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The hatchback has evolved.
Introducing the all new Nissan Qashqai
With SUV inspired styling and an elevated driving platform the all new 2 litre Qashqai is an evolution in Nissan thinking. All models feature Cruise Control, MP3 auxiliary input and Bluetooth Hands Free Phone System as standard.
All this with excellent fuel economy and an impressive 5-star safety rating.
Contact Manawatu Nissan to test drive the all new Qashqai today –
Ph (06) 356 1814 email: sales@manawatunissan.co.nz
From $35,500, plus on road costs.
March 2010
Dynamic Kia Sportage Surges Out at Geneva
“Visually dynamic” is how top car designer Peter Schreyer described the 2011 Kia Sportage during the world premier of the new model at the Geneva Motor Show and, as this photo illustrates, he is not overstating his case.
The third generation Sportage carries the Kia design DNA to impressive new levels.
Developed under the direction of Schreyer, Kia’s German-based Chief Design Officer, the new Sportage has a distinctive European appeal and its styling is also more efficient, reducing the drag coefficient from 0.40 down to 0.37.
Redesigned from the ground up, the 2011 Sportage is longer, wider and lower than the current model, with body styling that underlines its position as an urban-friendly crossover, yet without losing the strong SUV lines that made Sportage popular with buyers around the world.
The range of petrol and diesel engines – including the new ‘R’ series diesel – are supported by the newly developed 6-speed automatic and manual transmissions, which promise to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions – down to as low as 138g/km. Among the latest technology that will be seen in the new Sportage is the fuel-stretching Start/Stop feature that turns off the engine when idling in jams or at traffic lights; all of which reflects Kia Motors’ support of the environment.
Safety is a prime feature with all new Kia cars and Sportage is no exception: the hill start and descent control systems found in Sorento R will be carried over to the AWD Sportage line up.
“The new Sportage has been designed with sophisticated European tastes in mind, which suggests that it will be ideally suited to the Euro-centric New Zealand market,” says Todd McDonald, General Manager, Kia Motors New Zealand.
“Kia used this formula with the new Sorento R, to great effect – demand has been extraordinarily high in our market and we expect the more dynamically styled Sportage to display similar potential. It has all the right ingredients; design, style, safety and the new R-series diesel engine, described as one of the best engines in the world.”
Mr McDonald says the latest information from the Korean factory indicates the new Kia Sportage will arrive in New Zealand in the second half of this year. No word on pricing yet, but it is expected to be “very competitive”.
9th February 2010
Kia Soul named finalist for 'World car of the year' and 'World
car design of the year'
Summary & Relevance The Kia Soul has been named as a finalist by the World Car Awards for the ‘World Car of the Year’ and ‘World Car design of the Year’ awards. The article discusses Kia’s design strategy highlighting that the automaker has made great strides in creating design-savvy vehicles. The article also highlights the Kia Soul safety record noting that it was recently recognized by the IIHS as a ‘Top Safety Pick’ in 2010
Full Text
The popular Kia Soul urban crossover vehicle has been named by the World Car Awards as a finalist for its prestigious 'World Car of the Year' and 'World Car Design of the Year' awards. Winners will be announced at the 2010 World Car Awards press conference on Thursday, 1 April at the New York International Auto Show. A jury of 59 distinguished international automotive journalists from 25 countries across the globe selected the top ten finalists for 'World Car of the Year' by secret ballot, based on their experience with each candidate as part of their professional work.
The jury members constitute a balance of representation from Asia, Europe, North America, South America, as well as other parts of the world. All hold significant stature within their own regions and countries. Meanwhile, Kia Soul was also selected as one of four finalists for the '2010 World Car Design of the Year' award. Cars eligible for the award are taken from the list of 30 'World Car of the Year' candidates nominated by the World Car jurors.
The World Car Design of the Year category, and the corresponding award, is meant to highlight new vehicles with innovation and style that push established boundaries. "Kia is honored to be recognized by the esteemed World Car jurors for our Soul crossover urban vehicle," said Soon-Nam Lee, Director of Overseas Marketing, Kia Motors Corporation.
