Kia will celebrate the world premiere of an enhanced Kia Rio at the 2014 Paris Motor Show on 2 October, featuring a number of improvements to maintain the competitiveness of its global best-selling car.

Enhanced Kia Rio set for Paris Show world premiere

• Enhanced Kia Rio to be unveiled at 2014 Paris Motor Show
• B-segment Kia’s makeover gives exterior and cabin a fresh appearance
• Enhanced Rio range on sale in Europe from early 2015

Frankfurt, 29 September 2014 – Kia will celebrate the world premiere of an enhanced Kia Rio at the 2014 Paris Motor Show on 2 October, featuring a number of improvements to maintain the competitiveness of its global best-selling car.

“The Kia Rio was our best-selling vehicle nameplate worldwide in 2013, with a total of 471,000 sales, and among our top-three sellers here in Europe with 56,821 units delivered. Improvements to this model are of major significance for our brand,” commented Michael Cole, Chief Operating Officer, Kia Motors Europe.

“The immense popularity of the Rio shows that our designers and engineers got most things ‘right’ when creating the fourth-generation of our compact B-segment challenger in 2011. The Rio retains the core attributes that have proved so popular with owners, while enhancements to the 2014 model include a slight visual makeover, giving it a fresh exterior and interior look,” added Cole.

Under the direction of Peter Schreyer, President and Chief Design Officer of Kia Motors Corporation and Hyundai Motor Group, the Rio design team in Korea has updated the Rio’s ‘tiger-nose grille’ and given the car a newly-designed front bumper and fog lights. Three new alloy wheel designs (available in 15-, 16- and 17-inch) refresh the Rio’s profile and a new rear bumper completes the exterior makeover. In addition, two new paint finishes (Urban Blue and Digital Yellow) will be added to the colour line-up. 

The Rio’s cabin is brightened by the addition of chrome accents around the four dashboard air-vents, and the fitting of a newly-designed centre-stack around the audio system. Range-topping EX models have a new cloth trim as standard, while Kia is introducing the option of grey faux leather upholstery on this model.

New optional features for the 2015 Kia Rio will include a new DAB digital radio and a new generation of Kia’s AVN (audio-video navigation) system with a 7.0-inch display screen, improved processing speed and faster route calculation (availability of system depends on individual markets). 

Depending on individual markets, the enhanced Rio will be offered in Europe with a choice of up to four highly efficient engines – ranging in power output from 75 to 109 ps – driving the front wheels via five- or six-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmissions.

Every engine in the enhanced Rio range is available with Kia’s optional second-generation fuel-stretching Start/Stop (ISG) technology (automatic start-stop, advanced alternator control and an upgraded starter motor, as well as the fitment of low-rolling resistance tyres).

The Kia Rio hatchback is manufactured for Europe at Kia’s Sohari plant in Korea. The enhanced Kia Rio is expected to go on sale across Europe early in 2015, with country-by-country availability to be decided locally.


About Kia Motors Europe
Kia Motors Europe is the European sales, marketing and service arm of the Kia Motors Corporation. With its headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany, it covers 30 markets in Europe.

About Kia Motors Corporation 
Kia Motors Corporation (www.kia.com) – a maker of quality vehicles for the young-at-heart – was founded in 1944 and is Korea's oldest manufacturer of motor vehicles. Over 2.7 million Kia vehicles a year are produced in 10 manufacturing and assembly operations in five countries which are then sold and serviced through a network of distributors and dealers covering around 150 countries. Kia today has around 48,000 employees worldwide and annual revenues of over US$43 billion. It is the major sponsor of the Australian Open and an official automotive partner of FIFA – the governing body of the FIFA World Cup™. Kia Motors Corporation's brand slogan – "The Power to Surprise" – represents the company's global commitment to surprise the world by providing exciting and inspiring experiences that go beyond expectations.

Enhanced Kia Venga to be revealed at Paris Show

• Refreshed look for upgraded 2015 Kia Venga on car’s fifth anniversary
• Compact MPV has a new face and more sophisticated cabin
• New options include integrated 7.0-inch navigation display screen
• Enhanced Venga on sale in Europe from early 2015

Frankfurt, 29 September 2014 – Five years after launching the Kia Venga, Kia will reveal an enhanced version of its popular compact MPV at the 2014 Paris Motor Show on 2 October. The refreshed model features a new-look front and rear, a more sophisticated cabin, new alloy wheels and an expanded range of options.

