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Archive for the ‘Kia’ Category

The Kia Sorento SUV may still be a fresh face in America and elsewhere, but in its home market of Korea it’s been around long enough to warrant a facelift. And that’s what it’s got now, although changes are so small that you might struggle at first to tell the difference. 

But the Kia aficionado, if indeed there is such a thing, will quickly notice the fancy new headlights with their slightly raised edges like fine mascara on beautiful eyes, the subtly revised front grille with an extra dab of chrome, LED daytimers inside the headlights, and Kia’s signature quad fog light design finally making its way to this SUV. The 2018 Kia Sorento Facelift also benefits from more gloss black accents, new taillight graphics, and tailpipe as well as wheel design.

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Inside the big Kia SUV gets fine leather upholstery and leather-accented steering wheel among its upgrades. The kit now includes available blind spot detection, turning headlights, drowsiness sensor, inductive charging, and heated and cooled cup holders. 2018 Kia Sorento Facelift also comes with, in Korea, a 2.2 liter diesel engine with 240 horsepower which ought of make it one of the most efficient cars in its class. There is also 2.0 liter petrol, and the standard transmission is an 8-speed automatic.

The post 2018 Kia Sorento Facelift Launches in Korea appeared first on Motorward.

Supermini buyers in the UK who like a little of pizzazz with their tiny, economical cars will be chuffed to hear about this. The new Kia Rio Pulse is a limited edition of the recently launched city car equipped with a number of extras which, according to Kia, sets the pulse racing. 

Well, the truth is nothing with 83 horsepower, which is what the four-cylinder, 16-valve, 1.25-litre engine in the Kia Rio Pulse makes, can affect your pulse in any shape or form. But this little fella does have some nice features which make it a much cooler proposition compared to the standard Rio. Available in Clear White and Midnight Black, Rio Pulse is easily distinguished by a red roof and red front vents, mirror caps and side skirt trims. The interior is trimmed accordingly with black and red faux leather upholstery and red faux leather door inserts, while the fascia trim is finished in red metallic paint.

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Other highlights of Kia Rio Pulse include 17-inch alloy wheels with 205/45 R17 tyres, a black radiator grille with chrome surround and privacy glass on the rear side windows and tailgate, leather-trimmed steering wheel and gearshifter are complemented by stainless steel pedals, a six-speaker audio system and a five-inch colour touchscreen linked to a DAB radio with RDS messaging. Prices for this cool limited edition Rio start at £14,595.

The post Kia Rio Pulse Limited Edition appeared first on Motorward.

The Kia Stinger GT caused quite a stir when it made its debut at the 2017 Detroit Auto Show. Not only did it usher in a new era of Kia performance models, but it also made it known that Kia’s all set to compete in a premiumsedan market currently dominated by the likes of Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz. It’s no surprise, then, that soon after the Stinger GT broke cover, the rumor mill was inundated with an insinuation that a “hotter” version could be in the works. A Stinger “GT-R,” as folks christened it. Well, according to no less than Albert Biermann himself – he’s the head of Kia’s high-performance division – a more powerful version of the Stinger GT is possible; it just won’t happen anytime soon.

As deflating as it sounds, Kia did offer a pretty sound explanation as to why it’s holding off on a more hardcore version of the Stinger GT. According to Biermann, the focus at this moment is to make sure that the Stinger GT is successful. Launching the car (it’s expected to arrive in the U.S. later this year) is the first step. From there, the company is intent on gauging the kind of customers it gets and understanding what these customers are looking for in terms of a more performance-oriented version of the model. It’s an approach that wouldn’t make sense if it was BMW, which already knows what its customers want. But this is Kia, a company that’s technically diving into these waters for the first time. As Biermann told Motoring Australia, entry into this premium market is something Kia needs to do “carefully.”

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Kia is in a position now, with the rich they have and the size of their operation, that everything they make has to become a best seller or it will be judged a failure. Well, they don’t seem to have many ting to worry about with the new 2018 Kia Stonic because the car plays all the right tunes for the compact crossover market unto which it is born. 

