It won’t have gone unnoticed that fuel prices are soaring at an all-time high. While this may be good news for those with investments in commodities or working in the energy sector, the majority of UK citizens are feeling the bite when it comes to domestic bills. It’s also causing many of us to have to pick and choose which journeys we wish to take, with a visit to the fuel pumps an all-too common occurrence.

The spike in fuel prices – which has been exacerbated by international crises in Ukraine and the rising costs of crude oil – has had a significant impact on vehicle sales too, with more and more people looking to make the change to electric power in order to benefit from cheaper running costs. This interest has led to there now being more than half-a-million electric vehicles out on the roads – a figure that is continuing to increase month by month.

“According to research by Zap Map, 22,737 battery-powered cars were registered in June alone,” said Ryan Boorman, EV Specialist at Birchwood Group. “This represents 16.1% of all new car registrations for the entire month. We ourselves have seen interest in both hybrid and fully electric models grow substantially, with more and more customers showing interest in the range of models we have available.”

More choice means greater interest

It’s a growth in the range of models available at the likes of Birchwood Group that is prompting greater interest among modern drivers. “We’re delighted to represent Ford, Kia, and ŠKODA across our dealerships, with each of these manufacturers providing some of the finest electric vehicles around,” adds Ryan Boorman. “This selection already offers something to suit the needs of most drivers, and there’s more to come over the next couple of years.”

He’s not wrong. Ford alone is dedicated to providing nine all-electric vehicles by 2024, with Stuart Rowley, chair, Ford of Europe, saying: “Our march toward an all-electric future is an absolute necessity for Ford to meet the mobility needs of customers across a transforming Europe. It’s also about the pressing need for greater care of our planet, making a positive contribution to society and reducing emissions in line with the Paris Climate Agreement.”

In addition to the new Ford options, ŠKODA will shortly be releasing the all-electric ŠKODA Enyaq Coupé iV which promises an incredible 339-mile range on a single charge.

Awareness driving change

While the rise in fuel prices has undoubtedly been a trigger for increased interest in electric cars, there’s also a level of awareness among motorists to reduce carbon emissions that means more and more people are looking at their options. Newer drivers that may have no experience of petrol or diesel models will be keen to play their part in reducing CO2, while experienced motorists understand the need to lessen the impact on the environment around them. Plus, there are the financial benefits that many are keen to benefit from.

As well as cheaper cost-per-mile compared to petrol and diesel power, electric vehicles provide savings in terms of tax, congestion fees, and even maintenance. This is due to models having fewer moving components that can cause mechanical issues.

The future is now

It goes without saying that adoption of all-electric driving still has a long way to go. But it’s also the case that the change is well underway. As more and more manufacturers continue to introduce more and more models, and accessibility of nationwide charging solutions makes choosing an electric car even more desirable, there’s no reason that the government goal of ceasing the sale of new petrol/diesel powered models by 2030 won’t be achieved.

You can discover more about the many benefits of making the change to electric power by visiting the Birchwood Group website today. Not only does this provide information on the individual models available, it also offers information about the many options and benefits that make it the preferred choice. You can also liaise with on-site experts that will help answer any questions you may have.

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The news is sourced from the Korean Car Blog and the website reports that the information is reliable. It is backed by Kia so there is no margin for error.

The new Stinger is going to get the exciting 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-4 that purges out a fairly decent 300 hp. The new powertrain option is more potent than the previous one, improving the horsepower output by 45 units.

However, the fresh engine offering beefs up the price tag taking the starting price of the base model to $37,135. The all-wheel-drive variant is even more expensive at $39,335.

Moreover, the GT trim will not reappear for 2022. Instead, the GT1 and GT2 models will fill-up the roster. The two GT variants will come packed with the twin-turbocharged 3.3 liter V6 that has been better tuned to produce 368 hp. The major difference between the two models is cosmetic, which means mechanically they are identical.

Talking about upgrades, the Kia Stinger GT models will have ventilated seats, a better sound system, an electronically-adjustable suspension, and a memory foam seat for the driver. What’s more, the 2022 Kia Stinger gets remote start functionality, interior ambient lighting, leather inside the cabin, and larger 18-inch wheels that are upgradeable to 19-inches.

The Safety features also take precedence and as such the Stinger comes with a host of modern tech equipment like the blind spot monitoring system, lane following assist, highway driving assist rear passenger alert and more.

The 2022 Kia Stinger will come late in 2021 dubbed as the next year’s model.

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SUVs, minivans and sedans are the most popular choices for family cars, with good reason. Extra room, cupholders and entertainment systems to keep the young ones, tweens and teens happily occupied when you’re on a road trip or a long drive are must haves when choosing a family car. More important still are high scores when it comes to crash test and safety ratings.

