Motoring 2014: Kia holds the fort with new car models
KIA Philippines made news this year when it launched its basketball team Kia Sorento and took Manny Pacquiao as the team’s playing coach.
Meanwhile, its spot in the local industry remained at No. 7, according to data from the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc.
The Korean car brand, which is distributed in the Philippines by Columbian Autocar Corp. (CAC), re-introduced some of its well-known models in the Philippines.
At the 2014 Manila International Auto Show, CAC launched the all-new Soul.
The all-new Soul is now powered by a 1.6-liter diesel mill with 126hp and 260Nm. It boasts impressive driving dynamics thanks to all-new features like the FlexSteer and Motor Driven Power Steering systems.
The new Soul is priced at P1.02 million, but CAC gave a P50,000 discount to the first 50 buyers, essentially bringing its price down to P970,000.
The Kia Rio sedan also gets updated. Like the Rio EX hatchback, the sedan now has such cool features as cruise control, full-auto climate control, and a trip computer that shows the outside temperature and the distance travelled.
According to CAC, the Rio EX-S sedan incorporates the features of the hatchback “without compromising space and convenience.” The Rio EX-S also receives the autolight, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, rain sensor, start/stop button, 17-inch alloy wheels and Bluetooth connectivity.
Continuing to power the EX-S is Kia’s 1.4-liter Gamma engine that’s paired to a four-speed automatic transmission.
The four-door Rio ES-X sedan is now available at Kia’s dealerships nationwide at P848,000—the same price as the five-door EX hatchback.
In September, Kia displayed the new color variants of Kia Picanto, as well as the two-toned variant of Kia Soul at the 5th Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS).
The Korean carmaker also made global news when it officially unveiled its midsize SUV, the Kia Sorento, in its home market of Korea.
The exterior design of the all-new Sorento was led by Kia’s Namyang design studio in Korea, with input from the carmaker’s Frankfurt and California design studios.
The third-generation Sorento has a sportier look highlighted by its sleek, sinuous profile, giving the car a sophisticated appearance and a bolder on-the-road presence.
The larger, more upright tiger-nose grille has a distinctive three-dimensional pattern that was first seen on the Cross GT concept. Flanking it are wraparound headlights and a more prominent pair of fog lamps.
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