Rendered Speculation: Kia's big VG

So the Kia VG mule that has kept spy photographers busy the last few weeks has now been given a computer animated face and body. It's a nice looking ride, though has a surprising amount in common with the Hyundai Genesis... which means we also see, well, a lot of other cars in it. But that's not a bad thing, really, because the result is a tasty little creation, especially coming from Kia. The lines are a touch more forceful than those on the Genesis, which goes along with Kia being the sporting brand, or so they say. If the final version looks even close to this rendering, and they give it performance to match... well, then Kia will have taken a giant leap forward. Thanks for the tip, miha!

Top Gear USA: Howie Mandel, Melanie B to flog Kia Rio

What would Top Gear be without a star in a reasonably priced car? Well... better, for one thing. But that hasn't stopped NBC from porting over the red-headed step-child of Top Gear segments to the imported version of the show. According to Jalopnik, during tomorrow's taping, B-listers C-listers D-listers Howie Mandel and Melanie B (former Spice Girl) will be piloting the U.S.'s own version of a reasonably-priced car – a Kia Rio – around the newly minted Top Gear test track. What can we expect? Nothing good, we thinks. Nor does it bode well that both pseudo-celebs are part of the NBC franchise. Depressed? We thought so. But the taping is tomorrow, so we'll try to remain upbeat until the first reports from inside the studio surface.

Kia Forte specs released: 33 mpg gas 39 mpg diesel

Kia has released the specifications for the new Forte, the Korean marque's new compact sedan. While the car is slightly larger the current Spectra (wider by 65 mm and 25 mm longer), the announced specs manage to reduce fuel consumption.

In its home market in South Korea, the Forte will have two powertrains available, one gasoline and one diesel, spotting the same engine size, 1.6 liters. The gasoline version will have 124 HP and produces 159 lb/ft of torque. Mated to the automatic transmission, it will provide 33 mpg or 7.1 l/100 km, which improves the Hyundai Elantra's fuel economy (a close corporate relative) by 15 percent. Regarding diesel, the engine has 128 HP and will reach mileage of 39 mpg (or 6.1 l/100 km). A 2.0 liter will follow on directly, and may be the only engine we get in the US when the Forte arrives on North American highways and byways in 2009.

USA: Kia Soul to appear "disguised" during Vans Warped Tour

Kia announced that it will display a disguised pre-production Soul at the 2008 Vans Warped Tour this summer. As part of an exclusive vehicle sponsorship between the automaker and the group, the specially-designed Soul will make appearances at the "Soul Lounge" in every 46 tour stops.

The Soul will be be adorned with camouflage masks at the front and rear, portraying the signature Vans' checkerboard pattern. Special red-spoked wheels and red mirrors highlight the various embellishments added onto the car. Darkened windows will ensure the interior will be kept unseen from prying eyes until the Soul makes its official unveiling at the Paris Motor Show this September.

Kia stated in its press release that the Soul will go on sale in spring 2009. The Soul's primary rival will be the Scion xB and the upcoming Nissan Cube.

Spied: 2010 Kia Forte caught testing in US

Leftlane
has posted several spyshots of the Kia Forte/Spectra undergoing testing
in the U.S. for the first time. This indicates that it is entering the
final stages of its testing. Designed by Peter Schreyer - the genius
who also penned the Audi TT MKI and the Volkswagen New Beetle - the
Forte will replace the Spectra later this year.

Speculations
point to the Forte being nearly identical to the Hyundai Elantra in
features. The Forte is also expected to be propelled by the same 138
horsepower 2.0L Beta 4-cylinder engine. However, we might see a higher
horsepower rating in the Forte as Kia pursues to differentiate itself
from Hyundai. Unlike the current generation Spectra, the Forte will
only be available in a four-door guise initially. The KOUP Concept acts
as the precursor to a possible two-door variant in the near future.

The
Korean-market Forte will be officially unveiled on August 21st,
according to Kia. The USDM Forte is slated to debut later in the year,
with sales following early 2009. Head to Leftlane by clicking the
source to view the images in full glory.

Thailand: Strong demand for Kia K2900 light truck

Yontrakit
Kia Motor Co. of Thailand has increased its sales targets for the Kia
K2900 light truck due to strong demand. In the face of escalating
diesel prices, the K2900 has become popular due to its price and
payload capacity.

The Kia K2900 was received well at the
Bangkok International Motor Show. Thus, it prompted Yontrakit Kia to
raise its sales targets for the vehicle from 800 units to 1200 units.
Yontrakit Kia has urged the automaker to increase production of the
K2900 - assembled in South Korea - to meet demand. So far, 500 units
have been delivered.

The Kia K2900 is powered by a 125
horsepower 2.9-liter turbocharged common rail diesel engine. It is
priced at 632 000 baht (USD$18 832).

USA: Kia plans to add more small cars

Bloomberg
has reported that Kia Motors is planning to add more compact cars into
its U.S. lineup, as gas prices have been steadily escalating in the
recent months.

