Auto Racing

We check out the all new 2017 KIA Niro Hybrid at the 2017 Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto. The Niro is KIA's first dedicated hybrid in the North American market.

We check out the all new KIA Cadenza at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto. This is KIA's full size offering designed to compete with the following:

- Ford Taurus
- Toyota Avalon
- Chrysler 300
- Nissan Altima
- Chevrolet Impala

The all-new, fourth-generation Kia Rio will make its world premiere on 29 September in Paris, at the 2016 Mondial de l’Automobile. With a progressive new exterior and interior design, the Rio is revealed for the first time globally today through an exclusive set of images.

Design of the new Rio was led by Kia’s design centers in Germany and California, in close collaboration with the company’s global design headquarters in Namyang, Korea. The appearance of the new Rio is defined by straight lines and smooth surfacing, giving the car a distinctive, confident new look.

Progressive exterior design

At the front, the Rio wears the latest evolution of Kia’s ‘tiger-nose’ grille, now thinner in height and wider across the front of the car. Integrated bi-function projection headlamps – again, thinner and more sculpted than those of its predecessor – project a new U-shaped LED light signature. Changes to the front of the car, including moving the fog lamps’ position outwards within the front bumper, are designed to add greater visual width for a more stable overall look. The new Rio grows by 5 mm in width (to 1,725 mm), further adding to this effect.

In profile, the fourth-generation Rio’s lengthened, more balanced stance is achieved with a long bonnet and longer front overhang, a 10 mm longer wheelbase (up to 2,580 mm), a thinner, more upright C-pillar, and a shorter rear overhang. Overall, the new car is 15 mm longer than its predecessor (now 4,065 mm long), and 5 mm shorter in height (to 1,450 mm). Straight, clearly-defined lines run down the full length of the car’s shoulder and along its doors, further stretching the appearance of the car for a more stable, confident look.

The rear section of the Rio is now more upright, with a near-vertical rear windscreen and a shorter overhang. The straight line that runs from the grille, through the headlamps and along the top of the doors, continues around the back of the car, paired with thinner, more sculpted rear lamps, which now feature a new arrow-shaped LED light signature. Like the wider-looking ‘face’ of the car, the rear design of the new Rio gives it a stronger overall appearance.

Modern, driver-oriented cabin

The new Kia Rio will offer motorists a modern new cabin design, featuring sculptural forms and a more ergonomic layout than its predecessor.

Like the exterior, straight lines running the width of the dashboard characterize the shape of the interior, giving the cabin a wider appearance and increasing the sense of space for occupants.

The dashboard itself is now angled towards the driver, and at its center is a new infotainment system, a ‘floating’ HMI (human-machine interface), with a high-resolution touchscreen to power the Rio’s audio, navigation and new connectivity systems. The new HMI has allowed Kia to reduce the number of buttons on the center console.

The new Rio is available with a choice of black or grey cloth seat upholstery, or with black or grey artificial leather. A ‘Red Pack’ for the Rio gives buyers black with red artificial leather-trimmed seats throughout the cabin. The cabin itself features gloss black and metallic trim throughout, for a more modern finish.

Production starts at the end of 2016

The all-new Rio will offer buyers class-leading practicality and safety technology, the latest connectivity features, and more assured and engaging ride and handling characteristics.

The Kia Rio is the Korean manufacturer’s global best-selling model, with more than 473,000 sold around the world in 2015. The next generation will enter production towards the end of 2016 for Europe, with production timings for other regions to be announced closer to launch.

This is a look at the 2017 KIA Niro Eco Hybrid at the 2016 Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto.

The Niro's closest competitors are:

- Honda Insight
- Toyota Prius
- Ford C-Max
- Chevrolet Volt

Super Bowl 50 in San Francisco is only a few days away, and now we have the complete schedule of automaker television spots that will be featured on American tubes. Yes, unfortunately Canadian commercial coverage continues for one more year before we get to see the million dollar American ads.

The lineup for 2016 includes nine automakers: Acura, Audi, Buick, FCA, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mini and Toyota. Most of them feature celebrities and athletes, so let's take a closer look at a few of them before you get to check them out on YouTube after the game. 

Acura will showcase its NSX supercar to the delight of many who've been waiting for years to get their hands on one. Sales start shortly and Acura will take the opportunity to present it to the world featuring Van Halen music.

Hyundai is the new automotive NFL sponsor, so you knew they would have a big spot when it came to the big game. Hyundai will actually have four commercials total throughout the game. Two of them will feature celebrities in Kevin Hart and Ryan Reynolds. Hart plays a meddlesome father that attempts to track his daughter on her first date, while Reynolds attempts to distract a woman driver in various guises.

Kia will utilize Christopher Walken's skills in a spot called “Walken Closet.” It will feature the 2016 Kia Optima and sock puppets performed by Walken.

A first-timer to the Super Bowl party will be Buick. Buick's ad will showcase the Cascada convertible and feature New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. And actress/model Emily Ratajkowski.

The Super Bowl between the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos will begin its coverage this Sunday, February 7 at 6:30 ET on CBS.