Kia Launches Soul Hamstar Special Edition in the U.S.

The success of the popular Hamster advertising campaign that promoted the Soul in the U.S. in 2010 inspired Kia to launch a new special edition model of its boxy crossover model. Previewed by the Hamstar concept at the 2011 SEMA show, the red and black 2011 Hamstar is the sixth special edition Soul. The car sports unique exterior graphics and interior refinements, including a 315-watt audio system with pulsing speaker lights. The limited-edition Hamstar Soul is based on the Soul+ trim level and wears custom Hamstar artwork, including a black star graphic with the signature Hamstar script logo on the hood and the tailgate, plus matte black stripes on the sides. It also gets body colored bumpers, fog lights, a rear spoiler, black 18-inch alloy wheels with silver edges, black fender vents with integrated turn signal indicator and a matte black fuel door.
Inside, the Hamstar Soul features bespoke Hamstar floor mats, black leather upholstery, heated front seats, automatic climate control, leather wrapped steering wheel and gearshift lever, and push button start with smart key. The Audio Upgrade Package includes a center speaker, subwoofer, 315-watt external amplifier and speaker lights.
The Hamstar Soul is powered by a 142HP 2.0-liter petrol engine mated to a four-speed automatic transmission and is priced from $20,295 (€14,200).
"The Soul was designed to stand out in a sea of sameness and we are committed to keeping it fresh, fun and relevant in the marketplace and the special edition Hamstar Soul is the latest embodiment of that philosophy," said Michael Sprague, vice president of marketing & communications Kia Motors America.
Scroll down to watch Kia's Hamster commercials.

By Dan Mihalascu

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Kia’s Brand New 40mpg Optima Hybrid Priced from $27,250

Kia is ready to talk pricing on its first ever hybrid vehicle in the States, the all-new Optima Hybrid, which we first saw at last year’s Los Angeles Auto Show. A sister model to Hyundai’s Sonata Hybrid, with which is shares the same gasoline-electric powertrain, the Optima Hybrid will reach U.S. showrooms in June with a starting price of $26,500, not including a $750 destination and handling fee that lifts the cost to $27,250. By comparison, the hybrid version of the Sonata starts at $25,795, excluding destination charges.

The Optima’s parallel hybrid powetrain makes use of a modified 2.4-liter Theta II engine without direct-injection that runs on the Atkinson cycle and delivers 166HP and 151 lb-ft of peak torque. The four-cylinder gasoline unit is linked to a 6-speed automatic transmission and an electric motor capable of delivering 40.2 horsepower (30 kW) and 151.2 pound-feet of torque when electric only. When in hybrid mode, the combined output of the two motors comes to 206.2 horsepower and 195.4 pound-feet of torque. A set of lithium polymer batteries from LG Chem completes the hybrid package.

Kia claims the Optima Hybrid can deliver up to 35 miles per gallon in city driving and 40 miles per gallon on the highway.

Standard features include 16-inch alloy wheels, eight-way power adjustable driver's seat, dual zone automatic temperature control with rear vents, push-button start with smart key and the company's UVO powered by Microsoft hands-free, voice-activated infotainment and communications system.

For an additional $5,000, customers can opt for the Hybrid Premium Technology Package, that ups the luxury ante with several comfort and convenience features. These include a panoramic sunroof, 17-inch alloys, four-way power adjustable front passenger's seat, driver's seat memory, heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats and steering wheel, HID headlamps with automatic leveling, leatherette-wrapped center fascia, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, a navigation system with back-up camera and SIRIUS Traffic, and an upgraded eight-speaker Infinity audio system.

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Kia Recalling Spectra Models Over Fears that the Fuel Tank May…Fall Off

South Korea’s Kia Motors said Friday it will recall certain Spectra LD vehicles from the 2004-2007 model year in the United States over a corrosion issue that could cause the fuel tank to fall from the car. The recall covers 58,322 Kia Spectra models build from November 7, 2003, through March 6, 2007, and sold or currently registered in states that rely heavily on road salt to melt ice in the winter.

The states are Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.

The automaker informed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [NHTSA] there’s a chance that due to prolonged exposure to salt, the fuel tank straps which hold the tank may rust and the tank can fall to the ground, causing a fuel leak and possibly a fire.

Kia said that its dealers will replace the fuel tank straps and attaching hardware with new zinc coated parts, with the service being performed free of charge. The automaker told the NHTSA that safety recall is expected to begin during June 2011.

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