“On its introduction in 2009, the Kia Venga brought stylish good looks to what was, at that time, an otherwise-unremarkable vehicle segment. As well as winning prestigious design awards, the Venga also ensured that rewarding, fun-to-drive motoring was available to drivers whose lifestyles demand a compact MPV,” commented Michael Cole, Chief Operating Officer, Kia Motors Europe. 

“The 2015 Kia Venga continues to offer all the practicality, versatility and reliability that European buyers expect, but a mildly refreshed appearance will boost the appeal of our compact MPV in the years ahead,” added Cole. 

Kia’s European design team, based in Frankfurt, has given the Venga a larger ‘tiger-nose grille’ with a separate, repositioned Kia badge, and a restyled lower grille with combined fog lights and LED daytime running lights. At the rear, horizontal chrome trim joins the new rear light clusters, which also feature LED bulbs. New designs of the larger (16- and 17-inch) alloy wheels are also available.

Inside, the enhanced Venga is fitted with darker metal trim with bright accents and a choice of two new seat trims to raise the quality of the cabin, plus a new centre-stack fascia. New options include a heated steering wheel for colder mornings and the new generation of Kia’s AVN (audio-video navigation) system with a 7.0-inch display screen, rear-view camera, improved processing speed and faster route calculation (availability of system depends on individual markets)

The 4-metre long upgraded Venga retains the original model’s unusually long wheelbase for its class (2,615 mm) and its 1,600 mm high roofline to maximise cabin space. Skilful packaging also ensures that the Venga delivers levels of interior space typical of many larger C-segment vehicles, but within a B-segment footprint. Every Venga is equipped with a 130 mm sliding 60/40 split-fold rear seat, which also folds flat into the floor to create a versatile and spacious cargo bay.

Depending on individual markets, the 2015 Venga will be offered with a choice of up to six 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre gasoline and diesel engines, generating between 77 and 128 ps, driving the front wheels via five- or six-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmissions. 

Every engine in the Venga line-up is available with Kia’s fuel-stretching Start/Stop (ISG) technology and complies with Euro 5 emission standards. ISG equipped models have a CO2 rating from just 114 g/km (models equipped with the 1.4-litre U2 diesel engine). 

Designed, engineered and manufactured in Europe for European consumers, the stylish and genuinely spacious Kia Venga, has proven to be a strong seller for the Korean brand since its introduction in late 2009, recording sales of more than 150,000 units so far and 29,000 units sold to European buyers in 2013. 

Manufactured exclusively at Kia’s Žilina plant in Slovakia, the upgraded Venga is expected to go on sale across Europe in early 2015, with local availability to be decided by individual markets.


About Kia Motors Europe
Kia Motors Europe is the European sales, marketing and service arm of the Kia Motors Corporation. With its headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany, it covers 30 markets in Europe.

About Kia Motors Corporation 
Kia Motors Corporation (www.kia.com) – a maker of quality vehicles for the young-at-heart – was founded in 1944 and is Korea's oldest manufacturer of motor vehicles. Over 2.7 million Kia vehicles a year are produced in 10 manufacturing and assembly operations in five countries which are then sold and serviced through a network of distributors and dealers covering around 150 countries. Kia today has around 48,000 employees worldwide and annual revenues of over US$43 billion. It is the major sponsor of the Australian Open and an official automotive partner of FIFA – the governing body of the FIFA World Cup™. Kia Motors Corporation's brand slogan – "The Power to Surprise" – represents the company's global commitment to surprise the world by providing exciting and inspiring experiences that go beyond expectations.

Kia to launch full virtual tour of Paris Motor Show stand

• Online Kia Virtual Tour for 23-car Kia motor show stand
• Google View shows exterior and interior of Kia’s latest models
• Kia Virtual Tour displays general information for each car
• Kia to launch new Sorento at Paris show

Frankfurt, 29 September 2014 – Kia fans will have the chance to experience the brand’s all-new Sorento and the full range of Kia models remotely, with a virtual tour of Kia’s 72 metre-long Paris motor show stand due to go live on 9 October.

