Kia Announces Turbo 3-cylinder, 7-speed Double-clutch Kappa Engine

Future version of Kia models may be outfitted with 1-liter engine

Earlier this week, Kia announced its version of a three-cylinder engine dubbed the Kappa engine.

While the engine is set to go on sale later this year in Europe, Kia Motors America (KMA) has not yet announced a set date for the engines to be place in cars to be sold in the United States, Car and Driver believes it will be “sooner rather than later.” Models that could see the Kappa in the future, according to Car and Driver, are the Kia Rio, Forte and Soul.

Further details about the motor have been revealed including horsepower and torque. The Kappa engine kicks out 118 horsepower and 127 lb.-ft. of torque that features a single-scroll turbo; peak power hits at 6,000 rpm. The Kappa also utilizes a pair of thermostats, allowing the block and head to be cooled independently of each other.

New for Kias would be the seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Diesel variants of some European Kias will have the new automatic transmission that can handle up to 221 lb.-ft. of torque. Car and Driver guesses that the Optima may be the first U.S. Kia model to take advantage of the DCT.

Stay tuned to Jim Butler Kia in Chesterfield Valley’s blog for more information and updates on this engine and other Kia model news.

Great models such as the Optima, Rio, Forte and more are available from Jim Butler Kia of Chesterfield Valley’s inventory. To learn more about our Kia models, call us today at 888-392-6606. As your St. Louis Kia dealer, we invite you to check out our new Kias in person at our Chesterfield dealership. If you’re in the St. Louis, Chesterfield Valley, Creve Coeur or Maryland Heights area, stop by our lot at 722 Long Road Crossing in Chesterfield. Here at Jim Butler Kia, you can make your Sorento, K900 and Soul purchases with confidence. We are located in Chesterfield, Mo., and serve as your St. Louis, Chesterfield Valley, Creve Coeur and Maryland Heights Kia dealer.

Take a look at our new Kia inventory online!

Models at Jim Butler Kia top BMW, Mercedes-Benz in Consumer Reports ranks

USA Today reported that Kia beat such renowned car brands as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Acura, Infiniti and Ford in Consumer Reports’ 2015 Car Brand Report Cards. Jim Butler Kia in St. Louis congratulates the Kia brand on its high marks.

Kia earned an overall score of 68 which tops Mercedes-Benz by 12 points. Kia also edged out Infiniti, Acura and BMW among an array of other brands.

Consumer Reports attempts to blend reliability and road performance when naming its top brands and cars. The ratings let perspective car owners decide which car will be both reliable and fun to drive. 

Kia besting long-time brands such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Ford gives a testament to how much the Kia brand has grown and progressed in recent years. As Kia took a higher ranking than Acura and Infiniti, it shows how Kia models such as the 2015 K900 and 2016 Sorento can provide a fun and reliable ride more than some high-end brands.

The K900 is seen as a business-class upgrade to the Kia’s regular lineup and is comparable to some BMW models without the luxury price tag. An extremely roomy interior gives plenty of leg space, and a white leather motif with light-wood touches accentuates a quiet cabin. Kia has a habit of offering consumers much more for their spending less, so it should come as no surprise that Kia’s luxury sedan offers the value of the German sedans at a portion of the price.

Under the hood, the 2015 K900 boasts a 420 horsepower 5.0-liter V8 that produces 376 lb.-ft. of torque. The most luxurious feature of the 2015 K900 might be the rear-seat console which features controls for those sitting in the backseat. Those enjoying the luxurious ride from the rear seats have control of their heated and ventilated seats. The rear console also provides individual recline functionality and a power sunshade.

The adventurous CUV can be found at Jim Butler Kia in Chesterfield Valley. The 2016 Kia Sorento is larger and more capable of hauling cargo and seating passengers comfortably. The Sorento possesses first-class amenities across five trim levels and comes with three engine choices — including a 240 horsepower 2.0-liter turbo-charged inline four-cylinder engine.

These models and more are available from Jim Butler Kia of Chesterfield Valley’s inventory. To learn more about our Kia models, call us today at 888-392-6606. As your St. Louis Kia dealer, we invite you to check out our new Kias in person at our Chesterfield dealership. If you’re in the St. Louis, Chesterfield Valley, Creve Coeur or Maryland Heights area, stop by our lot at 722 Long Road Crossing in Chesterfield. Here at Jim Butler Kia, you can make your Sorento, K900 and Soul purchases with confidence. We are located in Chesterfield, Mo., and serve as your St. Louis, Chesterfield Valley, Creve Coeur and Maryland Heights Kia dealer.

