Autoblog UK

Mercedes-Benz will be heaving a sigh of relief: the new Kia Cadenza looks set to give Europe a miss. Judging by the motor show appearances in Dubai, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, it seems that Kia have set their sights on these target markets. The Cadenza is the new S-Class equivalent from Kia and is designed to pamper the purchaser with pure luxury. The dashboard has a high-gloss piano black finish reflecting the pale leather trim throughout the rest of the cabin. The Cadenza is almost five metres in length and has a 3.5L V6 engine under the bonnet. The external styling is somewhat derivative: when you take a closer look, you soon detect elements copied from European automotive manufacturers.

In the strangely named cee'd, Kia have come up with a car that virtually sells itself and is the envy of many other manufacturers. Apart from providing superb value for money, the Koreans can now justifiably claim to be offering attractive design and state -of-the-art technology. Likewise, the choice of materials and the finishing no longer permit much scope for criticism. In addition, purchasers concerned about reliability will be reassured by the generous seven-year guarantee. The Koreans have now also come up with a delightful van, the new Venga, which has the potential to continue the Kia success story in Europe. Not only the local opposition but also those other Asians in Japan have good cause to be worried. The price of the Venga is, however, still to be announced.

Autoblog's James Baggott reports from the Frankfurt Motor Show

SCRAP scheme big players Kia unveiled three new models at the Frankfurt Show.

The manufacturer, which has taken a lion's share of sales under the UK scrap scheme, continued its push for dominance with an updated cee'd, a new Sorento SUV and an all-new compact MPV called the Venga.

Kia president Hank Lee told press at the Frankfurt show that despite the recession the marque has continued to invest in new models and marketing.

'Our sales are up worldwide 8.5 per cent,' he said. 'And with these new models we will continue our offensive.'

The revamped cee'd has revised styling, lower C02 than outgoing models, a six-speed gearbox and still comes with the famous seven-year guarantee.

As the IAA (17th - 27th September 2009) prepares to open its doors in Frankfurt, manufacturers have been sending various models for a facelift to make them more attractive to the buying public. Take Kia, for example. They have put their three-year-old Cee'd through a spot of cosmetic surgery. The operation was performed by head designer Peter Schreyer, who gave his four-wheeled patient a completely new visage. The mouth (grille) has become more angular and the chrome features have been banished altogether. As the eyes (headlights) have undergone a transformation, the head (bonnet) has had to be reshaped accordingly.

The posterior has also received new light clusters as well as a revamped rear apron. The innards of the Cee'd were starting to show their age and have therefore been replaced with higher-grade materials. The heart of the vehicle was deemed to be in good working order, so the engine remains the same.

Kia have released the first images of their new premium segment saloon car codenamed the VG. In its design, the Kia VG is very close to the KND-5 Vision VG prototype that made its debut at the Seoul Motor Show in April 2009. Kia have still not revealed any details about what is under the bonnet. The market launch in Korea is scheduled for late 2009. There are no current plans to sell the VG in Europe.

Following the massive success of the Kia Soul, we are wondering if the new Kia Forte Koup will be coming to Europe. The latest Kia models are mainly targeted at a younger age bracket. The Forte Koup represents a further step in this direction. The two-door coupé made its debut at the 2009 New York International Auto Show and is due to go on sale in the States some time this year. This sporty version is the second model after the Soul to reflect the new Kia design concept. What's your opinion? Do you think the Kia Forte Koup will find a ready market here in on this side of the Atlantic?

The Kia Sorento has so far enjoyed huge success in Europe. Its successor is already on the starting blocks in Korea and has an altogether more dynamic look and feel than the outgoing model. Head Designer Peter Schreyer has somehow conjured a smile into the grille. In addition, the side profile with its narrower windows now manages to look both more delicate and more dynamic at the same time. For the Auto Salon in Seoul, which opens its doors to the public between 2nd and 5th July, Kia have promised to bring along a 2.2-litre diesel version that delivers around 200bhp and complies with the Euro 5 emissions standard. A 2.4-litre petrol model plus an LPG-compatible 2.7-litre engine are also due to go on show. Seoul will show whether the old Kia slogan still holds true: A lot of car for not much money.

One of the major draws at this year's Autosalon in Seoul (2nd- 5th July) is bound to be the KND-5 concept car from Kia. A luxury saloon squeezing into the gap between Magentis and Opirus, it is due to arrive in the showrooms this autumn – Korea first, of course. Kia obviously want their slice of the flourishing luxury market and, in the KND-5, they have come up with a virtual Hyundai Genesis look-alike.

The special features of the KND-5 are its large, glass sunroof (seamlessly integrated with windscreen and pillars), LED main beams and 20-inch aluminium wheels. Several striking design details underline the concept nature of this Kia which, according to the manufacturer, represents an innovative approach to the design and technology of high-end luxury vehicles.

The much-loved Kia Soul will shortly be available in a new special edition. Kia Denim Soul, with its white wheel rims, will soon be gracing our roads. It will, of course, be the colour of blue jeans, with a sporty stripe from front to back. The seats will be covered in denim by Levi. Further details from the Korean manufacturer are expected in the near future.

In the last few months, over 6,500 Kia Soul vehicles have been sold in Europe, which was more than Kia Motors had forecast. The launch of the Kia Soul in Australia and the USA was equally successful, with 3,200 new sales in April alone. In contrast to the overall trend in the market, Kia Motors increased its April sales figures in eight European countries. The biggest rises were in Slovakia (91%), Austria (51%) and Germany, where sales were up by 42%.