Kia future products: New engines power redesigned models

Cars will be the focus of Kia's attention in the next year as the fast-growing Korean automaker brings fresh styling and new engine technology to its lineup.

The redesigned Rio subcompact that debuted at the New York auto show in April goes on sale in the fourth quarter. The Cadenza, a large upscale sedan that will be Kia's flagship, will be launched next spring.

A redesigned Forte compact sedan arrives next summer, while redesigns of the Sedona minivan and Sorento crossover are scheduled for the 2014 model year.

Soul: A freshening for the 2012 model year Soul includes a new front fascia, updated headlights and hood and a new vertical taillight configuration. Inside, there's a redesigned center stack.

A new 1.6-liter four-cylinder direct injection engine boosts fuel efficiency and power from the Soul's previous 1.6-liter base engine. Six-speed manual and automatic transmissions also are new.

The Soul is scheduled to be redesigned in 2013.

Rio: A redesign of Kia's smallest offering, which comes in four-door sedan and five-door hatchback configurations, will go on sale in the fourth quarter. It will be powered by the new 1.6-liter four-cylinder gasoline direct injection with start-stop technology. The new Rio is estimated to get 40 mpg on the highway.

Cadenza: A source says the large fwd sedan will arrive stateside in March or April as a 2013 model after being delayed to avoid crowding the launch of the 2011 Optima. The Cadenza, sold in South Korea as the K7, will be Kia's flagship when it debuts, slotting above the Optima in both interior refinement and price. Engines are expected to include the direct injection 3.5-liter V6 from Hyundai-Kia's Lambda family.

Forte: The redesigned compact is scheduled to arrive next summer. The new version will use the same platform as the 2011 Hyundai Elantra. The Forte will get the same 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine as the Elantra, along with new six-speed manual or automatic transmissions.

Optima: The Optima mid-sized sedan was redesigned for the 2011 model year. A freshening is planned for 2013.

Sorento: Kia's top seller was redesigned for the 2011 model year and gets an updated base engine for 2012. A 2.4-liter direct injection four cylinder replaces the previous 2.4-liter, boosting power to 191 hp, up from the 2011 engine's 175 hp.

A redesign is scheduled for the 2014 model year, using the same platform as the upcoming redesign of the Hyundai Santa Fe. The next-generation Sorento also is expected to offer long-wheelbase version to better accommodate three rows of seats.

Sedona: A redesigned minivan is scheduled to arrive in 2013.

Sportage: The Sportage compact crossover was redesigned for the 2011 model year. A freshening is scheduled for the 2013 model year.

By Ryan Beene- Automotive News