TORONTO, Jan. 11, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As the New Year rolls in, Kia Canada is setting its sights on the future with a line-up of innovative and forward-thinking new cars. With a focus on green, technology and performance, Kia’s latest launches represent cutting-edge additions to its already outstanding portfolio of vehicles designed to meet the real-life needs of everyday Canadians.
“This year’s Auto Show circuit is an exciting one for the brand and we are incredibly proud of our entire lineup, including these all-new vehicles,” said Michael Kopke, Director of Marketing, Kia Canada. “The all-new Forte5, Soul, Soul EV and Niro EV all represent the epitome of Kia’s vision for the future – to create real-world, top-quality vehicles that enhance the everyday lives of drivers coast to coast. We know Kia’s innovative technology and cutting-edge safety features are what drivers want and we can’t wait to show them off!”
The star of the show was the all-new ultra-sporty, performance-focused Kia Forte5, which made its North American debut today at the brand’s preview event and will be on display at the 2019 Montreal Auto Show – a rare chance for Canadians to be the first in North America to get up close to a brand-new vehicle.
Hitting Canadian streets in the fall of 2019, the Forte5 offers dynamic and fun performance in a sporty, head-turning hatchback design. The car’s most exciting feature is its optional GT performance upgrade which lets drivers experience the exhilaration of being sucked into their seat thanks to an optional 1.6L Turbo GDI paired to a 7-speed Dual Clutch Transmission – which will pack a punch and offer some serious “oomph!”
The new Forte5 offers a perfect fusion of sleek design, sporty performance and practical functionality.
“We’re confident that this new Kia Forte5 delivers on what Canadians want – a dynamic and sporty Hatchback that is great to look at, fun to drive, safe and connects to their unique lives,” said Kopke, “Kia continues to put design, performance and technology at the forefront of all our vehicles and this new Forte5 is another great example of why Canadians should be looking to us during their purchase journey.”
But the innovation doesn’t stop there. In addition to its power-punch Forte5, Kia Canada has unveiled two new electrifying additions to its portfolio of vehicles with the 2020 Soul EV and the 2019 Niro EV, as well as the new 2020 Kia Soul – a reimagined revision of the brand’s most iconic vehicle.
Kia’s Soul EV and Niro EV aren’t your run-of-the-mill Electric Vehicles – they’re designed to redefine traditional perceptions of electric cars and provide drivers with EV options that eliminate the need to compromise functionality for eco-friendliness. The Soul EV and Niro EV are real-world electric vehicles that fuse functionality with practicality and provide consumers with cost-savings on fuel without the traditional range restrictions of fully-electric cars.
The 2019 Kia Niro EV was crafted with a versatile crossover design for Canadians who know no boundaries and want an Electric Vehicle that shares that sentiment. When it arrives in Canada in early 2019, the Niro EV will be available in an SX Touring trim which will offer drivers a ton of mind-blowing and cutting-edge features including:
- Multi-functional crossover format provides a vehicle for every lifestyle
- Official EPA range of 385 kms
- Regenerative braking technology which captures kinetic energy created by the vehicle’s brakes to recharge the car’s battery while driving
- Ultra-fast charging attributable to the vehicle’s standard Combined Charging System (CCS) which provides a charge sufficient for approximately 135 km in 30 minutes using a 50kW charger or 193 km in 30 minutes using a 100kW charger
The 2020 Kia Soul EV was created with the same distinctive, fun-loving and crowd-pleasing spirit as the beloved and award-winning Soul. It was designed for Canadians who love to jump in their car, go for a ride and enjoy a Soul-ful vibe out as they drive. Expected to arrive in Canada this summer, with more information available later this Spring, the vehicle will offer two trims – the EV Premium and EV Limited – and will offer cutting-edge features including:
- Standard electric motor boasting 134-horsepower and 291 ft.-lb. of torque and available 201 horsepower and 291 lb.ft. of torque
- Regenerative braking technology which captures kinetic energy created by the vehicle’s brakes to recharge the car’s battery while driving
- High-tech features including a 10.25” colour touchscreen with rear view monitor and parking guidance
Last but most certainly not least is the 2020 Kia Soul. Staying true to its brand heritage and unconventional DNA, the reimagined Soul will represent the rebirth of Kia’s iconic vehicle. It will offer Canadians a completely new, yet familiar, version of Kia’s beloved and award-winning urban favorite. Available in five trim levels, the 2020 Kia Soul will arrive in Canada in the early first half of 2019 and boast features including:
- Continued passion for music – a continued theme for Soul since its inception – including touches inspired by the emotional visualization of sound including enhancements to its available mood lighting system boasting 11 new ambiance settings and 3D pattern surfaces on the upper door panels which synchronize to the beat of music playing in the vehicle
- High-tech details including an available 10.25” HD colour touchscreen and available 8-inch Heads-Up Display
- The new Soul also offers an available 640-watt Harman Kardon audio system including an amplifier and 10 speakers and subwoofer which bumps music with twice the wattage of the current Soul
Starting at the Montreal Auto Show next week, Kia’s new vehicles will join other favourites on display at various auto shows across the country. Pre-production vehicle specs and design are subject to change in production.
About Kia Canada Inc. Kia Canada Inc. (KCI), established in 1999 and celebrating 20 years in Canada, is a subsidiary of Kia Motors Corporation (KMC) based in Seoul, South Korea. Kia’s full line of award-winning vehicles offers world-class quality and customer satisfaction through a network of 193 dealers nationwide. The company employs 170 people in its Mississauga, Ontario headquarters, various locations across Canada and at its regional office in Montreal, Quebec. Kia’s brand slogan "The Power to Surprise" represents the company's global commitment to surpassing customer expectations through continuous automotive innovation. From compact to crossover to industry leading EV’s, every Kia delivers an extraordinary combination of precision engineering, outstanding performance, innovative features, and advanced safety systems. Having sold close to one million vehicles, popular Canadian models include Soul, Forte, Sportage, Sorento and Stinger. To learn more about the Kia advantage, visit kia.ca or Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter and Instagram .
Press materials and images for the 2020 Forte5, 2020 Soul, 2020 Soul EV and 2019 Niro EV can be found here . Niro EV and Soul images may depict US models.
For more information about Kia Canada and our products, please visit our Media Centre at KiaMedia.ca or contact:
Mark James Corporate Communications Manager Kia Canada Inc. T: 905-755-6251 E: mjames@kia.ca
Frederic Tremblay (Quebec Inquiries) Directeur relations publiques et communications – Région de l’est Kia Canada Inc. T: 514-955-0505 x 2209 E: ftremblay@kia.ca
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