Kia has unveiled a powerful, rear wheel drive concept that is reminiscent of the muscle car era of the 1960s and 1970s.

The Kia GT presented to the September 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show is yet more evidence of the company's distinctive new design direction that is winning praise around the world. The four-door sports sedan draws inspiration from the Kia Kee concept car, shown at the same event in 2007.

"At the onset of this project," says Gregory Guillaume, Kia's European Design Chief, "the design team was inspired by the spirit of iconic 1970s GT cars: sumptuous and elegant vehicles capable of whisking passengers from Paris to the South of France in effortless style and at high speed. We wanted to create something similarly graceful, athletic and confident, but not aggressive or overbearing."

Kia Motors Chief Design Officer Peter Schreyer believes this concept is less about design specifics and more about a general feeling of stance, proportion and balance – elements that will influence and guide his design team's approach to their next project.

"One of the great things about working on this project was that this is a very real car," says Schreyer. "It felt good to be working on a car that could roll down the road tomorrow. Yes, it would be a dream to put this into production – it has a logical layout, with four seats, and good luggage space and it's also engaging and dynamic and makes a strong statement. It's exactly the kind of car Kia should be making."

We at Kia New Zealand, believe the GT concept will further lift the image and profile of the Kia brand, establishing it as a leader in automotive design and technology.

Kia Motors is one of the automotive industry's current fuel economy leaders and the brand is celebrating the setting of a new Guinness World Record for the lowest fuel consumption in a hybrid gasoline vehicle, while driving through all 48 adjoining U.S. states.

Drivers Wayne Gerdes from Wadsworth, Illinois, and Chris Bernius from New York City, successfully piloted a factory-standard 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid sedan through a 7,899 mile route across America and achieved an incredible average fuel consumption of 64.55 mpg US (3.64L/100 km), beating the car's official EPA highway fuel consumption figure by 61.37%.

Kia's 48 state challenge was completed in 14 days driving an average of 564 miles per day. The Optima Hybrid used just over 5.5 tanks of gasoline to complete the route, recording an average distance of 1,418 miles between fill-ups. To comply with Guinness World Record guidelines, the Optima Hybrid had to carry two people and their luggage throughout the journey.

The record set is officially titled "Lowest fuel consumption driving through all 48 contiguous U.S. states in a gasoline hybrid car," which is a new category created by Guinness World Records. In order to qualify for a new record, the Kia Optima Hybrid was required to achieve a minimum of 52.27 mpg, which the fuel-sipping Optima Hybrid exceeded by 23%.

For the fourth year in a row, Kia Motors are proud to sponsor a team in the Tour of Southland, recognised as New Zealand's leading and longest running multistage cycling tour (54 years).

The tour attracts immense interest both nationally and internationally and is recognised throughout the world. During our four year sponsorship, the Kia Motors team has won the 'King of the Mountains' jersey (the climbers jersey) multiple times. This year the Tour of Southland is taking place from the 30th October – 5th November 2011.

Make sure you follow the excitement and monitor the Kia Motors team progress on www.tourofsouthland.com and Sky Sport.

Kia are proud to welcome on board Auto World Kia Timaru, which opened on the 23rd July 2011. Located on the busy corner of Evans and Grants Road, Auto World has already attracted many Timaru buyers to the Kia product range that features the latest models – Optima, Picanto and all new Rio.

Combining local industry experience in excess of 100 years, the Auto World team are very excited about representing Kia and their bold and dynamic product range. Next year, they plan to open a brand new, custom built site with a spacious car showroom and full service department. "We are very positive about the future growth prospects with Kia Motors and opening a new site will further enhance our business and Kia's profile in Timaru and the surrounding districts," says Dealer Principal Peter Swaney.

A Kia Sorento R series diesel is the power pulling a souped-up classic Kiwi caravan as it brings the New Zealand On Screen experience to the South Island for a six week journey.

Anna Dean the New Zealand on Screen Project Manager says "I had never driven a caravan before and was worried about towing such a load over Arthurs Pass and through potentially icy conditions. However the Kia Sorento has handled like a dream. It hardly even feels like the massive caravan is there at all. I feel completely safe and love the quality and comfort of the Sorento".

The travelling Kia and cinema on wheels is meandering around the Mainland, visiting southern towns and centres before spending the final two weeks of Rugby World Cup 2011 camped at the Hagley Park Fanzone in Christchurch.

Visitors to the cinema can watch a selection of Kiwi short films and choice cuts of screen gems, engage with NZ On Screen content, and use the 'Scene Stealer' — an iPad app where punters can take a photo of themselves, be inserted in a classic NZ film or TV scene, and then share the image via email, facebook and twitter. Find out more at nzonscreen.com.

For the third year running Kia Motors was an official sponsor of the Auckland International Boat Show (AIBS) and the exclusive motor vehicle brand.

The AIBS took place over four days from 15-18th September and attracted large numbers due to the Rugby World Cup.

Our prominent site located in the heart of the boat show featured the full range of Kia models including the new Picanto and Rio.