"Since its introduction in early 2009, the Kia Soul has dramatically transformed perceptions of the Kia brand in many markets around the world. It appeals especially to the young, and the young-at-heart, and is a car that challenges consumers to rethink everything they know about Kia vehicles."
Along the way, the Soul has picked up more than 30 awards and accolades from influential motoring organizations and media outlets around the world, including the 'red dot' Design Award (honourable mention), 'Grooviest Interior' on the Ward's AutoWorld 'Interior of the Year' list, 'Top Recommended' vehicle for 2010 by Edmunds.com and Most Exciting Cars of 2010 by TIME.com.
In Australia, the Soul earned the 'Best Small/Medium $26-31K' category in the Wheels Gold Star Cars awards, Wheels magazine's annual rating of the best ownership propositions in the Australian car market. Wheels praised the funky Soul for its thrifty 1.6-litre turbo diesel engine, its unlimited kilometre five-year warranty, its 15,000km service intervals, its long list of standard safety features and its competitive insurance costs. With Soul, Kia has demonstrated that its products have 'stand-out' design qualities and an emotional appeal to consumers in addition to offering consumers class-leading safety features, value and options.
On the safety front, Kia Soul was recognized by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the U.S. and given a 2010 'Top Safety Pick' award in the Small Car category. Soul was also awarded a 5-Star safety rating (the maximum score) in the latest Euro NCAP crash test results. Soul's Euro NCAP safety ratings - with scores of 87% for Adult Occupant Protection, 86% for Child Protection and 86% for Safety Assist equipment - place the Kia among the safest B-Segment sized family cars in Europe.
February 2010 KIA SORENTO R PICKS UP FIRST GLOBAL AWARD IN NZ The recently introduced Kia Sorento R has picked up its first international award – from here in New Zealand. In what is sure to become the first of many awards, the new Kia Sorento R has been selected as New Zealand AMI Autocar magazine SUV of the Year. Totally redesigned, with a bigger, more spacious, yet lighter 7-seater body and powered by one of the most advanced diesel engines in the world, the Kia Sorento R impressed all the judges on the Autocar panel. TV3 presenter Shaun Summerfield describes the new Sorento R as a “great looker, does absolutely everything as it should. Engine is world class, the rest of the car isn’t far behind. Once again this isn’t just great for a Korean, it’s great full stop”. Fellow judge and motoring editor David Moore says the new Sorento R is “balanced, well made, thoughtfully equipped and perfectly formed for an active nuclear family” and he added that the “engine sets the standard in the segment”. For autocar’s senior editor Peter Louisson, the Sorento R turned out to be “a surprise on track! Gets the basics very right, superb engine”. While Autocar editor Kyle Cassidy sums up “with its killer powertrain, smart design and plentiful safety features…it’s a deserved SUV of the Year”. Thanking Autocar for the award, Todd McDonald, General Manager for Kia Motors New Zealand says the new Sorento R is likely to be the first of many from the Kia stable to win top awards in the future. “We are thrilled that independent media like Autocar judges have been so positive about the Sorento R, because that is exactly how we feel about the new generation of Kia vehicles as a whole,” says Todd McDonald. “Each new model release this year has seen Kia Motors take another big step forward in terms of design, technology and quality. “Right now the very latest Sorento R represents the very pinnacle of advancement from Kia Motors, but in the coming months and beyond, there is a line of exciting new vehicles that demonstrate the continued potential of this brand. “It’s great to be recognised with this award.”
February 2010
Kia Ray Shines Way Towards Green Motoring
A futuristic Plug-in Hybrid car unveiled by Kia Motors clearly demonstrates that you can combine green motoring credentials with brilliant design.
The Kia Ray, revealed at the Chicago Auto Show, takes its striking shape from the current Kia Cerato recently launched in New Zealand (it’s built on the same platform) and projects it into a future where electricity will be the dominant fuel for motor vehicles.
According to Peter Schreyer, Chief Design Officer of Kia Motors Corporation: “Being green doesn’t have to be an obvious statement anymore and Kia Ray exemplifies a viable blend of modern, eco-minded features for today’s environmentally conscious consumers.
“It is important to imagine what people will want in the future from a green perspective early in the design process. People want to reduce their carbon footprint without driving carbon copies.”
