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(SEOUL) February 28, 2012 – Kia today revealed the first official photographs of its all-new flagship sedan to be launched during the first half of this year in the Korean market. Referred to by its codename ‘KH’ until now, the company also confirmed that the Korean market name will be ‘K9’ – while the name for export markets, as well as overseas launch timings, will be revealed later this year.

K9 is Kia’s first rear-wheel drive sedan.  It boasts Kia’s ‘best of the best’ design, driving performance and high technology capabilities and is regarded as one of 2012’s most eagerly anticipated all-new models in both Korean and overseas markets.

This model’s Korean market name, K9, will complete Kia’s domestic market ‘K’ series range of passenger cars, whose members also include the front-wheel drive K5 (Optima in overseas markets) and K7 (Cadenza in overseas markets) sedans.

The letter ‘K’ represents not only Kia and the company’s home country of Korea, but also refers to the Greek word ‘Kratos’ (meaning powerful, domination and reign) and the English word ‘Kinetic’ (meaning active, dynamic).

The ‘K’ series trio of sedans is a strong statement of Kia’s determination to offer consumers the broadest product line-up and establish itself as a major presence in the global automotive industry through ceaseless innovation and technological developments.

The K9’s exterior gives solid form to the recently released sketches of the new model, and presents its design concept, ‘high-tech luxury sedan’ image, with futuristic, sophisticated and distinctive charisma.

K9 is the latest continuation of Kia’s evolving design DNA, carrying its family-look radiator grille, bold ‘high-tech luxury car’ style LED headlamps, with classic design echoes in its voluminous hood.  Viewed from the front, K9 presents an imposing image.

Furthermore, the sophisticated and bold profile with its simple but strong character line and the innovative and stable rear view with its high-tech LED combination lamps, luxurious chrome garnish and bumper-integrated muffler, completes the parameters for whole new level of luxury car design.

Soon-Nam Lee, Director of the Overseas Marketing Group, said, “K9 is our first rear-wheel drive large sedan, created without compromise in its design, driving performance and new technologies.  K9 sets a whole new level of standards and values in the large sedan segment, and its design will be another Kia demonstration of our brand’s power to surprise the world.”

The first person in Australia to buy one of Kia’s all-new Rios was so quick off the mark his local dealership had not yet received stock and most of its staff were in a training session to learn about the new model.

Derek Brookes from the southern Adelaide suburb of Aberfoyle Park, has owned Kia’s exclusively for the last decade purchasing two Ceratos and two Rios during that time.

As he walked onto the showroom floor of his local dealer, Wayne Phillis Kia, he had no idea a new Rio was about to be released until a salesman showed him the brochure.

“Every two years or so, Mr Brookes comes in and trades in his current Kia for a new one,” said Luke Varnas, Sales Manager at Wayne Phillis Kia.

The lack of a demonstrator model didn’t deter Mr Brookes who ordered a new Black Kia Rio S automatic with 16 inch alloy wheels.

“After my years of purchasing motor vehicles, I have now bought my fifth Kia, because when you’re on a good thing you stay with it,” he said.

Mr Brookes’ new Rio S comes standard with a raft of safety features including six airbags, electronic stability control and vehicle stability management with hill-start assist.

Entertainment is at his fingertips with audio and Bluetooth controls mounted on the steering wheel for driver convenience.

Manufactured for the first time with a choice of 3-, 4- and 5-door bodystyles, new Rio is set to completely redefine its position as a serious member in one of the most competitive sectors – the light passenger vehicle segment.

Rio sets a new benchmark in the segment. Cruise control from the Si model up and daytime running lights, 17-inch alloy wheels, projection front headlamps, static cornering lamps, auto light control and an enhanced brake package in the range topping SLi, makes Rio one of the most feature packed models in its category.

Kia Motors Australia has launched its fourth-generation Rio setting a new packaging benchmark in the light passenger vehicle category and introducing a choice of 3-, 4- and 5-door body styles across the range.

The new Rio, which is available in S, Si and SLi trim levels, combines European flair, Australian drivability with Korean spice and starts at just $16,290. The range topping SLi comes standard with LED daytime running lights and 17-inch alloy wheels fitted with a low profile, high performance 205/45/R17 Continental tyre as standard, making it one of the most feature packed vehicles in its class.

“Rio is a crucial member of the Kia family,” said Kia Motors Australia President and CEO Mr MK Kim. “As the car that introduced so many Australians to Kia, its role as an ambassador cannot be overstated.

“The new Rio will continue that role, but as the beneficiary of all Kia has learned and refined since the journey began. It will do so with a new level of refinement, a new maturity and a new richness.”

Like the Sportage, Cerato and Optima before it, the new Rio’s suspension and running gear has benefited from a stringent program of local optimisation. The Ride and Handling Dynamic Program included comprehensive local testing and fine-tuning to ensure responsive handling while maintaining stability, ride quality and refinement – in line with the discerning Australian customer’s expectations.

The three bodystyles will be available with a choice of two engines matched to either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission with manumatic (manual and automatic) shift gate in the Si and SLi trims and either a 6-speed manual or 4-speed manumatic transmission in the base model S.

