The Kia K9 Luxury Sedan Caught Driving on Korean Roads

The much anticipated K9 was caught on video driving on the Korean highway. The soon to be production flagship sedan is a huge step in the right direction for Kia to become the most driven brand in the world. Check out the video below.

Meet UVO...Your friend to help you drive safe

Click HERE to view our voice activated line-up.

Texting While Driving Statistics

• About 6,000 deaths and a half a million injuries are caused by distracted drivers every year.
• While teenagers are texting, they spend about 10 percent of the time outside the driving lane they’re supposed to be in.
• Talking on a cell phone while driving can make a young driver’s reaction time as slow as that of a 70-year-old.
• Answering a text takes away your attention for about five seconds. That is enough time to travel the length of a football field.

From a bike to the large manufacturer of the year in Georgia

Georgia Governor Nathan Deal named Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, Inc. (KMMG) as the state of Georgia's large manufacturer of the year at the annual Georgia Manufacturing Appreciation Week awards luncheon. The award was presented to Mr. Byung Mo Ahn, group president and CEO of Kia Motors America and KMMG, Inc., on behalf of the plant's more than 3,000 team members.

Shown from left are: Technical College System of Georgia Commissioner Ron Jackson, Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Chris Cummiskey, Group President and CEO for Kia Motors America and Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, Inc. Byung Mo Ahn and Georgia Governor Nathan Deal.

Ahn thanked Deal for the prestigious award and noted the importance of the state of Georgia's role in Kia's success during his speech to the 1,200 attendees at the Georgia International Convention Center in Atlanta.

"I want to thank you, Governor Deal, and also Quick Start and the Technical College System of Georgia for this great honor," said Ahn. "We would not be in this position for achievement without the unyielding support of the State of Georgia, the Department of Economic Development, and in particular, Georgia Quick Start, which has been our partner in workforce training from the very beginning."

Ahn also credited the outstanding team members who "work enthusiastically each and every day to build world-class, high quality vehicles."

"We have developed the 'Kia Way' to define the workplace culture and establish a 'one system/one team' approach at our facility," said Ahn. "The Kia Way is built on trust, mutual respect and open communication among all team members to ensure continuous improvement, and in our view, is a key element of the market success of Kia and KMMG."

Deal congratulated KMMG for being the 2012 large manufacturer of the year and said the state looks forward to many more years working together as successful partners.

"Kia's West Point, Ga., plant is a shining example of Georgia's commitment to supporting new industries in our state and how that continued commitment allows companies like Kia to prosper and grow," Deal said after the award presentation. "Kia has continued to invest in our state and has delivered a tremendously positive impact in this region. I am so proud to be presenting this outstanding company with the large manufacturer of the year award today."

Deal was joined by Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Chris Cummiskey and Technical College System of Georgia Commissioner Ron Jackson at the luncheon, which marks the culmination of Manufacturing Appreciation Week. The event was co-hosted by the Technical College System of Georgia and the Georgia Department of Economic Development.

About Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia
Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, Inc. (KMMG) is the first manufacturing site in North America for Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, Korea. KMMG is located on 2,200 acres in West Point, Georgia, and began mass production on Nov. 16, 2009. KMMG is home to the 2012 Sorento CUV and the 2012 Optima mid-size sedan, two of the brand's top selling models in 2011. Beginning in 2012, the plant has the ability to build 360,000 vehicles annually from U.S. and globally-sourced parts.

The left lane...not for the slow

Delaware may be joining Kansas, Oklahoma, Washington, and other states in cracking down on drivers who use the left lane for more than passing. A bill in the Delaware legislature would institute fines of up to $230 for drivers who camp out in the left lane on roads with at least two lanes in each direction, according to USA Today.

Delaware's current law requires drivers to keep right only when going slower that the flow of traffic, according to the report. The new measure would resemble nearby New Jersey's law – the Garden State currently fines left lane dawdlers up to $200, though a recent proposal would raise that to $300.

The Delaware bill is supported by AAA Mid-Atlantic and the Delaware Police Chiefs Council. For what it's worth, we think it's a good idea as well, but don't take our opinion for it, let us know what you think.

News Source: USA Today

 

 

The left lane...not for the slow

Delaware may be joining Kansas, Oklahoma, Washington, and other states in cracking down on drivers who use the left lane for more than passing. A bill in the Delaware legislature would institute fines of up to $230 for drivers who camp out in the left lane on roads with at least two lanes in each direction, according to USA Today.

