Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Kelley Blue Book's KBB.com lists 2013 Kia Soul one of the coolest new cars under $18,000!

IRVINE, Calif.– Kia Motors America’s (KMA) top-selling urban passenger vehicle, the 2013 Soul, was named to Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com list of the 10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000. Chosen by the site’s editors, the 2013 Soul was celebrated for its fun and bold design, high-tech offerings and roominess.
“The Soul, which paved the way for Kia’s design led transformation with its fun and funky personality, quickly established a reputation as the spunkiest car in the Kia lineup, and now KBB has recognized it as one of the coolest vehicles on the market,” said Michael Sprague, executive vice president, marketing & communications, KMA. “Kia has always strived to provide customers with value, style and substance, and the Soul fulfills that promise with an extensive roster of standard features and unique design that has become iconic.”
The Soul placed third on Kelley Blue Book’s annual list of the coolest cars. Editors at Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com looked for new cars that were fun to own and drive. The Soul’s one-of-a-kind look and feel stood out amongst its competition.
“Born in 2010 and significantly updated in 2012, the Kia Soul has managed to keep its cool the whole time,” said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com. “Like a small cargo van with bold lines and high tech, the Soul’s impressive standard equipment list includes Bluetooth®1 phone connectivity, an auxiliary audio input and iPod®2 integration.”

Courtesy of: Kia Media

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Is Kia working on a sporty convertible?

It's been a number of years since we last heard rumors about a drop-top Kia, but as the South Korean automaker continues to grow into new segments, why not stir things up again? Fan site Kia-world.net got its hands on what is claimed to be an exclusive drawing (click to enlarge) of the Kia Pro_cee'd GT Cabrio.

This rendering looks exactly like what we'd picture a topless version of the three-door hatchback to look like, but until there's any official information, we'll keep this filed under "we'll believe it when we see it." The idea of a Kia convertible sounds good to us, especially if it looks like this, but we're still waiting for the sporty model that lead designer Peter Schreyer said could happen "sooner or later" back in 2010.

Courtesy of Autoblog.

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Kia Motors Punks, Rattles And Rolls As Official Vehicle Of Vans Warped Tour For Sixth Straight Year


For the sixth year in a row, Kia Motors America (KMA) is touring the country as the "Official Vehicle of the Vans Warped Tour" alongside some of today's most entertaining rock and indie bands. Concertgoers in 39 U.S. cities will be able to enjoy live music performances and visit the Kia Soul Lounge to participate in a variety of interactive experiences in the spirit of this year's Kia theme, "Rock and Roll. Punk and Soul." Kia will be the official sponsor of the tour's two main stages -- the Kia Soul Stage and Kia Forte Stage -- for the second year in a row, and an exclusive Kia VIP riser will allow select concertgoers to stand above the crowd and enjoy their favorite bands from an elevated, shaded platform.

"Music, pop culture and having fun drive today's youth culture, and the 2013 Vans Warped Tour couldn't be a better embodiment of those core, coming-of-age lifestyle elements," said Michael Sprague, executive vice president, marketing & communications, KMA. "Our partnership with the tour allows us to showcase the all-new Kia Soul and Forte, which have always relied on youthful spirit as a cornerstone of their appeal. We're excited to continue connecting with the young and passionate fans around the country through yet another summer of great music and fun."

This year, concertgoers will be able to enjoy hours of live music, including exclusive acoustic sets with tour headliners "We Came As Romans" and "Sleeping With Sirens" in select concert locations. Fans also can visit the Kia Soul Lounge, an interactive tent featuring a DJ, daily band autograph sessions, "Show Your Punk" body painting and hair styling stations, and a "Rock and Roll" photo booth where concertgoers can scream and rock out to their heart's desire. An interactive app will register participants via Twitter and Facebook, and each photo will be made into an animated image that can be shared via the participant's Twitter and Facebook accounts.

"It is only with the continued support of people like Kia that the Vans Warped Tour is able to offer such a value to the fans," said Kevin Lyman, founder and producer, Vans Warped Tour. "Warped is the lowest-priced ticket in town for the amount of show it brings the audience."

Visitors to the lounge also can view and learn more about the all-new 2014 Soul, which boasts more passenger and cargo room than ever before along with a new, more aggressive appearance. Also on display will be the all-new 2014 Forte 5-door, which offers more room, fun-to-drive performance and cutting-edge technology.

Festival participants will be encouraged to "Share their Soul" through an interactive photo sharing game in which concert attendees are tasked with capturing their favorite moments of The Vans Warped Tour in real time based on the tagline "Rock and Roll. Punk and Soul." Concertgoers are turned into roving reporters, snapping pictures of people rocking out, pretending to drive Kia vehicles and anything else they feel captures the Vans Warped Tour experience. Concertgoers also have the unique opportunity to receive Kia VIP passes, which allow them access to an exclusive private riser near the main stage, or in some cases, on the two main stages themselves, where they can enjoy spectacular views of the day's biggest performances.

The Vans Warped Tour kicks off on June 15 in Seattle, and will feature more than 125 rock, hip-hop, rap, metal, indie rock and electronic artists, including current chart-toppers and the hottest up-and-comers.

Select tour dates and destinations of the tour include:
  • 6/15 -- Seattle
  • 6/16 -- Portland
  • 6/19 -- San Diego
  • 6/20 & 6/21 -- Pomona, CA
  • 6/27 -- Phoenix
  • 6/28 -- Los Vegas
  • 7/10 -- Washington DC
  • 7/11 -- Boston
  • 7/13 -- New York
  • 7/19 -- Detroit
  • 7/20 -- Chicago
  • 7/28 -- Orlando
  • 8/2 -- Dallas 

Courtesy of The Auto Channel.

Monday, June 10, 2013

Car safety tip: Never engage an aggressive driver.


Car safety tip: Never engage an aggressive driver. Avoid eye contact and ignore gestures. You never know what could happen on the road!