"We'll have more small cars. We have an advantage
in small cars," Chung Eui-Sun, president of Kia Motors, stated at the
grand opening ceremony of the automaker's new U.S. headquarters in
Irvine, California. This move came as demand for sport-utility vehicles
and trucks has seen plunges as of late.

Spied: 2010 Kia Forte caught testing in US

Leftlane
has posted several spyshots of the Kia Forte/Spectra undergoing testing
in the U.S. for the first time. This indicates that it is entering the
final stages of its testing. Designed by Peter Schreyer - the genius
who also penned the Audi TT MKI and the Volkswagen New Beetle - the
Forte will replace the Spectra later this year.

Speculations
point to the Forte being nearly identical to the Hyundai Elantra in
features. The Forte is also expected to be propelled by the same 138
horsepower 2.0L Beta 4-cylinder engine. However, we might see a higher
horsepower rating in the Forte as Kia pursues to differentiate itself
from Hyundai. Unlike the current generation Spectra, the Forte will
only be available in a four-door guise initially. The KOUP Concept acts
as the precursor to a possible two-door variant in the near future.

The
Korean-market Forte will be officially unveiled on August 21st,
according to Kia. The USDM Forte is slated to debut later in the year,
with sales following early 2009. Head to Leftlane by clicking the
source to view the images in full glory.

Fuel sipping station wagons sold in Europe

Do you have a small family and a dog? For many Europeans in that or a similar situation, station wagons are the ride of choice, despite the SUV and minivan craze. Buying a station wagon often means that you're buying a fuel efficient vehicle which can carry lots of stuff, and some of these vehicles can even seat seven. The key to an fuel-saving family hauler is finding that elusive combination of being compact in size, roomy inside and fitted to a efficient powertrain. Compact minivans, SUVs and CUVs sometimes fit these qualifications, as we discussed when we posed a list of European fuel saving people carriers. That list included some station wagons that seat seven, and today's list expands on that and shows the 20 most fuel-efficient station wagons on sale in Europe. Don't think all of them are made by European automakers. Find the full list after the jump.

Madrid Motor Show: Kia eco_cee'd - 104g/km of CO2

At the Madrid Motor Show this week, Kia is showing off its latest entry in the low CO₂ derby with the eco_cee'd hatchback. With power coming from 1.6L diesel that automatically shuts off whenever the vehicle is not in motion, the oddly named eco_cee'd is claimed to improve the standard cee'ds 50mpg (U.S.) to 60.3mpg (U.S.). The new variant also goes from a 5 to 6 speed gearbox, adds low rolling resistance tires and the usual array of aero tweaks that get added to such low carbon specials. So far, this one is a concept but a production version is likely before long. The 104g/km CO₂ will appeal to drivers in the growing number of cities that are imposing emissions based taxes and congestion charges.

Kia looking to assemble vehicles in Georgia

Since Hyundai/Kia has dropped the idea of a pickup truck, Kia's new assembly plant in West Point, Georgia will instead turn out small cars. The first vehicle that will roll off the assembly lines in 2009 is Kia's Sorento, with body on frame construction well suited to a pickup. What doesn't seem primed for a pickup, however, is a softening market, so Kia has decided to redouble its efforts on small cars.

No details about the upcoming car were discussed, only that we should expect a Spectra-sized C-segment vehicle that may be shared with Hyundai. Hyundai CEO Kim Dong-Jin confessed to the organization losing its way slightly by slacking off on small, high volume cars and going after larger vehicles to bolster the brand images and offerings. A return to its roots will please dealers, and the Genesis Coupe will kick off a turbocharging frenzy at Kia, which will focus on small displacement forced induction engines.

Kia, Continental running diesel pro_cee'd on street rubber in 'Ring 24h

If you've been looking in on the live stream of the Nürburgring 24h race, you might spot the car above crossing your video window. It's basically a production-spec Kia pro_ceed (fitted with whatever safety features are required for race participation) powered by the stock 138 hp/225 lb-ft 2.0L diesel. The skinny on this one is that it was entered by Continental Tires' Italian division and will run the entire race on ContiSportContact 3 street tires. The team's goal is to complete the race while making as few tire changes as possible, after which Continental will likely talk about how awesome its tires are in advertising that points back to this particular effort. We'll try to remember to drop the Kia Europe people a line post-race to get the final tally on the number of tire changes they wind up going through.

2009 Kia Soul bares itself ahead of Paris

Kia has released the first official image of the production Soul. And that's pretty much it. The press release accompanying it is several paragraphs of filler that tells you exactly nothing of value, other than that the car keeps "it's" concept forebear's name and will be formally unveiled in October at the Paris Motor Show (which we knew). Kia also says that the Soul "defies classification," which is elaborate automaker code for, "it's a small crossover that's our answer to the Scion xB." Yes, but this is better-looking.