The company just released the official pictures and details of the Rio-based 2018 Kia Stonic, and we have to say it is more than just a pretty face. And it is pretty, and sporty, and cool looking, which is a must because most of the customers in this segment are young people who are fussy about the looks of their things, be it their sneakers, or phones, or cars. The Stonic has the right size, the right curves, and the right angles, and what’s more it boasts two-tone paint work which is a harbinger of all the personalization options it offers.

Photos:

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Mechanically, Kia has prepared a range of equally small engines for the Stonic including lightweight 1.0-litre T-GDI (turbocharged gasoline direct injection) engine, producing 120 ps, as well as 1.25- or 1.4-litre naturally-aspirated MPI (multi-point injection) petrol engines. An efficient 1.6-litre diesel engine completes the range, offering the lowest emissions in the line-up. At this point only a manual gearbox  is offered which is a bit odd, but ultimately the choices will depend on the market. The front-wheel-drive Kia Stonic also features “European-tuned steering and suspension” and has a host of electronic aids such as Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Vehicle Stability Management (VSM).

With a 352 liters boot,  Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard and safety features such as Autonomous Emergency Braking with pedestrian recognition and Forward Collision Alert; Blind Spot Detection with Rear Cross Traffic Alert; and Lane Departure Warning System, Kia Stonic has everything a young and cash-strapped buyer wants in a small crossover.

The post 2018 Kia Stonic Goes Official appeared first on Motorward.

The new 2017 Kia Cadenza, one of he best choices in the affordable semi-luxury sedan segment, has been through the safety evaluation by the U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and as it turns out it has passed it with flying colors. The Korean car was awarded Top Safety Pick Plus (TSP+).

That is the highest mark one can hope for, although, we have to mention, the TSP+ 2017 Kia Cadenza was equipped with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights. So if you are getting one of these, make sure it is the to-of-the-line, fully-loaded model.

In order to get the Top Safety Pick Plus (TSP+) 2017 Kia Cadenza had to earn “good” rating in five crashworthiness tests including small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side impact, roof strength and head restraints. It also had to earn “advanced” or “superior” rating for front crash prevention and an “acceptable” or “good” headlight rating. To do that the Cadenza relied on Kia’s first application of Smart Blind Spot Detection System, as well as Advanced Smart Cruise Control, a Forward Collision Warning System, Autonomous Emergency Braking, and a Lane Departure Warning System. Again, most of these are optional extras, but you do get the strong foundation with a body structure composed of more than 50 percent Advanced High Strength Steel (AHSS) as standard.

The post 2017 Kia Cadenza Earns IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus Mark appeared first on Motorward.

Kia shocked a lot of people when it pulled the sheet off the Kia Stinger earlier this year, and things only got better once folks got a chance to sit down in the most comfortable vehicle Kia has ever built. Offered here in the U.S. with a 255-horsepower four-cylinder or a 365-horsepower V-6, the newest four-door on the block is set to compete against models like the BMW 4 Series, the Audi A5 Sportback, and even models like the Lexus GS or Infiniti Q50. But, what if Kia didn’t stop there? What if it wanted to take on the two-door segment too? Well, there’s no reason at all that it shouldn’t, and we decided to give Kia a head start by designing our own take on what a Kia Stinger Coupe would look like.

When the Stinger we all know and lust for (that’s weird to say about anything with a Kia badge, right?) has four doors, our coupe has an extended front door and a large chunk of rear quarter glass that hints toward the best passenger room of any two-door currently on the market. Plus, it retains that rear hatch and sharp roofline that makes the four-door model so attractive. With that said, let’s take a closer look at this rendering and discuss some of the finer details before Kia decides to steal our idea and run with it.

Continue reading to learn more about the upcoming Kia Stinger Coupe.

