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Kia Optima + Blake Griffin. Not your average spokesman. Not your average midsize sedan.

Dodge won't call its new small car Hornet

Dodge has been wise in reviving old nameplates to inject some excitement into its contemporary model lineup. Recent products like the Challenger and Charger – both named after classics from the brand's past – have drummed up a considerable amount of enthusiasm where names like Stratus and Intrepid could not. But don't expect that formula to be applied to everything Dodge puts out.

Contrary to rumors that the upcoming replacement for the Caliber would bear the name Hornet, a report from The Detroit News suggests that it will not. The nameplate originates from the Hudson Hornet that was built by the American Motors Corporation in the 1950s and the AMC Hornet that followed in the '70s before the company was subsumed into Chrysler. The original re-appeared as Doc Hudson in the computer-animated Pixar film Cars, and was revived off-screen for a concept car (pictured above) which Dodge showed in 2006.

The new production compact, set to compete against the likes of the Chevrolet Cruze and Ford Focus, will fill a critical role for Chrysler, which currently lacks a viable competitor in that vital segment. Whatever it's called, it's being jointly developed with Fiat and is expected to bow sometime early in the new year. We'll just have to wait to see what they call it.

 

Courtesy of AutoBlog

We may not get to see Blake Griffin on the court this year. But he's certainly keeping busy!

Pair of Kia Optima Turbos will compete in World Challenge against Mustangs and Camaros

The Kia Optima is headed to the World Challenge next year. Kia has announced that it will once again partner up with Kinetic Motorsports, this time to build a pair of Optima SX models to go fender to fender with the rest of the World Challenge field. The two turbocharged sedans will compete in the Grand Touring Sport Class against vehicles like the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro, if you can believe that.

If you're thinking those two are going to make short work of the Optima, you may want to think again. Kia has already managed to earn a driver and team championship in the two years that it's been racing the Forte in the States, and the company recently announced the Rio 5-Door would be competing, as well. These guys aren't just out there to parade their badge around the track.

The World Challenge series pits great drivers against each other in race-prepped versions of production vehicles on some of the country's best road courses. The series campaigns at Infineon, Road Atlanta and the street circuit at Long Beach. Look for the races to show up on the NBC Sports Network this year.

 

Courtesy of AutoBlog

Dodge Challenger SRT Yellow Jacket and Charger SRT8 Super Bee debuting in LA

Chrysler is taking a page from the insect world with its latest set of high-performance machinery. Just as the bright yellow and black motif of a bumble bee is meant to warn potential predators that they might get stung if they come too close, the new 2012 Charger SRT8 Super Bee and Challenger SRT8 392 Yellow Jacket feature Stinger Yellow and Pitch Black paint schemes to signal their ill intent.

Included in the Charger Super Bee package for 2012, in either yellow or black motifs, is a full sticker and stripe package highlighting the 3D helmeted bee logo along with five-spoke aluminum wheels with black painted pockets. Inside, the cloth interior is punctuated with yellow and silver striping and stitching. Subtle it is not.

Similarly, the Challenger Yellow Jacket is covered in various coatings of yellow and black, both inside and out, with the addition of a new Yellow Jacket logo. Both models come equipped with Chrysler's venerable 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine that puts out 470 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. The Challenger is available with either a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic; the Charger offers only the auto.

You'll be able to see both machines live and in living color at the upcoming LA Auto Show. Ordering is slated to begin in December and the first shipments will arrive sometime in the first quarter of 2012.

 

From: AutoBlog

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[Kia Rio] All-new Rio Exterior & Interior

Kelly Blue Book Reports Vehicle Manufacturers With Best Total Cost of Ownership. Kia Takes the Number One Spot!

