Kia Optima Hybrid

A more responsive 2013 Kia Hybrid in ready for showrooms, boasting improvements all around, like better mileage (36 mpg vs. 34 mpg for last year’s model), and a more powerful battery pack. More luggage space, a backup camera, and numerous other engine and interior design tweaks make the Korean hybrid better throughout.

Kia Optima Hybrid: Video

The Kia Ray electric car is taken for a test drive in the video clip below. Most people have not heard of the Ray EV yet because Kia is still testing it. Right now, the Korean automaker is collecting data from 2,500 units that are in the hands of South Korean government fleets. The all-electric mini car from Kia will not see worldwide production until sometime in 2014. The Ray is a 5-door hatch with a 50 kW, 67-horsepower motor and a 16.4 kWh lithium battery pack. The front-wheel-drive car has an 86-mile range. A Korea-only version of the snappy-looking Ray is already available as a traditional gasoline vehicle or as a bi-fuel that runs on either gas or LPG (liquefied petroleum gas).

Kia Optima Hybrid

Automotive buffs might remember the Kia Optima Hybrid from 2012, when that model year’s car set the Guinness World Record for traveling the 48 contiguous U.S. states on the least amount of fuel. The record category was specifically for gasoline hybrids, and the Optima made it almost 8,000 miles with an average fuel efficiency of 64 mpg. The car used no special equipment and the drivers were given a commemorative certificate by the Guinness verification team. At the ceremony, a senior Kia spokesperson noted that the car was in fact designed to attain high mileage in diverse driving conditions.

For more about the Kia Optima Hybrid, see the Korean automaker’s official website for the car:
http://www.kia.com/Optima

Larry Bell

Larry Bell + is My Perfect Automobile’s Genius Author, but we call him ‘The Expert‘. Here is his full Blog: My Perfect Automobile. Larry lives in San Jose, CA and is also the Expert Author. Larry is a lover of the Automobile as well and shares a passion for Concept, Hybrid and Electric Cars…

Kia Provo hybrid concept car

For those who wonder what a Kia compact SUV will look like, the company offered an answer during the media preview of the Geneva Motor Show this week. Dubbed the Kia Provo, the concept vehicle could go head to head with Nissan’s popular Juke. Kia’s freshest concept indeed looks like a racing machine, as the automaker is fond of saying in official literature, and sports a sleek new grille along with 19-inch allow wheels.

Kia Hybrid: Video

The Provo is not Kia’s first hybrid, nor even its best known. In fact, the company has had a sales success with its Optima Hybrid. The video clip below is an official Kia production, which ran as a commercial for the 2012 Optima Hybrid. The car features an electric motor paired with a 4-cylinder combustion engine. With a combined 206 horsepower, the 6-speed automatic achieves a combined fuel-efficiency rating of 36 mpg. Consumers who purchased the Optima Hybrid praised the vehicle’s classy styling both inside and out, as well as the luxury touches on Optima’s interior.

Kia Provo

Provo’s headlamps are a fine touch, even for a concept car. Boasting 850 LEDs, the lights work in three modes: race-style, running-light, and full-beam, according to Kia’s description. The dash is constructed from a one-piece, carbon-fiber unit, while the Provo is a 4-wheel-drive car that has an electric motor propelling the rear wheels. In addition, there is a 1.6-liter gasoline engine rated at 201 brake horsepower.

Based in Seoul, Korea, Kia Motors is the second-largest automaker in the Asian country, right behind Hyundai in sales and output. In fact, Hyundai owns one-third of Kia’s stock. The company’s name, Kia, is based on a Korean word that loosely translates as, “to rise up to the earth from Asia.” Toyota, GM, and Volkswagen are the three largest carmakers in the world, with Hyundai coming in a close fourth, based upon annual revenue.