The Kia Virtual Tour will be the first ever created by a car manufacturer, and will be visible on the Google Maps community site, ‘Views’, where users publish their photos and panoramas.

The virtual tour of the Paris show stand will let users navigate around the 23 Kia cars on display at the Porte de Versailles exhibition centre, and even take a closer look inside each of the cars.

Users will have information on each car at their disposal as they tour the display, with key features just a click away. Content will be translated for the majority of Kia’s most popular European markets, and images and descriptions of the cars will be instantly shareable by users via social media sites.

The new Kia Sorento SUV will make its European premiere at the Paris Motor Show, and this will be the first chance that media and consumers alike will get to see the car. For those unable to attend the show, a full 360° overview of the cars exterior and interior will be available online via the Google View function.

Kia is also exhibiting its innovative new diesel-electric hybrid powertrain technology, demonstrated for the first time in the handsome Kia Optima T-Hybrid sedan show car.

Artur Martins, Vice President, Marketing, Kia Motors Europe, commented: “Motor shows are some of the most important events in our calendar for introducing our latest models to media and the general public, and the virtual tour will open up our incredible Paris motor show stand to even greater numbers.

“Paris is the first place in Europe that people will get to see the new Kia Sorento, but this time even those unable to attend the event will be able to get a first impression of the car and Kia’s entire range of new and innovative products,” added Martins.

The show will be open to the public on 4 October, and the Kia Virtual Tour will be available from 9 October – visit the Kia show stand here: www.kia.com/eu/parismotorshow


About Kia Motors Europe
Kia Motors Europe is the European sales, marketing and service arm of the Kia Motors Corporation. With its headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany, it covers 30 markets in Europe.

About Kia Motors Corporation 
Kia Motors Corporation (www.kia.com) – a maker of quality vehicles for the young-at-heart – was founded in 1944 and is Korea's oldest manufacturer of motor vehicles. Over 2.7 million Kia vehicles a year are produced in 10 manufacturing and assembly operations in five countries which are then sold and serviced through a network of distributors and dealers covering around 150 countries. Kia today has around 48,000 employees worldwide and annual revenues of over US$43 billion. It is the major sponsor of the Australian Open and an official automotive partner of FIFA – the governing body of the FIFA World Cup™. Kia Motors Corporation's brand slogan – "The Power to Surprise" – represents the company's global commitment to surprise the world by providing exciting and inspiring experiences that go beyond expectations.

Third-generation Kia Sorento set for European premiere at Paris Motor Show 2014

• European premiere on 2 October at Paris Motor Show
• Sophisticated new design for third-generation Kia Sorento SUV
• All-new bodyshell improves ride, handling and crash safety
• Improvements to NVH and a step-change in interior quality and design
• Range of three improved gasoline and diesel engines for Europe

Frankfurt, 29 September 2014 – The all-new Kia Sorento will make its European premiere in Paris on 2 October, exhibiting a unique blend of style, practicality and technology, which builds on the success of the outgoing model. The new’s SUV’s smoother, swept-back profile and deeply sculpted surfaces introduce a higher level of sophistication for the third-generation model, delivering a premium look and feel, with more space and numerous innovative features. 

The designers of the third generation Kia Sorento named their inspiration for the new car as ‘Streetwolf’. Although the styling changes are evolutionary, they subtly alter the character of the new Sorento, highlighting its sleek, sinuous, profile, while creating a sophisticated appearance and ensuring the new model has a bolder on-the-road presence.

The front of the new Sorento incorporates long, wrap-around headlamps and more prominent fog-lamps, as well as a larger, more upright ‘tiger-nose’ grille, with a distinctive three-dimensional diamond pattern, first featured on the 2013 Kia Cross GT concept. 

In profile, the new model retains the Sorento’s hallmark long bonnet and characteristic wide D-pillar, but a lower roofline, higher beltline and swept-back shape give the car a more dramatic, muscular stance.

The rear of the car features more prominent ‘shoulders’ and a highly sculpted registration plate surround. The latter is made possible by the introduction of new laser welding manufacturing techniques – a first for a Kia model – which renders weld lines invisible, meaning the Sorento can do without the traditional (joint-masking) garnish on the tailgate.

