2019 Kia K900 Described like “A Day of Pampering at the Spa” During Automobile Test Drive

Luxury sedans are one of those items that it can be easy to swoon over during the holidays. Graduations are coming up in the spring, those who have tied the knot are celebrating, and consumers whose needs are shifting towards a different style are all candidates for an amazing new vehicle. This past week, Automobile blog ran a great piece on how the K900 has improved over last year's model, as the finish and features immediately won seasoned car writer Eleanor Segura over during her work on the article. She was able to test drive next year's K900 for two days and nights, and at first glimpse thought that it would seem more like a day of pampering at the spa than a routine test drive!

The available ambient lighting with custom colors is one of the reasons why the love for the K900 was so strong: it allows you to choose from 64 hues, and it was appreciated how far beyond the typical green or blue you can choose from. The Lexicon audio system is another reason to appreciate the K900: with a 17-speaker audio system, it does not make room for any disappointment, powered by 900 watts and properly dispersing the audio element of holiday cheer.

It's true that a proper luxury car needs a stylish timepiece in the dash: Mercedes-Benz has IWC Shauffhausen, Bently has Beitling, and the K900 now sports one from Maurice Lacroix. These elements go very nicely with the overall feel of the interior, and add a touch of class that really goes a long way in the aesthetic category. Another super-cool feature of the K900 is the Instrument-cluster Blind-View Monitor: when you signal to turn or change lanes to the left or right, the tachometer and speedometer are minimized in favor of a camera. The engine and vehicle speeds are still visible above the camera image, and having both views is a nice feature that you don't get on other luxury sedans.

Then there is the VIP Package, it includes a pair of switches on the left of the front passenger seatback that gives drivers the ability to quickly move the front passenger seat, allowing for someone in the rear to board faster. You can also adjust the backseat separately, allowing even more room for an important passenger to embark for the ride. Instrument cluster graphics are one feature that can really add a bright light in terms of personality, and when you enter the car or shut off the engine, Eleanor loved the fairy-like character warmly telling you to come back soon.

In busy metros such as St Louis, we know all too well the sensation of having someone follow too closely: it's somewhat of an everyday occurrence. In the K900, you can simply roll up the rear privacy shade when someone gets in your personal space, and when you put the car in reverse, the shade rolls down automatically, so you can be sure your all-important backup path is clear. In the drive modes now featured, automatic driver-seat adjustment is a great additive: for each mode you pick, the seats adjust themselves to an ample level of support. Level of luxury is definitely a deciding factor when it comes to selecting a brand new car, and after a test drive of the K900, you're going to appreciate every single upper-end element that adds comfort and clout to each drive you take!

2020 Kia Soul Confirmed to Grace Stage During L.A. Auto Show

For quite some time now, it's been expected to see the all-new 2020 Kia Soul debut at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show, and now the official word is thankfully out. Gift-wrapped for the holidays along with a teaser image, Kia has now confirmed that the 2020 Soul will have its official review during the 2018 LA Auto Show. We know that the teaser was a bit vague, since all that was shown was a small slice of the taillight, which has a distinctly taller appearance than last year's model. There is also a plastic styling element present on the side profile, spelling out the word “Soul” in engraved letters.

Kia has also decided to use a very bright green car for the teaser. Other details provided were about the availability of drivetrains, which will now include a turbocharged option, as well as an EV. The EV and turbocharged varieties will probably be revealed alongside the brand new Soul in LA as well, and it is currently assumed that the US will be one market receiving the EV model. The Soul EV is rumored to use the same drivetrain as the recently revealed Kia E-niro, and Hyundai Kona Electric. This means that it could plausibly have a driving range of up to 300 miles, which would rank it at the top of its segment.

The Soul is the vehicle that Car and Driver claimed has “unique charm and usability,” with real reasons to buy being the refinement, and available high-tech features. Their testing staff ranked the steering effort light and agreeable, making the Soul a perfect choice for daily driving. One thing that all of us at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis can agree on is the abundant utility value in the Soul: It weight is much higher than you'd get from an ordinary hatchback, and automatic climate control became standard on all trims with this year's model. Safety features such as automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control are now available on the Plus trim, with the addition of the Primo package.

The Soul is also currently available as an EV model, with an EPA-estimated range of 93 miles on a single charge. Standard features on this year's model include 16-inch alloy wheels, the ingenious UVO-interface, a 6-speaker audio system, cloth upholstery, a USB port, and Bluetooth. The NHTSA awarded this year's Soul with a five-star overall safety score, and when equipped with the Primo package, the mid-grade Soul Plus is the recipient of adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, as well as forward collision warning.

The Car Connection ranked this a great buy due to it possessing “the same spunky attitude and powertrains” as previous models, and for offering a very high-quality environment for the price. The packaging grants 4 adults more than enough space for comfort, and the headroom factor is a huge plus considering the confines. The other quote from The Car Connection we want to leave you with regarding the Soul is, “The Kia Soul cheerfully implodes the idea that only expensive cars can look good!”

