2013 Kia Optima Blake Time Travels - 1999 Arcade

Blake Griffin travels back to 1999 to give his past self a piece of advice and show off his Kia Optima! What would you do if you went back to 1999?

Kia Signs Multi-Year Extension to Serve As Title Partner of Kia Classic

Kia Motors America (KMA) and the LPGA today announced the fourth-annual Kia Classic will move in 2013 to Aviara Golf Club located at the Park Hyatt Resort in Carlsbad, Calif.  The move comes with the announcement that KMA has signed a multi-year contract extension as title sponsor of the tournament.  The 2013 Kia Classic, which will feature a 144-player field, will be played March 18-24.

“Kia is one of the fastest growing auto brands in the U.S., and sports marketing initiatives such as our involvement with the LPGA have significantly raised awareness and consideration for the brand and our vehicles,” said Michael Sprague executive vice president, marketing & communications, KMA.  “With the success of the past three tournaments, we are pleased to continue as title sponsor for the Kia Classic and bring the tournament to the luxurious Aviara Golf Club in 2013.”

The venue for the 2013 Kia Classic, Aviara Golf Club, which was named by Golf Digest and Golf Magazine as one of the best resort golf courses in America and the No.1 golf resort in San Diego according to the readers of Condé Nast Traveler, overlooks the beautiful Batiquitos Lagoon ecological reserve and is the only San Diego golf course designed by Arnold Palmer.  Aviara features a memorable par-72 coastal layout that stretches 7,007 yards and is uniquely sculpted through rolling hillsides, native wildflowers and plenty of bunker and water challenges.  The golf club is part of the AAA Five Diamond-rated Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, which features 329 guest rooms, four on-site restaurants, full-service spa, tennis courts, fitness facility and more.

“We are thrilled to extend our relationship with Kia for the Kia Classic,” said LPGA Chief Marketing Officer Jon Podany.  “Kia has been a terrific partner, and the Kia Classic is one of the core pillars of the opening of our domestic season on the West Coast.  Kia has also done an outstanding job of integrating with the LPGA and activating behind the Kia Classic to make this tournament better every year.  We look forward to many more years.”

The 2013 Kia Classic sponsor exemption will be given to the winner of the UC Irvine Women’s Golf Anteater Invitational presented by Kia, February 25-26 at the Santa Ana Country Club.  This partnership will make the UC Irvine Women’s Golf Anteater Invitational presented by Kia the only collegiate tournament in the country that will allow the winner to qualify for an LPGA event.  Additionally, the Kia Classic will continue to host a hole-in-one giveaway contest for both the Pro-Am and the tournament with a 2013 Kia vehicle as the prize.

“The Kia Classic has established itself as one of the premier professional golf events, and we’re honored to have the opportunity to host a field of the world’s best female golfers,” said Mark Stiebeling, General Manager for Park Hyatt Aviara Resort.  “Our commitment to excellence will ensure that the players and fans alike are treated to a first-class experience on the golf course and throughout the resort.”

In 2012, Taiwan native Yani Tseng, the No. 1 player on the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings, won the third-annual Kia Classic at the La Costa Resort and Spa.  In 2011, the Kia Classic was the stage for another breakout win as Germany’s Sandra Gal became a Rolex-First Time Winner with her thrilling one-shot victory over eight-time LPGA Tour winner Jiyai Shin at Industry Hills Golf Club.

Kia’s Southern California-based LPGA tournament complements its sports marketing activities in the U.S., including its partnership with two-time LPGA winner Michelle Wie, who is the brand’s official golf ambassador.  Kia is also the Official Automotive Partner of the NBA (National Basketball Association), and recently completed its inaugural campaign in the Pirelli World Challenge auto racing series.

(Courtesy of LGPA)

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"This was by far the easiest transaction ever.  Once Gerald found out the car was for my daughter, he made sure to ask HER all of the questions about her needs and wants.  Since it was an early Christmas present, Gerald not only came in on his day off but he he helped us surprise her with the car." -Rob E.