The sleeker look of the new Sorento is enhanced by its increased length (+95 mm to 4,780 mm)*, reduced height (down 15 mm to 1,685 mm) and extra width (+5 mm to 1,890 mm). 

The exterior styling of the new car was led by Kia’s Namyang design studio in Korea, with significant input from the brand’s Frankfurt, Germany and Irvine, California design studios.

‘Modern and wide’ theme for interior styling 
Inside the all-new Sorento is where some of the most significant improvements are to be found. Interior styling was led by the brand’s European design team, based in Frankfurt, and Kia’s designers have created a more sophisticated, more luxurious cabin, featuring significantly higher quality materials. 

The styling of the cabin follows a ‘modern and wide’ theme, providing the interior with a stable, horizontal layout and appearance. This width is echoed in the wider instrument cluster, interior garnish and the wrap-around shape of the dashboard which extends into the door trims. A higher proportion of soft-touch materials and leather creates a modern luxury feel to the cabin and gives the new Sorento a genuine premium vehicle ambience. 

One of the most distinctive interior styling features is the Swiss watch-inspired user interface, which incorporates Kia’s latest HMI (human-machine interface) technologies, surrounded by new silver-look border. 

The flowing contours of the dashboard rise to incorporate the driver’s instrument binnacle, while the smoothly-styled design curve in the doors, which leads from the audio speakers up to the SUV-style grab handles, also endows the cabin with a more luxurious, sophisticated appearance. 

Customers will be able to specify the interior in either single-tone (black) or two-tone (black and stone beige) colour schemes with cloth or leather trim. Additionally, brown or light gray colour schemes in leather trim will be offered as an option. 

Comfort, convenience and new technologies
Compared to the previous-generation model, the increased exterior dimensions and the extended wheelbase (+80 mm to 2,780 mm) have liberated additional space in the cabin of the new car. 

Although the roofline is 15 mm lower, repositioned seat cushions ensure increased headroom for occupants in all three rows, who will also enjoy greater legroom. Cargo space also increases, with a longer cargo bay floor (up by 87 mm), and capacity with the third row seats folded flat up 17.5 percent, from 515 to 605 litres (VDA). The new Sorento also features a new under-floor tonneau cover storage compartment. 

Available in 5- or 7-seat versions, the new Sorento features 40/20/40 second row split folding for improved versatility, with a higher folding centre armrest. The second row seats of the 7-seat version are equipped with ‘remote folding’ controlled by two levers in the side of the cargo bay, and also slide to allow easier entry and exit to the third row of seats.

The new Sorento debuts a number of new, advanced on-board technologies to improve convenience and further enhance the ownership experience. Depending on market, new available features will include: an Around-View Monitor, with four cameras helping the driver to manoeuvre when parking by displaying a birds-eye view of the vehicle on the dashboard display screen, and a Smart Power Tailgate. This system opens the tailgate automatically when the key is ‘sensed’ in close proximity to the trunk, so owners can slide their shopping bags or heavy objects straight into the vehicle. 

Enhanced refinement 
Throughout the development of the new Sorento, Kia engineers also focused on strengthening the bodyshell structure and improving NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) characteristics to increase refinement and create a tranquil travelling environment that is as sophisticated as the new model’s styling. 

The increased torsional rigidity of the new bodyshell (up by 14 percent compared to the outgoing model) provides an excellent foundation for both enhanced refinement and improved safety.

NVH-reducing measures adopted for the new Sorento include new soundproofing material for the transmission tunnel, a 29 percent thicker dashboard soundproofing panel (increased from 0.7 mm to 0.9 mm), larger engine and transmission mounts for greater powertrain refinement and, for diesel models, a new DPF cover and an acoustic shield integrated into the engine’s timing chain cover. Cabin noise is reduced by 3-to-6 percent, depending on driving conditions. 

Improved powertrains, ride and handling 
To match consumers’ rising expectations, Kia engineers worked to improve every aspect of the new Sorento’s driving experience, creating upgrades for the engines, steering and suspension.

Three engines are available with the new Sorento, offering power outputs ranging from 185 to 200 ps. These include a 2.4-litre gasoline direct injection (GDI) unit, and two turbo-diesel engines, in 2.0-litre and 2.2-litre capacities, which are expected to account for the majority of European sales.