AA Driven Car of the Year Describes Kia Stinger as Providing “Brilliant, Grand Fun”

Designed in Europe and having all of its necessary performance chops ironed out painstakingly on the Nurburgring racetrack itself, the Stinger was an addition to the ranks of large sedan swagger that very easily turns many heads wherever it goes! As a finalist in the AA Driven New Zealand Car of the Year award, the Stinger is also a current contender for the People's Choice Award. Boasting interior that is said to be “aircraft inspired” and a lower seating position to evoke a sportier feel, the aggressive stance and stigma of the Stinger has won acclaim from journalists and customers alike nationwide.  

Nappa leather seats, a range of active safety features, and on-board technology to prevent slipping and skidding during inclement conditions are all in the mix to add appeal to an object that is already undeniably eye-popping. This is the charismatic and gutsy auto offering out there right now that Car and Driver labeled as “outrageously mean,” and one that any expert or bona fide track enthusiast was guaranteed to have had their eyes on intensely during development. Making its debut at the 2011 Frankfurt motor show, this was a car that shocked many with it's bravado in the ultra-important category of straight-line performance. The acceleration factor is just one of those elements of the Stinger that will always be jaw-dropping, and it doles out the endgame for the quarter-mile during testing at 12.9 seconds, seeing 111 mph.

As far as the results in the telling 0-60 mph trot, the Stinger has many in the industry righteously starstruck, as the near-optimal grip/power balance yields a 4.4-second time, which is daringly quicker than any other similar sedan situated even close to it in its class. It was faster in the long run than every single car in the last comparison test for mid-size premium sports sedans, and the proof maintains its stance. When put up to the test against rivals Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Jaguar, and Mercedes, the Stinger also fared the best in braking ability: four-piston front and two-piston rear Brembo calipers are now standard on the GT. 

The Stinger's 114.4-inch wheelbase is only a few tenths of an inch shorter than the Audi A6 and S6, and the overall length is just 4 inches shorter than the A6 and BMW 5-series sedans. The five included driving modes really make a difference when picking the best means to embrace the Stinger's available power.  that is just right for the mood of the moment that can easily claim you behind the wheel. Smart, Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Custom are the modes to select from, and all of us here at Jim Butler Kia quickly saw that “Sport” is the mode it was born and bred for: this is where you really get the opportunity to enjoy the performance aspects that were so important to Kia's engineers in the first place. 

While you are test-driving the Stinger to see just how awesome it is in every possible way, the lane-keeping assist feature is one to take notice of: this is a futuristic additive that is the predecessor to complete hands-off-the-wheel automation. Many have taken notice of the fact that the Stinger is not necessarily quiet: during a 70 mph run, the GT produced a 71-decibel noise dent, which was louder than the Jaguar XE, BMW 340i, and the Audi S6 Sportback. Delivering the medium to attain speed that you can't really argue with on any level, the Stinger GT remains to be disputed in many ways: come to see us soon and check out the car that re-defined and honed the “no compromise zone” for good! 

Motortrend Names 2019 Kia Forte “Car of the Year” Contender

Even if a car's main duty is to provide an economical, Eco-friendly, and all-around budget minded means of transportation, having a sporty and aggressive edge is pretty much mandatory. Ever since the big-and-burly pony sportscars such as the Camaro and Mustang made their introductions during the late 1960s, even the most family-friendly of vehicles have loved small injections here and there of sporty and properly amped goodness. The redesigned Kia Forte was picked by Motortrend as one of the year's best because of its looks inside and out, and we all can agree here at Jim Butler of St Louis that first impressions are worth their weight in gold.

The crisper exterior was described by these auto aficionados as having a “mature and upscale design, cleverly riffing on established Kia design cues without looking like a cookie-cutter car.” Air vents inside were described as “Mercedes-Benz-like,” and this is where the traits of the new Kia really begin to emulate the players in the auto game that manufacture the tantalizing numbers that reside in the ultra-upper-price range. There are other added touches such as a shelf located right under the temperature controls, which houses a wireless charging pad, cleverly acknowledging that everyone loves to have a designated and easy-to-find place to stow their phone.

The Motortrend crew's EX Launch Edition tester saw them sampling premium features such as heated and cooled front seats, adaptive cruise control, LED headlights, a Harman Kardon audio system, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. It is no secret that the Stinger was the inspiration for many the design cues the Forte evokes, and before this took place, it looked a bit more like an Optima that had been shrink-wrapped. On the new model, the headlights are much more separated from the grille, and the hood has creases now that give it a more athletic and poised stance.

The 2019 model is now 3.2 inches longer than its predecessor, and the taillights have also gained a new light signature. Now taking up said real estate is a new light bar that connects the taillights, and just south of this is a brand new redesigned bumper. There is also a standalone infotainment screen, new shifter, and a wireless charging tray directly underneath the climate controls. Sedans still mean serious business, and everyone that puts time into representing our brand knows that the Stinger was a product that saw many long hours in its making. The Forte exhibits many of the same sporty and standout traits while touting a bit lower of a price tag, and we guarantee that after a test drive, you will consider it as your best resolution and eye-catching gift to your closest!