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Green Alien meets all-new Cerato!

Greenie can't help but going on a joyride in the all-new Kia Cerato! Let's see what Greenie's verdict is in the final episode of his adventures!

Kia’s UVO Puts A Leash On Teen Drivers

At this years LA Auto Show, Kia announced a high-tech feature that will have parents applauding at their teens moans of angst. Using the Korean automakers new infotainment system, UVO (short for "Your Voice"), parents will have more control over how, when and where their adolescents can drive.

Using what Kia calls geo-fencing, parents can designate zones on a map and receive text messages if their teens car wanders into (or out of) them. The whole system can be controlled by an app on the parents smartphone.

UVO also allows parents to set a speed limit on their teens cars. Its similar to Fords MyKey system, which not only allows parents to restrict speed, but also music volume. The Ford Fiesta comes with the MyKey system and it enables parents to prevent the stereo from turning on until everyone puts their seatbelts. Perhaps later versions of Kias UVO will consider extra features like that as well.

These parent-friendly features will debut on the 2014 Sorento and Forte and will expand to cover most other Kia models by the end of 2013. Right now the control app is only available for the iPhone but Kia plans to make it available on Android smartphones by next spring.

The voice-activated UVO with eServices has features that go beyond just restricting how teens drive. It can automatically place emergency calls in case of an accident, provide directions with Google Maps navigation, help you find your way through the parking lot with the parked-car locator and make vehicle diagnostics easier.

If your teens find a slick car from Kia with a red bow in the driveway this holiday season, they may just grumble a little less about Mom and Dad putting a cap on their speed.

(Courtesy of Advanced Technology & Design Korea)

Save with Kia's Holiday Sales Event!

Make sure to stop in and save with Kia's Holiday Sales Event! We've got savings on presents that are too big to fit under your tree!

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Join us in our holiday food drive benefiting Elmhurst Walk-In Ministry!

Hello fans! Let's help out our friends over at the Elmhurst Walk-In Ministry during this holiday season by participating in their winter food drive! We are currently accepting food donations, so stop in a donate if you can. Thank you!

2013 Kia Sorento - A family friendly vehicle with space to spare

What would you do with all the space you'd have in your Kia Sorento? Any creative ideas?

Take 10% off you next service visit!

Our service team has a treat for you! Take 10% off you next service visit!

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Kia Executive Says Brand Will Move Upscale in Five Years!

Kia has made quite an effort to improve its vehicles and brand image, but its still very much a mainstream brand competing with the likes of Toyota and Volkswagen. Now, the automaker has set its sights on more premium competitors with a goal of moving upscale and offering higher levels of quality and luxury.

According to New Zealand-based Scoop Independent News, Kia Motors vice-chairman Lee Hyoung-keun announced the companys new goal while speaking to a group of the automakers global dealers and distributors. Hyoung-keun said Kia should be among the list of "first-class brands" by 2017, on par with premium automakers like Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi.

Kias styling has improved dramatically in recent years, due largely in part to the hiring of design chief Peter Schreyer, who jumped ship from Volkswagen and Audi to join the Korean brand. The Kia Optima, for example, is widely considered a design success with an interior that includes Audi-like styling touches.

In addition to styling, Kia has set a goal to improve quality and technology. Kia recently unveiled its Quoris rear-drive flagship sedan, which showcases a number of high-tech and premium features such as all-LED headlights, a head-up display, and a rear-seat package that includes a reclining backrest and heated and ventilated seats. The Quoris launched in a number of markets including Korea, but the automaker still hasnt confirmed that the sedan will come to the U.S. 

Courtesy of Automobile Magazine

Winter Maintenance Tip: Check your tire pressure!

Check your tire pressure

Here are two good reasons to get down there with the gauge and unscrew the valve caps as the weather cools:

1) Tires lose a pound of pressure for every drop of 10 degrees Fahrenheit.