For more about the Korean automaker, see the company’s official corporate website:
http://www.kia.com

Larry Bell

Larry Bell + is My Perfect Automobile’s Genius Author, but we call him ‘The Expert‘. Here is his full Blog: My Perfect Automobile. Larry lives in San Jose, CA and is also the Expert Author. Larry is a lover of the Automobile as well and shares a passion for Concept, Hybrid and Electric Cars…

Kia’s ‘Superman’ Optima Hybrid

Look! Up in Chicago. It’s not a bird or a plane. It’s a car. At the Chicago Auto Show this week, Kia Motors America showed off its Superman-themed Optima, which is a rare combination of serious artwork and car design. The Superman logo and colors seem to literally cover the vehicle and create an overall surrealistic impression. The Superman car, an Optima Hybrid, was used as a nod toward saving the planet (or is that the Daily Planet?), which is the Super Hero’s main job. Kidding aside, Kia unveiled five other DC Entertainment cars last year. The Superman Optima is the sixth “Justice League” car to be shown. DC and Kia are working together on a charitable drive for famine and drought relief. Kia has not specified exactly when or where the next two models will be shown.

Kia Optima: Video

The video clip below features a montage of Kia’s presentations at the Chicago Auto Show, which included the aforementioned Superman Optima, the Cross GT hybrid concept, and the surprising Forte 5-door. The Superman car is part of a charitable campaign which centers on eight different characters from DC Entertainment’s Justice League. The automaker’s Cross GT Hybrid concept is painted in a unique copper hue and sports rear-hinged doors on the back, allowing easy access to the rear seats.

Superman Optima Hybrid

The super Optima was designed by artist Jon Sibal and illustrator Jim Lee. MV Designz of California built the car to include some very special touches, like extra-wide fenders and ground effects. While you are not likely to see one cruising down the HOV lane anytime soon, we have heard the car might prefer the Lois Lane instead. The super car features special 5-spoke, 20-inch wheels.

For more about Kia’s down-to-earth cars, see the Korean automaker’s official corporate website:
http://www.kia.com/Optima

Larry Bell

Larry Bell + is My Perfect Automobile’s Genius Author, but we call him ‘The Expert‘. Here is his full Blog: My Perfect Automobile. Larry lives in San Jose, CA and is also the Expert Author. Larry is a lover of the Automobile as well and shares a passion for Concept, Hybrid and Electric Cars…

Kia Cross GT hybrid concept

Korean automaker Kia unveiled a striking, copper-colored hybrid concept at the Chicago Auto Show this week. The Cross GT features a sloping roof and an innovative interior design that could become the company’s first foray into the luxury vehicle segment. A V6, 3.8-liter engine propels the gas-electric hybrid, which has the ability to drive for 20 miles on nothing but electricity. The concept features skylights and rear-hinged doors among its many unique styling flourishes. Kia has not released mileage data for the car.

Kia Hybrid Cross GT: Video

Will the Cross GT hybrid concept ever see a showroom floor? Kia officials are not willing to answer that question just yet, but they are happy to show the car off at the Chicago Auto Show this week, complete with its parallel hybrid drive train and striking copper paint job. As mentioned in the video clip above, the Cross GT’s color is both trendy and very attractive. With 400 horsepower and 500 foot-pounds of torque, one has to wonder which of this concept vehicle’s features will first show up on real-life Kia models. The interior styling, with its glass-panel roof and earthy leather seats, is a work of automotive art. Kia could conceivably release this car as-is, but in all likelihood is testing public reaction to several of its aesthetic and mechanical components. As far as hybrid concept cars go, the Cross GT is an excellent product.

Kia Hybrid Cross GT

Packed with technology like headrest-embedded computer screens and touchscreen dash controls, the Cross GT also has leather seats, which provide a bit of old-fashioned styling amid an otherwise futuristic interior ambiance. Many auto analysts consider this concept vehicle a bold move for Kia, who until now has catered to a non-luxury demographic.

