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The Kia Stinger first made its debut way back in January 2017, and it took the world by storm. A Korean sports sedan that wants to challenge the likes of other prominent German brands, were they insane? Oh yes they were, and it truly paid off.

Designated as a performance liftback sedan, the Korean model actually became a worthy opponent to some more well-known German cars. Think something something S5, M5 and E43 .

Even with impressive performance figures and practicality, sales of the Stinger were lacklustre worldwide. Competitive pricing by others meant the Stinger never got the spotlight it deserved, and the fact it has a “Kia” badge on the front didn’t help either.

Happenings

2023 Kia Stinger Tribute Edition Marks End of Production Run

IN Kia, Stinger, Tribute, Edition, Final, 1000

Limited to 1,000 units, say goodbye to one of the most underrated sports sedans on the market.

The electric premium crossover scored a total of 279 points, fending off a shortlist that was almost entirely comprised of pure EVs, a clear indication of the direction the automotive industry is trending towards. This is the first time that Kia, or any other South Korean car manufactuer, has won the prestigious title, and the third time for an EV.

Happenings

Kia EV6 wins European Car of the Year 2022

IN Kia, EV6, EV, Awards

Electric crossover takes the gong ahead of an almost all-EV final shortlist

So, any drivetrain differences?

Unfortunately, no. Power output stays the same, with 244 bhp and 353 Nm of torque from the 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-pot. This means a 6 second century sprint, up to a 240km/h top speed.

The lack of drivetrain updates isn’t necessarily a bad thing, considering how well it already drives. Its Nürburgring-developed chassis is nicely balanced between performance and comfort, despite the fixed dampers (Stinger GT gets electronically adjustable units). What’s lovely is how the suspension absorbs mid-corner bumps, ensuring that the chassis stays planted with no nasty surprises.

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Adding to Excellence | Kia Stinger 2.0 GT Line

IN Kia, Stinger, Kia Stinger, GT Line, Cycle & Carriage Kia

Kia’s already-excellent Stinger gets a mild facelift and quite a bit more equipment inside, but the price tag grows, too.

Hyundai Motor Group expects an adaptable all-electric platform using Canoo’s scalable skateboard architecture to allow for a simplified and standardised development process for Hyundai and Kia electrified vehicles, which is expected to help reduce cost that can be passed along to consumers. Hyundai Motor Group also expects to reduce complexity of its EV assembly line, allowing for rapid response to changing market demands and customer preferences. With this collaboration, Hyundai Motor Group doubles down on its recent commitment to invest $87 billion USD over the next five years to foster future growth. As part of this drive, Hyundai plans to invest $52 billion USD in future technologies through 2025, while Kia will invest $25 billion USD in electrification and future mobility technologies, aiming for eco-friendly vehicles to comprise 25% of its total sales by 2025.

Happenings

Hyundai Ties Up With Canoo to Develop Platform for Future EV Platform

IN EV, Electric Vehicle, Electric, Hyundai

A skateboard chassis as the basis for future EV platforms? Who would have thought of that? Well, Hyundai did...

The first compact MPV as we know it, is none other than the first-generation Renault Megane Scenic which was launched in late 1996 and underpinned by the Megane sedan. Developed as a car meant to be practical and enjoyed by the entire family, the Scenic has been in production for 22 years now. And today, we’ve got with us the newest fourth-generation Scenic.

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Renault Scenic 1.5T dCi Privilege | Taking the scenic route

IN Renault, Scenic, Renault Scenic, Wearnes

Renault’s latest compact MPV proves that frugal can still be fun

Conceptualised as the Kia GT Concept back in 2011 at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the low and wide grand tourer with suicide doors got tongues wagging with its radical styling and rather un-Kia-like rear-wheel drive layout. 6 years on, the production car we have here today looks darn close to the concept with aggressive vents, sweeping roofline and wraparound taillights.