When developing the new Sorento, a key focus for the Kia chassis engineering team was achieving improvements in ride comfort, high-speed stability and handling response to match the leaps forward in interior quality and NVH. 

The fully-independent suspension retains the format of the outgoing model (MacPherson struts at the front and Kia’s multi-link system at the rear), but features a range of modifications. At the rear, the subframe supporting the suspension has larger bushings to better isolate it from the cabin and the larger shock absorbers are now mounted vertically behind the axle line, improving body control motion. 

These changes, together with the longer wheelbase, deliver a more compliant ride, with a more progressive response to bumps in the road, making the new Sorento a very comfortable place in which to spend time on longer journeys. 

At the front, an all-new electric motor-driven power steering system (R-MDPS), available as standard across Europe, is mounted directly onto the steering rack – rather than the steering column as on the outgoing model. This provides greater steering feel and quicker response, ensuring that new Sorento will be among the more agile and sporty vehicles in its segment, without sacrificing the ride quality that customers expect from a luxurious SUV. 

Better passive and active safety
The structure of the new Sorento is significantly stronger, thanks in large part to the more widespread use of ultra-high tensile steel. The previous-generation model was made up of 24.4 percent ultra-high tensile steel (UHTS), while the bodyshell of the new model consists of 52.7 percent UHTS, aiding the integrity of the car’s core structure in the event of an impact and also improving torsional rigidity. The stronger steel has been used to reinforce the wheel arches, tailgate surround and rear-wheel surround.

The new Sorento also features more than twice as much ultra-strong hot-stamped steel as the outgoing model, up from 4.1 percent to 10.1 percent in the new model, greatly strengthening the A- and B-pillars. 

Buyers of the new Sorento will be able to choose from a wealth of ‘active’ safety technologies – depending on market. Available systems will include: ASCC (Adaptive Smart Cruise Control); LDWS (Lane Departure Warning System), which emits an audible alert when the driver strays from the chosen lane without using indicators;; BSD (Blind-Spot Detection), with a visual warning in the door mirror when another car is in the driver’s blind spot; RCTA (Rear Cross-Traffic Alert), which warns against other cars driving behind the Sorento in car parks; and SLIF (Speed Limit Information Function), which displays the speed limit in the driver’s instrument cluster based on cameras detecting roadside signs.


Editor’s notes
* Vehicle length dimensions are for the European specification model.

About Kia Motors Europe
Kia Motors Europe is the European sales, marketing and service arm of the Kia Motors Corporation. With its headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany, it covers 30 markets in Europe.

About Kia Motors Corporation 
Kia Motors Corporation (www.kia.com) – a maker of quality vehicles for the young-at-heart – was founded in 1944 and is Korea's oldest manufacturer of motor vehicles. Over 2.7 million Kia vehicles a year are produced in 10 manufacturing and assembly operations in five countries which are then sold and serviced through a network of distributors and dealers covering around 150 countries. Kia today has around 48,000 employees worldwide and annual revenues of over US$43 billion. It is the major sponsor of the Australian Open and an official automotive partner of FIFA – the governing body of the FIFA World Cup™. Kia Motors Corporation's brand slogan – "The Power to Surprise" – represents the company's global commitment to surprise the world by providing exciting and inspiring experiences that go beyond expectations.

Kia to showcase diesel-electric Kia Optima T-Hybrid at Paris

• More power and lower emissions for Kia Optima mild hybrid show car
  
• Innovative new powertrain pairs 1.7-litre CRDi turbo-diesel engine with 48V lead-carbon battery, small electric motor and an electric supercharger
  
• Kia Optima T-Hybrid concept previews new powertrain technology ahead of future mass production

Frankfurt, 29 September 2014 – Kia will reveal the new Kia Optima mild hybrid show car at the 2014 Paris Motor Show on 2 October, the first application and demonstration of the brand’s innovative new mild hybrid powertrain.

The Kia Optima T-Hybrid (turbo hybrid) concept is powered by the model’s existing 1.7-litre CRDi turbo-diesel engine, paired with a small electric motor, powered by a 48V lead-carbon battery. The diesel-electric powertrain concept, which was previewed at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, enables the Optima T-Hybrid show car to be driven in electric-only mode at low speeds and when cruising, with deceleration serving to recharge the battery pack.