There was a time when getting bullied meant you fought back and reclaimed your dignity, and after years of being bullied by the world, Kia finally started swinging back at the competition. You could say Kia fired its first shots with the 2017 Kia Cadenza and the 2016 Kia Optima, but it went full-on nuclear when it showed up at the Detroit Auto Show with the Kia Stinger. It’s sporty, insanely comfortable, packed to the brim with technology, and offered in range-topping form with a 3.3-liter, Biturbo, V-6 that we now know is capable of pushing it up to 62 mph in as little as 4.9 seconds – 0.2-seconds faster than Kia’s original estimate of 5.1 seconds.

News of its official 0-to-60 time comes courtesy of is Asian-market debut at the 2017 Seoul Motor Show, where it’s being displayed, for the first time, next to the Stinger GT Concept from which it got a lot of its DNA. So, for those of you still on the fence about this Korean brand, it’s time to accept that it’s not the econobox, throw-away car maker that it once was. I mean, after all, we’re talking about a Kia with as much as 365 horsepower and 376 pound-feet of torque. But, the real question is, how does its 0-to-60 time stack up against the competition? Keep reading to find out.

Continue reading for the full story.

Kia isn’t known for its luxury sedans, but that might be changing soon. The automaker’s new-for-2017, second-generation Cadenza moves the bar well beyond anything previously found in its lineup. Even the range-topping K900 lacks some of the niceties found inside this BMW 5 Series competitor. Just look at that quilted leather!

I’ve been driving the 2017 Cadenza for the last week. The car has not only impressed my cynical, jaded journalist self, but also everyone who’s sat inside. Aside from the quilted bolsters, the leather seats are butter soft, not to mention heated and cooled up front. Rear passengers enjoy tons of legroom, while a padded center armrest makes elbows happy. A suede headliner frames the massive panoramic moonroof. Even the detailing around the switches and trim work is outstandingly posh. Sure, its no S-Class Maybach, but you’d be forgiven to mistake its fit and finish for a standard E-Class.

Real metal accents are placed where it counts – at high-touch areas like the gearshifter and steering wheel controls. These contrast well with the leather-wrapped shift knob and steering wheel, too. Oh, and that steering wheel is heated as well.

Now the Cadenza isn’t perfect. The piano black plastic along the center console shows the smallest specks of dust and even signs of scratches, despite the car’s young odometer reading. This might be the telltale wear point for pre-owned Cadenza shoppers. Nevertheless, the interior – as a whole – is genuinely striking. Even more so considering the price. Kia charges right at $45,000 for the range-topping Limited trim, like my tester. You’d pay $6,000 more just to have a base-trimmed 5 Series. A highly equipped Lexus ES costs nearly $49,000. So needless to say, the Kia represents value.

Of course, what the Cadenza provides in luxury, the Kia name still represents bargain vehicles. That will continue to change, just as it has over the last 15 years. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Kia finally shake its econobox stigma by the decade’s end.

Wagons are big sellers in Europe and around the globe, so it only makes sense for Kia to debut its Sportswagon version of the Optima Plug-in Hybrid. Announced at the 2017 Geneva International Motor Show, the Optima Sportswagon Plug-in Hybrid offers a 60-kilometer range on battery power before its 2.0-liter gasoline four-cylinder kicks in. And while neither the Sportswagon nor the plug-in hybrid powertrain are new to Kia, this marks the first time they have been combined. Sales will begin in the third quarter of 2017 across Europe.

The familiar powertrain consists of Kia’s 2.0-liter GDI (gasoline, direct injection) four-cylinder from the Nu engine family. Alone, it generates 154 horsepower and 139 pound-feet of torque. The gasoline engine is supplemented by an 11.26-kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack, which powers a 50-kW motor mated between the gas engine and automatic transmission. The result is a total system output of 202 horsepower and 276 pound-feet of torque. Kia says the Optima Sportswagon will hit 62 mph in 9.7 seconds. It’s no Tesla Model S, by any means.

Aside from its lackadaisical straight-line acceleration, the Optima Sportswagon is highly competitive. It boasts a cargo space of 1,574 liters with the rear seats folded flat. That’s 55.5 cubic feet for those on the Imperial scale. With the rear seats raised, the cargo area still provides 440 liters (15.5 cubic feet) of room. That’s on par with many crossovers and other wagons on the market.

