If you’re in the market for a new car, you have to make Paramount Kia Asheville #1 on your list! Stop in today for this 2013 Kia Forte EX.

See here for details.

Paris Show world premiere for all-new Kia Carens

Kia will reveal its all-new Carens compact MPV for the first time at the Paris Motor Show on 27 September.

Completely new from the ground up, the new Carens is designed and engineered to meet the needs of modern, dynamic families.  Built on an all-new platform, it delivers stylish, spacious practicality, with sleek aerodynamics, a cab-forward design, long wheelbase and up to seven seats.

“The new Carens builds on the family-friendly versatility and functionality of its predecessor, and features more athletic and visually dynamic design,” says Hyoung-Keun Lee, Vice Chairman and CEO, Kia Motors Corporation.  “This marks a dramatic shift forward for our MPV contender and brings the model in line with Kia’s distinctive current design direction.”

Appealing to families with an active lifestyle who don’t want to compromise between style and practicality, Kia is confident that the all-new third-generation Carens will attract a new group of consumers to Kia showrooms around the world.

Alongside the new Carens on the Kia stand will be the all-new pro_cee’d, also making its world premiere.  They are joined by two models making their European debuts in Paris – the new 2.0-litre Optima Hybrid sedan promising a unique blend of performance and economy, and the upgraded Sorento SUV with an all-new 2.4-litre 192 ps GDI engine option.

Come back here to kia-buzz to watch the live feed of the Kia Motors press conference at the 2012 Paris Motor show. The live feed will commence at 17:30 on September 27^th Central European Time.

Courtesy of Kia-Buzz

 

 

Fans! Check out this 2012 Optima Hybrid EX! Take a test drive with us to take it for a spin.

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Special-Edition 2014 Rio 5-Door SX M/T Arrives in Limited Quantity

IRVINE, Calif., Sept. 10, 2012 - Until now, driving enthusiasts couldn't get their hands on the Rio they were most eager to own--that's about to change. The 2013 Rio 5-door SX is now offered with a 6-speed manual transmission (M/T). Arriving in dealerships in limited quantity with a MSRP of just $17,900⁴, the Rio SX M/T is a fun-to-drive subcompact that satisfies enthusiasts' desires for a more engaging drive experience without sacrificing the comfort and convenience offered by the subcompact model's highest trim level. The Rio SX M/T is inspired by Kia's championship winning motorsports efforts and the recently-introduced Rio B-spec race car. Enthusiasts should get in line now as less than 500 Rio SX M/Ts will be initially offered for sale during the 2013 model year.

The Rio 5-door SX M/T comes standard with a class-leading 138 horsepower⁵ 4-cylinder double- overhead cam gasoline direct-injection (GDI) engine featuring dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) and fuel economy of 30-mpg city/40-mpg highway⁶. The Rio 5-door SX M/T is available in Signal Red and Electronic Blue and comes with LED taillights, front LED accent lights, and 17-inch alloy wheels. Inside, the Rio SX M/T adds a seven-inch navigation touch screen with a SiriusXM^™7 Traffic system and push-button start with Smart Key. Other standard SX features include sport-tuned suspension, rear camera display⁸, steering-wheel mounted audio controls, Bluetooth^®9 wireless technology, and an AM/FM/CD/ MP3 SiriusXM ^{Satellite audio system. The interior is handsomely appointed in sporty black knit cloth.}

"The Kia Rio 5-door SX M/T is perfect for driving enthusiasts who simply won't compromise when it comes to certain features," said Orth Hedrick, Director of Product Planning at Kia Motors America (KMA). "Our customers and the automotive press have been asking for the Rio 5-door SX with a manual transmission, and we've listened. As the Kia brand becomes more and more relevant to enthusiasts, we'll continue to evaluate consumer demand and consider bringing other high-spec manuals to market."

Those looking for the inspiration behind the Rio 5-door SX M/T need look no further than the twisting, undulating macadam of America's greatest road racing circuits. In addition to its championship winning professional road racing program, Kia this year entered the new B-Spec grassroots racing series, and the Rio SX M/T offers buyers the sporty driving dynamics that transfer from the track to the street.

To advance from driving enthusiast to racer¹⁰, customers can purchase a 2013 Rio 5-door M/T (LX Trim) and a B-Spec performance kit¹¹ available at a cost of $14,000 from Kia's racing partner, Kinetic Motorsports. The kit includes everything needed to transform the street-loving Rio 5-door into a proper racecar: pre-cut roll cage, racing seat, quick-release steering wheel, racing harness, race shocks, lightweight wheels, spec-series tires, oil sump pan expansion kit and complete build instructions. For an additional fee, Kinetic will professionally assemble the Rio at their shop in Buford, Georgia.