The 1.6L Gamma GDi petrol engine is fitted to both the midrange Si and top of the range SLi Rio models. The Gamma is the smallest Kia engine yet to benefit from the application of GDi (Gasoline Direct Injection) technology and develops 103kW at 6300rpm and 167Nm at 4850rpm – a 13 per cent improvement in power over a conventional Gamma 1.6L MPI fed engine.

The base model Rio S comes with a 1.4L MPI 4-cylinder petrol powerplant with DOHC and CVVT and produces 79kW of power at 6300rpm and 135Nm of torque at 4200rpm. That is a power boost of 9kW and a torque increase of 10Nm over the outgoing model.

Safety is a non-negotiable subject at Kia. Five-star crash integrity is the target of every new car while the standard inclusion of six airbags and electronic stability control across the range is designed to keep Kia customers and their families as safe as possible.

An all-disc braking system with 256/262mm (front/rear) diameter discs (S and Si models) and 280/262mm diameter discs (SLi), HAC (hillstart assist control), ESC (electronic stability control), ABS anti-lock brakes, EBD (electronic brake distribution) and BA (brake assist) systems ensure all new Rio owners have the latest in vehicle control systems.

This comprehensive array of electronic safety acronyms are overseen and monitored by the new Vehicle Stability Management program. VSM utilises the computing power of a central ECU to seamlessly integrate the operation of all the traditional active safety systems.

If required, six front, side and curtain airbags offer protection to occupants in the event of an accident while night time driving is made safer by the availability of projection headlamps and new front ‘cornering’ lamps.

Cruise control from the Si model up and daytime running lights, 17-inch alloy wheels, projection front headlamps, static cornering lamps, auto light control and an enhanced brake package in the range topping SLi, makes Rio one of the most feature packed models in its category.

All models come with Bluetooth® connectivity and a radio CD player with MP3 compatibility plus AUX, iPod and USB connections – all controlled remotely from the steering wheel for added convenience and safety. Electric heated side mirrors are also standard across the range.

The 5-door Hatchback is the first body shape to be launched in Australia. The 3- and 4-door variants will hit Australian roads in early 2012.

Target CO2 emissions for the model range start at just 133 g/km making it a top contender in the government’s Green Vehicle Guide.

(SEOUL) April 19, 2011 – Kia Motors and its Chinese joint venture, Dongfeng Yueda Kia, unveiled the K2 B-segment sedan today at the 2011 Shanghai Motor Show. Based on the platform of the all-new Rio, which made its world premiere at this year’s Geneva Motor Show in March, the new K2 was designed and engineered specifically for the Chinese market and will enter production at Dongfeng Yueda Kia’s manufacturing facility in Jiangsu province starting this June. A 5-door hatchback of version of the K2 will commence production in August of this year.

K2 will be positioned as a premium small car with advanced styling and upgraded levels of quality and performance, and is expected to be a highly competitive offering in a segment that accounts for 16% of all new car sales in China.

K2 represents the next phase in Kia’s strategy to better satisfy customers in various regions of the world by developing and marketing products that reflect local tastes and needs. Following the introduction of the cee’d family of C-segment vehicles and Venga B-segment MPV, which were designed and engineered specifically for European customers, the new K2 is a clear sign of Kia’s commitment to become a leading automotive brand in China.

Speaking at the Kia press conference at the Shanghai Motor Show, Hyoung-Keun Lee, Vice-Chairman of Kia Motors, said, “We are confident that this all-new model for China will provide the momentum needed for Kia not only to remain as one of China’s fastest growing automotive brands but also to become a top 10 automaker in the local market in terms of quality and customer satisfaction.”

While sharing the same technical underpinnings as the all-new Rio, the K2 has been completely redesigned for the Chinese market, drawing on styling cues from the popular K5 sedan (known as ‘all-new Optima’ in many markets), including sophisticated lines that create a dynamic, bold and sophisticated exterior appearance. The front view features Kia’s signature “tiger nose” radiator grille and exudes a high-tech and bold image thanks to innovative fog lamp design, large air intake and dynamic swept back headlamps. A side character line, side air vent and trunk edge line add to the sporty image of the K2 while the rear view features a two-tone bumper and modern combination lamps.

The driver-focused futuristic interior conveys a spacious and comfortable feeling, and drivers will enjoy a 3-cylinder supervision instrument cluster, cloth lined door panels, leather steering wheel and TGS knob, and button engine start and smart key.

Measuring 4370 mm (overall length) by 1700 mm (overall width) by 1460 mm (overall height), the K2 is longer, wider and lower than the previous generation Rio and boasts the longest wheelbase (2570 mm) in its class. The expanded dimensions allow K2 to claim best-in-class interior space and ample luggage capacity of 500 litres (VDA). Space utilization is further enhanced thanks to the 60:40 split rear seat folding.

K2 will be available in six trim levels with either a 1.4-litre or 1.6-litre Gamma gasoline engine mated to a manual or automatic transmission. Both engines feature best-in-class performance and fuel efficiency, with the 1.4-litre powerplant delivering output of 79kW while the 1.6-litre unit boasts 90kW. Fuel efficiency for the 1.4-litre K2 equipped with manual transmission is 6.1L/100km (6.5/L/100km for A/T) while the 1.6-litre K2 with automatic transmission (1.6 available only with A/T) consumes 6.4L/100km.*

*Manufacturer’s estimated targets