Kia will debut the No3 Concept at the Geneva Motor Show, a small MPV design study that aims to carve a new niche in the small-car market by delivering flexibility in a package that is also great to drive.

Designed by Kia's European design team, led by Peter Schreyer, the No3 Concept showcases the Korean automaker's new face with the front grille, headlamps and brand logo in a constellation arrangement. But the most notable of the 4045mm-long concept's design features is its unique extended windscreen and panoramic glass roof with a diagonal supporting bar.

We'll be featuring a detailed analysis of the No3 Concept in our forthcoming Geneva Motor Show Highlights, coming to your screens next week. Watch this space.

Photo Gallery: Kia No3 Concept

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Kia unveiled a two-door concept based on the recently released Soul at the 2009 NAIAS. Called the Soul'ster, the four-seat concept's elemental design was inspired by basic, utilitarian vehicles like the International Scout. It is the first vehicle born out of Kia's newly opened design center in Irvine, California.

First of all, allow us to say that it is not at all certain that Kia's new mini MPV model will use the Soul name. However, the car which bears the codename YN, does share the same platform with the new Kia Soul as well as with the Hyundai i20. Set to take the fight to the Opel Meriva, Nissan Note and Honda Jazz when it's launched at the end of 2009, Kia's new little MPV will offer more space and practicality than its faux-crossover Soul sibling.

The prototype model's heavy camouflage does not allow us to see any exterior details other than the large panoramic roof, but it is apparent that Kia's mini MPV will be less flashy and funky than the Soul. Inside, as is evident from the scoop photos, the mini MPV uses the same three-gauge instrument panel and three-spoke steering wheel as the Soul, though the center console has been completely redesigned. Buyers should expect to find lots of clever folding seats and plenty of storage compartments.

Powertrain options will include 1.6-liter petrol and diesel engines, both producing an output of 126HP, while some markets will also get a 115HP 1.6-liter diesel and a 142HP 2.0-liter gasoline engine.

The new mini-MPV will be manufactured by Kia's sister brand Hyundai at the company's new factory at Nosovice in the Czech Republic, although Korean versions are likely to be built in Korea. Production of Hyundai's version of the mini-MPV, which will replace the Matrix, will start in the Czech factory by 2011.

Expect to see Kia's little minivan making its global premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2009.

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Kia has released a second teaser image of the Sports Coupe Concept it will unveil at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

Kia has released a photo of its Pro Cee'd three-door scheduled to debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Based on the 'pro_cee'd' concept unveiled at the 2006 Paris Motor Show the new model was developed under the direction of Chief Design Officer Peter Schreyer by Kia's design team in Europe.

Korean automaker Kia has announced that the new facelifted Picanto (badged as the Morning in domestic market) will make its public debut at the Barcelona International Motor Show on June 7th.

The new car is more rounded, with all-new front panels and a hood that has been extended and curved. A new radiator grille - which features a black mesh background and twin horizontal chromed bars supporting the central Kia badge - is claimed to be the new 'face' of Kia. The new front and rear light clusters continue the rounded and smoothed theme of the bodywork, and the front and rear bumpers are now larger and deeper.

Measuring 3535mm long, 1595mm wide and 1480mm high, the refreshed Picanto is 40mm longer than its predecessor but retains its forebear's 2370mm wheelbase. The new Picanto will be available with three engines when it goes on sale from December.

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Geneva marks the world debut of the Kia c'eed Sporty Wagon, which will be unveiled in production-ready form at the show. It marks the first anniversary of the c'eed concept, also shown in Geneva, and extends the theme of the side glass, bringing to mind the Peugeot 407 SW. The extra 235mm length the wagon has over the five-door is put behind the rear axle, while overall height goes up 10mm. Luggage capacity starts at 534 liters to screen base, the cargo area accessed by a wide-opening hatch, the hinges pushed forward 225mm for reduced up- and out-swing. At the rear, standard hip-height lamps are married with columns that neatly intercept the quarter-lights and rear screen.

The Kia c'eed wagon will join the range at the end of Q2, followed by a three-door variant towards the end of the year. The c'eed range also heralds Kia's impressive seven-year/100,000 mile warranty.

Kia has released a design sketch of its newest concept car - the Kue. With distinctly grand SUV styling, Kue majors on greater driving dynamics and performance. The focus is very much about an exciting driving experience, as opposed to the typical SUV or CUV [Crossover Utility Vehicle] lifestyle and is the first major new concept launched under the guidance of new design chief Peter Schreyer.

The concept is based on the forthcoming three-door sporty hatch version of cee'd, which is also launched at this year's Paris Motor Show.

"Following on from the original cee'd concept, our design brief...was to create a teaser for the all-new cee'd sports hatch which will become the third model in the cee'd line-up," says Gregory Guillaume, Chief Designer Kia at European Design Centre.

The pro_cee'd has kept the family resemblance with a dynamic and muscular appearance. Common attributes between pro cee'd and cee'd include the lowered roof line and shallower side windows - edged with chrome trim - for a sporty window graphic.
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ED is the first of a series of vehicles planned to be released worldwide by Kia to establish a 'sporty and fun' image. Its styling cue of Sports and Athleticism is evident from the package, where 4200mm overall length is supported by a 2650mm wheelbase, creating a dynamic and solid stance. Unlike so many Korean cars before, ED is distinctive and special in its styling because the vehicles profile, stance and proportion define the character, more so than the details. Designed in Ruesselsheim, Germany and assembled in Zilina, Slovakia, ED will be officially released at the Paris Motor Show in September.

Kia has just unveiled a trio of concept cars at the Geneva Motor Show. The concept cars - Soul Diva, Soul Burner and Soul Searcher - are each designed to appeal to different consumers and clearly display the potential for personalization.

Kia has released official photos of the new Forte, a C-segment sedan for the global market. Developed under the 'dynamic, futuristic sedan' theme, the Forte will replace the Cerato in Europe and Korea, and the Spectra in the US market.

Influenced by the Kia Koup concept shown at the 2008 New York Auto Show, the new car's design features an all new lower front grille and head- and taillamp units. With its robust surface volume, distinctive 'check' bodyside character (which starts around the base of A-pillar and wraps around the base of the DLO to the trunk) and its distinctive front face, the Forte aims differentiate Kia from its sister company Hyundai as the Korean brand looks to attract active younger buyers.

Kia will offer a 1.6 and 2.0-liter gasoline engines in the new car, though diesel powerplants are under consideration for future models. The Forte will be available in the Korean market in August.

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Kia Motors will reveal the new Soul at the Paris Motor Show in September. Though this design was signed off well before Peter Shreyer, Kia's Chief Design Officer, joined the Korean company, the production model (main picture) closely follows the three Soul concept vehicles unveiled the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year (pictured below).

The new model, which will be available exclusively as a five-door hatchback with front-wheel drive, will have an overall length of 4105mm, be 1785mm wide and 1610mm tall. The wheelbase will be 2550mm long. For comparison, Kia's C-segment Cee'd is 4235mm long, 1790mm wide, 1480 tall and has a wheelbase of 2,650mm.

The three concept cars currently on display in London - Soul Burner, Soul Diva and Soul Searcher - were created by Kia's European design team, led by Gregory Guillaume, under the guidance of Peter Schreyer. They were developed from the original Soul concept car designed jointly by Kia's design studios in California and Korea and unveiled at the 2006 Detroit Auto Show.

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