Is Kia considering a diesel for the U.S.?

If we had a dollar for every time we read a headline that said, “[insert automaker here] considering a diesel for U.S. market,” we’d have a pretty sizable stack of Washingtons. So why, then, is this story of particular interest?

After the website Efficient Automobile wrote about the possibility of Kia offering a diesel-powered Optima here in the United States, the automaker took things a step further, addressing this on its Facebook page. Kia’s North American public relations team asks its loyal followers, “Would you drive a diesel?” And from what we can tell after a quick scan of the comments, the yeses certainly seem to outweigh the nos.

In Europe, the Optima is available with a 1.7-liter turbo-diesel four, good for 134 horsepower and 239 pound-feet of torque. The decidedly vague story from Efficient Automobile also states that the diesel Optima shares many of the visual upgrades that we have on the U.S.-spec Optima Hybrid, including a lowered ride height and special wheels.

It’s worth mentioning that Kia’s North American PR Facebook account is largely geared towards the U.S. media, and we have yet to meet a single member of the automotive press who wouldn’t drive a diesel. But since Kia PR does not restrict its Facebook page, perhaps this is a small way for the automaker to gauge customer interest about the possibility of offering a diesel-powered car here in the United States. And to answer the question at hand, yes, Kia, we would.

The Long, Winding Road To Chevrolet’s SS SedanAfter years of drama, the curtain all but comes off the next U.S.-bound Holden.
www.GMInsideNews.com By: Nick Saporito

After being sold in North America as the Pontiac G8, the Australian derived Holden Commodore became the recipient of much fanfare for its rear-wheel drive chassis and V-8 power. Unfortunately the death of the Pontiac brand also led to the death of the Commodore in the U.S., but the rumors and speculation surrounding its return never died with it. Finally the speculation can subside and Commodore fans can rejoice at the return of an Australian automotive staple.

Back in October 2009 GMI was first told that GM executives were looking into ways of bringing back the Commodore to the U.S. Specifically, we were hearing from sources that Bob Lutz and other “car guy” executives at GM were wanting design mockups of a Cadillac flagship sedan built off of Holden’s rear-wheel drive platform, as well as a mainstream Chevrolet sedan.

Almost two years later the information was validated within the halls of GM’s Hollywood design studio. During a media event in November 2011 GM showcased dozens of real Cadillac mockups, many of which explicitly stated they were designed to ride on the Zeta platform. Unfortunately none of the stunning models were ever approved for production.

Nearly a year after the first report, GMI was told more detailed information regarding the rumored Commodore-based Chevrolet sedan. In fact, it was in this report that GMI first called the car it’s real name – two years before anyone else and over three years before the official announcement (which should take place next year). At the time sources were indicating that the car would arrive in 2012, which today we know is a bit early. As for the “Premium Zeta” mentioned in the report? It became what we know today as Omega, which is still in development.

By March 2011 GMI sources recommended we report on the “SS Sedan” with a new level of certainty, because “the car is going to happen.” With that level of assurance, we published that the car was operating as an approved program and that it would arrive in 2013 as a 2014 model, which still holds true today.

Fast forward to March 2012 and GM finally makes a public announcement that provides strong hints toward the SS Sedan. The announcement stated that the Impala would be dropped as the brand’s entry into NASCAR and replaced by an all-new sedan, which would be formally announced in 2013.

As if the NASCAR announcement was not enough confirmation of the SS Sedan, GM’s OnStar division flubbed and listed all compatible 2014 model-year products. On the list was the “Chevrolet SS Performance Sedan.”

Read More: http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f70/long-winding-road-chevrolets-ss-sedan-110527/

Jeff Sabatini

Posted May 2nd 2012 12:57PM

http://www.autoblog.com

We so wanted to lead this post with a Jim Belushi joke. Alas, the Kia press release announcing the launch of its rear-drive flagship in Korea today specifically clarifies that the K9 will be renamed for other markets.

While Kia says the large sedan rides on “its own platform,” we know enough about the auto industry to posit that much of that platform is shared with the underpinnings of corporate cousin Hyundai’s Genesis Sedan and Equus. Like the Hyundai pair, Kia is clearly hoping the not-called-K9-here will help the brand move upmarket, positioning the car as a premium product designed, in the words of Kia’s head of design Peter Schreyer, “to compete head-to-head with the European luxury brands.”

The Kia sedan will split the difference between the Genesis and the Equus, matching the 120-inch wheelbase of the latter, but with an overall length of 200 inches that’s three inches shorter than Equus and almost four inches longer than the Genesis. The Kia sedan will have the same 0.27 coefficient of drag as both the Hyundai models.

Kia says its luxury sedan will be powered by two distinct versions of the corporate 3.8-liter Lambda V6, one making 286 horsepower and the direct-injection version rated at 329. The more powerful engine is said to be “joining the global engine line-up next year,” which we’d expect would coincide with the flagship sedan’s U.S. launch. Both engines will be mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Kia says the car will be available with a number of safety features including a lane-departure warning system and blind sport detection. A reclining rear seat with leg rest will also be available, just like in the Equus.

Today’s announcement raises an interesting possibility. While we wouldn’t expect Kia to send its flagship stateside with the less-powerful V6 – indeed, a V8 engine option is surely bound to accompany an official statement of the car’s U.S. sales plan – doing so would certainly allow Kia to bring the car to market at a more attractive entry-level price. Kia has a scant resume when it comes launching anything other than budget models here in the U.S., and the brand certainly has considerable work to do if it aims to catch up to Hyundai in pricier segments.