Check out our new Kia inventory!

2016 Sorentos at Jim Butler Kia Earn IIHS Top Safety Pick

Jim Butler Kia in Chesterfield Valley has the safe family SUV you’ve been searching for with the 2016 Kia Sorento which earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick. 

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) noted the ’16 Sorento’s great improvement in the small overlap crash test, even saying the crash test models “indicate[d] a low risk of any significant injuries in a crash of this severity.” The small overlap test is a relatively new safety test brought about in 2012. This test replicates what happens when the front corner of a vehicle collides with another vehicle or an object such as a tree or pole.

When combined with the Sorento’s other good ratings in moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraints and seats crashworthiness tests, the ’16 Sorento becomes a 2015 Top Safety Pick by IIHS.

Jim Butler Kia in Chesterfield Valley has a wide selection of 2016 Sorentos to choose from including some with all-wheel drive. The 2016 Sorento is bred for adventure and has three engines (2.4-liter inline-4, turbocharged 2.0-L inline-4 and 3.3-L V6) across eight trims with a long list of features that make for an outstanding family vehicle or the “perfect getaway” vehicle for a camping weekend.

To learn more about the Top Safety Pick ’16 Sorento, call us today at 888-392-6606. As your St. Louis Kia dealer, we invite you to check out the Sorento in person at our Chesterfield dealership. If you’re in the St. Louis, Chesterfield Valley, Creve Coeur or Maryland Heights area, stop by our lot at 722 Long Road Crossing in Chesterfield. Here at Jim Butler Kia, you can make your Sorento purchase with confidence. We are located in Chesterfield, Mo., and serve as your St. Louis, Chesterfield Valley, Creve Coeur and Maryland Heights Kia dealer.

Check out our inventory of 2016 Sorentos!

Kia Unveils Trail’ster Electric All-wheel Drive CUV Concept

Off-road enthusiasts in St. Louis will soon have a new best friend as Kia Motors America (KMA) debuted its newest concept at the 2015 Chicago Auto Show — an electric, all-wheel drive CUV dubbed the Trial’ster. Those who live in urban areas but also want a vehicle that can handle their off-road fun now have an eco-friendly vehicle to fit their needs.

As it is based on the Kia Soul design, the Trail’ster’s look may not exactly scream rugged like other traditional off-road vehicles, but its rear axle-mounted electric all-wheel-drive system provides surefootedness in the wild. Also, it is two-and-a-half inches higher than the standard Soul. Along with all of that, the Trail’ster has aluminum skidplates around the entire vehicle to protect the undercarriage from jagged rocks.

The exterior is highlighted by a stylish full-length fully retractable, weatherproof rollback canvas roof to create an open-sky environment. Integrated roof rack fittings with aluminum cross rails allow owners to take easily their mountain bikes, snowboards or whatever they need for their outdoor fun.

The interior was inspired by the outdoor and cold weather gear that those who purchase one of these vehicles in the future wear. The focal point of this interior is a tactile and sturdy center console with its AWD controls and a bright red ignition button. The floor mats feature aluminum inlays for all-weather traction. As the Trail’ster is based on the Soul, there is plenty of space for passengers and cargo to boot.

Under the hood, the compact CUV is primarily powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine outputting 185 horsepower and 185 lb.-ft. of torque through a six-speed automatic transmission. This is matched to an electric all-wheel-drive system on the rear axle. The electric propulsion system draws energy from a 1.2 kWh Lithium Ion Polymer battery powering a 27 kW, 270 volt AC synchronous permanent magnet electric motor to bring the total power to 220 HP and 285 lb.-ft. of torque.

Stay tuned to Jim Butler Kia in Chesterfield Valley’s blog for more details and information on the Trail’ster.

