Penned in Kia’s California design studio, the Track’ster shows how a more sporty, three-door version of the Soul could look like, though the South Korean automaker is quick to point out that currently, there are no plans for a production version.

According to California studio Chief Designer Tom Kearns, the study is an extension of the Soul’s “rebellious, individual and urban character”.

Kia says that the Track’ster is envisaged with a 247bhp petrol engine, which we assume would be based on the 1.6L or 2.0L turbocharged four cylinder units shared with its parent company, Hyundai.

We got our first peek at the next generation of the European market Kia Cee’d last week when Kia released a single picture of the five-door hatchback, but recently, the Korean automaker dropped a few more photos revealing the car’s profile and rear end.

Kia’s upcoming entry in the VW Golf segment features a more mature and upmarket styling with the large lights on either end of the car taking centre stage. The Cee’d also gets Kia’s new signature grille encompassed in a chrome surround.

We’ll have to wait a bit for the interior shots, but according to the South Korean automaker, the new Cee’d will get a “driver oriented dashboard and refined interior, with a strong focus on quality of materials”.

The five-door hatchback will make its first public outing at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show in March before it goes on sale across Europe in the beginning of the summer. The Cee’d will be followed up by a replacement for the three-door Pro_Cee’d and later on, the Cee’d Station Wagon.

Kia has released first image of the all-new Cee’d model for Europe which is scheduled to debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show in March.

The new Cee’d is a practical five-door hatch, but combines coupe-like styling for a smart look. Exterior features such as chromed framed windows and muscular lines through the bonnet add to the upmarket styling.

Inside, there’s an ergonomic, driver-centric dashboard and high-quality interior finish with more refined materials.

The upcoming Kia Cee’d is expected to receive the new 1.6L GDI turbo engine producing 201bhp that was recently announced in the Hyundai Veloster Turbo, in order for the model to compete with the Volkswagen GTI.

The 2013 Kia Cee’d will go on sale in Europe in the second quarter of 2012, while the first deliveries to the UK are scheduled to begin in June.

Kia has recently unveiled the automaker’s very first production electric vehicle, the Kia Ray EV.

For supply exclusively to the domestic Korean market, the Kia Ray EV is a close relative of Kia’s 1.0L petrol powered Ray CUV, which went on sale in Korea last month.

It shares that model’s major dimensions and, in a global first for an EV manufacturer, can share a production line with conventional combustion-engine cars.

The front-wheel drive Ray EV is powered by a 50kW electric motor and a high-capacity 16.4 kWh lithium ion polymer battery pack that is engineered for a 10-year life cycle and skillfully packaged under the rear seat and cabin floor.

Although the Ray EV weighs 187 kg more than the petrol model, the electric motor’s generous torque – 167 Nm (an increase of 77%) – ensures responsive performance. The EV’s acceleration is brisker than the petrol models (0-100 km/h in 15.9 seconds), while top speed is 130 km/h. Recharging times are six hours using a 220V household supply and just 25 minutes in fast-charge mode.

The Ray EV’s automatic transmission offers the driver a choice of two modes while in ‘D’ drive. ‘E’ (or ‘eco’) mode optimizes the delivery of the motor’s torque to achieve minimum battery consumption and maximum driving range. ‘B’ (or ‘brake’) mode can be selected when driving downhill on highways and on mountain roads to maximize braking power.

Bearing the same striking exterior styling as its petrol cousin, the Kia Ray EV has four small distinguishing points. A flap in the front radiator grille covers an electricity inlet for a 220V supply for the slow recharge mode, another inlet (for the fast recharge mode) is fitted in the same location as the fuel intake of the regular models, special decals on each front door proclaim the ‘Zero Emissions EV’ message and super-smooth 14″ alloy wheels improve aerodynamic performance by minimizing drag.

Inside, the Ray EV features a unique instrument cluster, displaying electric motor operation, battery status and distance to recharge. It is also equipped with the first-ever EV-specific navigation system that features a 7” screen and provides crucial information for EV drivers such as the nearest locations of the slow/fast recharging stations. The display shows a circular shaped area in which the model can travel with its current level of battery power, so that drivers can see which destinations are reachable without a recharge.