Delaware's current law requires drivers to keep right only when going slower that the flow of traffic, according to the report. The new measure would resemble nearby New Jersey's law – the Garden State currently fines left lane dawdlers up to $200, though a recent proposal would raise that to $300.

The Delaware bill is supported by AAA Mid-Atlantic and the Delaware Police Chiefs Council. For what it's worth, we think it's a good idea as well, but don't take our opinion for it, let us know what you think.

News Source: USA Today

 

 

Tips to make your car sparkle inside and out!

No matter how or why you drive, most people try to keep their vehicle looking good–inside and out.

You can always pay to get a professional to detail your car, but if you're the only one that cleans 'your baby' then the following will help you out.

Start with the Interior

When detailing your car, it would be best to start with the interior. The main reason for doing it that way is so you won’t end up with dust and dirt on the exterior after you’ve cleaned all the cracks and crevices.

Use the Right Tools

If you needed to pound nails into a board, you wouldn’t use an electric drill to do it. Instead, you would use a hammer. Using
the right tools for detailing your car is no different. In order to do it right, you need more than a couple of rags and a bucket of water; you need a vacuum cleaner with an assortment of attachments, some of which will need to fit into tiny cracks. You will also need those rags that were mentioned previously, but some of them should be courser than others–some will need to be thin enough to fit into tiny cracks. You should also have a variety of small brushes on hand–a toothbrush will work well for small places. Q-tips also make handy detailing tools, as do small, flat screwdrivers. To finish the job, you will need various cleaners and a can of compressed air.

Remove Trash from the Inside

The first step in detailing a car is to remove any trash from the interior. Empty the ashtrays and get rid of any discarded food wrappers or empty pop bottles. Remove the floor mats and move the seats as far forward as they’ll go. Check under the seats to make sure you haven’t missed any scraps of paper or loose change.

Vacuum Thoroughly

Use a vacuum cleaner to suck up all the accumulated dirt and dust. Be sure and vacuum the seats as well. Don’t forget to use a brush attachment to vacuum hard surfaces, such as the dashboard and door panels. After you’ve finished getting the larger areas, it’s time to concentrate on the cracks and crevices. Attach smaller, thinner hoses and brushes to the vacuum cleaner as needed and work your way throughout the interior cleaning the smaller areas.

Use a Little Elbow Grease

After you’re finished with the vacuum cleaner, it’s time to use a little elbow grease. Use your Q-tips and small rags to clean out the smallest cracks and crevices inside the car. In order to make sure you reach the bottom of small cracks, you can use a flat screwdriver or knife blade covered by a thin, wet rag. When you’ve loosened the dirt in the crevices, you can use the can of compressed air to finish the job. To be sure you’ve gotten all the dust and dirt, it wouldn’t hurt to run the vacuum cleaner over everything one more time.

Polish Everything

With the dirty work out of the way, it’s time to make the interior shine. If you have stains in the carpet or upholstery, it may take some effort to clean them. Ask your friends and neighbors to recommend a stain remover, or visit an auto parts store to find the right cleaner. Use small, thin, clean rags to polish the cracks and crevices, and larger rags for the dashboard and other hard surfaces. Cleaning the windows should be done with window cleaner and clean rags.

Now Do the Exterior

After you’ve finished cleaning and polishing the interior, it’s time to move outside the vehicle. Make sure you roll up the windows tight so your outside cleaning efforts won’t dirty up the inside all over again.

Start At the Bottom

The best way to detail the exterior of your car is to start with the tires and rims. They have the most tiny cracks and crevices, so they’ll be the hardest part of the job. Because most rims have intricate designs you can use the same tools you used for detailing the interior of the car. After that, you can wash the tires and rims with warm soapy water. Check with an auto parts store or a car dealer to find out what solution works best, not only for the tires and rims, but for the rest of the car as well.

Time to Get Wet

Now time for the fun part–providing you don’t mind getting wet. Use a hose to douse the car. This will loosen any dirt and dust that is clinging to the car. After the car is wet, use a clean cloth that have been dipped in the cleaning solution that was recommended to you and wash the vehicle completely. The next step is to rinse it thoroughly and then dry it with clean, dry cloth.

Waxing Is Next

The next step is to wax the car using your favorite car wax. Make sure you get into all the cracks and crevices so the exterior will be thoroughly protected against the elements.

Buff It Good

In order to make it shine, take a few extra minutes to buff the wax into the car’s finish. The more time you spend buffing the better the car will look. Make sure you wipe excess wax from the cracks and crevices.

Finishing Touches

After you’ve finished, take a good, close look at the interior of the car to make sure you didn’t miss anything. Then, do the same outside. The car should sparkle.

