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Kia Racing heads for Detroit June 1-3 for round six of its debut season in the Pirelli World Challenge Championships (PWC), pitting two turbocharged Optimas against some serious hometown muscle. With his top-ten finish in Monterey (Calif.), Michael Galati, driver of the No. 36 Infinity Audio Optima, is currently fifth in the Grand Touring Sport (GTS) points battle while Kia Racing sits fourth in the manufacturers championship. Mark Wilkins, piloting the No.38 Infinity Audio Optima, has his eye on the first two rows of the starting grid at the Belle Isle (Mich.) street circuit located along the shores of the Detroit River.
The Kia Racing Optimas will need every ounce of the 22-pound diet they have undergone since Monterey – "Reward Weight" earned for podium finishes earlier in the season, which the team is now able to shed after finishing sixth and eighth in the last race – to compete with the Mustangs and Camaros on the tight temporary street circuit at Belle Isle. Located almost in the shadow of General Motors' global headquarters, and only minutes from Ford's world headquarters, the race is sure to draw a large (and potentially partisan) crowd. With that in mind, Kia Racing is approaching the weekend with cautious optimism.
"There is no doubt the fans will be behind their hometown heroes," said Galati, who lives in nearby Cleveland. "But we've surprised more than a few people in our debut season, and I feel the Optimas are up to the challenge this weekend." Galati will be working hard to score points in his bid for the 2012 driver's championship and attempting to fend off the challenge from Acura driver Nick Esayian, who is only eight points behind in the standing.
Mark Wilkins, following his Kia Racing debut in Monterey where he was quickly up to speed and turned in a solid performance, is anticipating a far different driving experience at Belle Isle. "Laguna Seca is about blind crests and wild elevation changes while Belle Isle is a street course and is by-nature quite flat," said Wilkins. "The Optimas should do quite well in this environment, but passing is always tough because the course is so tight."
Situated on a 982-acre island perched in the middle of the Detroit River, Belle Isle's street circuit was originally created for Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) competition and has also hosted IndyCar and the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) off and on since 1992. Its straights nestle against the shoreline and help to create one of the faster tracks in the PWC series.
Courtesy: Kia Media
The sub-compact segment in the United States is competitive, with every carmaker offering an entry as gas prices rise. But how does a manufacturer break from the pack and impress target buyers? Several dimensions standout — performance, ride quality, fuel economy, driving dynamics, options, styling, price. With the 2013 Kia Rio, the carmaker is concentrating on style, fuel economy, price and value.
Driving Impressions
Squeezing 138 HP and 123 lb-ft torque out of a 1.6L four cylinder engine with direct fuel injection, the Rio is competitive against the Ford Fiesta, Honda Fit and Chevy Sonic.
Sink your foot to the floor and the Rio does what's expected: a slow ramp-up of power. It won't win drag races, unless it’s against other subcompacts. The acceleration is decent, but not impressive.
Ride quality is decent, but not unexpected among current subcompacts. I renjoyed the steering feel of the Rio, which offers decent feedback and felt substantial but surprisingly not too light at highway speeds.
Styling
This is where Kia tries hard to stand out from the crowd, and I think it's the most “styled” offering in market segment. The Rio's lines are not as graceful as the Ford Fiesta, but it looks better than the Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris or Chevy Sonic. The details in the headlight units look expensive and “designed,” especially with the included LED daytime running lights.
Interior Comfort and Ergonomics
Interior space on the Rio is surprisingly accommodating. There's plenty of cabin room for a dirver and three passengers, plus gear, A fifth passenger can squeeze in, but it's best if it's a close friend.
Kia does a decent job with steering wheel-mounted controls useful and not overwhelming. The test vehicle was equipped with backup camera and touch screen entertainment center — luxury features for a subcompact. The seats are supportive.
Pros
• Spacious cabin
• Modern styling
• Great 40+ Highway MPG for a non-hybrid
• Good steering feel for a class in this class
Courtesy: TheWeeklyDriver.com
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See our full list here: http://bit.ly/Lh3PqfTotal Car Score, one of the most comprehensive automotive ranking and comparison websites, has named the 2012 Forte sedan and hatchback to its "Top Cars for College Grads" list. This roster of over-achieving compact cars was released on the cusp of graduation season, as new college grads – along with their parents – look to purchase vehicles that are reliable and cost-conscious, while also considering factors including safety, fuel-efficiency, comfort and performance. Beyond praise for its styling, spaciousness, technology and interior materials, the 2012 Forte was found to be the most affordable vehicle among the cars selected.
"Forte's achievement of being named to Total Car Score's 'Top Cars for College Grads' list is validation that its low cost and abundance of smart, youthful characteristics make it a natural fit for young adults who are about to enter the professional world," said Orth Hedrick, director of product planning, Kia Motors America. "Furthermore, as the automotive marketplace becomes increasingly competitive with higher-quality cars, the Kia Forte is poised to succeed as one of the most well-built, well-equipped cars in its class."
Total Car Score provides a comprehensive auto rating system that lets car buyers and enthusiasts compare models from all automotive segments. The "Total Car Score" assigned to a vehicle is an overall industry assessment that combines quantitative car reviews from various major automotive authorities, including the Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The Kia Forte is one of the best compact car values on the market today," said Karl Brauer, chief executive officer and editor-in-chief of Total Car Score. "With standard features like Bluetooth® hands-free phone operation, a USB port for iPod connectivity and a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty, the Forte offers the technology and long-term quality today's college graduates seek in a new-car purchase."
Courtesy: Kia Media