This years Geneva Motor Show saw the world premiere for the all new Kia Sportage crossover and all electric Kia Venga EV concept car as well as the European premiere of Kia Ray plug in hybrid sedan concept.
The view from the Summit
At Summit Place Kia in metro Detroit we were pleased to see that Kia Motors is continuing its record pace of unveiling new models. During last week’s media days at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, Kia unveiled the European version of the all-new 2011 Kia Sportage crossover.
But in addition to that, Kia also unveiled a concept electric version of the Kia Venga, a B-segment (sub compact) vehicle not available here in the U.S. And to top things off, Kia also displayed its latest concept vehicle, the Ray, which was unveiled here in North America at last month’s Chicago Auto Show.
80th Salon International de l’Auto
Here are some excerpts from the Kia Motors press release describing the events:
“Kia’s powerful presence at Geneva will embody three premieres and highlight our brand’s stylish design and world-class engineering. With the all-new Sportage, we have created a five-seater crossover with maximized customer appeal. It is urban-friendly and fully in tune with changing consumer expectations and demands,” commented Hyoung-Keun Lee,President, Kia Motors Corporation.
“During the current global economic downturn, Kia products have maintained their appeal to consumers and enabled us to increase our market share in many regions. Last year we delivered more than 1.65 million vehicles to customers, an increase of 20%. This year, I am confident that the all-new Sportage, new Venga, new Sorento, Soul and the increasingly popular cee’d and Forte ranges, will lead a successful Kia sales drive around the world to attract more and more newcomers to our brand,” concluded President Lee.
All-new 2011 Kia Sportage
With a new bodyshell, new engines and fresh, bold styling that introduces a new kind of dynamic aesthetic, the latest Kia Sportage is an urban-friendly crossover for today’s families – consuming less fuel and emitting less CO2.
Longer, wider and lower than the previous model, the all-new design successfully retains the key SUV features which made the second generation Kia Sportage so popular.
Under the direction of Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer, the Kia design teams have created a third-generation Sportage incorporating Kia’s new design DNA and many features from the 2007 Kia Kue concept car.
The 14.4-foot long new Sportage is sleeker and lighter than the previous model, with an aerodynamic drag figure of Cd 0.37 (down from 0.40) and a significant weight loss of 200 lb. compared with the previous model – enhancing fuel economy and refinement.
When the full range of new Sportage models is ‘on sale’ in Europe later this year, it will be available (depending on country) with four engines (two petrol and two diesel, covering a 113 hp to 161 hp power spread), 6-speed manual and automatic transmissions and two-wheel or all-wheel drive. In Europe, fuel-stretching Start/Stop technology will reduce CO2 emissions to as low as 138 g/km.
Kia Venga EV concept car
Making its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show, the all-electric, zero-emissions Kia Venga EV concept car is the same size as the regular Venga B-segment MPV now on sale in Europe. It features an electric motor with top power of 107 hp and maximum torque of 207 lb.-ft.
Showcasing Kia’s ‘EcoDynamics’ range of fuel-saving vehicles at Geneva, Venga EV includes a twin-pack 24 kWh battery using innovative LiPoly (Lithium Ion Polymer) technology that offers numerous advantages over other battery types, and provides a driving range of 112 miles on a single charge.
Under the quick recharging cycle (50 kW), the battery can be recharged to 80 percent of its capacity within 20 minutes. Under the normal cycle (3.3 kW), 100 percent power is attained after eight hours.
Venga EV is a front-wheel drive vehicle with the electric powertrain placed within the existing engine bay, while the battery pack is located under the trunk floor. Venga EV is capable of accelerating from standstill to 62 mph in 11.8 seconds, and reaching a top speed of 87 mph.
Venga EV represents Kia Motors’ continuing commitment to earth-positive transport management and will mark a new beginning in the company’s supply of eco-friendly vehicles.
Kia Ray ‘plug-in’ hybrid sedan concept
After making its world premiere at the recent Chicago Auto Show, the 14.43-foot long Kia Ray concept car now makes its European debut at the Geneva Show. This ultra-sleek, plug-in hybrid four-door sedan can run for more than 50 miles solely on electric power and achieve a range of 746 miles on a single tank of fuel, thanks to fuel economy of 202 mpg.
Styled in California, the Kia Ray concept has a futuristic body, which combines sophisticated and sleek lines with functionality and improved fuel economy, and features innovative curved hexagonal roof-top solar cells which provide a trickle charge that helps operate a cooling fan to reduce cabin temperatures when the vehicle is parked.
Clean, flush surfaces, a flowing hood and roof profile, pronounced rear shoulders ending in a higher trunk lid, and careful attention to detailing combine to reduce the Ray’s drag figure to just Cd 0.25.
Under the hood, Kia’s plug-in hybrid powertrain features a 1.4-litre Gamma engine fitted with GDI (gasoline direct injection) technology and tuned to produce 113 hp. A 105 hp electric motor is mounted between the engine and transmission, boosting combined power to a maximum of 151 hp. The Kia Ray is tuned to reach a top speed of 109 mph.
Depending on driving conditions, power is sent to the front wheels from the gasoline engine or the electric motor, or both in combination. Inside the trunk, Ray is equipped with a high-capacity LiPoly (Lithium Ion Polymer) battery and cooling system, together with the charger unit and plug-in port.
Take a look at the new 2011 Kia Sorento!
Even though we won’t be seeing the 2011 Sportage until sometime later this year, we do have the all-new 2011 Kia Sorento in stock and available for test drives. To schedule an appointment, or for more information on both these vehicles as well as the rest of the entire line-up of high quality, affordable Kias, you can contact us at our Waterford store by calling 248-682-6002 or by dialing 734-397-9900 for our Canton store. You can also check us out on the web at www.summitplacekia.com. If you just want to stop in for a visit, our two dealerships located at 2200 Elizabeth Lake Road in Waterford, just behind the Summit Place mall and in Canton at 41840 Michigan Avenue, just west of I-275. Once you’re there, you’ll see why everyone at metro Detroit’s sales leader and Proud Automotive Sponsor of Michigan Athletics would “Love to see ‘ya” in a Summit Place Kia!
