EXCLUSIVE: Official Images of USDM Kia Soul

Yet to appear on Kia's Media website, we have the first official images of the American-spec 2010 Kia Soul. Due to go on sale in April 2009, Kia is pitting its stylish box against the Honda Element, Scion xB, and the upcoming Nissan Cube. As well, Kia is expected to price the Soul very competitively.

Penned by Peter Schreyer - the renowned car designer responsible for bringing the Audi TT and Audi's Bauhaus look to life - the Soul is Kia's boldest offering in terms of design ever, as evident from the slew of striking design elements such as the sleek front fascia and the bulging wheel arches. The eye catching theme continues inside with the sporty interior and the evident attention to detail judging from the official images.

While an array of engines including a frugal VGT diesel is available elsewhere in the world, Kia will pack a potent 142 horsepower 2.0L 4-cylinder gasoline engine standard in every Soul. A five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic is available. In addition to the expected slew of features in the Soul, Kia will offer an unprecedented choice of customizations and accessories for the Soul - similar to Scion's method that has met well with the Gen-Y crowd.

We have also included pictures of a test drive/media event for the USDM Soul that Kia hosted in Korea. Follow the jump to view more images.

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From the Spies: 2010 Kia Sorento (XM)

"From the Spies" is a new feature at TheCarBlogger where spy shots hot off the press are posted regularly in a short manner. Thus, the post contains the spy shots that you probably visited us for and quick facts about the mule, such as model name, speculated powertrain options, and unveiling date. - Ed.

Model: 2010 Kia Sorento (XM)
Speculated engines: 3.8L Lambda V6 (est. 270 hp) & 3.0L VGT turbodiesel & 2.4L Theta II 4-cyl. (est. 170 hp) & 2.2L turbodiesel 187 bhp
Release date: Q2 2009

More images after the jump.

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Quick News: Hyundai releases i30 cw in S. Korea

Hyundai Motor has begun sales of the i30 cw today in South Korea. The i30 Hatchback has been selling very well in the automaker's domestic market and Hyundai hopes the more spacious and practical "cw" will only add to the momentum. Standard features include 17-inch chrome-insert alloy wheels, turn signal exterior mirrors, smart key, and roof rack.

The i30 cw is available in three powertrain configurations: 1.6L Gamma 4-cylinder, 2.0L Beta 4-cylinder, and a 1.6L diesel 4-cylinder. Hyundai eyes the Peugeot 308SW as its main competition for the i30 cw. Prices range from 15.07 million Won (US$11,800) for 1.6L Trendy (petrol) to 19.35 million Won (US$15,151) for 1.6L Luxury (diesel w/ std. AT).

[Source: Hyundai]

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GM Daewoo releases Lacetti Premiere, America still waits

GM Daewoo has commenced sales of the long-awaited Lacetti Premiere compact sedan today in South Korea. Unveiled at the Paris International Motor Show this month, the Lacetti Premiere is a collaborative work of GM's global design and engineering teams as it will be also sold in other markets around the world, including the United States. In the U.S. and Europe, it will be called Cruze and badged as a Chevrolet.

Assembled at GMDAT's Gunsan plant, the Lacetti Premiere will initially be powered by an ECOTEC III 1.6L 4-cylinder engine that produces 114 horsepower. Coupled to it is a standard Hydromatic 6-speed automatic transmission. It is expected to achieve over 40 MPG. The Lacetti Premiere has a base price of 11.15 million Won (US$7600) in South Korea. Later models will be available with a 150 horsepower 2.0L turbodiesel engine.

Perhaps the more significant news is the Cruze's impact in the U.S. and the world. The USDM Cruze will be assembled at GM's Lordstown facility, and will replace the aging Cobalt. The Cruze will also pack the 1.6L engine and will reach U.S. showrooms in, get this, 2010. GM stated that it took 27 months to develop the Cruze and is counting on it to make a very needed impact in the competitive C-segment market in America. The Cruze will arrive in Europe in spring 2009.

[Source: Trading Markets]

Continue reading to view more images.

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Hyundai ranks 5th in Auto Bild Quality Report

Auto Bild, one of Germany's most renowned car magazines, has posted its annual Quality Report, and Hyundai has ranked 5th out of 22 brands.

Topping the list was undoubtedly Toyota with Honda and Mazda tying for second place. Opel came in fourth place. The survey is conducted based on seven criteria, including customer satisfaction and the number of recalled cars. Hyundai was the only automaker in the survey to not have a single car recalled in the past two years. To note the quantum leap Hyundai has made, the automaker came in 11th place last year.

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USA: 2009 Kia Optima website up and rolling

Kia Motors has finally updated its American website, now including the refreshed 2009 Kia Optima. The facelifted Optima, penned by Peter Schreyer, made its debut last March at the 2008 New York International Auto Show. The revision includes redesigned front and rear fascias, refreshed interior, upgraded engine outputs, and added fuel economy.

Different from the pre-production model unveiled in the Big Apple, Kia has revised the grille and now incorporates the more stylish "tiger-tooth" style corporate grille. No, the stunning LED taillights did not cross the Pacific, but an optional navigation system did.

Kia has not released sales date or pricing information for the 2009 Optima. However, I did spot a silver one here in Toronto (maybe a prototype) implying that it will arrive in showrooms very soon. Click on the image to visit the website.

[Source: Kia]

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Spied: 2011 Hyundai "PO" 6-seater sheds camo

Leftlane has gotten a hold of a batch of new spy shots of Hyundai's upcoming 6-seater crossover, code-named "PO." Different from past spy shots of this, however, is that this particular prototype was caught driving with almost no camouflage.

The 6-seater crossover was first previewed at the 2005 Chicago Autoshow, carrying on Hyundai's Spanish nomenclature pattern as "Portico". With the PO, Hyundai is attempting to prosper in a segment that has only seen doomsdays with epitomes such as the Chrysler Pacifica and Mercedes-Benz R-Class. The PO is expected to be powered by either a 3.3L V6 rated around 240 horsepower or a 3.8L V6 producing about 280 horsepower. An Aisin 6-speed automatic is in the runnings, and it will be available in front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations.

Due to go on sale in the third quarter of 2009, the PO will be produced in South Korea. Stay tuned for more information and click on the image to view the full images.

[Source: Leftlane]

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