For more about the latest from Kia, see the Korean automaker’s official corporate website:
http://www.kia.com

Larry Bell

Larry Bell + is My Perfect Automobile’s Genius Author, but we call him ‘The Expert‘. Here is his full Blog: My Perfect Automobile. Larry lives in San Jose, CA and is also the Expert Author. Larry is a lover of the Automobile as well and shares a passion for Concept, Hybrid and Electric Cars…

Kia Soul concept at 2010 Montreal Auto Show

Kia Motors has announced it will produce an electric car to be sold in the U.S. as early as 2014. Based on the next-generation Soul, the Kia EV will meet the world in a fanfare debut at one of the major 2013 auto shows, reportedly in either Chicago or New York. The company already sells a hybrid vehicle called Optima HEV, which features a lithium battery and a gasoline engine. Kia will also be making a number of diesel cars, especially for the European market. Due to cost constraints, the Korean carmaker will give precedence to diesel vehicles for the time being.

Kia Soul: Video

Kia has built a reputation for quality automotive engineering, but the company has also created a name for itself in the world of advertising. If you have never seen the Soul Hamsters ad, then have a look at what the marketing folks at Kia cooked up for one of their award-winning commercials. It’s not fair to try to describe the clip, because you just need to see it for yourself. In fact, the hamsters have been appearing in Kia ads for a while, but this is their first trip back in time, for the sole purpose of appearing in a classical opera.

Kia Soul

Kia and its sister corporation Hyundai have defied the European economic slump and seen across the board increases in sales figures. By the end of 2012, the two companies expect to post joint vehicle sales of approximately 7 million units, a 15 percent increase from 2011. By operating strongly in both the U.S. and European markets, Kia hopes to leverage the popularity of hybrids in the U.S. and diesel cars in Europe. By the time the Kia electric model arrives, the Korean automaker will be strongly competitive in the alternative fuel sector.

For more about the full lineup of Kia vehicles, see the Korean manufacturer’s official website:
http://www.kia.com

Larry Bell

Larry Bell + is My Perfect Automobile’s Genius Author, but we call him ‘The Expert‘. Here is his full Blog: My Perfect Automobile. Larry lives in San Jose, CA and is also the Expert Author. Larry is a lover of the Automobile as well and shares a passion for Concept, Hybrid and Electric Cars…

Hybrid Car Prices: Hyundai Sonata hybrid

Shopping for hybrid cars can be a bit confusing, especially when buyers are faced with different state laws and price incentives. Depending whether the car is a plug-in or not makes a big difference. Fuel savings are also a factor that need to go into the equation. By the time you’re done with all the math, it’s a good bet you’ll be too tired to go shopping. As a public service, the following are among the best bargains among hybrid cars.

Hybrid Car Prices

The Hyundai Sonata hybrid has a sticker price just under $26,000, and comes with all the convenient features you would expect from a Hyundai. The video link below gives a quick interior tour of the car, for those who are unfamiliar with the Korean car manufacturer’s standard design appearance. Fuel efficiency numbers come in at 35/40 mpg.

The Toyota Camry hybrid, priced very close to the Sonata at a tad under $26,000, is another solid bargain. Most of the major reviewers say the Camry offers plenty of bang for the hybrid buck, earning top marks for comfort and appearance. Fuel efficiency is an impressive 43/41

Hybrid Car Prices: Details

The Kia Optima is, like the Camry and Sonata, just below the $26,000 price level. Collective opinion tags this car as the nicest looking hybrid in this price range. Fuel efficiency is 35/40 mpg.

At $18,950, the Prius C is way below the price of the other three hybrid bargains. Smaller than the Optima, Sonata, and Camry, the Prius C does, however, lay claim to seating five passengers. The big news about the C is its stellar fuel economy, boasting mpg of 53/46.

For more information about the three automakers mentioned in this article, see the official corporate sites for each car:
http://www.toyota.com
http://www.kia.com
http://www.hyundaiusa.com

Larry Bell

Larry Bell + is My Perfect Automobile’s Genius Author, but we call him ‘The Expert‘. Here is his full Blog: My Perfect Automobile. Larry lives in San Jose, CA and is also the Expert Author. Larry is a lover of the Automobile as well and shares a passion for Concept, Hybrid and Electric Cars…

Hybrid car sales: KIA Optima

A major new Harris study says that about one-third of all drivers have an interest in buying a hybrid car. While almost 60 percent in the survey said their next car purchase would be a traditional combustion model, the year-to-year numbers for hybrid interest are up, denoting a trend toward public acceptance of the technology.  Younger age demographics show more interest in green vehicles overall.

