By Pamela Muñoz, Assistant manager
International PR, Overseas Communication



Over the Swedish mid-summer long weekend, celebrating the nation’s longest day of the year, Kia Motors presented two lucky football fans with Kia Soul vehicles. As the Official Automotive Partner of the UEFA European Under-21 Championship 2009 that took place in Sweden, Kia partnered with UEFA in the Kia Midsommar Competition with the clear objective of attracting as many fans as possible to the two matches of June 19 to mark the nation’s most vibrant holiday.

The prize handover took place at the Malmö Football Arena just a few hours prior to the kick-off of the Final Match between Germany and England. In attendance was Karl-Erik Nilsson, the Tournament Director of the U-21 Championship, Mikael Salzer, Head of National Team Competitions UEFA, Unto Lehtola, Sales Manager Kia Motors Sweden AB, and Johan Mårtensson, Regional Sales Manager Kia Motors Sweden AB.
Kristiina Tikkanen, a nurse from Finland, and Ingrid Vezic, an IT Specialist from Sweden, were the two lucky winners and were able to celebrate their win in style at the handover ceremony. Congratulations to both winners – enjoy your new wheels!

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By Jay Jungyub Yoo, Manager
Overseas Communication Team

The new online video for the Soul that has been circulating on the web was filmed in late April at Mokpo Port in the southern part of Korea near the Gwangju plant where the Soul is being manufactured.

Our intention was to capture the actual atmosphere of the site where hundreds of Souls are being shipped everyday to numerous countries worldwide. We wanted to create a fun and realistic story as if it actually happened during the shipping process at the port, and that’s why we used a handheld 6mm digital camcorder for the shoot.

 
However, we had to be very careful not to disturb the port staff and drivers while they were working.  We also had to force ourselves to use only the open spaces of the portside during sunlight hours because we didn’t want to touch any of the vehicles awaiting shipment to our customers around the world.

 

Delivering all the test purpose vehicles for the filming all the way from our Namyang R&D Center and bringing them back after the shoot was a daunting task. We also had to change all the tires of the cars used in the drifting scenes before we returned them to the test center.
 

Many special staff members were invited for the production of this video. Korea’s top professional stunt driving team participated in the filming and did a really great job.  Filming the top view shots was done by another team specialized in aerial shooting. Two cameramen had to hang on to the top of a 50-meter tall giant crane for more than 10 hours. I’d like to convey a special message of thanks for their amazing contribution to creating such exciting footage.

 

No computer graphic technologies were used during post-production except for just one scene. Can you guess which one?

If you guessed the lineup of red Souls turning the wheels of the big Soul, you are correct!  We used a simple ‘copy and paste’ technique.  We had no other choice.   J

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By Ki, Chang-ju
Seat System Design Team

Ventilated seats for all-new Sorento
I was one of the research engineers of the seat system design team for the all-new Sorento. I’d like to tell you a little about the ventilated seats that’ll make driving more pleasant in the summer.

Even with air-conditioning, long distance driving can become uncomfortable on a hot and humid summer day. After driving for a prolonged time, most people will feel sticky and sweaty.

That’s why luxury sedans feature intergrated cooling/heating systems with seats that blow air to keep the driver comfortable.

This, of course, translates into extra cost and added weight which is why they are usually installed only in luxury sedans. To resolve both the cost and weight issues, Kia created a system in which air is blown directly from the seat. It was designed to provide the same quality of ventilation as systems in more expensive cars at a lower cost.

Let me give you a quick overview of the structure and mechanism of our ventilation system.

When the ventilated seat is activated, a motor inside the blower pushes out air via a duct to the seat cushion and back. This controls the seat’s temperature and dampness to provide greater comfort for the driver. The breathable seat offers three levels of ventilation which is controlled by the ECU module.

After development, I remember testing the system in a chamber with a temperature of 38℃ and 80% humidity. Those conditions are said to create the highest level of discomfort.

Based on various specifications, the system was activated under the conditions noted above. It could pass the test only if the temperature and humidity dropped to the targeted levels. Thanks to repeated testing and stringent testing standards, Kia managed to develop a ventilation system that keeps drivers and passengers cool and comfortable even on extended drives.

The mechanism behind the system is simple.

The system is activated by turning the ventilated seat dial switch (see figure above) to the left when the vehicle is in Key-on mode. The switch is located in the center console to the right of the driver’s seat. Ventilation force can be set to three levels using the dial.

The all-new Sorento’s ventilated seats ensure a comfortable and enjoyable driving experience, even in the hottest days of summer. Try it out for yourself when the all-new Sorento makes its debut in your area!

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By Kia Motors America Public Relations

The Kia Forte compact sedan national press introduction has just come to an end with wave two journalists departing Seattle. Much like wave one, media during the second leg of the event had the opportunity to experience the all-new Forte compact sedan while taking in the breathtaking scenery of the Pacific Northwest and local flavor of Seattle.

Media including MSN Autos, Road & Track, Philadelphia Inquirer and Intellichoice got an in-depth look into all aspects of the compact sedan. With the chance at more than four hours drive time, journalists were highly complimentary of the newest member to the Kia family, with particular appreciation for Forte’s spirited handling and clean, sweeping lines.

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By Kia Design Center

 

Another “Power to Surprise”

The strength and smooth lines of mountain ranges covered in glacial snow served as the inspiration for the exterior of Kia’s latest sedan concept car - codenamed VG (KND-5). Its interior was based on the modern and progressive image conveyed by the ebony and ivory keys of a piano.

The intended target driver of VG (KND-5), and its future production model, is the neotraditional urban DEWK (dually employed with kids) generation that enjoys a future-oriented lifestyle. Reflecting their active attitude toward life, the sedan combines sporty and luxurious styling elements with the latest technologies. Although first unveiled at the 2009 Seoul Motor Show in April, visitors were unable to get a close-up view or look inside the car as it was displayed inside a glass booth.

So Kia Buzzers, here’s an exclusive introduction to the core design elements of our VG(KND-5), Kia’s premium concept car!

High value dynamic sedan with pureness
The long-cabin proportion which offers a perfectly balanced profile, purposeful stance of a sedan and Kia’s dynamic details characterize the exterior of VG (KND-5). The refined surface finish and strong character lines represent Kia’s design philosophy of
“sophistication through simplicity.”

The car features a dynamic window graphic, 20-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof and a front grille made of a translucent acrylic material that gives it a crystal-like feel as part of Kia’s emotional appeal through design. Other high-end fashion elements showcasing the striking style of Kia’s premium sedan include LED headlamps and rear combination lamps sporting an aggressive design that complement the car’s its white glossy pearl exterior color.

High-tech & high-comfort beyond luxury

The eye-popping interior features a bold color combination of black and white, and a high gloss trim that creates a refined yet ultra-modern feeling. The gloss trimmed center fascia appears to float in the air and adds to the car’s stylish look and feel. The 2+2 leather Alcantara seats and other high-end appointments offer comfort that goes beyond simply a mode of transport.

VG (KND-5) sports the latest technologies to offer a more exhilarating experience to both the driver and passengers. They include the industry’s first 12.3-inch full HD LCD cluster, data conversion type start button and AMOLED 7-inch display (upper part of fascia/ rear seat monitor).

Offering a fresh perspective on near-luxury mid-size sedans, VG (KND-5) will help Kia enhance its innovative brand value. Get ready to be impressed! Our new dynamic sedan will not disappoint.

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