Of course, the Optima Sportswagon shares commonalities between its respective parents. The overall wagon shape remains true, while the added aero bits are straight from the Optima Plug-in Sedan. These features include aerodynamically tuned bumpers, side skirts, and wheels. Inside, the driver gets an updated instrument cluster that displays powertrain information on the eight-inch touchscreen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are present, too, as is TomTom’s Kia Connected Services with life traffic updates and such. Active safety systems include adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking.

Continue reading for the full story.

Wagons are big sellers in Europe and around the globe, so it only makes sense for Kia to debut its Sportswagon version of the Optima Plug-in Hybrid. Announced at the 2017 Geneva International Motor Show, the Optima Sportswagon Plug-in Hybrid offers a 60-kilometer range on battery power before its 2.0-liter gasoline four-cylinder kicks in. And while neither the Sportswagon nor the plug-in hybrid powertrain are new to Kia, this marks the first time they have been combined. Sales will begin in the third quarter of 2017 across Europe.

The familiar powertrain consists of Kia’s 2.0-liter GDI (gasoline, direct injection) four-cylinder from the Nu engine family. Alone, it generates 154 horsepower and 139 pound-feet of torque. The gasoline engine is supplemented by an 11.26-kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack, which powers a 50-kW motor mated between the gas engine and automatic transmission. The result is a total system output of 202 horsepower and 276 pound-feet of torque. Kia says the Optima Sportswagon will hit 62 mph in 9.7 seconds. It’s no Tesla Model S, by any means.

Aside from its lackadaisical straight-line acceleration, the Optima Sportswagon is highly competitive. It boasts a cargo space of 1,574 liters with the rear seats folded flat. That’s 55.5 cubic feet for those on the Imperial scale. With the rear seats raised, the cargo area still provides 440 liters (15.5 cubic feet) of room. That’s on par with many crossovers and other wagons on the market.

Of course, the Optima Sportswagon shares commonalities between its respective parents. The overall wagon shape remains true, while the added aero bits are straight from the Optima Plug-in Sedan. These features include aerodynamically tuned bumpers, side skirts, and wheels. Inside, the driver gets an updated instrument cluster that displays powertrain information on the eight-inch touchscreen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are present, too, as is TomTom’s Kia Connected Services with life traffic updates and such. Active safety systems include adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking.

Continue reading for the full story.

After six years on the market, the tiny Kia Picanto was redesigned from the ground up and unveiled in January 2017. Come March, and the hatchback aimed at the Hyundai i10 and Toyota Aygo made its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show.

Upgraded to the company’s new styling language, the new Picanto sports a more youthful design with more angular features. The “tiger-nose” grille adds a bit of aggressiveness up front, while the dual exhaust and diffuser-like element around back enhances the sporty appearance. The cabin gained higher quality materials and new tech, including a seven-inch touchscreen with navigation and optional Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Kia claims that the new hatchback offers “best-in-class packaging efficiency” and more legroom and headroom than more popular rivals in the A-segment.

Under the hood, the Picanto carries over with the 1.0-liter three-cylinder and 1.25-liter four-cylinder engines from the previous model, but with upgrades for improved efficiency and driveability. The 1.0-liter cranks out 66 horsepower and 96 Nm (71 pound-feet) of torque and uses a new exhaust manifold integrated into the cylinder head and a new cooling system with shut-off valve. The 1.25-liter delivers 83 horsepower and 122 Nm (90 pound-feet) of torque. This engine was upgraded with an optimized valve timing and new cooling system with shut-off valve. Later in 2017, the Picanto will also get a turbocharged 1.0-liter engine good for 99 horsepower and 127 pound-feet of twist.

Kia also made several upgrades in the safety department. With 44 percent of the body shell cast in Advanced High Strength Steel, the car is lighter but stronger, while torsional stiffness has been improved by 32 percent. Standard features include six airbags, Vehicle Stability Management, and Electronic Stability Control.

Continue reading for the full story.