Hybrid Car Sales: Video

To see what all the commotion is about, have a look at one of the many hybrid vehicles that is currently on the road, not overly pricey, and sort of in the middle of the pack in terms of technology. The KIA Optima hybrid review, below, is a short, narrated piece done by an amateur driver while he is behind the wheel.

For many hybrid drivers, as with the one in the film clip, achieving higher fuel efficiency becomes a fun challenge. Note that the Optima hybrid in the review reaches very close to 40 mph in real-world conditions. While the data readout is not overwhelming, there is plenty of feedback so the driver knows exactly how well the car is doing from minute to minute.

Hybrid Car Sales: U.S.

When broken down by type of vehicle, 25 percent of respondents said they would seriously consider a hybrid or EV for their next car buy, while 11 percent mentioned diesel as their likely next choice. Nine percent of survey participants names all-electric vehicles as their current preference.
Perhaps the most revealing data from the study had to do with age. Those in the 18 through 35 age category showed significant increases in their preference for alternative fuel vehicles., compared to last year’s data.

For more information about hybrid cars, see the following information link, which gives a general overview of the models available, along with prices, specs, and review data:
http://www.edmunds.com

Larry Bell

Larry Bell + is My Perfect Automobile’s Genius Author, but we call him ‘The Expert‘. Here is his full Blog: My Perfect Automobile. Larry lives in San Jose, CA and is also the Expert Author. Larry is a lover of the Automobile as well and shares a passion for Concept, Hybrid and Electric Cars…

Type of Car: SUV
Engine Type: Front
Engine Size: 1991 ccm (120,88 cubic inches)
Car Engine Type: in-line, 4-cyl
Valves Per Cylinder: 16
Maximum Power
128.00 PS (93,53 kW or 125,37 HP) at 5300 Rev. per min.
Maximum Torque: 175.00 Nm (17,71 kgf-m or 128,45 ft.lbs) at 4700 Rev. per min.
Cylinder Size (Bore Stroke):
Compression:
Top Speed:
Fuel Type:
Car Transmission: Manual, 5-speed
Car Power – Weight Ratio: 0.0830 PS/kg
Zero to Sixty MPH:
Car Drive:
Number of Seats: 5
Passenger Space: 2633 litres (692,52 gallons)
Car Doors: 5
Country: Korea, South
Front Tire: 215/65-R16
Rear Tires: 205/70-R15
Chasis:
C02 Emissions:
Turn Circle:
Car Weight: 1542 kg (3382,50 pounds)
Towing Weight:
Length:
Width:
Total Height:
Max Weight With Load: 2170 kg (4760,08 pounds)
Ground Clearance:
Wheel Base: 2660 mm (104,18 inches)
Coolant:
Front Break Type: Ventilated disks
Rear Breaks Type: Drums
Cargo Space:
Lubrication:
Leg Room:
Aerodynamics:
Hwy Fuel Efficiency:
Street/Hwy Fuel:
City Fuel:
Fuel Tank Capacity: 60.0 litres (15,77 gallons)

Charles Verhoeff

Charles Verhoeff + is My Perfect Automobile’s Genius Webmaster and SEO Guy, but people call him Amazing.
Here is his full Bio: Charles Verhoeff. Charles Lives in Los Angeles, CA and is also the Owner of World Class Media. Charles is a lover of the Automobile as well and shares a passion for Concept and Electric Cars…

     

Kia Rio 1.6 LX 2008 – Important Facts.