2) An underinflated tire won't "bite" through snow down to the pavement as well as one at pressure. It's similar to hydroplaning on water -- and just as dangerous. You may have heard the guidance to let air out of your tires for sand or snow to get more contact surface area. That only applies only if the surface is bottomlessly soft, like a beach or foot-deep, unplowed snow -- not the mix of cleared road, ice and packed snow most of us encounter in daily driving.

Don't forget to put the valve caps back on (or, buy new ones) when you're done. Letting in moisture, which then freezes, could let the valve core leak out air.

How has Kia inspired you?

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Here is the winning Video of Kia's Video Contest! This video was created by people inspired by Kia!

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All-new Third Generation Kia Cerato Sedan Revealed

To coincide with the unveiling of the all-new Kia Cerato(Forte) on Wednesday at the LA Motor Show, Kia has revealed details of the version for other export markets outside of North America. This model is scheduled to go on sale during the first quarter of 2013 at Kia dealerships in many countries around the world.

The third-generation Cerato boasts sleeker styling with ‘dynamic muscularity’ in a design that is longer, lower and wider than the current car, with an extended wheelbase.  It also features an all-new bodyshell, upgraded equipment, a host of additional convenience and safety features, a more spacious cabin with enhanced quality, improved refinement and an upgraded powertrain line-up that delivers class-leading performance and fuel economy.

Designed at Kia’s American Design Center in Irvine, California under the direction of  Peter Schreyer, the new Cerato has cab-forward styling, a coupe-like roofline, distinctive concave door contours and a rising beltline with chrome molding extending into the C-pillar to project an aura of elegance.  Careful attention to surface detailing and airflow-smoothing panels beneath the car have cut the sedan’s aerodynamic drag to Cd 0.27 (down from 0.29).

Compared with second-generation, new Cerato is longer, lower and wider with the wheelbase extended by 50 mm to become the longest in class – now the same as Kia’s Sorento SUV.  Trunk capacity is increased to 421 liters (SAE) – the largest in class.

Nature’s flowing shapes inspire cabin design

The interior design of new Cerato concentrates on sportiness and adopts nature’s ebbs and flows as a motif.  The sweeping curve of the center stack is reinforced by carbon-look trim and for enhanced elegance, soft-touch materials are applied to the upper and center door trims, dashboard, and door armrests.

Interior comfort is enhanced by lowering the cabin floor and the seats, and by fitting wider front seat cushions with an increased cushion angle for greater thigh support.  A choice of black one-tone and gray two-tone cloth or leather upholstery, and two optional ‘color packs’ featuring brown and black or white and black leather, will be offered.

Available options (depending on model) include 10-way powered and ventilated driver’s seat, heated front and rear seats, leather upholstery, powered glass tilt-and-slide sunroof, smart keyless entry with engine start/stop button, Xenon headlamps, Bluetooth® hands-free system with remote controls, manual and dual-zone climate control automatic air-conditioning.

A smoother ride with enhanced safety

While the specification of the new Cerato’s suspension is unchanged, it has been fine-tuned to improve agility, shock absorbance and refinement.  The suspension’s geometry is modified to deliver improved steering feel.

To maximize occupant protection the new bodyshell incorporates 63% of high-strength steel with three additional cross members and greatly strengthened B-pillars.  Torsional rigidity of the bodyshell is increased improving safety, refinement, ride comfort and steering precision.

Following the introduction of the all-new Cerato sedan, five-door hatchback and two-door coupe variants of the new generation model will go on sale in the second half of 2013.

(Courtesy of Kia-Buzz)

Winter Maintenance Tip: Check your battery!

Is your battery juiced?

Winter puts more stress on your battery, particularly if you park your car outdoors.

Avoid the sinking feeling of hearing nothing when you hit the ignition with a proactive check of your battery and charging system now. Repair shops don't usually charge very much to load-test your battery, and some car-parts stores will do it for free.

If you find out your battery's going south, you can replace it at your convenience instead of being at the mercy of whomever your dead car's been towed to. Note that some big-box stores such as Costco offer a good price on batteries for those of you willing to change one yourself (not usually all that hard, though batteries are heavy.)

(Courtesy of kiplinger.com)