In the off chance you’ve been on a remote island for the last several weeks and are only now reestablishing a connection with civilization, I’ll start by saying Super Bowl LI took place over the weekend, and it was quite the event. I guess there were a few points scored and something about a comeback, but I was in it for the car advertisements. After all, these aren’t your normal adverts – companies pay upwards of $170,000 per second to get their product front and center for the big game, and that means we saw the major makes go full-bore with the commercial gloss. Tons of car-related adverts were aired, and we’ve got ‘em all right here.

Some were funny and goofy, others were dramatic and heartfelt, and some were just straight up weird. But hey, that’s how it goes when vying for the attention of consumers soaked in beer and guacamole.

Which advertisements caught your eye? Let us know in the comments!

Continue reading to see all the car adverts from Super Bowl LI.

Not very long after its debut in Paris the new, fourth generation Kia Rio is now on sale in the United Kingdom. The small and popular Korean hatchback hits the market in Blighty in simple 1, 2 and 3 trim levels starting from just £11,995, plus a limited-run First Edition which is the dearest of the lot at £17,445.

So besides the usual host of improvements every new modelyear gets, such as new engines, improved fuel efficiency and emissions, and upgraded equipment, 2017 Kia Rio also benefits from a new design which is the fanciest yet for this model in all its years of being in the market. We all remember the early models with the hideous exterior and garbage bin plastic interior. But gone are those days. The new Rio is a pretty fine product whichever way you look at it.

To put that in perspective you just need to look at the list of standard kit every 2017 Kia Rio comes with. It includes air conditioning, front electric windows with an automatic function on the driver’s side, remote locking, electrically adjustable heated door mirrors, a 3.8-inch display screen, Bluetooth, automatic light control, bi-function projection headlamps and cornering lights and LED daytime running lights, plus steering wheel-mounted audio controls and 60:40 split rear seats, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) and Hill-start Assist Control (HAC).

Engine specification and pricing for every model in the range can be found below:

The post 2017 Kia Rio Priced from £11,995 in the UK appeared first on Motorward.

Not very long after its debut in Paris the new, fourth generation Kia Rio is now on sale in the United Kingdom. The small and popular Korean hatchback hits the market in Blighty in simple 1, 2 and 3 trim levels starting from just £11,995, plus a limited-run First Edition which is the dearest of the lot at £17,445.

So besides the usual host of improvements every new modelyear gets, such as new engines, improved fuel efficiency and emissions, and upgraded equipment, 2017 Kia Rio also benefits from a new design which is the fanciest yet for this model in all its years of being in the market. We all remember the early models with the hideous exterior and garbage bin plastic interior. But gone are those days. The new Rio is a pretty fine product whichever way you look at it.

To put that in perspective you just need to look at the list of standard kit every 2017 Kia Rio comes with. It includes air conditioning, front electric windows with an automatic function on the driver’s side, remote locking, electrically adjustable heated door mirrors, a 3.8-inch display screen, Bluetooth, automatic light control, bi-function projection headlamps and cornering lights and LED daytime running lights, plus steering wheel-mounted audio controls and 60:40 split rear seats, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) and Hill-start Assist Control (HAC).

Engine specification and pricing for every model in the range can be found below:

The post 2017 Kia Rio Priced from £11,995 in the UK appeared first on Motorward.

Not very long after its debut in Paris the new, fourth generation Kia Rio is now on sale in the United Kingdom. The small and popular Korean hatchback hits the market in Blighty in simple 1, 2 and 3 trim levels starting from just £11,995, plus a limited-run First Edition which is the dearest of the lot at £17,445.

So besides the usual host of improvements every new modelyear gets, such as new engines, improved fuel efficiency and emissions, and upgraded equipment, 2017 Kia Rio also benefits from a new design which is the fanciest yet for this model in all its years of being in the market. We all remember the early models with the hideous exterior and garbage bin plastic interior. But gone are those days. The new Rio is a pretty fine product whichever way you look at it.