The Kia Ray EV embodies numerous innovations. The electric motor achieves 93% efficiency, which is the best in its segment. The lithium ion polymer battery’s cell is optimized and highly integrated, which has enabled its weight to be reduced by 13% and its energy density to be increased by 15% compared to competitors’ systems.

The on-board charger, current inverter, high-low voltage converter and EV-specific VCU (vehicle control unit) each features advances over previous equipment.

Ray EV is also equipped with a new type of regenerative braking system featuring an Active Hydraulic Booster that utilizes the electric motor, instead of the petrol engine in the regular model, to create hydraulic pressure for the brake system. The result is consistent brake pedal force throughout a wide variety of driving conditions and the ability to harvest excess energy and use it to recharge the car’s battery.

Unlike regular petrol vehicles, Ray EV generates no engine noise, which can be a potential problem with pedestrians being unaware of the approaching car. To prevent accidents, Kia has fitted Ray EV with a VESS (Virtual Engine Sound System). When driven at speeds below 20 km/h this system delivers a mixture of recorded petrol engine noises, which are also emitted whenever the car is backing up.

Most vehicles stay on the market for a good six or more years before they’re replaced. But Kia isn’t most automakers. The Korean brand has a lot to prove, and as it turns out they’re intent on doing just that by keeping their product portfolio fresh.

That’s why, though the current Forte sedan has only been on the market since 2009, Kia is already planning on replacing it with a 2013 model, and this could be our first look at it.

Reportedly leaked in four-door guise, this trio of renderings shows a rather svelte-looking design that borrows some of the dynamic approach of its big brothers at Hyundai, with a steeply raked windshield and the new family grille already familiar from the Kia Optima.

It’s all just speculation at this point, but if the rendering is authentic and purposely planted by Kia, a debut at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show next month is quite possible.

Because of the NBA lockout, we probably won’t be able to see NBA All-Star Blake Griffin show off his basketball skills anytime soon. However thanks to Kia, we will be able to see him show off his acting skills on TV as the spokesperson for the 2012 Kia Optima.

At this years Los Angeles Auto Show, Griffin made an appearance in a custom basketball-themed Optima. Together, he and Kia’s Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Michael Sprague, introduced two new spots that feature the sly and cunning Griffin talk about Kia’s UVO system and its safety ratings.

Griffin first became the face of Kia when he won the 2011 Slam Dunk Contest by leaping over the hood of a 2012 Kia Optima for the  slam dunk title.

From Left: Mr S.H.Hong (Deputy General Manager for Asian Operations of Kia Motors Corporation), Mr SM Nasarudin SM Nasimuddin (Joint Group Executive Chairman of Naza Group), Mohd Ismail Ibrahim, Datuk Hafiz Syed Abu Bakar (Chief Operating Officer of Naza Kia Malaysia)

Naza Kia Malaysia Sdn Bhd, the official distributor of Kia Motors vehicles in Malaysia, today handed over a Forte 1.6EX to Mohd Ismail Ibrahim, the grand prize winner of the Test Drive Kia On Tour 2011.

Mohd Ismail Ibrahim of Kuala Lumpur received the Forte 1.6EX from Mr SM Nasarudin SM Nasimuddin, Joint Group Executive Chairman of the Naza Group, at a special handover ceremony in Kuala Lumpur today.

Some 9,000 entries were received for the Test Drive Kia On Tour 2011 grand prize. All participation who made a booking or test drive a Kia at the roadshow were eligible for the grand prize.

Mohd Ismail, 38, test drove the Forte at the last leg of the Test Drive Kia On Tour roadshows at the Curve which ended on Oct 16.

“I test drove the Forte on the first day of the roadshow at the Curves as I had been planning to buy one. I didn’t think I would be winning the grand prize,” said Ismail.