Lead-carbon batteries were chosen for the mild hybrid powertrain as, unlike lithium-ion batteries, they require no active cooling and are easier to recycle at the end of the unit’s lifecycle.

The vehicle features a zero-emissions stop-start system, and a new belt-driven starter generator replaces the conventional alternator, meaning the engine can restart with almost no noise or vibration. Installing the powertrain in the Optima sedan has enabled engineers to fit a smaller vehicle battery and starter motor, enhancing weight distribution and handling.

The system also allows the installation of an innovative electric supercharger for the CRDi engine, in addition to the conventional turbocharger, providing improved power and torque at all engine speeds. The electric supercharger in particular helps to boost torque and engine response at low engine speeds.

Still under development, no specific performance or fuel economy figures are confirmed for the powertrain or its application in the Optima T-Hybrid show car. However, Kia’s engineers are targeting a significant reduction in CO2 tailpipe emissions and fuel consumption and a power increase of between 15 to 20 percent for any model which could be equipped with the new powertrain. Currently, the Optima’s 136ps 1.7-litre engine produces CO2 emissions of 128 g/km (when fitted with ISG stop-start).

“In future, our mild hybrid powertrain could offer Kia customers greater performance and lower running costs, without sacrificing the qualities they expect of a Kia car – enjoyable handling, a comfortable ride and high quality. Demonstrated for the first time in the Optima T-Hybrid, the technology will lower the total cost of ownership of our cars, yet still keep them affordable as an outright purchase for customers,” commented Michael Cole, Chief Operating Officer, Kia Motors Europe.

“The new mild hybrid system is our flagship technology for improving the efficiency of our internal combustion-powered models. In future, technology such as this will help Kia further reduce fleet emissions in Europe,” added Cole. 

While under development, no plans have been confirmed yet for mass production of the Kia Optima T-Hybrid show car. The T-Hybrid powertrain remains under consideration for new Kia models in the future.


About Kia Motors Europe
Kia Motors Europe is the European sales, marketing and service arm of the Kia Motors Corporation. With its headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany, it covers 30 markets in Europe.

About Kia Motors Corporation 
Kia Motors Corporation (www.kia.com) – a maker of quality vehicles for the young-at-heart – was founded in 1944 and is Korea's oldest manufacturer of motor vehicles. Over 2.7 million Kia vehicles a year are produced in 10 manufacturing and assembly operations in five countries which are then sold and serviced through a network of distributors and dealers covering around 150 countries. Kia today has around 48,000 employees worldwide and annual revenues of over US$43 billion. It is the major sponsor of the Australian Open and an official automotive partner of FIFA – the governing body of the FIFA World Cup™. Kia Motors Corporation's brand slogan – "The Power to Surprise" – represents the company's global commitment to surprise the world by providing exciting and inspiring experiences that go beyond expectations.


 
KIA OPTIMA T-HYBRID SHOW CAR – TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION 

Body and chassis 
Four-door, five -seater sedan, with all-steel unitary construction bodyshell. Diesel four-cylinder engine, paired with electric motor and electric supercharger, driving the front wheels via a six-speed manual transmission.

Powertrain
1.7-litre / 170 ps CRDi diesel engine with 48 V electric motor and electric supercharger
Type	Four cylinder in-line
Capacity	1.7-litres, 1,685 cc
Bore x stroke	77.2 x 90.0
Compression ratio	17.0:1
Total power	170 ps (125 kW) @ 4,000 rpm
Total torque	380 Nm (280 lb ft) @ 1,500 rpm
Battery and electric motor
Battery type	Lead carbon
Voltage	48 V
Energy	0.96 kWh
Max power (motor)	15 ps (11 kW)
Max torque	55 Nm (41 lb ft)
Battery weight	31 kg
Motor weight	10.8 kg
Electric supercharger
Voltage	48 V
Max power (shaft)	> 8 ps (> 6 kW)
Response time	< 0.25 secs
Max speed	70,000 rpm
Weight	4 kg
Transmission
Six-speed manual
Performance
	1.7 CRDi T-Hybrid	1.7 CRDi ISG
Top speed (kph)	220	202
0-to-100 kph (sec)	9.0	10.2
Fuel economy (litres / 100 km)
	1.7 CRDi T-Hybrid	1.7 CRDi ISG
Combined	4.2	4.9
CO2 (g/km)	< 99	128