To put that in perspective you just need to look at the list of standard kit every 2017 Kia Rio comes with. It includes air conditioning, front electric windows with an automatic function on the driver’s side, remote locking, electrically adjustable heated door mirrors, a 3.8-inch display screen, Bluetooth, automatic light control, bi-function projection headlamps and cornering lights and LED daytime running lights, plus steering wheel-mounted audio controls and 60:40 split rear seats, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) and Hill-start Assist Control (HAC).

Engine specification and pricing for every model in the range can be found below:

The post 2017 Kia Rio Priced from £11,995 in the UK appeared first on Motorward.

Not very long after its debut in Paris the new, fourth generation Kia Rio is now on sale in the United Kingdom. The small and popular Korean hatchback hits the market in Blighty in simple 1, 2 and 3 trim levels starting from just £11,995, plus a limited-run First Edition which is the dearest of the lot at £17,445.

So besides the usual host of improvements every new modelyear gets, such as new engines, improved fuel efficiency and emissions, and upgraded equipment, 2017 Kia Rio also benefits from a new design which is the fanciest yet for this model in all its years of being in the market. We all remember the early models with the hideous exterior and garbage bin plastic interior. But gone are those days. The new Rio is a pretty fine product whichever way you look at it.

To put that in perspective you just need to look at the list of standard kit every 2017 Kia Rio comes with. It includes air conditioning, front electric windows with an automatic function on the driver’s side, remote locking, electrically adjustable heated door mirrors, a 3.8-inch display screen, Bluetooth, automatic light control, bi-function projection headlamps and cornering lights and LED daytime running lights, plus steering wheel-mounted audio controls and 60:40 split rear seats, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) and Hill-start Assist Control (HAC).

Engine specification and pricing for every model in the range can be found below:

The post 2017 Kia Rio Priced from £11,995 in the UK appeared first on Motorward.

Not very long after its debut in Paris the new, fourth generation Kia Rio is now on sale in the United Kingdom. The small and popular Korean hatchback hits the market in Blighty in simple 1, 2 and 3 trim levels starting from just £11,995, plus a limited-run First Edition which is the dearest of the lot at £17,445.

So besides the usual host of improvements every new modelyear gets, such as new engines, improved fuel efficiency and emissions, and upgraded equipment, 2017 Kia Rio also benefits from a new design which is the fanciest yet for this model in all its years of being in the market. We all remember the early models with the hideous exterior and garbage bin plastic interior. But gone are those days. The new Rio is a pretty fine product whichever way you look at it.

To put that in perspective you just need to look at the list of standard kit every 2017 Kia Rio comes with. It includes air conditioning, front electric windows with an automatic function on the driver’s side, remote locking, electrically adjustable heated door mirrors, a 3.8-inch display screen, Bluetooth, automatic light control, bi-function projection headlamps and cornering lights and LED daytime running lights, plus steering wheel-mounted audio controls and 60:40 split rear seats, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) and Hill-start Assist Control (HAC).

Engine specification and pricing for every model in the range can be found below:

The post 2017 Kia Rio Priced from £11,995 in the UK appeared first on Motorward.

Kia surprised a lot of people when it debuted its new Stinger GT thanks to the performance and luxury DNA that Kia developed for its first big step into such a popular segment. Set to compete against models like the Audi A5 Sportback, Mercedes C-Class, BMW 3 Series GT, and the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe, Kia’s new halo car has a lot to live up to. But, Kia isn’t done writing the Stingers story just yet as Product Market Boss, Spencer Cho, has said that the Stinger will become electrified in the future. Meanwhile, a high-performance version could be on the table as well, thanks to the Stinger’s excessively strong chassis. With that concept in mind, we tapped into our resident artist to put together a rendering of what a high-performance Stinger just might look like.

As a high-performance model, Kia will build on the car’s current profile by adding more aggressive features on the outside, to go with a few minor updates inside, and a significant power bump under the hood. It’s pretty likely that it will eventually happen, but what we don’t know is what Kia will do to increase the performance of the Stinger. Will its future hybrid plans play a role in the performance model or will it be all computer remapping and hardware upgrades? Well, we have a few theories, so let’s talk a little more about the rendering and the possibilities in my speculative review below.

