Kia 'Stage 1' Concept Vehicles

LAS VEGAS, Nov. 4, 2003 -- The Kia product line-up has grown substantially over the past two years, and the company has impressed many industry observers with high levels of value, quality and safety in such recent new products as the Optima midsize sedan, Sedona minivan and Sorento midsize SUV.

With consumer demand for vehicle customization and personalization continuing to rise, Kia created three "Stage 1" concept cars to show how aftermarket accessories can be applied to its products, and to indicate the company's interest in potentially offering an expanded line of authorized accessories in the near future.

"Just as our vehicles stand apart from the competition by offering tremendous value, our customers want to stand out from the crowd by providing their vehicles with a personality of their own," said Peter M. Butterfield, president and CEO of Kia Motors America.

Rio Cinco Stage 1

Injecting a bolt of excitement and energy into the value-leading Kia Rio Cinco 5-door wagon's already-cool personality, the Rio Cinco "Stage 1" concept showcases how value-conscious consumers can easily and affordably customize their vehicles.

Using custom exterior accessories such as new mesh grilles and side skirts, the Rio Cinco Stage 1 is a sleek interpretation of the Rio Cinco 5-door. To give the Rio Cinco Stage 1 its sporty stance, it has been lowered two inches, accenting its plus-four 18-inch tires and alloy wheels with race grey finish. A rear-roof spoiler, new driving lights and customized metallic graphics complete the exterior appearance.

Powered by a 1.6-liter DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder engine mated to a 5-speed manual transmission, the Cinco Stage 1 also sports a custom-built exhaust system.

Designed and built in conjunction with USPL Auto Accessories, additional modifications to the Cinco Stage 1 include:

   -- Brushed stainless steel dash accents
   -- Custom gear-shift knob and shifter boot
   -- Seatbelt styling pads

  Optima Stage 1

Adding an aggressive attitude to what is already one of the smartest buys in the competitive midsize sedan segment, the Kia Optima "Stage 1" concept car uses bold exterior styling accessories to create an athletic profile that dramatically separates the Optima from the uninspiring look of other sedans in its segment.

A customized four-piece ground effects package adds front and rear fascia valances as well as side skirts to the Optima Stage 1 concept vehicle; while custom designed sport grilles and a rear spoiler complete the muscular appearance package. The Optima Stage 1 was conceived and built in a partnership between Kia and USPL Auto Accessories.

Anchored to the ground by its plus-three 19-inch tires and custom alloy wheels, the Optima Stage 1 concept car's suspension was lowered nearly two inches from the production model, and it is powered by a 2.7-liter DOHC V6 that delivers a unique exhaust note through its custom-built dual exhaust system.

  Additional accessories found on the Optima Stage 1 include:

   -- Custom paint and graphics
   -- Brushed stainless steel dash accents
   -- Custom fog lamps

  Amanti Stage 1

Arriving in dealer showrooms in late-November, the all-new 2004 Amanti large premium sedan is the newest addition to the growing Kia product range and the most recent fulfillment of the company's plans to reach out to a larger number of American consumers.

The Amanti is no cookie-cutter car, and the Amanti "Stage 1" concept vehicle builds upon the sedan's bold styling cues such as its classically inspired grille and its limousine-like roofline, adding several elegant, yet subtle, design touches.

Working together, Kia and No Limits added black chrome exterior trim pieces, a dramatically lowered sport suspension system, a stainless mesh front grille and plus-one 17-inch uni-directional tires to give the Amanti Stage 1 concept vehicle its powerful stance and to help set the concept car apart from its production sibling. Black chrome alloy wheels, tinted windows, "Jet Black" exterior paint and a custom dual exhaust system are the final touches that provide a more upscale, personalized look to the premium sedan.

Inside, the all-new Amanti features an elegant interior design highlighted by a wide range of standard comfort, safety and convenience features, including eight airbags and the most sophisticated audio system ever offered in a Kia -- a six-channel, eight-speaker, 270-watt sound system by Infinity featuring an in-dash six-disc CD changer, AM/FM receiver and cassette deck. The Amanti Stage 1 concept car takes Amanti's rich surfaces and useful features to a new level with enhancements such as a rear seat DVD entertainment system and Bluetooth enabled hand-free phone system.

                  ADDITIONAL KIA VEHICLES FOUND AT SEMA

   Sedona minivan by Audiovox -- Booth 20201
   -- AM/FM In-dash CD/DVD player
   -- Motorized 7-inch In-dash monitor
   -- Four 7-inch custom headrest monitors
   -- 9-inch overhead DVD player
   -- Rear-mounted 15-inch overhead monitor
   -- DVD-based GPS navigation system
   -- Extended range remote start/keyless entry/security system
   -- Leather interior
   -- Bike rack
   -- Upgraded wheel and tire package
   -- Running boards
   -- Custom floor mats

   Sorento midsize SUV by EGR -- Booth 33433
   (Displayed outside the convention center near the registration booth)
   -- 20-inch, 6-spoke wheels
   -- Upgraded tires
   -- Headlight protectors
   -- Hood deflector
   -- Roof rack
   -- Rear spoiler
   -- Oversized fender flares
   -- Side window visors
   -- Brush plate

                         2004 SEMA SHOW SUPPLIERS

   Rio Cinco Stage 1

        USPL Auto Accessories
        TSW Alloy Wheels -- Booth 40407
        Kelly Tires -- Booth 40933
        Eibach Springs -- Booth 23143
        Cone Engineering -- Booth 22953
        PIAA Corporation, USA -- Booth 31605
        TKC Custom Graphics
        Woodview Automotive Trim -- Booth 10444
        GrillCraft Custom Products -- Booth 10549
        Grant Products International -- Booth 22053
        Wheelskins
        Auto Ventshade Company -- Booth 30611
        Lumar Film
        A Tint of Class
        Familia Valdez & Company

   Optima Stage 1

        USPL Auto Accessories
        Bushwacker -- Booth 30433
        TSW Alloy Wheels -- Booth 40407
        Dunlop Tires -- Booth 40933
        Eibach Springs -- Booth 23143
   Cone Engineering -- Booth 22953
        PIAA Corporation, USA -- Booth 31605
        GrillCraft Custom Products -- Booth 10549
        TKC Custom Graphics
        Woodview Automotive Trim -- Booth 10444
        Grant Products International -- Booth 22053
        Wheelskins
        Lumar Film
        A Tint of Class
        Familia Valdez & Company

   Amanti Stage 1

        Audiovox Electronics Corp. -- Booth 20201
        Johnson Controls -- Booth 10672
        Michelin -- Booth 42405
        House of Color

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