It will certainly be interesting to see where Kia tries to position its unnamed sedan – and whether its (*ahem*) dogged pursuit of the luxury dollar will succeed.

Read More: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/02/kia-k9-launches-in-korea-export-model-to-get-new-name/

Congratulations to James Probst on winning the New iPad from The VanDevere Bunch. We had over 7000 people combined from Facebook, Twitter, Postcards and in store entries! That’s awesome participation everyone! We’re already prepping for our next giveaway, so stay tuned!

  VanDevere Chevrolet

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www.gminsidenews.com
Words: Alex Villani
Pics: Adam Bean, Brian DeLuca, Alex Villani

Say goodbye to the ancient W-body based Impala with its sub-par materials and fleet-special design. Chevrolet has launched the all-new Impala here in New York, and it is a stunner. As part of GM’s vehicle debut bonanza for the New York Auto Show, the Impala was the most anticipated vehicle launch here at the show according to our Facebook poll. Not only did Chevy pull off a quazi-retro designed exterior perfectly, but the interior is one of the best laid out of any GM product, complete with high quality materials and a whole host of technological features. Designers pulled themes from both past and present Chevy products to put together an aggressive yet elegant package inside and out.
Read More: http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f70/gmi-first-look-2014-chevrolet-impala-109898/

University of Akron students can now save 10% off Parts and Service when they pay with their Zip Cards.

With summer right around the corner, you want to make sure that your oil level is good in your vehicle before you head out on the road with your family. Our very own Nate from the Chevrolet Service Department shows you how to check your oil level. Be sure to check yours often to ensure you get where you need to go without and setbacks this summer.

By  Zach Bowman

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/23/kia-rio-hyundai-accent-and-chevy-sonic-top-consumer-reports/

Consumer Reports has just wrapped up an evaluation of subcompact sedans, and the Kia Rio EX has rolled out ahead of the class. The four-door beat out its corporate clone, the Hyundai Accent and the Chevrolet Sonic to take the top spot. Evaluators pointed to the sharp handling and well-optioned interior in the Rio as reasons for the vehicle’s win. The newly redesigned Nissan Versa and unloved Toyota Yaris filled out the top five sedans. And what of the baby hatchbacks? CR once again credited the Honda Fit as leader of the pack, followed closely by the Versa Hatchback and Rio Hatchback.

The organization found fault with the base Chevrolet Sonic’s fuel economy, and found the turbocharged LTZ model to be too expensive. Evaluators also felt the Sonic Turbo “didn’t live up to its sporty aspirations.”

We’ll politely agree to disagree on that one.

All of the vehicles in the evaluation are either too new or scored too low in CR evaluations to earn a coveted Recommended rating. Hit the jump for a look at the full press release and debate amongst yourselves in Comments.

Read more: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/23/kia-rio-hyundai-accent-and-chevy-sonic-top-consumer-reports/

After it’s reveal at the Bangkok Motor Show last year, the new global Chevrolet Colorado quickly gained traction as General Motors announced that it would be coming to the North American market as well. Unfortunately, much misinformation came with it; with publications assuming the truck would arrive immediately following the death of the current Colorado truck, but that is not the case. The new Colorado is still two years away for North America.

The general consensus has been that the new Colorado would arrive in 2013 model year. On the surface, that seems like a plausible timeline considering the truck is going on sale in certain global markets this year and the current Colorado is slated to end production this year. Unfortunately GM has a reputation for waiting extended periods of time before bringing global products to North America and the new Colorado is no exception.

Instead of 2013, expect the new Colorado to launch as a 2015 model year vehicle in North America. There are several, logical reasons for the wait.

For starters, the Colorado that just launched on the global scene is not specifically designed for North America. GMI has been told that GM is holding off and giving North America an updated version of the truck in 2015; one that will meet all U.S. standards and be an overall better truck. This updated version will proliferate the global markets as well.

This launch strategy is not new at GM. The same strategy took place with the Chevrolet Spark mini car. It has been on sale in most global markets for nearly two years, but North America has waited until 2013 model year to get an updated version of the car.

The second issue with the new Colorado is North American production. GM has already announced that the Colorado will be built at their Wentzville, Mo. assembly plant. However anyone with any knowledge on automotive manufacturing knows that it isn’t feasible to retool a plant for a completely new vehicle line and chassis in the matter of a few months (the investment was just announced in November).

Factoring in those two, very large issues and a start of production date in 2014 becomes far more realistic. In fact, when GM announced the new Colorado would make it to the North American market they hinted that it would be awhile until it hits the streets.

Just like the Cruze, Spark and Sonic/Aveo, it sounds like the Colorado will have its own development process for the North American market.

While Chevrolet has not announced engines for the North American Colorado, GMI has been told to expect GM’s new 2.5-liter four-cylinder and 3.6-liter V-6. Both engines have a wide range of outputs, so specific outputs for the Colorado are entirely unknown at this time.

In most global markets the Colorado is powered by a 2.8-liter diesel engine. It is unclear if the diesel engine will make its way to North America as well.

Expect the new, updated Colorado to launch in North America in mid-2014 as a 2015 model.

Read more at: http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f70/new-chevy-colorado-two-years-out-u-s-buyers-109542/