Make: Kia
Model: Rio 1.6 LX
Year: 2008

Type of Car: Family cars
Engine Type: Front
Engine Size: 1598 ccm (97,02 cubic inches)
Car Engine Type: in-line, 4-cyl
Valves Per Cylinder: 4
Maximum Power
112.00 PS (81,59 kW or 109,45 HP) at 6000 Rev. per min.
Maximum Torque: 145.09 Nm (14,73 kgf-m or 106,47 ft.lbs) at 4500 Rev. per min.
Cylinder Size (Bore Stroke):
Compression: 10.0:1
Top Speed:
Fuel Type:
Car Transmission: Manual, 5-speed
Car Power – Weight Ratio: 0.0872 PS/kg
Zero to Sixty MPH:
Car Drive: Front
Number of Seats: 5
Passenger Space: 2605 litres (684,56 gallons)
Car Doors: 4
Country:
Front Tire: 150/65-R15
Rear Tires:
Chasis: Hatchback
C02 Emissions:
Turn Circle: 11 m (442,68 inches)
Car Weight: 1285 kg (2818,74 pounds)
Towing Weight: 1250 kg (2742,02 pounds)
Length: 4250 mm (166,46 inches)
Width: 1700 mm (66,57 inches)
Total Height: 1480 mm (58,01 inches)
Max Weight With Load:
Ground Clearance: 160 mm (6,27 inches)
Wheel Base: 2510 mm (98,31 inches)
Coolant:
Front Break Type:
Rear Breaks Type:
Cargo Space: 340 litres (89,55 gallons)
Lubrication:
Leg Room: 1090 mm (42,69 inches)
Aerodynamics: 0.3
Hwy Fuel Efficiency: 7.4 litres/100 km (31,84 miles per gallon)
Street/Hwy Fuel: 8.1 litres/100 km (28,86 miles per gallon)
City Fuel: 8.7 litres/100 km (26,87 miles per gallon)
Fuel Tank Capacity: 45.0 litres (11,83 gallons)

Charles Verhoeff

Charles Verhoeff + is My Perfect Automobile’s Genius Webmaster and SEO Guy, but people call him Amazing.
Here is his full Bio: Charles Verhoeff. Charles Lives in Los Angeles, CA and is also the Owner of World Class Media. Charles is a lover of the Automobile as well and shares a passion for Concept and Electric Cars…

     

Kia Rio Sedan 1999 – Secret Information

Make: Kia
Model: Rio Sedan
Year: 1999

Type of Car: Family cars
Engine Type: Front
Engine Size: 1343 ccm (81,54 cubic inches)
Car Engine Type: in-line, 4-cyl
Valves Per Cylinder:
Maximum Power
75.00 PS (54,73 kW or 73,63 HP) at 5400 Rev. per min.
Maximum Torque: 121.00 Nm (12,24 kgf-m or 88,75 ft.lbs) at 3000 Rev. per min.
Cylinder Size (Bore Stroke):
Compression:
Top Speed:
Fuel Type: Gasoline
Car Transmission:
Car Power – Weight Ratio: 0.0811 PS/kg
Zero to Sixty MPH:
Car Drive:
Number of Seats: 4
Passenger Space: 4030 litres (1059,68 gallons)
Car Doors:
Country: Korea, South
Front Tire: 155/80-R13
Rear Tires: 155/80-R13
Chasis: Sedan/saloon
C02 Emissions:
Turn Circle: 10 m (395,61 inches)
Car Weight: 925 kg (2029,10 pounds)
Towing Weight:
Length: 4220 mm (165,27 inches)
Width: 1680 mm (65,77 inches)
Total Height: 1450 mm (56,81 inches)
Max Weight With Load:
Ground Clearance:
Wheel Base: 2420 mm (94,82 inches)
Coolant:
Front Break Type: Disks
Rear Breaks Type: Drums
Cargo Space:
Lubrication:
Leg Room:
Aerodynamics: 0.3
Hwy Fuel Efficiency:
Street/Hwy Fuel:
City Fuel:
Fuel Tank Capacity:

Charles Verhoeff

Charles Verhoeff + is My Perfect Automobile’s Genius Webmaster and SEO Guy, but people call him Amazing.
Here is his full Bio: Charles Verhoeff. Charles Lives in Los Angeles, CA and is also the Owner of World Class Media. Charles is a lover of the Automobile as well and shares a passion for Concept and Electric Cars…