Kia at SEMA
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Kia Forte Koup Type R
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Kia
4th November, 2010
Arriving at the gateway to the 2010-2011 automotive
show season, Kia Motors America (KMA) is ready to roll at this week's 2010 Specialty Equipment
Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas (USA) with a diverse and attention-grabbing line-up of
concept and production-intent vehicles to further showcase Kia’s eye-catching new generation of
vehicles.
Additionally, following the success last year of its first road racing season in the U.S.,
including six top 10 finishes, KMA confirmed its plans to campaign the Kia Forte Koup (known as
Kia Cerato KOUP in Australia) in the GRAND-AM Sports Car Challenge in 2011, and unveiled the
performance-inspired Kia Koup Type R Concept, built by Kinetic Motorsports. Amid the activity and
DJ-spun tunes at KMA’s SEMA Show display, show-goers also are privy to a sneak preview of two
all-new Soul Special Edition concept vehicles developed with production intent, while KMA also has
teamed with fashion and lifestyle magazine Antenna for the second consecutive year to make
“The Duel,” two custom Sportage SUVs that demonstrate the playful and professional aspects of the
vehicle with a closet full of style options.
“Customisation makes up the fabric of the SEMA Show and Kia’s design-led brand
transformation has paved the way for us to showcase clever, design-inspired vehicles that are
production capable,” said Michael Sprague, vice president of marketing & communications, KMA.
“Two more limited edition Soul vehicle concepts will artfully express the personalisation
options and fun available to consumers and tuners in the near future while our first year at the
race track served as the inspiration for the exciting Koup Type R Concept.”
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Kia Soul "White Tiger"
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Soul White Tiger Concept
Building on the success and consumer interest in the four special edition Souls introduced
over the past year, the Soul White Tiger Concept is a precursor to one of two all-new Soul
special edition models planned for 2011. A combination of value, safety and technology with
plentiful standard equipment, the 2011 Soul White Tiger takes design cues from this year’s
Asian Lunar year animal – the Tiger – and dramatically combines an all-white exterior with
one-of-a-kind tiger-themed graphics and a contrasting jet black leather interior.
Soul White Tiger Concept builds off of the Soul+ (plus) model with fog lamps, body coloured
bumpers, sport spoiler, black guard vents, rear bumper cat claw appliqué, alloy fuel door and
features white-finish 18-inch alloy wheels to complete its expressive look. On the inside, the
Soul White Tiger will captivate its passengers with its push-button start, black leather
seating surfaces and heated front seats. A leather-wrapped steering wheel/shift knob and
sport-styled floor mats with contrasting stitching and illuminated scuff plates add to the Soul
White Tiger’s 'personality'. The Soul White Tiger will be arriving in Kia's American showrooms
in the coming weeks.
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Kia Soul "Hamstar"
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Soul Hamstar™ Concept
After the launch of their own “Hamstar™” apparel line, the music-loving 'hamsters' from
Kia’s Soul advertising campaign are making their presence known at SEMA with a Molten Red Soul
concept vehicle featuring custom Hamstar artwork and interior appointments.
The Hamstar Soul Concept stands out from the crowd with its custom red and black colour
scheme, highlighted by a “star” graphic with the signature Hamstar script logo on the bonnet
and off-black matt finish stripes on the urban passenger vehicle’s sides that are reminiscent
of vintage warm-up pants.>
The exterior is dressed with black gloss and polished aluminium sport wheels for extra
attitude and the all black interior includes red/black sport cloth seat materials with black
chenille stars affixed to the back side of the front headrests. Special Hamstar sport floor
mats and a rubberised Hamstar badge provide an additional surprise design element.