 

*Courtesy of automotivetips.org

A sneak peek at Kia's flagship sedan...The grounbreaking K9.

Kia has released the first commercial for the upcoming K9. The flagship sedan is set for a South Korean launch later this year, and details are beginning to emerge about the big four door. Power is said to come from either a 296 horsepower 3.3-liter V6 or a 3.8-liter V6 with 329 hp. The model will also be a showcase for new tech, including adaptive LED headlights that not only track with the steering mechanism but also adjust with the vehicle's speed to give the driver a greater field of view.

Indoors, a full-color heads-up display provides plenty of pertinent information, and an epic 12.3-inch screen in the dash handles the entertainment interface. Judging from the three photos released alongside the new ad, the K9 will also feature a gear lever inspired by the likes of BMW. Here's hoping the Kia piece is a bit more intuitive. Scroll down to check out the ad for yourself.

*courtesy of autoblog.com

The 2012 Optima Hybrid. A hybrid with a pulse!

Click HERE to schedule a test drive or to see about payment options for this vehicle

Introduction

There was a time, not long ago, when the term "family sedan" was associated with sensible -- but dull -- vehicles. While these volume-selling cars occupied a large chunk of sales, they likely weren't the object of desire. Once in a while, though, a sedan like the 2012 Kia Optima comes along that makes you want it for more reasons than just how sensibly it transports your family.

The 2012 Kia Optima sees few changes from last year, and that suits us just fine. Compared to other family sedans, the Optima is a styling standout, with a level of aggression and modernity inside and out that we're accustomed to seeing in much more expensive cars. Thankfully, this beauty is also more than skin deep, as the Optima also benefits from a better-than-average ride quality and driving dynamics.

Buyers can choose among a mild 200-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, a more potent, 274-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter or the efficient Optima Hybrid model that averages better than 30 mpg in combined driving. And as with other Kias, there's also a lot of value here, with plenty of standard and optional features (including Kia's new Uvo voice command system), an attractive price, long warranty coverage and top safety scores.

The Optima isn't perfect. Headroom may be an issue for some and it's not quite the sport sedan its styling would indicate. We've also found that the hybrid doesn't match its lofty EPA estimates and its advanced components do not operate as smoothly as competing hybrids. But overall this is still a great sedan. Along with the related Hyundai Sonata and new Volkswagen Passat, the regular Optima stacks up very favorably against the venerated Honda Accord and greatly improved new Toyota Camry. To put it simply, the 2012 Kia Optima may be an object of desire, but it's still a sensible family sedan as well.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2012 Kia Optima is a midsize sedan available in five trim levels: LX, EX, EX Turbo, SX and Hybrid.

Standard equipment on the LX (with manual transmission) includes 16-inch steel wheels, automatic headlights, foglights, heated mirrors, full power accessories, a height-adjustable driver seat with power lumbar adjustment, air-conditioning, a cooled glovebox, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, Bluetooth, and a sound system with a CD player, satellite radio, an auxiliary audio jack and an iPod/USB audio interface. Opting for an LX with the automatic transmission gets you alloy wheels, cruise control and the availability of the Convenience package, which consists of an eight-way power driver seat and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.

The EX comes standard with the Convenience package as well as 17-inch alloy wheels, LED taillights, keyless ignition/entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, rear air vents, wood interior trim and leather upholstery. The EX Turbo gets a more powerful engine, bigger brakes and a different grille design. The SX is also turbocharged but has a sport-tuned suspension, 18-inch wheels, xenon headlights, a rear lip spoiler, unique bumper designs, steering-wheel paddle shifters and an upgraded trip computer. The Optima Hybrid is equipped similarly to the EX, though it has unique 16-inch alloy wheels, a rearview camera and cloth upholstery.

The Technology package (offered for all trims except the manual-equipped LX) adds a rearview camera, a navigation system and, on the LX, dual-zone climate control and rear air vents. The Premium package for the EX and SX adds a panoramic sunroof, a four-way power passenger seat, driver memory functions, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats and an eight-speaker Infinity sound system with HD radio and the Uvo voice-activated electronics interface. On the EX and EX Turbo, this package also includes a heated steering wheel. The Hybrid's Premium Technology package effectively combines those two packages and also includes 17-inch wheels, xenon headlights, leather upholstery and the auto-dimming rearview mirror.

Powertrains and Performance

Powering the front-wheel-drive 2012 Kia Optima LX and EX models is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder that produces 200 hp and 186 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual is standard on the LX, while a six-speed automatic is standard on this and all other Optimas. In California-emissions states, the Optima has a Super Ultra Low Emissions rating (versus Ultra-Low elsewhere) resulting in a lower power output of 192 hp and 181 lb-ft.