Kia to launch new Sorento and enhanced Rio and Venga at 2014 Paris Motor Show

• European debut for sophisticated third-generation Kia Sorento
• Enhanced Kia Rio and Venga on display for the first time
• New Kia Optima T-Hybrid show car demonstrates capabilities of innovative new mild hybrid powertrain

Frankfurt, 18 September 2014 – The all-new Kia Sorento will make its European debut at the 2014 Mondial de l’Automobile in Paris on 2 October, alongside enhanced versions of Kia’s bestselling B-segment models, the Rio and Venga. These models will be joined on the stand by the new Kia Optima T-Hybrid concept, the first demonstration of Kia’s new fuel-saving diesel-electric mild hybrid technology.

Building on the success of the outgoing model with a unique blend of style, practicality and technology, the all-new Kia Sorento SUV introduces a higher level of sophistication with a distinctive new design, premium interior and even greater practicality. The new Sorento takes a number of styling cues from the 2013 Kia Cross GT concept, such as the more upright ‘tiger-nose’ grille, wrap-around headlamps and a more swept-back profile.

Underneath the new Sorento’s sleeker profile and deeply sculpted surfaces, the third-generation of the car offers occupants a more luxurious cabin with significantly higher quality materials. Depending on market, the Sorento will offer a range of advanced on-board technologies to improve convenience, such as an Around-View Monitor, with four cameras helping the driver to manoeuvre when parking, and a Smart Power Tailgate.

Longer, wider and lower than the second-generation Sorento, and with an extended wheelbase, the new model maximises cabin space and practicality. Cargo space is increased to 605 litres (VDA) and both five- and seven-seat variants are available.

The new Sorento will benefit from more accomplished ride and handling and a higher level of refinement and safety thanks to a stronger bodyshell structure, enhancements to the suspension and steering, improved NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) characteristics, and the longer wheelbase. 

For European buyers three engines will be available with the new Sorento: a 2.4-litre gasoline direct injection (GDI) unit, and a choice of two turbo-diesel engines, in 2.2-litre and 2.0-litre capacities, with the diesel engines to account for the majority of sales.

The new Sorento goes into production later this year and will be on sale across Europe in the first half of 2015.

As well as a new version of Kia’s largest vehicle, the 2014 Paris Motor Show also marks the next chapter for the brand’s global bestseller, the enhanced Kia Rio. Around the world, the Rio is Kia’s best-selling vehicle nameplate, with 471,000 sold in 2013, and the B-segment car sits among the brand’s top-three sellers in Europe with 56,821 units sold last year.

The 2015 Kia Rio receives a slight visual makeover, with a fresh exterior and interior look, while retaining the core attributes that have proved so popular with owners.

The enhanced Rio receives a newly-designed front bumper and fog lights, and an updated version of the brand’s hallmark ‘tiger-nose’ grille. Three new alloy wheel designs, available in 15-, 16- and 17-inch diameters, refresh the Rio’s profile and a new rear bumper completes the exterior makeover. Two new paint finishes, Urban Blue and Digital Yellow, will also be added to the colour line-up.

The Rio’s cabin is brightened by the addition of new chrome accents and a new centre-stack audio system. New optional features for the 2015 Kia Rio will include a new DAB digital radio and a new generation of Kia’s AVN (audio-video navigation) system with a 7.0-inch display screen, improved processing speed and faster route calculation (availability of system depends on individual markets). 

The enhanced Rio will be offered in Europe with a choice of up to four highly efficient engines – ranging in power output from 75 to 109 ps – driving the front wheels via five- or six-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmissions. Every engine in the enhanced Rio range is available with Kia’s optional second-generation fuel-stretching Start/Stop (ISG) technologies.

The Kia Rio hatchback is manufactured for Europe at Kia’s Sohari plant in Korea. The enhanced Kia Rio is expected to go on sale across Europe early in 2015.

Five years after its launch, Kia will reveal an enhanced Kia Venga in Paris. The brand’s popular compact MPV is designed, engineered and manufactured in Europe for European consumers, and has proven to be a strong seller for Kia, recording sales of more than 150,000 units since 2009, with 29,000 units sold to European buyers in 2013.

