Rumors: Kia to Reveal New Rio Sedan at New York

The word on the street is that Kia will lift the covers off a sedan version of its new Rio series in a world premiere at the upcoming 2011 New York International Auto Show in mid-April. The new generation of the Rio was recently unveiled in hatchback form at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show earlier this month.

The new generation of the Rio hatchback has grown in size over its predecessor and, at least in Europe, it will also be offered in a sportier looking but less practical, three-door body style. The upcoming sedan model will most likely differ from the B-column and back, featuring a longer rear end with a more spacious boot.

The European version of the Rio Hatch will be offered with a choice of three- and four-cylinder engines with outputs ranging from 70-to-109HP. No word yet on what type of engines will be available for the North American market model.

Source: Autoblog

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Kia Unveils Naimo EV Concept at Seoul Motor Show

Making its world premiere today at the at the Seoul Motor Show, is Kia’s Naimo electric crossover utility vehicle (CUV), a B-segment sized concept car that will serve as a test-bed for the company's EV technology. Penned by Kia's international design team in Seoul, the car takes its name from the Korean word “Ne-mo”, which is pronounced ‘Neh-mo’ and means ‘square shape.

Measuring 3.89 meters in length, the car has a relatively long wheelbase of 2.65 meters, with Kia making claims of a spacious cabin, with “exceptional” head, leg and shoulder room for the occupants. The car has no B-pillars and features rear-hinged doors to improve access to the cabin, while the boot-lid has a three-way split opening system for the easier loading of different-sized objects.

As for the design, the boxy shape brings to mind the KV7 concept, while details like the assymetric sunroof, the blacked-out A-pillars or the unusual built-in LED taillights give the Naimo a unique look.

Another interesting detail is the lack of windscreen wipers, replaced by a high-intensity air jet at the base of the screen that performs an “air-wiper” function. The interior features bespoke materials such as Korean oak on the floor and door panels and “Han-ji” paper for the head lining.

The car is powered by an electric motor developing 80 kW (109HP) and 280 Nm (206.5 lb-ft) of torque, allowing it to reach a top speed of 150 km/h (93.2 mph). The twin-pack 27 kWh battery located under the boot floor offers the Naimo a driving range of around 200 km (124 mi) on a single charge. The battery can be recharged in 25 minutes to 80 percent of its capacity, but full charge takes five and a half hours. In order to help achieving a reasonable driving range, the car is also fitted with special low-drag 20-inch alloy wheels.

Kia said the Naimo will join the company's test fleet of hybrid, electric and fuel-cell vehicles and will undergo testing in varying conditions to improve the EV technology that will later be applied to production vehicles.

By Dan Mihalascu

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BMW, Hyundai and Renault Donate for Japan Earthquake Relief

After Japan’s local automakers, foreign car companies are also rallying to support people affected by the earthquake and the tsunami that hit the Asian nation on Friday. BMW has offered an emergency aid worth €1 million ($1.4 million) destined for the treatment of traumatized children, emergency aid and reconstruction work. The money will be split evenly between the international non-profit organization “Save the Children” and the Japanese Red Cross.

“We are deeply moved by the horrific suffering in the affected regions. During this difficult time, our thoughts and sympathies are with the Japanese people,” said Dr. Norbert Reithofer, CEO BMW AG. BMW has also encouraged its employees to show their solidarity with the victims of the earthquake by contributing to the two campaigns.

Another foreign company that has announced its help to the people of Japan is the Hyundai-Kia Group. The Korean conglomerate will donate to the Japanese Red Cross 100 million yen ($1.3 million) to assist the recovery efforts. The money will be used to cover immediate needs such as food, water and blankets. Hyundai's chairman Mong-Koo Chung sent condolence letters to Japanese business partners to express the company's sympathy and wishes for an early recovery.

Nissan's partner Renault also launched an emergency campaign to help those hit by the disaster. The company will donate €500,000 ($700,000) to the Red Cross and will enable its willing employees to make donations. Renault also promised to match the amount of money raised by the company’s employees. The money raised will be used to provide food, drugs and other vital supplies for people in the affected areas, as well as to pay for medical treatment and to organize blood donations.

"I am deeply touched by the spontaneous support shown by Renault employees for their colleagues at Nissan and, more widely, for the Japanese people,” said Carlos Ghosn, CEO Renault and Nissan. "The solidarity shown today in this tragedy demonstrates the strong ties between our two companies,” he added.

By Dan Mihalascu

Kia Recalling 70,115 Optima Sedans Over Transmission Flaw

Kia has issued a recall on 70,115 Optima sedans manufactured from September 29, 2005, through June 13, 2007 because of a problem related to the transmission that can cause the cars to roll even while they are in park. The company said that in some cars, the transmission shift cable may have been installed incorrectly and can become detached from the shifter. If that occurs, the car would stay in the last used gear before detachment, even if the driver moves the shift lever to the park position.

“If the driver leaves the vehicle without engaging the parking brake, there is a possibility that the vehicle can roll injure a person in its path or cause a crash,” said Kia In documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [NHTSA].

The South Korean automaker said that there have been no reported injuries related to this condition.

The safety recall for the 2006-2008MY Optima sedan is expected to begin this month.

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