If you are thinking about a new family car be sure to check out State Insurance for a range of car insurance options.

Kia Sedona Minivan

Minivans are the vehicle of choice for parents due to their spaciousness and sliding doors, as well as excellent entertainment systems. The Kia Sedona, offering 18 to 24 mpg and priced lower than others in its category, is the best option when it comes to value for money. It offers a smooth ride, handling like a smaller car. Depending on the model you choose, you can pack in up to five car seats: great if you have a large family or are part of the carpool for the kids’ preschool.

Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Minivan

For those parents who want to reduce their carbon footprint by driving a hybrid vehicle, the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid is the right choice – in fact, it’s the only hybrid minivan currently on the market. 520 miles on a full tank and just one charge makes for very impressive fuel economy – expect to get as much as 82 mpg. The minivan has good pickup, comparable to its gas-powered sibling. You can fit up to four car seats in this model.

Toyota Sienna Minivan

The sole minivan on the market with all-wheel drive, the Toyota Sienna is a good pick for wintry and rainy conditions. It offers between 19 and 27 mpg and has a powerful engine, giving you a smooth-as-butter drive on the highways. With space for two booster or car seats in the middle row and two more in the back row, you have the ability to carry four kids at a time in this car.

Honda Odyssey Minivan

This is as good as it gets when it comes to fitting in numerous car or booster seats – up to six. It gives from 19 to 28 mpg and offers a smooth ride, with ten-speed auto transmission. It has the most impressive pickup of any minivan on our list.

Subaru Legacy Sedan

This is the best all-weather sedan with four-wheel drive that enables you to manoeuvre safely in sleet, snow and rain. It also has space for kids and three car seats and gets up to 35 mpg.

Honda Accord Hybrid Sedan

Eco-friendly and boasting up to 48 mpg, the Honda Accord Hybrid Sedan offers space for three smaller car seats or booster seats in the back and offers a smooth ride, with no discernible transition when moving between electric and gas.

Volkswagen Atlas SUV

Among the three-row SUVs, this one is the best value. You will get 20 to 26 mpg, it has safety features such as automatic headlights installed as standard, and it can accommodate up to five car seats between the second and third rows.

Subaru Ascent SUV

The Subaru Ascent is the best choice for a big family among three row SUVs. Offering 21 to 27 mpg, it comes with all-wheel drive as standard and has an incredible 19 cupholders. The ability to fit three narrow or two full-size car seats in the second row and two more in the back row means you can ferry up to five little ones at a time.

Nissan Pathfinder SUV

Offering 19 to 26 mpg for the four-wheel transmission model, this one makes the list for its impressive safety features that come as standard. Good steering and a powerful engine make for a good ride, and it has capacity for three car seats in the second row and a couple of boosters in the third.

Mazda CX 9 SUV

The Mazda CX 9 looks sleek and, with mileage of 22 to 28 per gallon, is more fuel efficient than its counterparts. You can easily fit four car seats across the back rows.

Ford Edge SUV

This is a great two-row SUV and makes our list for being able to fit up to three car seats in the back row, unusual for a two-row model. Decent mileage of between 21 and 29 per gallon and a smooth ride are what you will get with the Ford Edge.

Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid SUV

This is the best hybrid SUV when it comes to mileage, enabling you to travel around 480 miles on a single tank of gas. The Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid offers a smooth and quiet ride, as well as space for up to three car seats.

The post The Best Family Cars to Buy This Year appeared first on Ultimate Car Blog | The Latest Car News, Reviews, Tuning.

The base K5 will get the 1.6-liter turbo engine with an interesting continuous variable valve duration (CVVD). This system is somewhat similar to the VVTi system found in Toyota engines. This technology makes it possible for the ECU to control the valve timings depending on the driving situation thus improving efficiency. The engine will make 180 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque while the power will be delivered to the front wheels via an 8-speed transmission.

The K5 will be available with an all-wheel-drive system that will result in better traction in slippery conditions as well as improved performance delivery. The Normal, Sport, Smart, and Custom are the five modes available.

The GT trim comes next in line with a bigger 2.5-liter turbo engine. This engine produces a whopping 290 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque paired to a dual-clutch eight-speed transmission. This setup will allow the Kia K5 to accelerate from naught to sixty in 5.8 seconds.

The Kia K5 looks the part too with stylish design elements that mimic that of the Kia Stinger GT. The design DNA of Kia has always focused more on the front-end and that is what can be seen in the K5.

Inside, there is an 8-inch infotainment system that has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, voice recognition.
The price and other details will be revealed as soon as the release date comes closer.

2021 Kia K5 Photo Gallery

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The new Kia will be available locally next year in three trim variants, each one coming with its own visual characteristics. For instance, the entry-level variant is equipped with some new enhancements from the top of the line GT-Line, like black front grille and air intakes, black rear spoiler and side skirts. There are also red features which provide a more aggressive look.