The enhanced Venga continues to offer the practicality, versatility and reliability expected by European motorists, but now features a new-look front and rear, a more sophisticated cabin, new alloy wheels and an expanded range of options.

Kia’s European design team, based in Frankfurt, has given the Venga a larger ‘tiger-nose grille’ with a separate, repositioned Kia badge, and a restyled lower grille with combined fog lights and LED daytime running lights. At the rear, horizontal chrome trim joins the new rear light clusters, which also feature LED bulbs. New designs of the larger (16- and 17-inch) alloy wheels are also available.

Inside, the upgraded Venga is fitted with darker metal trim with bright accents to raise the quality of the cabin, a new centre-stack and audio system, plus the option of a heated steering wheel for colder mornings and Kia’s new-generation AVN system with 7.0-inch display screen.

The upgraded Venga will continue to be offered with a choice of up to seven 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre gasoline and diesel engines, generating between 77 and 128 ps, driving the front wheels via five- or six-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmissions. 

Manufactured exclusively at Kia’s Žilina plant in Slovakia, the upgraded Venga is expected to go on sale across Europe early in 2015.

Exhibited earlier in the year at the Geneva Motor Show, Kia will display the first practical application of its innovative new mild hybrid powertrain, developed by the brand’s European R&D centre for use in future Kia models. Created as a one-off show car, the Kia Optima T-Hybrid (turbo hybrid) is the first application and demonstration of Kia’s new mild hybrid powertrain.

The T-Hybrid concept is powered by the model’s existing 1.7-litre CRDi turbo-diesel engine, paired with a small electric motor, powered by a 48V lead-carbon battery pack. The new powertrain enables the Optima T-Hybrid show car to be driven in electric-only mode at low speeds and when cruising, with deceleration serving to recharge the battery pack.

Lead-carbon batteries were chosen for Kia’s mild hybrid powertrain as, unlike lithium-ion batteries, they require no active cooling and are easier to recycle at the end of the unit’s lifecycle.

The vehicle features a zero-emissions stop-start system, and a new belt-driven starter generator replaces the conventional alternator, meaning the engine can restart with almost no noise or vibration. Installing the powertrain in the Optima sedan has enabled engineers to fit a smaller vehicle battery and starter motor, enhancing weight distribution and handling.

The system also allows the installation of an innovative electric supercharger for the CRDi engine, in addition to the conventional turbocharger, which helps to boost torque and engine response at low engine speeds.

The new T-Hybrid powertrain will offer Kia customers greater performance and lower running costs, yet still ensure that any Kia model fitted with this technology remains affordable as an outright purchase.

Still under development, no specific performance or fuel economy figures are confirmed for the new powertrain or its application in the Optima T-Hybrid show car. However, Kia’s engineers are targeting a significant reduction in CO2 tailpipe emissions and a power increase of between 15 to 20 percent for any model which could be equipped with the new powertrain. Currently, the Optima’s 136 ps 1.7-litre diesel engine produces CO2 emissions of 128 g/km (when fitted with ISG stop-start and a manual transmission).

No plans have been confirmed yet for mass production of the Kia Optima T-Hybrid show car. The T-Hybrid powertrain remains under consideration for new Kia models in the future .


About Kia Motors Europe
Kia Motors Europe is the European sales, marketing and service arm of the Kia Motors Corporation. With its headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany, it covers 30 markets in Europe.

About Kia Motors Corporation 
Kia Motors Corporation (www.kia.com) – a maker of quality vehicles for the young-at-heart – was founded in 1944 and is Korea's oldest manufacturer of motor vehicles. Over 2.7 million Kia vehicles a year are produced in 10 manufacturing and assembly operations in five countries which are then sold and serviced through a network of distributors and dealers covering around 150 countries. Kia today has around 48,000 employees worldwide and annual revenues of over US$43 billion. It is the major sponsor of the Australian Open and an official automotive partner of FIFA – the governing body of the FIFA World Cup™. Kia Motors Corporation's brand slogan – "The Power to Surprise" – represents the company's global commitment to surprise the world by providing exciting and inspiring experiences that go beyond expectations.