In performance testing, a loaded Optima EX in SULEV form went from zero to 60 mph in 8.9 seconds -- the ULEV Optima will be a bit quicker, but either way, the car is on par with other vehicles in the class. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 24 mpg city/34 mpg highway and 28 mpg combined regardless of transmission. In testing of the related Hyundai Sonata, we found these numbers to be accurate.

The EX Turbo and SX get a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 274 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque. These Optima Turbo models returned a quick 0-60-mph time of 6.5 seconds, along with an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 22/34/26. This is theoretically outstanding for a car with this much power, but as we've discovered in our long-term test of an Optima Turbo, your numbers won't come close to those if you frequently utilize that power.

The Kia Optima Hybrid is powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine paired with an electric motor and a six-speed automatic transmission. Combined power output peaks at 206 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. Acceleration from zero to 60 mph requires 8.4 seconds, which is reasonably quick for a hybrid. The EPA estimates the Optima Hybrid fuel economy at 35/40/37 mpg; however, in extensive real-world testing we've found the hybrid struggles to match those numbers. We managed only 33 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway.

Safety

Standard safety features on the 2012 Kia Optima include four-wheel antilock disc brakes, traction and stability control, side airbags, side curtain airbags and hill start assist. A rearview camera is optional.

In government crash tests, the Optima earned a top five-star rating for overall safety performance, with five stars awarded for both overall frontal and side-impact tests. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the Optima a top score of "Good" in frontal-offset, side-impact and roof strength tests. In Edmunds brake testing, an Optima EX came to a stop from 60 mph in a class-average distance of 121 feet. The Hybrid and the sportier SX took a few feet more.

Interior Design and Special Features

First impressions of the 2012 Kia Optima's interior are exceptionally favorable. Where most other family sedans in this segment fall somewhere between sedate and bland, the Optima has a distinct European flair. And that should come as no surprise when you consider that Kia's chief designer used to work for Audi. While the Kia's interior isn't as sumptuous as an Audi's, there's an abundance of soft-touch materials, and any hard plastics are at least well textured. The Optima Hybrid's cabin is essentially the same, with a special gauge cluster that displays hybrid power flow and overall driving style efficiency.

This year, Kia's Uvo (pronounced "yoo-voh") electronics interface system is now available on all but the base LX trims. Similar to Ford's Sync system (both are powered by Microsoft), Uvo provides voice control of cell phones and MP3 players as well as other services such as turn-by-turn navigation. In our limited testing of Uvo, we found it to work quite well.

The Optima has a fairly spacious cabin with comfortable seats and a solid amount of legroom front and rear. Headroom (particularly in back) is a bit tight due to the car's rakish, coupelike roof line. Taller folks should definitely think twice about the optional panoramic sunroof, as it further decreases headroom. The Optima's 15.4 cubic feet of trunk space is about average for its class, but the hybrid's drops to a paltry 9.9 cubic feet because of its battery pack placement.

Driving Impressions

The 2012 Kia Optima's ride quality is comfortable without being isolating, but the same can't be said of its numb steering. Thankfully, the steering is at least firmer and more responsive than its more comfort-tuned Sonata cousin. Overall handling for the Optima is hardly memorable, due mostly to its conservative tire choice, but it's certainly pleasant and better than average for the segment.

Both of the regular four-cylinder engines are impressive. They produce best-in-class power and are paired with responsive and smooth-shifting transmissions. The potential for truly impressive fuel economy is an ample slab of icing on the cake.

Less impressive is the Optima Hybrid. Its electric motor makes accelerating from a dead stop a smooth affair, and at highway cruising speeds the electric motor can aid with quick bursts of acceleration that make the engine almost feel turbocharged. However, in low-speed driving or quickly changing traffic conditions, the hybrid shudders and lurches while deciding which gear it wants. It is similarly unpredictable under braking.

Did Kia read your mind?

The new Kia Sorento is full of luxurious things like a panoramic sunroof and useful things like third row seating. See if Kia read your mind in the commercial below and come in to test drive one today.

 

 

See if the Kia Optima can jump over Blake Griffin. Do you think the "Dream Machine" will make it?

Michelle Wie blasts clay pigeons out of the sky with golf balls

Michelle Wie returns in her Molten red Kia Soul for a little target practice. Watch her pick clay targets out of the sky using a golf club and golf ball, as well-to-do hunters and their dogs look on in amazement.