LED headlights come standard; however, the topper variants adding as well 18-inch alloy wheels fully-wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport tires. Inside, the cabin has also received some sporty features, such as flat-bottom steering wheel and alloy pedals, sports seas with red stitching, 4.2-inch digital instrument cluster display, wireless phone charging, or 320-Watt Harman/Kardon sound system.

Mechanically, the new 2020 Kia Forte GT looks much sportier as well with the new suspension setup which increases its handling characteristics, along with bigger brakes and fully-independent front and rear ends with thicker sway bars which also improve cornering.

Under the hood, the brand-new Kia Forte GT has gained a new turbo engine, in the shape of a 2.0-liter naturally-aspirated four-cylinder pot, with 112 kW. However, there is also a much more powerful 1.6-liter turbo, also seen on the Serato of Forte, and which comes with 150 kW and 265 Nm of torque. The latter one is paired to a six-speed manual as standard. However, it also comes with an optional seven-speed dual-clutch and front-wheel drive.

Prices and other information regarding performance figures will be released at a later date, prior to its introduction in the United States.

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Speaking of prices, the new Optima in its lowest Si variant now costs $33,390, which is a $1,100 reduction, while the GT is set at $43,290, also down $1,200. The best part is that both variants come with 7 years roadside assistance and a 7-year warranty with 7 years servicing.

As for the new updates, Damien Meredith, CEO at Kia Australia, has said that “With the pace at which the new car market is changing – not just new product but variations in consumer demand – it is critical to keep product fresh and relevant. Optima has been a key Kia model, for a number of reasons, for more than half a decade and keeping it fresh and market relevant is a constant review process.”

From a visual perspective, the new 2019 Kia Optima in Australia features slightly updated front grille and fascia, new rear panels and fresh alloy wheels. In the GT variant, the carmaker has also introduced new black sections.

The model is also technologically advanced, adding a new range of safety features, all coming hand-in-hand with a better handling. There is the new 7.0-inch touch-screen media interface for the Si or the 8.0-inch system for the GT, both available with Apple CarPlay and Android connectivity. However, the said news is that the base variant doesn’t come with the in-built satellite-navigation, as system now available at extra cost. On the other hand, the GT keeps the sat-nav with a ten-year MapCare and SUNA traffic updates.

The safety features comprise new additions like Lane Keep Assist and Driver Attention Alert. However, the company has deducted some other features like HID headlights for the Si entry level, while the GT does not come anymore with power adjustable feature. Other important characteristics have also been deducted, like panoramic sunroof, high-beam assist or tire pressure monitoring which used to be available on the GT.

Powering the Si is a 2.4-liter non-turbo flat-four engine with 138kW and 241 Nm of torque, while the topper GT takes its 180kW and 350 Nm of torque from a 2.0-liter turbo-petrol four-cylinder. Fuel consumption is averaged at 8.3L/100 km and 8.5L/100 km, respectively.

The post Australia: 2019 Kia Optima Gets Minor Updates, Costs Less than Previous Model appeared first on Ultimate Car Blog | The Latest Car News, Reviews, Tuning.

One particular model to receive such mild-hybrid engine is the brand-new 2019 Kia Sportage Mild-Hybrid, which is now coming with a diesel engine paired to a high-voltage battery pack, all part of the company`s new EcoDynamic+ 48V diesel mild-hybrid powertrain.

The powertrain comprises a fresh 2.0-liter ‘R’ diesel and a 48 Volt battery. However, the Korean carmaker has not yet released the power and torque figures. Also, according to new reports, it should be more powerful than the new 1.6 U3 diesel engine replacing the 1.7 one, and which comes with two power variants – 115 PS and 136 PS, respectively.

At the exterior, the 2019 Kia Sportage Mild-Hybrid comes with new highlights, which make it more attractive and appealing. First off, we have a wide choice of new exterior colours, along with 16-, 17- and 19-inch alloy wheels, updated bumpers and lights, chrome sill trims and metallic skid plates. All are available in the entry-level variant.

On the other hand, the GT-Line adds more updates like gloss black hot-stamped radiator grille, dark chrome inserts on the side sills and rear tailgate, as well as gloss black and silver skid plate.

The cabin also looks refreshed thanks to the new black-and-grey two-tone upholstery and new steering wheels. Technology wise, the interior has an updated instrument cluster, Smart Cruise Control with Stop&Go, Around View Monitor or a choice of 7- or 8-inch infotainment systems.

The 2019 Kia Sportage Mild-Hybrid SUV will arrive in European dealerships this autumn, with prices and other important details to be revealed prior to their launch.