Audi, Kia Lead Luxury, Non-Luxury Segments with Minimal Depreciation, Low Fuel Costs

IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Kelley Blue Book www.kbb.com, the leading provider of new car and used car information, today reports the top three luxury and top three non-luxury brands with the lowest average Total Cost of Ownership for the initial five-year ownership period.  Based on Kelley Blue Book's analysis, Audi, Lexus and Cadillac (respectively) top all luxury brands, while Kia, Hyundai and Honda (respectively) dominate among all non-luxury brands for lowest average total ownership costs.

Total Cost of Ownership is developed using Kelley Blue Book® Residual Values to calculate depreciation costs.  Depreciation plays the largest role in Total Cost of Ownership, followed by the cost of fuel during the ownership period.  Kelley Blue Book calculates total ownership costs for new vehicles by applying a sophisticated valuation methodology along with critical financial data from third-party providers.  

By reviewing the Total Cost of Ownership for vehicles on their consideration list, consumers can better understand the overall financial implications associated with vehicle ownership through the initial five-year ownership period.  Kelley Blue Book's Total Cost of Ownership features easy-to-understand charts and graphs on kbb.com to help car shoppers make informed purchase decisions by breaking down the typical ownership costs for a particular vehicle, including depreciation, expected fuel costs, insurance, maintenance and repair costs, state fees and more.  

"The average vehicle typically maintains about 30 percent of its original MSRP after five years of ownership, whereas a handful of vehicles maintain more than 45 percent after the same time period," said Eric Ibara, director of residual value consulting for Kelley Blue Book.  "The new Total Cost of Ownership data on kbb.com is based on Kelley Blue Book Residual Values, which are used by banks and manufacturers nationwide."

At the brand level, Audi and Lexus currently have the lowest depreciation and best fuel economy among luxury brands, giving them an advantage in low cost of ownership at the luxury level.  In addition, Audi, Lexus and Cadillac all offer models that carry a lower MSRP compared to other luxury brands.  Combined with their entry-level vehicles, these brands stand out among their competitors for having low overall ownership cost.  Audi's Total Cost of Ownership success is primarily driven by the A3 2.0T and A4 2.0T sedan models.  Both edge out competitors with their minimal depreciation and stellar fuel economy.  

For non-luxury brands, Kia and Hyundai have a number of successful redesigns, greatly improved quality and competitive pricing, which sets them apart from other non-luxury brands in terms of cost of ownership.  Key Kia models contributing to the brand's low Total Cost of Ownership include the Rio, Optima and Forte.  Additionally, Honda continues to be a reliable choice with strong fuel economy and customer loyalty.  

Top Luxury Brands	Average MSRP	Average Depreciation	Average Total Cost of Ownership (Five-Year Ownership Period)
Audi	$47,506	$33,467	$68,866
Lexus	$55,273	$37,029	$73,605
Cadillac	$53,684	$40,028	$77,680

Top Non-Luxury Brands	Average MSRP	Average Depreciation	Average Total Cost of Ownership (Five-Year Ownership Period)
Kia	$21,643	$15,599	$38,884
Hyundai	$23,359	$16,688	$40,092
Honda	$26,301	$17,120	$40,862

"Kelley Blue Book's Total Cost of Ownership gives car shoppers a realistic view of what they will spend during the initial one- to five-year ownership period, allowing them to get the most for their dollar in today's economy," said Juan Flores, director of vehicle valuation for Kelley Blue Book.  "More informative than simply having the purchase price alone, Total Cost of Ownership empowers car shoppers by including all significant costs that are part of the ownership experience."

 

 

From: KellyBlueBook

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All-New 2012 Kia Rio Providing an Unbeatable Combination of Power and Efficiency

The completely redesigned 2012 Kia Rio—which was first conceived here in the U.S. at Kia’s California design studio—will provide customers with a lot to like in the subcompact segment, but it certainly won’t cost a lot. In fact, Kia recently announced that the MSRP of the Rio sedan will start at just $13,400, while the price of admission to the five-door hatchback will open at $13,600—that’s $1,900 less than the least-expensive Ford Fiesta hatchback.

