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VanDevere Kia Check Out The Superman Inspired Optima

By Michael Harley

http://www.autoblog.com/photos/superman-themed-kia-optima-hybrid-chicago-2013/#photo-5624561/

Kia, DC Entertainment and Super Street magazine worked as a team to develop this one-of-a-kind Superman-themed Optima Hybrid that made its debut at the Chicago Auto Show today. The joint effort is designed to raise awareness for DC Entertainment’s “We Can Be Heroes” campaign, a charitable relief effort to bring help and hope to people affected by drought and famine in the Horn of Africa.

The metallic blue and red sedan, which thankfully manages to look better in person than it does in the pictures, is the seventh vehicle in a 10-month partnership between the automaker, comic book company and tuner as they build themed vehicles representing all of the Justice League heros. A yet-unseen eighth vehicle will be an amalgamation of all seven Super Heroes in one.

There is no mistaking the blue metallic finish with red chrome accents, or the world’s most recognizable superhero’s chest emblem glowing on the hood, but you have to look closer to see the Superman logo on the rear fascia and catch the red glow from the headlights. The theme has been carried into the cabin, where occupants will find custom upholstery and Superman’s iconic shield on the seats and airbag cover. While the hybrid sedan’s gasoline-electric powertrain remains untouched, the Optima features flared fenders, oversize 22-inch wheels and a height-adjustable suspension that is controlled from the cockpit. Read more in the official press blast below.

2014 Kia Cadenza Will Be Available Second Quarter 2013

January 21, 2013

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By Steven J. Ewing

2014 Cadenza is Kia’s take on the Hyundai Azera

No, this is not the oh-so pleasantly named Quoris rear-wheel-drive flagship sedan – this is Kia’s new front-drive entry into the North American market, the Cadenza. (If that sounds familiar, it’s because Kia has long used the Cadenza name in other markets.) And while it’s a sharp-looking thing, it’s not exactly an original masterpiece. Peel away that slick exterior and you’ll find a trusty Hyundai Azera doing the grunt work.

That’s no bad thing, though; the Azera’s a smooth-sailing sedan. Under the hood is a 3.3-liter direct-injection V6 putting out 293 horsepower and 255 pound-feet of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with, oh yes, Sportmatic manual mode. That power hits the ground via a sport-tuned suspension with MacPherson struts up front and a multi-link rear configuration, matched with either 18- or 19-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, there’s a whole host of nice leather surrounded by wood and chrome accents, with a driver-focused cockpit (sort of like the Optima) with a seven-inch TFT color touchscreen display. Premium options include things like Nappa leather seats, a panoramic sunroof, Kia’s UVO infotainment system, HID headlamps with active lighting, heated seats and a heated steering wheel. Sounds comfy.

Kia will officially launch the Cadenza in the second quarter of 2013, with pricing to be announced closer to the on-sale date. Scroll down for the official press blast.

Have You Seen The New 2013 Chevy SS Nascar?

January 8, 2013

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2013 NASCAR Chevrolet SS unveiled

By Melissa Burden The Detroit News

From The Detroit News http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20121129/AUTO0103/211290453

Chevrolet on Thursday in Las Vegas revealed its 2013 NASCAR Chevrolet SS — a race car that closely will mirror the limited-edition 2014 Chevrolet SS that will hit U.S. showrooms late next year.

The rear-wheel drive SS, powered by a V-8 engine, is Chevy’s new entry in the NASCAR Spring Cup Series beginning in February at SpeedWeeks in Daytona, Fla. It replaces the Impala as the company’s race car for NASCAR’s Sprint Cup. The Impala had 152 wins from 1959-64 and 2007-12.

“With the SS, Chevrolet is delivering a true rear-wheel-drive NASCAR race car that is very closely linked to the performance sedan that will be available for sale, ensuring that our most loyal enthusiasts will have the opportunity to experience the same thrill every day on the open road that our race car drivers enjoy on the track on race day,” Mark Reuss, General Motors North America president, said in a statement.

Chevy has used the SS or Super Sport badge on select high-performance models for decades. It first appeared in 1957 on a prototype Corvette racer and was first available on a production car with the 1961 Impala.

The 2014 Chevy SS will be available in limited quantities in the U.S. beginning late next year. The automaker, which said in May it would bring a new Chevy SS sedan to the U.S., expects the new vehicle to help bolster its position with performance cars including the Camaro and Corvette. It marks the first time in 17 years that Chevy has offered U.S. buyers a V-8 rear-wheel drive. The last offering was the Caprice, which went away in 1996.

GM says the SS will be based on global rear-wheel platforms of vehicles such as the Camaro and next-generation Holden VF Commodore, produced by GM in Australia.

Analysts don’t expect the production SS will be a big-volume seller for Chevy, and it won’t take sales away from the Camaro. It’ll likely compete against vehicles such as the Dodge Charger SRT8.

Ford Motor Co. has said it will race a 2013 Ford Fusion, modeled after the 2013 Fusion, in the NASCAR Sprint Cup, while Chrysler Group LLC’s Dodge and SRT Motorsports will race a 2013 Dodge Charger.

Superman Inspired Kia Optima Hybrid

2014 Kia Cadenza Will Be Available Second Quarter 2013

Have You Seen The New 2013 Chevy SS Nascar?

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