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2011 Kia Sportage Concepts Work Hard and Play Hard at SEMA Show


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SEE ALSO: Kia Buyers Guide

LAS VEGAS Nov.1, 2010; Proving the 2011 Kia Sportage compact CUV can be all business or all pleasure, or both, Kia Motors America (KMA) has teamed with fashion and lifestyle magazine Antenna to showcase two stylish and highly customized Sportages created by Antenna for "The Duel," which are aimed at recreational enthusiasts and busy, on-the-go professionals, and outfitted with today's coolest gadgets, technologies and materials to appeal to active and fashion-forward males.The concept vehicles, nicknamed "Work" and "Play," will be unveiled tomorrow at the 2010 Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas.

The collaboration between KMA and Antenna follows last year's successful Soul Xpression program, which delivered a tricked out 2010 Kia Soul created by the fashion and lifestyle publication and introduced at the 2009 SEMA Show.

"In addition to being a functional and value-packed CUV, the all-new Sportage was designed to offer today's consumers the latest in technologies, convenience and safety features, and above all style," said Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing & communications, KMA."Antenna's 'Duel' Sportage concept vehicles artistically take the CUVs capabilities to the next level by adding even more style, technology and capability to specifically appeal to today's active and professional males."

Red "Play" Sportage

The "Play" Sportage concept was designed with the active urban male in mind and gives Kia's aggressively styled CUV a new skin and the latest athletic equipment and accessories, right down to the tires.The exterior was given a fresh and forceful new look featuring a standout matte finish with the body painted a flat red with texturized matte black trim paint. New 20-inch MRR HR4 wheels, also painted a coordinating matte black, enhance the rugged appearance, while a custom Yakima® roof rack is outfitted with a red and black Cannondale® QuikFX Bike with unique bike pedals and seat to meet all athletic needs at a moment's notice.

Moving inside, all trim pieces of the "Play" Sportage concept are wrapped in black leather and accented with red stitching for a more energetic appearance. The seats are upholstered with black leather, complemented with black suede racing stripes and trimmed with red stitching running down the seat center for a unified look overall. All of the door panels use a three-material design – including black leather, black suede and red leather; with door-inset Memphis Audio® component speakers for enhanced listening pleasure. An iPod Touch®(4) is molded into the rear center console for easy access to today's latest music and news, while a custom quick-release camera holder in the rear center armrest holds an Olympus EP-L1 camera to capture memorable moments while traveling on the road.The headliner, also upholstered with black suede, includes a custom beach chair holder, complete with a black-painted beach chair with a red leather seat for last-minute trips to the coast.

Making "Play" Sportage a true athlete's car, the cargo area was transformed into a tailgater's dream with a custom-painted locker, motorized stainless steel barbecue grill and 22-inch LCD television. In the cargo area, a Mac Miniwith a wireless keyboard and mouse, speakers and Wi-Fiensure full connectivity while on the move or tracking live fantasy football updates, and a Memphis subwoofer beneath a mesh overlay furthers listening enjoyment.

Blue "Work" Sportage

Aimed at the sophisticated, tech-savvy busy professional, the "Work" Sportage concept vehicle created by Antenna sports a sleek and professional appearance with custom metallic blue paint, titanium grey wheels, roof rack trim, grille insert and bumper inserts.To add to the "Work" Sportage's unique demeanor, front and rear wheels display concave rims (more pronounced in the rear), with the rear wheels fitted with new 10.5-inch-wide tires to complete the specialized look.

Busy professionals will feel at home inside the "Work" Sportage with luxuriously appointed tan leather seats with a diamond stitching design reminiscent of an argyle pattern.High-quality custom carpeting can be found throughout, while door inserts are wrapped with the same diamond-stitched leather and fitted with mesh speaker ports to conceal the upgraded Memphis Audio system speakers for a seamless appearance.

All business-minded occupants benefit from the latest technology to keep abreast of the latest news updates, including a Motorola Droid X molded into the center console.New iPads are fitted into fiberglass inserts molded into the driver and passenger seatbacks to enable rear passengers to stay on top of pressing work matters, with passengers given the ability to either remove the iPads with a simple button release or keep docked to remain charged.A Bluetooth®(5) wireless technology keyboard also is mounted into the back of the center console for easy communications.

