The all-new third-generation Kia Sorento has clearly been making waves in the automotive world after it was unveiled at the 2014 Paris Motor Show. The third-generation Kia Sorento is much more than just an upgraded SUV; it’s more of a luxury SUV. The latest Sorento was designed as a collaborative effort among Kia’s design teams in Korea, the United States and Europe. The end product? An SUV you just can’t take your eyes off of.

Taking design cues from architectural structures, the all-new Sorento is both luxurious and sophisticated, the two design concepts that were the focus for both the exterior and interior.

The initial exterior sketches below give us a peek into the process of conceptualizing the new Sorento model.

We asked the design team experts, Kia designers Kurt Kahl and Ralph Kluge, to get a better idea of the design story behind the 2015 Kia Sorento. These two designers were responsible for the all-new Kia Sorento from start to finish—from the initial design sketches to the final product.

What was the main foundation and background for the design of the all-new Sorento? What did the design team particularly focus on when coming up with the new design concept?

 

Designer Kurt Kahl: When designing the exterior of the all-new Sorento, our main focus was to retain the strengths of the predecessor while giving it a greater sense of premium quality and sophistication. The shoulder is very powerful and blends into a sculptural side body. We created a strong ‘down the road’ presence for the Sorento’s front end, with sharply angled headlamps intersecting a dimensional chrome-framed grille. The rear retains hints of the previous Sorento with rectangular tail lamps and a forward swept backlighting that still reflects a spacious interior. The interior design was based more upon ‘sophistication.’

Designer Ralph Kluge: For the all-new Sorento’s interior, our concept keywords were “muscle and brains.” We reached out to create a strong and confident surface language with increased levels of sophistication and richer details, while simultaneously avoiding the “rugged SUV” clichés. We wanted a refined and sophisticated design language: muscular shapes fused together with refined details. The word “premium” should immediately come to mind when you get inside the all-new Sorento.

Can you explain the architectural inspiration behind the design?

Kluge: We paid careful attention to the ergonomics and layout of all individual elements to form a logical basis for the physical volumes, just as you would with architectural structures. A good example of this is the clearly structured instrument panel: screens and vents are positioned high up for the best ergonomics and visibility, while interface buttons are kept simple and placed lower down in the perfect reach zone for all passengers.

What is particularly different about the third-generation Sorento compared to the design of the previous generations?

Kahl: The third-generation Sorento is longer and sleeker, with a sculptural quality that lends a humanistic feeling to the shape compared to the previous Sorento models. Meticulous attention was paid to the lines finessing the surfaces. As a reaction to some current day products appearing too synthetic or digital, Sorento highlights the renewed appreciation for hand-crafted products where the ‘imprint’ of the artist or craftsman is apparent.

How would you describe the typical ‘third-generation Sorento driver?’

Kahl: I think the Sorento driver can be anyone looking for an upscale and refined SUV.  The Sorento is a sweet deal in terms of size and pricing. It offers spacious utility but is still easily maneuverable, and is luxurious but not overly expensive. I would like to see customers look at the all-new Sorento as a very competitive alternative to other luxury mid-size SUVs offered by the European and Japanese manufacturers.

What are the current trends for the SUV market worldwide?

Kluge: We see the “classic” SUV becoming more and more of an on-road vehicle. People really enjoy the higher seating, combined with the “go-anywhere” attitude. Moving forward, the biggest challenge is to improve fuel efficiency and ride quality, and I think Kia delivered in these departments with the all-new Sorento.

How do you see the design trends for vehicles in general evolving?

Kahl: There seems to be a general trend for all vehicle models to blur the lines of their segments. Just as an SUV in most cases has become a more car-based CUV, other segments are beginning to blend together to make new vehicle spaces that offer unexpected features and unique profiles.

This behind-the-scenes design story is not just about the Kia Sorento, but rather shows how Kia’s design direction has been shaped over the years.

Check out the video below of the Sorento on a drive through Paris and see for yourself the cool design evolution of the popular Kia Sorento, complete with a review of its newest features!

Kia Soul Named Active Lifestyle Vehicle of the Year! | Keffer Kia Mooresville NC

What better way to enjoy a more active lifestyle than with a car that suits that lifestyle? Take the 2015 Kia Soul for instance, which was recently named the Active Lifestyle Vehicle of the Year, for the third time in a row, at the 11^th annual Active Lifestyle Vehicle awards. The 2015 Kia Soul is a fun and funky urban passenger vehicle that is perfectly suited to a fun and funky urban lifestyle.

