting events like the FIFA World Cup, Australian Open and National Basketball Association. Kia has also made effective in-roads towards engaging its young-at-heart customers through a strong presence on social media channels and innovative advertising campaigns such as the eccentric music-loving hamsters TV commercials seen in the USA for Kia’s iconic Soul urban crossover vehicle.

Courtesy of: Kia Corporate News

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

This Awesome Batman-Inspired Kia Has Bat Signal Headlights

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If Batman ever decided to step away from his atrocious and beastly black ride and chose to drive a Kia instead, this is probably the car you’d sport the vigilante in.

As part of DC Entertainment’s “We Can Be Heroes” campaign, Kia developed this Batman-inspired Optima SX with artist Jim Lee and Rides magazine lending a hand

To make its debut in the New York’s Time Warner Center this week, the car includes a flattering bodykit, 20-inch wheels, a matte and piano black paintjob, a yellow underglow, a Batwing-shaped grille and HID headlights etched with the Bat-Signal.

With lots of black leather packing the interiors, the car also includes a Batsuit and cowl in the trunk, just in case Batman requires a change of clothes.

Source: Business Insider

This Awesome Batman-Inspired Kia Has Bat Signal Headlights

 

If Batman ever decided to step away from his atrocious and beastly black ride and chose to drive a Kia instead, this is probably the car you’d sport the vigilante in.

As part of DC Entertainment’s “We Can Be Heroes” campaign, Kia developed this Batman-inspired Optima SX with artist Jim Lee and Rides magazine lending a hand

To make its debut in the New York’s Time Warner Center this week, the car includes a flattering bodykit, 20-inch wheels, a matte and piano black paintjob, a yellow underglow, a Batwing-shaped grille and HID headlights etched with the Bat-Signal.

With lots of black leather packing the interiors, the car also includes a Batsuit and cowl in the trunk, just in case Batman requires a change of clothes.

Source: Business Insider

Monday, October 15, 2012

Folks, time for this week's Care Care Tip: Fall Guide for your Blades!

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Blades – If you’ve ever tried to scrape frost from your windshield by dousing it with washer fluid and running the wipers excessively, you know worn wipers can't clear your view. Driving through a snowstorm with frosty buildup eroding your visibility is a horrible feeling. Avoid it by replacing your wiper blades before the weather becomes nasty.

Source: Shop AutoWeek

Monday, October 8, 2012

Hey everyone, here are some gas-saving tips!

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While it is always wise to conserve natural resources, the recent price of gasoline has made even the most wasteful people think twice. Whatever your motivation, here are some gas saving tips from the pros at the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).

Monitor tires. Under inflated tires or poorly aligned wheels waste fuel by forcing the engine to work harder. (Let the tires cool down before checking the air pressure.) Out-of-line wheels, as evidenced by uneven tread wear, should be aligned by a professional.

Remove excess weight. Remove unnecessary items from the vehicle. Store only essentials in the trunk. Less weight means better mileage.

Consolidate trips and errands. Some trips may be unnecessary. Also, try to travel when traffic is light so you can avoid stop-and-go conditions.

Avoid excessive idling. Shut off the engine while waiting for friends and family.

Observe speed limits. Speeding decreases your miles per gallon.

Drive gently. Sudden accelerations guzzle gas. Anticipate traffic patterns ahead and adjust your speed gradually.

Use windows and air conditioning wisely. Your mileage should improve if you keep the windows closed at highway speeds, since air drag is reduced. This is true even with the air conditioning on-assuming that the system is in good working order. But turn the air conditioning off in stop-and-go traffic to save fuel.

Keep your engine "tuned up." A well-maintained engine operates at peak efficiency, maximizing gas mileage. Follow the service schedules listed in the owner's manual. Replace filters and fluids as recommended; have engine performance problems (rough idling, poor acceleration, etc.) corrected at a repair facility.

These conservation tips will not only save gasoline, they'll help extend the life of your vehicle. Win-win, indeed.

Source: Automotive Service Excellence

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

The Car Coach: 2012 KIA Optima SX

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The 2012 KIA Optima SX has beautiful styling, a long list of features and enjoyable driving dynamics.

Model - 2012 KIA Optima SX
MPG - 22/34 mpg
Engine - 2.0L Turbo with 274 hp and tons of torque.
Transmissions: 6-speed automatic
Price - starts at $26,500

The 2012 KIA Optima SX offers these standard features:
· Bluetooth
· iPod input
· Satellite radio
· Side/Curtain Airbags
· Stability Control
· Traction Control
· Standard 18” wheels
· Navigation System (Optional)

The Optima SX is attractive and spacious. Behind the wheel, it’s a good balance of comfort and sporty handling around turns. If you have a lead foot, then you will love the turbocharged SX model; it has power that matches most V6 engines and still gets respectable fuel economy.

Our test vehicle included the technology package: UVO and Sirius radio; panoramic sunroof; high quality Infinity Audio; rear backup camera and enjoyable heated front and rear seats; plus cooled front seats.

Overall, the Optima SX provides pleasing performance, good fuel economy and a spacious, high-tech interior, all of which combine to make it a great value.

Competes with:
· Ford Fusion
· Toyota Camry
· Dodge Dart
· VW Jetta GLI
· Nissan Altima
· And many others
Likes-
· Good looking, stylish design
· More premium features than its competition
· Great pricing and long warranty
· Powerful, very responsive engine with great fuel economy
Dislikes-
· Needs lumbar on passenger side
· Would like a larger navigation screen

The 2012 KIA Optima SX is an affordable, fun-to-drive vehicle that offers great driving dynamics, wrapped in a stylish package that provides all it promises.

Remember, when shopping for a new car, test drive as many vehicles as you can in the class you are looking in to make sure you find the car that is best for you.

Source: Kia

Monday, October 1, 2012

Folks, time for this week's Care Care Tip: The Do's and Don't of Car Washing

Kia_optima

 

Fact: Frequent washing is the single best thing you can do to maintain your vehicleis finish and preserve its showroom shape.

Don't wait to do a full wash if you see bird droppings, dead bugs, or other obvious contaminants building up on the paint surface. Bird droppings, in particular, have a high acidity that, if left on the paint for any length of time, can eat into the clear coat. If they reach deep enough, these scars can only be removed by sanding and repainting. Rinse this type of debris off the surface as soon as possible, using either water or an instant-detailer type of product.
Do rinse your vehicle off after a period of rainy weather if your region suffers from acid rain. The acidic chemicals in the rainwater will remain on the surface after the droplets have evaporated, leaving a mark that can permanently stain the paint.
Don't wash your vehicle when the sheetmetal is hot. The heat causes the soap and water to dry much faster than on a cool surface, which can make the washing process harder and possibly dull the finish. First thing in the morning is a good time to do a wash, or, if the vehicleis been parked in the shade for a while, the metal is likely to be cool enough to do it any time of the day.
Do use a bug-and-tar remover to finish the job. Mild carwash formulas often arenit tough enough to remove road tar, grease, or similar residues. For this, a strong bug-and-tar remover is necessary. Since this type of grime will usually blacken whatever you use to clean it, itis advisable to use a separate cloth for this job instead of your sponge or mitt.

Source: Motortrend