Kia offers glimpse of new Mohave SUV
Members of K-pop group BLACKPINK pose with Kia Motors' Mohave Masterpiece concept during the brand's press conference at the Seoul Motor Show in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, Thursday. Courtesy of Kia Motors
GM Korea showcases Traverse, Colorado for Korea sales
By Nam Hyun-woo
GOYANG, Gyeonggi Province ― Kia Motors unveiled the Mohave Masterpiece concept SUV for the first time ever during the 2019 Seoul Motor Show, Thursday, offering a glimpse of the new car which will be rolled out in the domestic market in the second half of this year.
Along with Kia, a total of 227 firms including 20 car brands displayed their new products and technologies at the 2019 Seoul Motor Show, which began its 11-day run with a media preview Thursday at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province.
Among domestic carmakers, Kia Motors highlighted two concept cars.
The Mohave Masterpiece is a concept based on Kia Motors' flagship Mohave large SUV. The Masterpiece grabs attention with its oversized grille, which covers nearly all of the car's front. Also, its lights are placed inside the grille, giving the impression of wearing a hockey mask.
Kia Motors said the Masterpiece will be used as the design base for a facelift for the Mohave, which will be powered by a V6 3.0-liter diesel engine and feature various advanced driver assistance systems and connectivity technologies. The new Mohave will hit the road in the second half of the year.
Also at the show, the carmaker premiered the SP Signature concept, a preview of its new compact SUV, which will also debut here in the second half.
“The SP Signature will be Kia's most innovative and young SUV and the Mohave Masterpiece shows the past, present and future of the brand's SUV lineup,” Kia Motors Vice President Luc Donckerwolke said.
Hyundai Motor Vice President Lee Kwang-kook, right, and the brand's chief designer Lee Sang-yup pose with the Sonata Hybrid during the Seoul Motor Show in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, Thursday. Courtesy of Hyundai Motor
Kia's larger affiliate Hyundai Motor unveiled two variants of the new Sonata, which went on sale earlier this month, during its press conference.
Of them, the Sonata Hybrid grabbed media attention with its rooftop solar panel, which is a first for a domestically mass-produced car.
“The Sonata Hybrid aims to log a fuel efficiency of 20 kilometers per liter,” Hyundai Motor Vice President Lee Kwang-kook said, adding the model will be available in June.
Also, the carmaker revealed the Sonata 1.6-liter turbo model, which has a sportier body and yields 180 horsepower, which is 20 horsepower higher than the 2.0 liter gasoline model currently available. Also, it is coupled with an eight-speed transmission, allowing the driver to feel the dynamism of the car, Lee said.
GM Korea CEO Kaher Kazem, left, poses with the Colorado midsize pickup truck during the Seoul Motor Show in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, Thursday. Yonhap
During the media preview, GM Korea displayed the Traverse large SUV and the Colorado midsize pickup truck, which will be launched here later this year.
“You may remember early last year, we announced a plan to introduce 15 new or significantly refreshed products over the next five years in Korea,” GM Korea CEO Kaher Kazem said. “We are on the right track to fulfill our promise, and are very excited to introduce the two models, which will play very strategic roles in Chevrolet's product lineup in Korea.”
The Traverse introduced at the show is the second generation which was unveiled at the 2017 Detroit Motor Show. And the Colorado which will be introduced in Korea is crew-cab short-box model with two rows of seats. The company said it will begin sales of the two in the second half.