The Rio also provides an unbeatable combination of power and efficiency, too. In addition to two body styles, it also offers two transmissions (both a six-speed automatic or a similarly cogged manual) in three well-contented trim levels, and all offer both 30 mpg city/40 mpg highway and a class-leading 138 hp. Helping the Rio achieve these marks: An advanced 1.6-liter I4 engine with gasoline direct injection (GDI) technology, as well as the first stop/start system ever seen in the segment. Kia’s Idle Stop and Go feature shuts off the engine when the Rio comes to a stop, then quickly and seamlessly restarts the powerplant as soon as the driver’s foot comes off the brake pedal. Before being introduced on the Rio, this technology was only available on hybrids and expensive luxury vehicles.

Other high-tech goodies the Rio is bringing to the segment include UVO, Kia’s Microsoft-powered, voice-activated infotainment system, with a 4.2-inch color touchscreen and rear-view camera, along with other standard and available features like:

• LED front accent lights and rear tail lights
• Kia’s “Supervision” meter cluster
• Seat foam material that’s derived from castor oil for 100 percent biodegradability
• A full suite of safety enhancers, including Electronic Stability Control (ESC), a four-wheel Anti-lock Brake
• System (ABS), Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) and Vehicle Stability Management (VSM)
• An AM/FM/XM/CD/MP3 sound system with three complimentary months of satellite radio service
• Bluetooth functionality
• Push-button start and remote keyless entry
• Heated front seats and six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat

Significantly, the Rio also is fully covered by the automaker’s industry-leading warranty package—standard on all Kia vehicles—which includes a 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, a five-year/60,000-mile limited basic warranty, a five-year/100,000-mile anti-perforation warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile roadside assistance plan.

The 2012 Kia Rio 5-door is on sale now, with the sedan slated to enter the marketplace later this year.

Source: kiainthenews.com

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2011 SEMA: Kia Goes Racing with 2012 Rio B-Spec and Optima Hybrid USTCC Pace Car

Looking to further associate itself with the world of motorsports after the first two motorsports championships in company's history in the 2011 Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge (CTSSC), Kia today unveiled two more track-ready models at the 2011 SEMA Show, the 2012 Rio 5-door B-Spec racecar and the Optima Hybrid pace car.

Developed in partnership with Kinetic Motorsports, the new Rio 5-door B-Spec racer will compete in the newly established showroom stock racing class against various subcompact rivals such as the Mazda2, Honda Fit and Ford Fiesta starting from 2012.

The Rio B-Spec is eligible to race in numerous motorsport events including the World Challenge, GRAND-AM, Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) and National Auto Sport Association (NASA).

Aside from purchasing a stock 2012 Kia Rio 5-door hatchback, those interested will have to buy the B-Spec kit that costs $14,000 from Kia’s racing partner, Kinetic Motorsports, and either build the car themselves or shell out another $6,000 to have the team at Kinetic Motorsports assemble the racecar at their shop in Buford, Georgia.

The B-Spec package includes a roll cage, racing seat, quick-release steering wheel, racing harness, race shocks, lightweight wheels, spec-series tires, an oil sump pan expansion kit and complete build instructions.

Also making its world premiere in Las Vegas is a specially modified Optima Hybrid that will take over the role of the official pace car of the United States Touring Car Championship (USTCC) from the Soul.

Built by GoGoGear, the Optima Hybrid Pacecar has been fitted with a free-flow air intake system, Magnaflow exhaust system, coil-over suspension kit to lower the ride height, front splitter and rear wing, lightweight wheels and performance tires.

Other highlights include a black exterior paintwork with lime-green graphics and LED auxiliary lights, while GoGoGear also updated the interior with a not so pacecar-like 2,400-watt audio and video system with dual seven-inch monitors in the front-seat headrests.

Kia said that the Optima Hybrid Safety Car will make its first appearance at the USTCC in March of 2012.

 

From: CarScoop