As the world demands more efficient vehicle designs that combine sophisticated and sleek lines with functionality and fuel economy, the Kia Ray concept is seen as a bold new collaboration between design and engineering, he adds.
Kia Motors New Zealand General Manager Todd McDonald says the Kia Ray concept is a stylish and exciting development of the Cerato design and cleverly links it to the company’s world leading environmental research and development technology.
“It’s a smart piece of thinking and indicates how far the company has progressed in design and technology, as well as being a global green technology leader,” he says.
The Kia Ray concept is the latest development in a special alternative fuel and power research programme set up by Kia Motors under its sub-brand ‘EcoDynamics’ – the most efficient vehicles produced by the company will wear this badge. Other projects developed under ‘EcoDynamics’ include the Kia Borrego Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) followed by the Forte LPI Hybrid, the petrol Kia cee’d Hybrid and the twin-turbo diesel Kia Sorento Hybrid.
Ray is the fore-runner of a prospective plug-in hybrid vehicle that Kia Motors is considering for production. Designed with light-weight and recycled materials, as well as hexagonal roof-top solar cells embedded in the glass roof panel that power extra lighting or climate control systems, the Kia Ray also demonstrates the progress in the evolution of Kia Motors Design DNA.
The stylish, aerodynamic body combines design and engineering for maximum efficiency, incorporating clean, flush surfaces to minimise unnecessary edges, a flowing profile and pronounced rear shoulder ending in a slightly high deck lid for reduced drag, touch-screen controls, drive-by-wire steering, ‘cool-glazing’ solar glass (incorporating nano-laminate films) and a lithium-polymer battery. The plug-in hybrid technology allows the Kia Ray to cover in excess of 80 kilometers using its electric motor on a single charge. In hybrid mode it boasts a fuel economy rating of more than 85.9 kilometres per litre (202mpg).
Among its cool technology features are:
· Integrated one-piece body and glass
· Front driving lamps that slide back to create openings for better air intake for the petrol engine
· Sliding U-shaped boot-lid that extends at higher speeds to improve coefficient of drag.
· Side-view mirrors and door handles replaced with motion-detector cameras mounted flush with the body
· Front door openings have a forward cutout design for the feet allowing ease of entry and rear doors are rear-hinged.
Power comes from an all-aluminum 114kW Gasoline Direct Injected (GDI) 1.4-litre engine mated to a permanently-engaged fixed ratio Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), used in combination with a 78kW electric motor. Depending on driving conditions, power is sent to the wheels from the petrol engine, the electric motor, or both together.
The all-new Kia Cerato Koup is here…
Priced from just $27,990*
Enquire today - email: sales@manawatukia.co.nz
January 2010
The Year Of The Koup
Kia Motors believes its new Cerato Koup will be one of the surprises of 2010 and it may have trouble keeping up with demand.
Why?
Firstly it is clearly different to the hatchbacks and four-door sedans mostly found in the small-to-medium segment of the market and, secondly, priced from just $27,990, it is something of a bargain.
Unveiled last October, the Kia Cerato Koup starts hitting showrooms around New Zealand this month (January), but the level of enquiry for this smart two-door coupe has already got Kia Motors dealers buzzing about its potential.
“Interest in the Cerato Koup has exceeded our expectations and if the enquiries all turn into sales we will have to look at substantially increasing our orders from Korea,” says Todd McDonald, General Manager of Kia Motors New Zealand Ltd.
“When we unveiled the Cerato Koup to the media and our dealers last year we suspected it might do well, but you never know until you get put potential customers into the driving seat. Over the past two months our dealers have been worked off their feet showing their demonstrator vehicles, underlining the interest level in the new Cerato Koup.
“Now that the first customer vehicles are arriving, we can really start to test the potential of this car.”
The Kia Cerato Koup is the first ever two-door coupe produced by Kia Motors and it was created to showcase the developing Design DNA of the company, under the direction of master designer Peter Schreyer.
Unlike many sporting coupes of the past, the Cerato Koup has a very roomy cabin, because it is based on the voluminous Cerato sedan, even though bodywise, it only shares the bonnet with that vehicle. There is plenty of room for four adults (five for short journeys) and their luggage.
