Showing posts with label Today. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Today. Show all posts

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Gullwing-door Kia KV7 Concept Flies into Detroit



After two shots and a few teaser pictures leak today, Kia "activity MPV" concept, the KV7 finally landed in the exhibition hall Detroit Motor Show 2011 Show.Designed to challenge the idea that the mini vans are strictly for those who bear the KV7 is distinguished by its square design and, according to the Koreans, will also serve as a "relationship-center social groups of friends and adventurers."

"From the beginning, we thought the class needed a new honest assessment, because everyone seems so desperate to put the word" sport "in his truck, but MPV, in his heart, are just a box," said Tom Kearns, chief designer of Kia Motors America. "Instead of dismissing the case, we chose to celebrate, as we did with the soul, and the result is a simple and sophisticated vehicle that maintains the functionality of minivans are known and respond to changing needs and diversity of the Today's consumers. "

Unlike most minivans on the road today, the Kia design study with a larger position than small vertical pillars and windshield. This is highlighted by LED headlights, which covers almost the entire width of the facade. The body lines are simple, while the 20-inch alloys add a sporty touch.

Nothing spectacular, right? Faux. As you can see the pictures, the highlight is the stylistic KV7 Gullwing style rear doors, which contributes to a massive entry point when they opened as part of the door pillar-less front passenger.

Measuring 192 inches (4.87 m) long, the concept offers flexible seating configurations and storage options. All seats can be rotated, including the driver, and there's even a mini-salon in the back with space for three people, who, says Kia, facilitating interaction in an open social.

The designers chose a palette of colorful soft beige and green and used a variety of unconventional materials such as teak wood and wool, supplemented by "accent lighting" LED.

The dashboard is dominated by a large screen, which brings together all infotainment, climate and navigation functions, and moves more than six inches from the driver when the engine start button is pressed. Passengers have their separate interface in the form of a computer monitor table floating KV7 is touch screen and Wi-Fi enabled.

The final piece is under the hood. Kia concept with a 285 HP 2.0-liter direct injection turbocharged, also used by the US-Spec 2011 Optima sedan, mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission.

By Csaba Daradics

 
KV7 specification summary

Exterior Dimensions
Length: 191.85 in. (4873mm)
Width: 80.0 in. (2033mm)
Height: 68.1 in. (1729mm)
Wheelbase: 122.0 in. (3100mm)


Exterior Features

§ Wide stance, smooth exterior skin and 20-inch wheels with 225/45 tyres

§ A-pillar and windshield design that is less vertical than traditional minivans

§ Passenger-side gullwing door which creates a massive point-of-entry to when opened in conjunction with the pillar-less front passenger door

§ A continuous line of LED fog lights that span the entire front end of the vehicle

§ LED Directional turn indicators on the outside mirrors and the rear of the vehicle that pulse in the direction being signalled

§ Interpretation of Kia’s signature bold tabbed grille with vertical LED headlamps integrated within the design

§ A distinctive windshield and series of near-continuous windows starting at the A-pillar for maximum visibility

Interior Features

§ Four custom-built swivelling seats, including the driver’s seat

§ Rear-corner mini-lounge with seating for three

§ Integrated storage compartments

§ Modern colour palette featuring soft beige and green tones

§ Unique seat and surface materials

§ Variety of unconventional textures, including reclaimed teak wood flooring and sustainable wool and felt materials

§ Front dash moves more than six inches toward the driver when push button start is engaged

§ Large multi-use display which integrates infotainment, climate and navigation systems in one simple-to-use interface controlled by a trackball mouse mounted in the dash

§ Rear floating tabletop touch-screen computer display

§ Wi-Fi enabled cabin

§ Ability for multiple passengers to connect their smart phones simultaneously

§ Multiple flush-to-the-floor accent illumination points and standout green LED lighting throughout the front dash, instrument panel and rear display area

Driving Functions

§ New Theta II 2.0-litre GDI turbocharged engine (as fitted to U.S. spec Optima)

§ 285 horsepower

§ Six-speed automatic transmission

§ V6-type power and performance while maximising fuel efficiency

 

 

 

 

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Thursday, September 29, 2011

Hasta la Victoria, Siempre! Cuba to Open Market to New Cars for the First Time Since 1959!



In what can be considered a historical moment, the Cuban government legalized today the purchase and sale of new automobiles for all its citizens, ending the prohibition that had been enforced since the 1959 revolution.

It was a move that was announced last April by President Raul Castro, but would not become law until it was published in the Official Gazette.

The new ruling, which is effective from Saturday, stipulates that both the buyer and the sellers will each pay a 4% tax for new cars. Buyers will also have to go to state-owned dealerships and prove that the money they intend to spend were obtained through their work and not sent by relatives who live abroad.

Sales of cars in communist Cuba was restricted to any models that had been imported to the country until 1959, save for a few members of the party elite who had access to Soviet-made cars and some black market imports.

That’s the reason why the country’s streets are a cornucopia of American classics from the ‘50s, sadly most of the times in various states of decay.

As Cuba is slowly moving away from a completely state-regulated and isolated regime in order to rebuild its economy, the government has announced that it will also allow the legal sale and purchase of real estate by the end of 2011.

Now, is that a revolution or what?

Story References: Youtube/AP & USA Today

 
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