Kia's Hamsters Are Back to "Share Some Soul" in New Ad

Kia's groovy Hamsters are back with a new commercial to promote the cosmetically refreshed and mechanically upgraded 2012 Kia Soul which goes on sale with prices starting from $14,650 after a $750 destination and handling fee.

The commercial is set in a dark, futuristic videogame world in which the South Korean firm's rodents turn the battle between alien robots and humanoids into a dancing party under the sounds of electro-pop group LMFAO's summer hit, "Party Rock Anthem".

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Posted on 07.55 / 0 comments / Read More

Kia Prices New Rio in the UK from £10,595

The all-new 4th generation Rio will reach Kia's UK showrooms on September 1 with on-the-road prices starting from £10,595 for the entry-level 1.25 "1" and reaching £14,895 for range-topping 1.4 CRDi "3" EcoDynamics.

The Rio will be available at launch only as a five-door model but a three-door bodystyle will be added to the range early next year.

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Posted on 07.44 / 0 comments / Read More

Kia Hooks its Belgium CEO up to a Lie Detector to Dispel Doubts About 7 Year Warranty

If there’s one thing South Korea’s Kia does better than any other automaker, it is offering especially long warranties. In Belgium, for instance, the warranties across their entire range of vehicles extend to seven years.

That’s no mean feat, though intriguingly Kia Belgium have found that a lot of new car buyers believe the seven year warranty scheme is too good to be true. Either there’s a catch, or it doesn’t cover all Kia models, or there’s some extra charges that need to be paid first.

To counteract these rumours, and gain some additional customers, Kia Belgium hooked its General Manager Benoit Morrene up to a polygraph (lie detector) and let the general public ask him questions in an online, streamlining environment.

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Posted on 10.51 / 0 comments / Read More

Kia Reunites Joyride Characters for New 2012 Sorento Ad

Though not as successful as their music-loving hamster counterparts, Kia’s oddball cast of life-size children's characters from last year’s Joyride commercials are back for a new advertising campaign.

Muno, Sock Monkey, MR. X, the vintage robot and teddy bear will star in two new 30-second TV spots for the 2012 Sorento CUV. As with the original campaign, "Joyride 2" was created by David&Goliath, KMA's advertising agency of choice. The first commercial begins airing today and will be followed up by the second spot next month.

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Posted on 12.12 / 0 comments / Read More

Kia Launches Soul Hamstar Special Edition in the U.S.

The success of the popular Hamster advertising campaign that promoted the Soul in the U.S. in 2010 inspired Kia to launch a new special edition model of its boxy crossover model. Previewed by the Hamstar concept at the 2011 SEMA show, the red and black 2011 Hamstar is the sixth special edition Soul. The car sports unique exterior graphics and interior refinements, including a 315-watt audio system with pulsing speaker lights. Read more »

Posted on 06.22 / 0 comments / Read More

FAIL: Kia Sportage Tumbles Downhill [Video]

There's a right way and a wrong way to drive a vehicle down a steep hill. The folks in this previous generation Kia Sportage chose the wrong way, but fortunately for them, the incident ended without any bloodshed. Watch the video after the break.

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Posted on 10.43 / 0 comments / Read More

VIDEO: 2011 Kia Sportage Filmed on the Road, Inside and Out

If you're not content with the pictures we showed you, then you'll be happy to know that Kia has released a whole bunch of promotional and B-roll videos of the new 2011 Sportage compact SUV that had its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show last week.

Featuring one of the nicest exterior designs to come out of the Kia / Hyundai group, the new Sportage shares its platform and mechanical underpinnings with its Hyundai brethren, the Tucson, or as it is known in Europe, the iX35.

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Posted on 19.27 / 0 comments / Read More

VIDEOS: 2011 Kia Cadenza Looks Even Better on the Road

Who could have imagined a few years back that Kia would eventually build cars looking as decent / good (depending on your aesthetic criteria) as the 2011 Cadenza? Sure many will note that the Cadenza borrows many styling cues from the German competition, but that's something that should be expected from Kia since its new design boss is none other than former VW / Audi designer Peter Schreyer.

In any case, Kia has created a mid-size sedan that seems capable of capturing the attention of your average mainstream buyer with its styling - and not deterring them like the outgoing Amanti which it will replace in the States.

If it will do well or not in the market, however, is another story which depends on a variety of factors including how well the car is built, how it drives and of course, what it will cost.