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Kia Stinger GT V6 | Pleasant Surprises

IN Kia, Stinger, Stinger GT, Kia Singapore

Kia sets its sights squarely on the Europeans with this 365 bhp, rear-wheel drive sports sedan

Quite recently, BMW went slightly aggressive. They’ve launched a range of plug-in hybrid variants for their popular 3 Series, 5 Series and even 2 Series.

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BMW 225XE iPerformance Active Tourer | Would You Like A Piece?

IN BMW, 2 Series, BMW 2 Series, 225xe, BMW 225xe iPerformance, IPerformance, BMW Active Tourer, 2 Series Active Tourer, Performance Motors, Beemer

A host of issues, in terms of infrastructure on our island, is still largely in limbo - so why would you still want a sub-$180k plug-in hybrid from BMW?

The design of the car is recognisable as a Kia thanks to key signature design elements, such as the ‘tiger-nose’ grille. Designed in Europe, in collaboration with Kia’s Korean design studio, the body blends sharp horizontal feature lines with softer sculpted surfaces; the Stonic’s ‘Targa’style roof enables buyers to choose a two-tone paint finish, inspired by the design of the 2013 Kia Provo concept. It will be available in Europe with up to 20 two-tone colour combinations, with a choice of up to five distinctive colours for the roof.

Happenings

Kia Enters Compact Crossover Segment With Its Stonic

IN Kia, Stonic, Kia Stonic, Compact SUV, SUV, Kia SUV

Kia sees the Stonic as a very important model for the brand in a fast-growing segment

The steering feels much weightier, with feedback adequately delivered from the front two tyres. But like any other cars, there are some issues still — the steering has this strange habit of artificially correcting itself and on top of that, torque steer is present. The latter something you do not expect from a car in this class. Brakes have been given the much needed improvement — the previous model has this weird habit of lacking feel when worked hard, but with this new one, it provides more assuring bite which is useful at slowing down the car.

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Silent Hero | Ford Mondeo Titanium

IN Ford, Mondeo, Titanium, GTDI, Ford Mondeo Titanium, 2015 Ford Mondeo, Regent Motors

No, this is not a new sedan by Aston Martin — instead, it is Ford’s newest Mondeo

The T-GDi’s single-scroll turbocharger is paired with an electric waste-gate motor, which improves the turbocharger’s performance with a highly efficient air scavenging strategy. As well as scavenging clean air for the engine to re-use for combustion, it is able to open the waste-gate at the same time to improve waste air flow. This innovative system allows for greater low-end torque, more immediate engine response from any throttle position, and improved fuel economy under higher engine loads.In the Kia cee’d GT Line, the engine’s maximum 172 Nm torque is available across a wide 1,500-4,100 rpm range, with maximum power arriving at 6,000 rpm. The engine is also fitted with an integrated exhaust manifold, which lowers the exhaust gas temperature slightly. As well as improving high speed, high load fuel economy, lower temperatures also result in cleaner emissions by allowing the catalytic converter to operate more effectively.

Happenings

Meet Kia's 1.0-litre Turbocharged Engine

IN Kia, Turbocharged, 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder, Namyang R&D, Cee'd, T-GDi, Kappa

Kia's all new engine developed at the brand's Namyang R&D centre

Whatever. It’s their loss as they’re uninformed and clearly missing out on the good things that are on offer.

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Reality Bites | Kia Cerato Koup GDI-T

IN Kia, Cerato, Koup, Kia Cerato Koup, GDI, GDI-T, Turbo, Turbocharged, Cycle & Carriage Kia

Kia’s concept of style without costing an arm and a leg is presented in the latest iteration of their Koup

However, those days are long gone ever since changes in vehicle finance policy and the vulgar increase of COE premiums.

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Optimal Value | Kia Optima K5

IN Kia, Optima, K5, Kia Optima K5, Optima K5, Cycle & Carriage Kia

Kia’s Optima K5 mark two came silently with subtle changes; thing is, does it tick all the right boxes as a value-for-money large sedan? (Look away, badge snobs…)

Using Nokia's innovative collection technologies blended with a team of local experts with an intimate knowledge of local road networks and surrounding areas, the True II vehicle is a specially equipped vehicle used to collect and verify real time location data about buildings, street signs and roadways and then puts that information into HERE maps, which are used by Microsoft’s Bing, Windows Phone devices and cars throughout the world.