While those in St. Louis wait eagerly for this concept to become a reality, Jim Butler Kia in St. Louis has a selection of 2015 Kia Souls in our inventory. To learn more about the award-winning Kia Soul, call us today at 888-392-6606. As your St. Louis Kia dealer, we invite you to check out the Soul in person at our Chesterfield dealership. If you’re in the St. Louis, Chesterfield Valley, Creve Coeur or Maryland Heights area, stop by our lot at 722 Long Road Crossing in Chesterfield. Here at Jim Butler Kia, you can make your Soul purchase with confidence. We are located in Chesterfield, Mo., and serve as your St. Louis, Chesterfield Valley, Creve Coeur and Maryland Heights Kia dealer.

Check out our 2015 Soul inventory!

Soul EV Takes Home 2015 ‘MotorWeek’ Drivers’ Choice Award

The eco-friendly 2015 Kia Soul EV won the Drivers’ Choice Award from “MotorWeek,” a PBS show that analyzes trends, new products and new automotive technology. “MotorWeek’s” awards can be used as a car-shopping guide for new vehicle customers.

The 2015 Kia Soul EV impressed “MotorWeek’s” judges with its practicality, design, cargo space, interior room and rear seat leg room (more than other EV competitors). The Soul EV also has the best range in its segment at an EPA estimated 93 miles.

“'MotorWeek’s' Best Eco-Friendly Vehicle award is a great honor from a respected source and a powerful endorsement of the Soul EV’s unique blend of range, utility, style and value,” Orth Hedrick, vice president of product planning for Kia Motors America, said.

The host and executive producer of “MotorWeek,” John Davis, noted the Soul EV’s higher power and range than its all-electric competition. He also noted that the Soul EV keeps the style of its gasoline-powered siblings. The Soul EV has a premium interior and standard amenities including navigation with eight-inch touchscreen, a 6.6kW on-board charger, CHAdeMO DC fast charge port, Rear Camera Display and a HVAC system that extends the EV’s range by minimizing energy draw.

Jim Butler Kia in St. Louis has a selection of 2015 Kia Souls waiting for their next owner. To learn more about the award-winning Kia Soul, call us today at 888-392-6606. As your St. Louis Kia dealer, we invite you to check out the Soul in person at our Chesterfield dealership. If you’re in the St. Louis, Chesterfield Valley, Creve Coeur or Maryland Heights area, stop by our lot at 722 Long Road Crossing in Chesterfield. Here at Jim Butler Kia, you can make your Soul purchase with confidence. We are located in Chesterfield, Mo., and serve as your St. Louis, Chesterfield Valley, Creve Coeur and Maryland Heights Kia dealer.

Check out our 2015 Soul inventory!

Jim Butler’s exclusive K900 wins Urban Car of the Year award

Jim Butler Kia in Chesterfield Valley is St. Louis’ exclusive home to the 2015 Kia K900, and the K900 has earned yet another award.

Decisive magazine named the 2015 Kia K900 as its Urban Car of the Year at the North American International Auto Show. The jurors were impressed by the ’15 K900’s performance, refinement and amenities. UWA judge Les Jackson specifically noted the K900’s “understated elegance that speaks of the owner being a savvy, trendy professional.”

The K900 is seen as a business-class upgrade to the Kia’s regular lineup. An extremely roomy interior gives plenty of leg space, and a white leather motif with light-wood touches accentuates a quiet cabin. Kia has a habit of offering consumers much more for their spending less, so it should come as no surprise that Kia’s luxury sedan offers the value of the German sedans at a portion of the price.

Under the hood, the 2015 K900 boasts a 420 horsepower 5.0-liter V8 that produces 376 lb.-ft. of torque. The most luxurious feature of the 2015 K900 might be the rear-seat console which features controls for those sitting in the backseat. Those enjoying the luxurious ride from the rear seats have control of their heated and ventilated seats. The rear console also provides individual recline functionality and a power sunshade.

Jim Butler Kia is St. Louis’ exclusive K900 dealer. If you want an award-winning, executive sedan with world-class features and some kick under the hood, contact Jim Butler Kia today at 636-256-9600 or check out jimbutlerkia.com. As your St. Louis-area Kia dealer, we invite you to check out the 2015 Kia K900 in person at our Chesterfield dealership. If you’re in the St. Louis, Chesterfield, Creve Coeur or Maryland Heights area, stop by our lot at722 Long Road Crossing in Chesterfield. Here at Jim Butler you can make your K900 purchase with confidence. We are located in Chesterfield, Mo., and serve as your St. Louis and Chesterfield Valley Kia dealer.

Check out our inventory of K900s!