A true game-changer for the Kia brand, the Soul was the first vehicle launched under KMA’s
ongoing design-led transformation and kicked off an aggressive new vehicle launch cycle
for Kia, which continues through 2011. The 2010 Soul has earned a trophy case full of awards
and accolades since its launch, including earning a 2009 and 2010 “Top Safety Pick” from the
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
Forte Koup Type R Concept
Inspired by the excitement and competition Kia experienced in its inaugural season of
racing in the GRAND-AM CSports Car Challenge, and with an eye on future production vehicle
applications, the Kia Forte Koup Type R Concept confidently showcases the performance
possibilities Kia’s first two-door coupe provides. Developed by Kinetic Motorsports, who built
and campaigns Kia’s Forte Koup race cars, the Type R features dramatically enhanced exterior
panels that exaggerate the existing body lines, including the front guards, rocker panels and
rear quarter panels. The Forte Koup Type R rolls on BBS RG 18-inch forged aluminium alloy
wheels and racing-inspired tyres and suspension components. Inside, the Forte Koup Type R’s
modified interior offers ergonomic improvements for the driver, while custom seat/door
treatments and safety restraints reflect its sporty nature.
A short throw shift kit with Kinetic gear shift knob and carbon inlay complements the
dampened composite fibre disc clutch to enhance the driving experience.
Kia Forte Hybrid Concept
Proving that a compact hybrid sedan can be anything but boring, the Kia Forte Hybrid
Concept demonstrates styling options for those looking for an alternative to a mundane
hybrid ride. Made by Kinetic Motorsports, the Hybrid Concept combines a 1.6-litre
four-cylinder engine fueled by liquefied petroleum gas (propane) and lithium polymer battery
with accentuated design characteristics, including body panel enhancements and a lowered
stance, to provide a one-of-a-kind 'personality' for the environmentally-friendly sedan. The
Kia Forte Hybrid Concept is accentuated by cast aluminium alloy wheels and low-rolling
resistance tyres for improved fuel economy and reduced road noise. On the inside, interior
panel treatments feature custom enhancements, while a 1200 watt Infinity®2 audio system will
entertain passengers.
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Self-Catering Holiday
Accommodation in
Denmark, WA
..... more
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“The Duel” Custom Kia Sportages by Antenna
Proving the 2011 Kia Sportage compact SUV can be both all business and all pleasure, KMA
has again teamed with fashion and lifestyle magazine, Antenna, showcasing two custom
Sportage concepts, made by Antenna, in “The Duel.” One of the customised Sportages is aimed
at the recreational enthusiast and the other toward the on-the-go professional with cool
gadgets, technologies, features and materials to fully appeal to all sides of the everyday
male.
The matt red “Play” Sportage concept presents the fun, active side of the everyday male
with a vehicle perfectly designed to pursue his personal interests. With new 20-inch MRR HR4
wheels, a custom Yakima® roof rack outfitted with a red and black Cannondale® QuikFX Bike
with unique bike pedals and seat, drivers are able to stay active even at a moment’s notice.
An iPod Touch® was moulded into the centre console for easy access to today’s latest news
and music, while the cargo area was transformed into a tailgater’s dream with a
custom-painted locker, motorised stainless steel barbeque grille and 22-inch LCD television.
For the tech-savvy professional on-the-go, the metallic blue “Work” Sportage concept is
the perfect vehicle for business. With a full closet and dressing station fitted nicely
within Sportage’s spacious cargo area, the professional male has the option of up to two
suits, five shirts and five belts for any work situation.
Design-Led Transformation and Product Line
Kia Motors is in the midst of a dramatic, design-led transformation, which has been
delivering dynamically styled vehicles in several important segments at exactly the right
time, contributing to the brand’s continued gains in U.S. market share. Kia is poised to
continue its momentum and will continue to build the brand through design innovation,
quality, value, safety features and new technology such as the soon-to-come UVO powered by
Microsoft® in-car hands-free entertainment system. The launches of the 2011 Sorento SUV, the
first vehicle to be assembled at Kia’s first U.S.-based manufacturing facilities in West Point,
Georgia, the dynamic 2011 Sportage compact SUV, sophisticated 2011 Optima mid-size sedan and
versatile Forte 5-door hatchback further enhance the line-up.
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