The timeless, distinctive design took just one year to go from Motor Show concept to full production, thanks largely to the excellent response from critics around the world, prompting Kia Motors to fast-track the project.
Kia Motors says the new Cerato Koup illustrates the fun side of the brand and while it isn’t designed as a performance vehicle, the suspension, steering, transmission and twin exhausts have all been tweaked to provide a more sporty feel and sound.
The Cerato Koup uses the same 2-litre CVVT petrol engine as the Cerato sedan, which has been praised as among the most powerful and responsive in its class. But whereas the sedan only comes with an automatic transmission, the new Cerato Koup offers a 5-speed manual gearbox as well.
The Kia Cerato Koup is one of the few genuine 2-door sporty coupes available anywhere in the world and its distinctive styling is being tipped to catch on with buyers off all age groups, from people who want a car with more attitude, to those who are young at heart and others who want to express their personality through their car of choice.
Reaction to the Cerato Koup may lead Kia Motors to look at extending its coupe range, with Design Chief Peter Schreyer having been quote in the British Autocar magazine saying he would like to see Kia build a rear-wheel-drive performance coupe based on the styling of another concept, the Kia Kee, possibly using the Hyundai Genesis Coupe.
January 2010 When star New Zealand beach volleyball player Anna Scarlet found herself without wheels to get to the Stanley Street courts this week Kia Motors stepped in with a loan car. Her own car incapacitated, the former Silver Fern was grateful to have a brand new Kia Soul placed at her disposal for the McEntee Hire Beach series, where she teams with Susan Blundell – ranked 33rd in the world the pair are known as the ‘twin towers’ in beach volleyball circles because of their tall stature and have shown excellent form this summer, winning the Christchurch and Wellington events and finishing runners up at Mt Maunganui. “I’m grateful to the team at Kia for helping out at such short notice” says Anna. She isn’t the only local player at the series to receive the backing of Kia Motors this week. Kia has also loaned a car to Sara Goller and Laura Ludwig the 4th ranked team in the world – Sara and Laura are coached by Kiwi Craig Seuseu. Keeping a balance Kia also supports the local men’s pair Mike Peters and Mark Peterson. Beach volleyball is fast becoming one of the most sought-after spectator sports in New Zealand due to the athleticism of the players and the all-round fun aspect of the game for players and spectators alike. Beach volleyball star back behind the wheel, thanks to Kia Motors
January 2010
Kia Motors Grows by 15% in New Zealand
Kia Motors bucked the recession in New Zealand last year, increasing its sales more than 15%, compared to a 28% reduction suffered by the rest of the industry in general.
Fuelled by the release of eye-catching new models such as Soul, Cerato sedan and the award-winning Sorento R 4x4, Kia is, once again, the fastest growing car brand in the country.
The performance of Kia Motors in New Zealand even managed to eclipse the growth figures for the Kia brand worldwide, where sales increased across all markets by 9%.
“We are ecstatic to have finished 2009 on such a high, as 2009 was considered a consolidation year. From here we can build further for 2010 and beyond,” says Todd McDonald, General Manager of Kia Motors New Zealand.
“Kia was already paving the way for growth with a new strategy built on reinvigorating the brand with new Design DNA and a younger, more fun-filled focus, which became evident when we unveiled the Kia Soul last April. It made people sit up and take notice of our brand, and every new model since then has built on that energy and exuberance.”
Mr McDonald indicates that the Kia Motors product line-up will continue to strengthen with the introduction of more new models over the next 12 months, as fortunes continue to look up for Korea’s oldest car manufacturer.
Kia Cerato Koup, the first 2-door coupe to be built by the company, is the first arrival and will be followed by the top selling Rio 5-door hatchback and 4-door sedan which has received an extensive face-lift for 2010. Rio was the biggest selling model for Kia in New Zealand during 2009 and the arrival of the face-lifted car is expected to maintain strong interest for 2010. Kia has two other all-new models in the pipeline which it plans to launch in New Zealand later in the year.
Meanwhile Kia Motors has confirmed that as the world’s economies recover it has revised its ambitions for global growth and is aiming to increase its international sales 26% to a total of 1.93million in 2010, compared with 1.53 million units last year.