When Kia came to the U.S. market, it became known as a producer of affordable but reliable cars that were fairly comfortable and looked decent. But, none of the models were really anything to write home about, and certainly couldn’t be compared with models like the BMW 3 Series and 4 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, or anything else outside of the affordable segment. When the 2014 Detroit Auto Show kicked off, Kia Debuted the GT4 Stinger along with a promise to bring such a model into production and, three years later, Kia kept its promise and debuted the Kia Stinger at the 2017 Detroit Auto Show. Offered in the U.S. with a 255-horsepower four-banger or a 365-horsepower, twin-turbo, V-6, along with a very comfortable and upscale interior and a sexy exterior shell, the Stinger was a show stopper for the Korean brand as it steps into the luxury performance market. But, now that the world knows about the Stinger, it has raised a pretty interesting question: Will there be a wait list for the Stinger when the books officially open?

There’s really no way of telling quite yet, but outside of small shortages for models like the Kia Sportage, it’s hard to recall of any significant waiting period for any Kia model in the past. But, the new Stinger is a completely different breed of car that comes to offer a significantly cheaper alternative to more expensive luxury and performance models. Should Kia actually lock in even a small portion of those that are really interested in the car, it could find itself unable to keep up with demand. It comes down to a couple of factors that include when production officially starts, when the order books officially open, and that initial demand.

As of the time of this writing, neither its release date or pricing point has been officially announced, but a price tag in the range of $35,000 to $40,000 is expected while the order books should open sometime in the fall or early winter of 2017. That expected price point puts the Stinger at roughly $4,000 cheaper that the entry-level C300 from Mercedes, $6,000 cheaper than the entry-level 4 Series Gran Coupe, and a staggering $9,000 cheaper that the entry-level BMW 3 Series GT. With comparable comfort, luxury, and technology, it should be a no-brainer for those who aren’t overly loyal to the Stinger’s German competitors – as long as their willing to give the brand’s first performance luxury vehicle a chance, that is.

So, with such a low price point in comparison to its competition, the Stinger could see a lot of initial interest that could lead to a sizable waiting list. As such, it’s quite possible that dealers will find themselves in a predicament they aren’t used to: dealing with customers that want to take delivery today but simply can’t. We all saw how that went for Ford with the Focus RS, so hopefully Kia has a plan in place, just in case.

Comedienne Melissa McCarthy is one of the funniest women in Hollywood these days, so if an automaker really wanted to make a comedic splash with its Super Bowl commercial, having McCarthy in the fold is a good way to get that done. Give credit then to Kia for understanding that because McCarthy is headlining Kia’s contribution to the NFL’s advertisement pot of gold where she will be joined by the the Niro, Kia’s latest offering into the hybrid market.

Obviously, the spectacle of Super Bowl commercials has gotten so big that 60-second ads are getting their own 15-second teasers now. That’s exactly the instance we see here as Kia’s trailer reveals nothing other than McCarthy, decked in full explorer/treasure hunter get-up, running away from something. We don’t know that “something” is at this point, but it could very well be a villainous, gas-guzzling rig of a machine like something you’d see in Mad Max. It does make sense for the Ghostbusters star to run for her life in the face of such an apocalyptic beast, only to find her savior in the form of the Kia Niro running to her aide like Gandalf in Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.

Okay, that’s enough on the movie references, although the vagueness of the teaser did invite such measures. What’s important here is that Kia has created an aura of interest surrounding its Super Bowl LI commercial, which it says will air in the third quarter of the Big Game. The automaker further adds to the intrigue by describing the commercial as a “heroic and harrowing journey stretching from the polar ice caps to an arid desert.”

It’s hard to picture how that’s going to translate into a full 60-second ad but at least we’re looking forward to seeing it happen. That in itself makes this 15-second teaser starring Melissa McCarthy worth the money Kia spent to produce it.

Continue after the jump to read the full story.