But for now, take a look at the two new promotional videos plus an action-packed South Korean commercial of the Cadenza and share your thoughts in the comment section after the break.

Posted on 17.29 / 0 comments / Read More

VIDEO: Kia Forte Koup Tears Up Animated Streets in New Promo Film

It's been a while since we last heard something new from Kia in concern of its Forte Koup, which made its world debut at the New York Show this past April. But today, the Korean automaker released this racing game-like animated promo film that shows off the firm's first-ever coupe model. In the States, buyers of the Forte Koup will have a choice of two four-cylinder engines, an entry-level 2.0-liter unit with 156 horsepower and a more potent 2.4-liter unit that makes 173 ponies. Hit the jump to watch the video.

Posted on 16.07 / 0 comments / Read More

VIDEO: Kia Forte Koup Presentation from New York Auto Show

One of the most significant debuts at the 2009 New York Auto Show is Kia's first ever two-door coupe, the 2010 Forte Koup that will be available in the States from this summer with a choice of two four-cylinder engines, a 2.0-liter unit with 156HP and a 2.4-liter producing 173HP. If you hit the jump you can watch the media presentation of the Forte Koup from the New York Show that includes a short 'walkaround' with Tom Kearns, Chief Designer of Kia Design Center America.

Posted on 15.05 / 0 comments / Read More

New Kia Sorento: First Videos of 7-Seater CUV

Our South Korean sources -chic- have provides us with the first videos of Kia's reborn Sorento that was unveiled at the 2009 International Seoul Motor Show that runs for the public from April 3 to 12. Unlike its more rugged predecessor that featured a body-on-frame structure, the 2010 Sorento uses a unibody architecture as Kia aims to target the more lucrative crossover segment. Depending on the market, the new Sorento will be available with 4-cylinder diesel and gasoline engines plus a 277HP 3.5-liter V6 petrol. Watch both promotional videos after the jump or click here for more info and high-res pictures.

Posted on 13.54 / 0 comments / Read More

Video: Kia Soul Presentation in Korea

The new Kia Soul was introduced today in Korea ahead of the subcompact vehicle’s world debut at the Paris Show in early October. The Korean automaker calls the Soul an "urban crossover" but we’d settle for a tall supermini with a few crossover design elements that will take on the likes of the Honda Fit / Jazz, maybe even the Opel Meriva when it goes on sale in Europe next February followed by the North America in April 2009. -Continued

Depending on the market, the front-wheel-drive Soul will be available with a choice of a 126 HP 1.6-liter turbo diesel and two gasoline engines, a 126 HP 1.6-liter and a 142 HP 2.0-liter unit. In South Korea, prices for the Soul begin from 14 million won which is about $12,400 US.

Posted on 04.45 / 0 comments / Read More

Video: Kia Forte’s Design Explained by Peter Schreyer

Everyone has their own opinion on the Forte’s design but let's hear what the man behind the subcompact sedan’s styling, Kia’s Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer, has to say about the Korean carmaker’s latest creation. Schreyer moved to Kia in 2006 after working for more than a decade at Audi and VW. The German designer is best known for his work in Audi and chiefly for establishing the Bauhaus-inspired styling which is still evident in Audi’s line-up. Among the cars he is credited with are the previous generation Audi TT and the Volkswagen Concept-R roadster. Watch the video after the jump and tell us what you think. -Continued

Posted on 06.12 / 0 comments / Read More

Video: Kia Rolls Out Weird Teaser Ad of Soul Crossover

Kia is gearing up for the official presentation of its new subcompact crossover as in a few weeks time the Soul will make its worldwide premier at the Paris Auto. While the Korean automaker has already released images of the Soul, oddly enough, the teaser advert does not show the car at all. Instead, we see a bunch of creepy-happy wheels bouncing around a larger tire that supposedly represents the Soul. Weird to say the least. -Video after the jump

Posted on 04.52 / 0 comments / Read More

Video: New Kia Forte Sedan & Soul Crossover Caught on Film

It’s not everyday that you see two future models travelling together on a public road without a trace of camouflage. We’re talking about the Kia Forte and Soul that were captured on film somewhere in Korea. As a reminder, the Soul Crossover will make its debut at the Paris Show this fall with sales set to begin in Europe in February 2009 and the US and other international markets in April 2009. As for the Forte that will replace the Spectra / Cerato in Kia’s range, the compact sedan will be available from mid-2009. -Video after the jump

Posted on 16.26 / 0 comments / Read More