Courtesy of Kiamedia.com

DIY Car Maintenance Moves for Fall: Check Your Spare Tire

"Autumn is also a good time to check your spare tire to ensure that it is properly inflated," says Jim Travers, associate editor for autos at Consumer Reports and familiar with car maintenance. The typical space-saver spare tire found in most cars must be inflated to the inflation pressure listed on the side of the tire. A tire pressure gauge costs $7 to $20.

"Spare tires on pickup trucks and sport utilities are suspended underneath the vehicle on a cable, and that mechanism requires regular attention," says Pat Goss, master technician of PBS's "MotorWeek." Lower and raise that under-car spare to check if the cable mechanism works freely. In fall, spray it with a rust penetrant like WD-40 and then lube with white lithium grease. If the mechanism has seized, repair it immediately.

Tire pressure drops one PSI, or pound per square inch, for every 10-degree drop in temperature, according to the AAA, so check your tires on a weekly basis. The proper inflation pressure will generally be listed in your vehicle's owner manual and/or noted on a sticker located on the driver's doorjamb.

Courtesy of bankrate.com

Thank you for the wonderful feedback!

"Over the years, I have purchased 5 Kias from Paramount, working with Tim Cousins on the deals for the last 3. I love the brand and have enjoyed working with Tim and the service team for my routine maintenance." - Becca.

Road Testing The KIA Grand Carnival - Vroom Vroom!

I love to review things on this blog.

Anything.

Things for families, for kids, for me.

Whatever. If it's new I want to try it. If it's cool I want to share it.

I have to admit though that this time a product review has put me in a really awkward position. PR companies, please take note.

In the future, please don't send me big, shiny toys to try out and then expect me to give them back.

How on earth am I going to explain to the KIA people that I'm not giving their car back?

Awkward.

The Jordster and I had the pleasure of picking up the KIA Grand Carnival.

I must admit I've had my eye on this car for a while.

I need something big enough to accommodate the 5 kids, the prams, their bikes, groceries, school bags, the dog. Not all at once but you know what I mean.

There's nothing more annoying than kids fighting over space in the car.

What I fell in love with straight away? The magic doors.

Keyless entry with softly sliding doors. Push the button on the remote and they open BY THEMSELVES.

Which means no more jammed fingers (sensors), no more chipped paint when the kids fling the car doors open in car parks and easy access if you're holding a baby or bags.

The second thing I loved about the car? The camera on the rear view mirror with parking guidelines.

I admit it. I suck at parking.

I'm one of those mums that tries to avoid reverse parking on the school pick up/ drop off because it's just too embarrassing. I always worry that I'm going to wipe out someone else's car or kid.

The camera on the rear view mirror in the KIA Grand Carnival? Awesome. It's in the right place and you can be sure that there are no kids behind the car when you're reversing.

The third thing I love about this car? It's an 8 seater.

A spacious family car with flexible and removable seating. You can put the seats up or down or take them out. The kids can walk through the car and it has heaps of room in the boot.

We've given this car quite a thrashing in the time that we've had it. It's taken the kids, all their bags and projects to school each day. It's taken the little girls, their bikes and pram to the beach.

Heck, it's even been to Movieworld.

The best way to road test a car? A ROAD TRIP of course!

We decided a trip down to Byron Bay was in order.

It's about an hour from the Gold Coast.

The trip usually involves kids thumping each other, screaming, cries of "I'm BORED!' and "Are we there yet?!".

This time? Apart from the car radio?

Silence.

They all had plenty of space to themselves.

The car drives so smoothly and quietly that two of the kids fell asleep on the way there.

We made it to Byron Bay unscathed and decided on lunch at the Byron Bay Brewing Company.

Nom, nom, nom Sunday pub lunch and afterwards, since I had the job of designated driver, the husband decided to try the tasting plate with six different beers.

Then after a quick play on the beach and a spin up to the lighthouse we decided to go home.

Did I mention the 8 seater car KIA Grand Carnival was spacious?

Big enough to accommodate a sleeping, well fed, bear of a man in the back seat.

He'll probably kill me for that photo but whatever. It shows you how much leg room there is in the car.

Did my family give the KIA Grand Carnival a good thrashing? Yes we did.

Is it affordable? With a starting price of $38 990 for a huge family car? Yes.

Do I love it? Yes. Yes I do. Love, love, love it. It's so easy to park, spacious and drives like a dream.

There's only one problem.

Could someone please tell the KIA people that I won't be bringing the car back?

Thanks.