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The appealing and exquisite urban car, now equipped with sporty features has been recently announced in Australia, and can be had for no less than $17,490. For that, you get plenty of visual characteristics, a new engine – still, not that powerful as the European counterpart – and plenty more.

Speaking of plenty more, Australian customers looking for a daily commuter and a real kicker in traffic, will have the new 2018 Picanto GT-Line with a seven year warranty and roadside assistance, adding as well sever years free of charge servicing.

As we can depict from the couple of photos below, the new Picanto GT-Line wears the same special outfit as any other GT-Line variant from the carmaker`s lineup. First off, it is easily recognizable as a GT-Line edition thanks to the GT-Line badges and dual exhaust tips at the rear end.

There are also other important highlights that make it quite a standout, like contrasting body accents, subtle body kit, LED position lights, daytime running lights and the new 16-inch alloy wheels which increase its sportive attitude.

The cabin also wears the special treatment from the GT-Line, featuring premium seats with red accents, sporty alloy pedals, as well as a comprehensive touch-screen media interface and six-speaker sound system.

Like aforementioned, the Australian counterpart comes with a different engine under the hood, unfortunately not the feisty 1.0-liter turbo three-cylinder with 74 kW, which is found in Europe. However, it does come fancy with the 1.25-liter naturally aspirated flat-four mill, with a promising 62 kW and 122 Nm of torque. The power is sent to the front axle via a four-speed automatic.

Details of the exterior and interior enhancements are found in the couple of photos below. Enjoy!

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In the United States, the all-new 2019 Kia Sorento can be had from $27,490 in the entry-level FWD LX, while the AWD costs $29,290. Both are equipped with a four-cylinder engine. On the other hand, the V6 versions of the LX also cost $31,290 FWD and $33,090 AWD.

The rest of the lineup in the US also comprises the EX with a V6 engine – $35,590 FWD and $37,390 AWD – and are equipped with Driver Attention Warning and Lane Keeping Assist as standard. There is also the Parking Distance Warning or AVN 5.0 navigation system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

There is also the Sorento SX with prices starting at $39,990 for the FWD and $41,790 for the AWD. This one features wireless phone charge or LED lamps. Finally, the top of the line SXL is set at $44,690 for the FWD and $46,490 for the AWD. It also adds LED headlights with High Beam Assist, LED fog lights and Low Beam Assist.

From a visual standpoint, all Sorento models come with enhanced looks, meaning updated front and rear fascia, LED headlights and LED fog lamps and more massive wheels.

The interior has also been redesigned and now features high-end materials and a choice of premium characteristics and equipment – Harman Kardon surround sound audio system, satellite navigation with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – adding as well the safety features suit – Driver Attention Warning, Lane Keeping Assist, Parking Distance Warning and so on.

The engine lineup comprises a 2.4-liter inline-4 GDI engine or a more high-performance 3.3-liter V6 mill, with a six-speed manual as optional or an eight-speed automatic transmission with all-wheel drive configuration.

The car`s amazing off-road capabilities can be seen in the video presentation below. Enjoy and don’t forget to share your opinions with us!

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The video below presents the all-new 2018 Kia Stinger, starting with the now much more evolved design language and continuing with the splendid interior. The video also highlights the car`s exceptional driving capabilities.

Orth Hedrick, Vice President, product planning at Kia Motors America, has also found time to say a few words about the all-new 2018 Kia Stinger. In an interview he stated that the model is the “dream car” that engineers and designers have envisioned for so long.”

“From its GT concept-car origins to the years of tuning and refining on the legendary Nurburgring circuit, no detail was too small to be obsessed over, and the result is simply stunning,” Hedrick also concluded.

The Stinger`s main ingredients lie under the hood, where the gorgeous model comprises two powerful engines. The first one is a 2.0-liter twin-scroll turbo flat-four Theta II engine, with 255 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, while the second one refers to a 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 Lambda II mill, with no less than 365 horsepower and 376 lb-ft of torque.

The latter motorization comes with a sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.7 seconds. Both engines are paired to a high-performance eight-speed rear-drive automatic transmission.

Such an exceptional and powerful sporty four-door sedan must be equipped with the latest safety features, like Forward Collision Avoidance, Lane Keeping Assist, Smart Cruise Control with Stop/Go, and much more.

The interior doesn’t disappoint either, as Kia engineers have put their efforts into making the driver`s ride more comfortable by adding sports seats and high-end materials all around. The high-tech gizmos are also present – height-adjustable colour, Head-up Display, sat-nav and more.

All in one, the new 2018 Kia Stinger demonstrates sporty capabilities of a high-end four-door sedan, with gorgeous looks and strong personality, attributes that all models from Kia should have. Enjoy the video and don’t forget to share your opinions with us!

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