Electel Blogspot

Kia Motors has revealed the all-electric range and C02 emissions date for the new Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid as the model enters production in Korea, writes Trish Whelan . The car features a powerful 1.6 T-GDi (turbocharged gasoline direct injection) engine which on its own produces 180hp and 265 Nm torque. Combined with an electric motor producing 67 kW and 304 Nm torque, the car delivers a combined 265hp and 350 Nm torque making it the most powerful Sorento ever sold in Europe. The full-size, seven-seat SUV will deliver an equivalent all-electric range of up to 57 kilometres (WLTP) from a single charge of its 13.8 kWh battery pack. In urban environments, it can travel up to 70 kilometres on a single charge before its turbocharged petrol engine starts up. This means drivers are able to complete many journeys such as their daily commute, on zero-emissions electric power alone. Kia say the highly efficient SUV produces 38 g/km of C02 in normal use.  The New Sorento PHEV will go on s...

The new Kia Sorento SUV has been awarded the highest-possible safety rating by Euro NCAP, writes Trish Whelan . The entire Sorento line-up, including the upcoming Plug-in Hybrid, achieved the maximum five-star rating from Europe’s leading independent safety testing organisation. The Sorento, now on sale here, achieved 82pc for adult occupant protection, 85pc for child occupant protection, 63pc for pedestrian protection, and 87pc in the ‘Safety Assist’ category. Euro NCAP praised the Sorento for its passenger compartments that remained stable in the event of a collision as well as its ability to offer good protection for all critical body areas in the side barrier test. Seat and head restraint tests demonstrated good passenger protection against whiplash injury in the event of a rear-end collision. The Sorento’s standard-fit Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist system also helped the car avoid impacts during testing for the Safety Assist’ category. The car’s safety rating was reinforced...

We don't get Kia military vehicles here, but this is the company's latest design for an all-terrain infantry vehicle, due for deployment to the Korean army in 2024, writes Brian Byrne . It will be available in 2.5- and 5-tonne versions, powered by a 7.0 diesel with auto trans, all around view monitors, and heated seats. Electric powertrains will be included in the series later, and the company says it is also considering variants for the private commercial and leisure sectors.  

Kia's Ceed compact hatch has earned a good reputation since it was first launched in 2006, and has gone through three iterations since then, the most recent presented in 2018, writes Brian Byrn e. The idea was simple, a solid family hatch that looked good, was comfortable, and reliable. That last was, of course, underscored by Kia's 7-Year full warranty. Along with the standard car, the model was used to generate more sexy offerings, notably the ProCeed sporty version in 3-door format. As part of the second generation Ceed, there was the ProCeed GT with a powerful engine and altered suspension which proved good value for money in its niche. Following the third generation launch, Kia came along also with a practical coupe-hatchback under the XCeed nameplate, with some crossover-style detailing and some glitz in the interior. It wasn't meant to be actually sporty, just a more youth-oriented option. I have reviewed it before, and it came with all the good elements of the stan...

Kia's new generation Sorento mid-size SUV is now available from the Irish network of the brand's dealers, writes Brian Byrne . A 2.2 diesel is available from now, and a plug-in bybrid version with a 1.6 petrol engine will be available in the early part of 2021. The fourth generation of the 7-seat Sorento is larger, has sharper lines, longer proportions, and a new interior styling. Expanded connectivity technologies are part of the new car, as are the latest level of driver assistance. Pricing starts at €49,800.  

Your Loyal Blogger considers the Kia Soul to be a truly ugly automobile.  It started out ugly, its facelift was ugly and the recent design retains the uglyness. The Wikipedia entry for the Soul is here .  As of the time this post was drafted, that site held that there were three generations of Souls.  I consider the second "generation" a facelift, but for the purposes of the present post I'll go along with Wikipedia. Dates for "generations" refer to model years when the Soul versions were introduced in the United States. The images below are either factory or distributer sourced. Gallery 2012 Kia Soul dashboard, factory photo via the NetCarSow website.  A car might be ugly when viewed from outside, but owners mostly experience such cars from the inside.  This interior is rather busy looking, but not out of line with contemporary fashions. 2014 Kia Soul dashboard: same sources, same evaluation. 2020 Kia Soul dashboard.  The paired binnacles create a uneasy f...