The Test Drive Kia On Tour 2011 roadshow began in May at the One Utama Shopping Centre in Petaling Jaya before moving to Penang in August and Johor Bahru in September. The final leg of the roadshow was held at the Curve, Petaling Jaya from October 12 to October 16.

Naza Kia Malaysia recorded a total of 600 bookings from the roadshow. The Forte was the most popular models followed by the Sportage, the Sorento and the Rondo.

At all four roadshows, a total of 3144 test drives were conducted with 1069 test drives at The Curve, followed by 855 test drive at the Queensbay Mall in Penang, 664 test drives at the One Utama Shopping Centre in Petaling Jaya and 556 test drives at the KSL City Mall in Johor Bahru.

“Test Drive Kia On Tour 2011 was an opportunity for us to get closer to our customers and give new customers a chance to view and test drive our range of award winning models. As shown by the number of test drives conducted at all four venues, these models are becoming more popular with Malaysian consumers.

“Next year, we will take the Test Drive Kia On Tour roadshow to more destination in the country,” said Datuk Hafiz Syed Abu Bakar, chief operating officer of Naza Kia Malaysia.

Datuk Hafiz said Naza Kia Malaysia is planning six legs for the Test Drive Kia On Tour 2012, adding the popular roadshow will be brought to the East Coast and East Malaysia.

When the doors open to the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, Kia will be ready to unveil one of the stars of the event; a RWD sports sedan concept and recently, the Korean automaker has just released a first glimpse of the car.

Kia describes their new concept car as powerful, dynamic and forward-looking and it signals the company’s distinctive new design direction.

This rear-wheel drive four-door sports sedan marries sleek and muscular proportions with a sophisticated and elegant four-seater cockpit.

According to Peter Schreyer, Kia Motors Chief Design Officer, “No matter from which perspective you look at it – this concept car is roaring with energy and ready for take-off.”

Nonetheless, the name for the concept and details about the powertrain is absent for now. But when it’s officially revealed next month, we should be able to tell you more!

Who would have ever thought that nail art could somehow transition into animation, but nonetheless, it has happened and KIA has recently released a video advert presenting the ‘World’s First Nail Art Animation’ to promote their 2012 Picanto!

The nail animation was created with the help of a manicurist that required 1,200 bottles of nail polish, an average of 2 hours of drawing for each nail, which took a total of 25 days in order to complete the entire micro stop-motion animation. That must be one heck of a load of work, because the video below involved 900 fake nails, decorated by a single tiny brush stroke!

In the video, KIA says that the Picanto is not a mini car, but it’s a small beautiful car. Well, it’s pretty beautiful indeed! Do take a look at the video below, because we think that this new ad for the 2012 Picanto has totally “nailed” the brief, which will definitely attract many female buyers to own this particularly cute little hatchback.

We can’t help but salute KIA for their impressive creativity that has gone into this spot!

Less than two years after it opened, the Kia Motors Manufacturing Plant in West Point, Georgia, has built its 300,000th vehicle. The 300,000th vehicle was a silver Kia Sorento SX.

Kia’s only North American plant opened in 2009 to build the Sorento SUV, which was later joined by the Hyundai Santa Fe. Starting this fall, the facility will also build the Kia Optima sedan. In order to add on the Optima’s production, Kia will hire about 700 more workers and increase the plant’s production capacity to 360,000 vehicles annually.

“The completion of our 300,000th vehicle in less than two years is another historic milestone for KMMG, and the success of the plant is attributable to each team members’ commitment to outstanding quality,” said Byung Mo Ahn, group president and CEO of Kia Motors America (KMA) and KMMG. “Now, with three full shifts of production and the upcoming addition of the Optima, our production goals will continue to be very aggressive.”

Vehicle production at West Point has been on an upward swing: after the first Sorento rolled off the line in November 2009, the plant built its 100,000th vehicle in September 2010. Now just 10 months later, the factory has reached the 300,000-car mark.

If Kia’s plans for expansion go as planned, even more vehicles will be rolling off the assembly line in Georgia.