Say Hello to the Leaked 2017 Kia Sportage!

Kia is set to unveil a new generation of its Sportage compact crossover at next month’s Frankfurt Auto Show, but a completely undisguised version has already been spotted over in Korea. These latest images come from Korean website Auto Tribune(via World Car Fans) and follow some official teaser drawings as well as our own spy shots of prototypes.

This new Sportage, which is expected to reach showrooms next year, as a 2017 model, sports a distinct look that should distinguish it in the marketplace from its more conservatively-styled corporate cousin, the Hyundai Tucson. The design of the interior is also impressive with its soft-touch materials and metal accents.

We don’t have all the details yet but it’s likely the new Sportage will pack a downsized turbocharged engine—probably the Tucson’s 1.6-liter four-cylinder—as well as a dual-clutch transmission and such active safety technologies as blind-spot detection and lane-change assist. The German show gets underway September 15.

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Kia Provo concept car revealed!

The Kia Provo concept car – which will make its debut at the 2013 Geneva motor show – gives a good idea of how a new Kia compact SUV could look.

Kia describes the Provo as looking like a “road-legal racer”, although a production version is likely to have toned-down looks and would be a rival for cars such as the Nissan Juke.

At 388cm long and 135cm high, the Provo is significantly shorter and lower than a Juke. The concept car has 19in alloy wheels, and at the front there’s a new interpretation of Kia’s “tiger nose” grille.

The headlamps are made up of 850 LEDs and can operate in daytime-running-light, full-beam and “race-style” modes.

Inside, there’s a dashboard made from one piece of carbon-fibre, and front seats that are made from a single panel.

A four-wheel drive hybrid power train combines a 201bhp 1.6-litre petrol engine with an electric motor that drives only the rear wheels.

Kia says the Provo hints at a “potential future B-segment vehicle,” which suggests that a production version is on the cards.

Google Maps will come integrated in newest Kia cars, Sorento first to get it in Q1 2013!

Kia Motors has announced that it will integrate Google Maps for navigation in its newest car models, in what it says will become the second generation of its UVO eServices system.

This year’s Kia Sorento expected to go on sale in Q1 2013 will be the first car to come with Google Maps on board and the new platform will allow the user to easily send directions and places from their smartphones to the system.

The same interface will also deliver entertainment like music, hands-free features and better voice recognition.

Google Maps will bring not just directions but points of interest with Google Places.

Car makers have been actively integrating various technologies like Navteq’s navigation and maps from Nokia in the latest BMW, Mercedes and Hyundai, and Apple’s Siri in GM’s Chevrolet.