To fully meet all needs of today's professional male, a full closet and dressing station is fitted nicely within the "Work" Sportage's spacious cargo area, offering storage for up to two suits, five dress shirts and five belts for any work situation. Grooming needs are met with holders for an electric razor (with a built-in power source) and ties, while a shoe rack with a track system to hold cufflinks and a wristwatch finish off the mobile closet.

Impressive Safety Features

Like all Kia vehicles, the 2011 Sportage is equipped with a long list of standard safety equipment. Both Sportage trims come outfitted with driver and passenger advanced front airbags, front seat-mounted side airbags, side curtain airbags(6) and front active headrests, four-wheel Antilock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and a Brake Assist System (BAS), which recognizes an emergency stop and delivers significant braking power.Hill Start Assist Control (HAC) and Downhill Brake Control (DBC) also come standard on all models, the former assisting in preventing the vehicle from rolling backward when trying to pull away from an uphill gradient, while the latter locks the vehicle at slower speeds down steep grades so drivers can focus their attention on steering.

Industry-Leading Warranty

The 2011 Sportage is covered by Kia's warranty program, which offers consumer protection at an exceptional value. Included in this program are a 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, a five-year/60,000-mile limited basic warranty and a five-year/100,000-mile anti-perforation warranty. A five-year/60,000-mile roadside assistance plan also is part of the vehicle coverage.

Design-Led Transformation and Product Line

Kia Motors is in the midst of a dramatic, design-led transformation, which has been delivering dynamically styled vehicles in several important segments at exactly the right time, contributing to the brand's continued gains in U.S. market share.Kia is poised to continue its momentum and will continue to build the brand through design innovation, quality, value, safety features and new technology such as the soon-to-come UVO powered by Microsoft(7)in-car hands-free entertainment system.The launches of the 2011 Sorento CUV, the first vehicle to be assembled*at Kia's first U.S.-based manufacturing facilities in West Point, Georgia, the dynamic 2011 Sportage compact CUV, sophisticated 2011 Optima midsize sedan and versatile Forte 5-door hatchback further enhance the lineup.

Kia's model year 2011 vehicle line includes the Sorento CUV, Sportage compact CUV, Optima midsize sedan, Soul urban passenger vehicle, Forte compact sedan, Forte 5-door compact hatchback, Forte Koup two-door coupe, Rio sub-compact sedan, Rio5 sub-compact hatchback and Sedona minivan.

About Kia Motors America

Kia Motors America (KMA) is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea.KMA offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 725 dealers throughout the United States. For 2009, KMA recorded its 15th consecutive year of increased U.S. market share and recently achieved its best quarter of sales ever in 2010.Kia Motors subscribes to a philosophy of building high value, high quality, safe and dynamic vehicles.Kia Motors prides itself on producing vehicles that are exciting and enabling and evoke the Kia tagline "The Power to Surprise."

Kia Motors America is the "Official Automotive Partner of the NBA." Information about Kia Motors America and its full vehicle line-up is available at its Web site; www.kia.com.

(1)The specially designed Sportages customized by Antenna are not available as depicted at any kia dealers. Use caution when customizing any vehicles because safety risks may be created and the vehicle warranty may be voided.

(2)iPad is a trademark of Apple, Inc.All other trademark and product or service names are the property of their respective owners.

(3)DROID x by Motorola (MOTOROLA is a registered trademark of Motorola, Inc.).Droid is a trademark of Lucasfilm Ltd. and its related companies.Used under license.

(4)iPod Touch ® is a registered trademark of Apple, Inc.

(5)The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Kia is under license. Other trademarks and trade names are those of their respective owners.

(6)For maximum protection, always wear your seat belt. Please refer to your vehicle's Owner's Manual for additional important safety information regarding air bags, including additional cautions and warnings.

* Kia vehicles assembled at the Kia U.S. plant are assembled from U.S. and globally-sourced parts.

(7)Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.