Nina Russin, founder of the Active Lifestyle Vehicle program, noted that the Soul’s “cargo area, [which is] versatile enough to meet the needs of triathletes, cyclists, skiers and kayakers,” was a huge factor in being chosen this year. That with the Soul’s compact frame, easy maneuverability, style and design made it a clear stand-out over other candidates.

The Active Lifestyle Vehicle of the Year is chosen by local media and athletes, who rated the Kia Soul the best in the urban category in static and dynamic evaluations. Unsurprisingly, the 2015 Kia Soul is one of Kia Motors America’s best-selling cars, with more than 115,000 units sold already this year.

Thanks for the award (again)! We are so honored that the 2015 Kia Soul was picked as an Active Lifestyle Vehicle for this year, and Kia will continue on in our efforts to make the most attractive and versatile vehicles, suitable for all drivers and lifestyles.

 October 29th, 2014 Posted in Events, Motor Shows & Awards,Vehicle Models 

Kia's Working On a Small Crossover Hybrid Vehicle | Keffer Kia Mooresville, NC

There is an all-new sub-compact crossover vehicle coming from Kia sometime in 2016, and some members of the media were invited to the Kia design center in Namyang to get a look at a full-scale model! The new vehicle is as yet unnamed, but it will be a hybrid model (a plug-in version will come a little later) that will be set to steal away some of the sales currently enjoyed by the Toyota Prius. No-one in attendance were allowed to take any pictures at the event, but word has it that the new car carries some elements seen in the Kia Niro concept crossover, albeit with a style that is a little more subdued. The profile is reminiscent of an SUV, although its low ride height gives it a crossover personality. Plastic cladding appears around the wheel arches and bumpers, with the finished car set to appeal to a global audience. A new design theme will be featured in the interior, which consumers will get to see when it appears in the new Kia Optima redesign in 2015. The 4,350mm long crossover vehicle is a litter longer than the current Kia Soul, but shorter than the Sportage SUV. Head of overseas marketing for Kia, Spencer Cho, says that the size was chosen to meet the needs of the consumer. He says that Kia listened to the complaints made by Prius owners, using that feedback to correct elements that hybrid owners felt weren’t quite right with their Prius. Hybrid-Electric Powertrain Powertrain details for the new car were not made available, but Cho did reveal that the platform will feature a combines 1.6L GDI petrol engine and an electric motor that will help improve fuel economy. Cho said that the current Prius gets 57mpg US, and that the next model should hit 60mpg US. He noted that Kia is shooting for over 50 mpg US for their model. Stay tuned as we bring more news and information on the upcoming Kia crossover vehicle! - See more at: http://www.kia-world.net/kia-small-crossover-hybrid-vehicle/#sthash.PfvkYujr.dpuf

Next Generation Kia Sorento Teased

By Keffer Kia |

Kia Teases Third Generation Sorento W/ Video

Just recently the 2015 Kia Sorento has been introduced, is available with a starting MSRP of $24,300 and is capable of an estimated fuel economy of 19 city/ 27 highway mpg. This current generation of Sorento have rounded off, smoothed out, more subtle curves. Its chrome accents, grille, headlights, and other exterior details that give it the athletic facial structure with a twinge of luxury.

Looking ahead into the future, we have discovered that it’s official, Kia teases the third generation of Sorento with a video, to give a sneak peak of what they have planned. Kia isn’t saying or showing off much yet, but they have released this digital image of what we may expect the next Sorento to look like. Hard to tell, but by the looks of things, the next-generation Sorento won’t quite be so mellow in design, but instead will be showing off some new curves.

As shadowy as the image may be, so not to give too much away, you might have noticed that the windows look narrower which is in account of the lower roofline and higher beltline design. The Sorento’s face will now be showing off its “tiger-nose grille” to better suit its newly rounded off shoulders and overall most muscular build compared to previous models.

Be sure to check out the video below and see how Kia created this teaser design of the third generation Sorento. It gives more clues to the body stylings we can expect to see in the near future. In fact, Kia plans to fully unveil the next-generation Sorento at the end of this month.

Until we learn more about the third generation Sorento, we invite you explore the current models we have available here at Keffer Kia. The Sorento is Kia’s best-selling SUV, and we invite you to test drive this smooth and refined ride.