Happenings

HERE's True II Car

IN GPS, Mapping, Nokia, True II, Volkswagen

With Nokia's next-generation data collection vehicle called True II, high quality navigation maps can be built and kept fresh.

In Product Immersion, trainers were on hand to introduce the many features of the Forte K3, after which participants were able to examine and experience these features for themselves up close.

Happenings

Exclusive Preview Of The New Kia Forte K3

IN Kia, Forte K3, Launch, Product immersion, Facebook

Fifty lucky fans of Torque magazine and Kia Singapore's Facebook pages had the opportunity to put the new Kia Forte K3 through its paces at the Singapore Turf Club.

Then again, it doesn’t necessarily have to out-drag the competition, because Kia is pitching the GT as a brisk all-rounder designed for “everyday usability and civility, not a track special” (although its chassis was developed at the Nurburgring). So even though it gets re-tuned springs and dampers, a thicker rear anti-roll bar and larger brakes, its multi-link suspension should ensure a tolerable ride.

Happenings

Still Very Reasonably Priced

IN Kia, Hot hatch, Ceed, GT, Cee'd

The name is still ridiculous, but this hot hatch looks set to be a credible and value-packed alternative in the market.

On the outside, it may look like very little work has been done. But look a little closer, and you will realise that Kia has lengthened the Soul, tweaked its headlights and front bumper, and smartened up its rear end. The rear taillight cluster has been replaced by a much smarter and more modern unit, while the rear tailgate has been widened and is now made up of a single piece of glass, with the centre decked out with a piece of body-coloured trim.

Happenings

Kia’s Got A New Soul!

IN Kia, Soul, New, Supermini, New York

Kia ditches the ‘boy-racer’ look and goes for a more matured look in the facelifted Soul.

Of course, the car is nothing more than a concept at this point in time. That said, if the Provo ever entered production, how much of the radical design would actually make it into the final product? The car in its current form is certainly quite striking though, thanks to the contrasting roof color, one-piece headlight and taillight housings, and oversized wheel arches paired with radical wheels.

Happenings

Hot Korean Model Rivals The British And Germans

IN Kia, Provo, Concept, Geneva, Hybrid, Sports

Kia’s Provo Concept is set to be serious contender in the compact car category. MINI, watch out!

To distinguish this hot hatch from its pedestrian siblings, the Pro Cee’d GT has a black roof, and a new body kit. A red insert decorates the base of the lower air intake. The surgery at the front goes beyond that; mesh grilles, a GT badge, LED daytime running lights and enlarged intakes complete the front end of the Pro Cee’d GT. Other alterations include 18 inch wheels to clear the larger brakes, and a rear spoiler. This car is not all about show and no go though; the car comes with some decent poke too.

Happenings

Kia Unveils Korean 'Golf GTi'

IN Kia, Pro Cee'd, GTI, Turbo

Kia builds a hot hatch with 201 bhp and 264 Nm of torque. Is this going to be a budget Golf GTI?

Happenings

MINI Goes to Santa Claus

IN MINI, Countryman, MINI Habitat, Cooper S, BMW Asia, Christmas

MINI sets a world record approved by Guinness World Recordsâ„¢ for the longest wish list ever delivered to Santa Claus.

Offering plenty of standard features, the Soul features a chrome-accented grille, clear lens headlamps, body-coloured door handles and side mirrors with integrated turn signals, black body side molding, rear wiper/washer, variable intermittent windshield wipers, front and rear disc brakes and 16-inch alloy rims with an option to upgrade to 18-inch alloy rims.

Happenings

Soulful: Kia's Soul Given An Update

IN Kia, Soul, Kia Soul, 2012 Kia Soul, Cycle & Carriage Kia

Cycle & Carriage Kia introduces an updated version of Kia's funky Soul, now with more style to keep it relevant