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Kia Goes Green in Paris with Sportage Diesel-Hybrid Concept

At this week's Paris Motor Show, Kia displayed the Sportage Mild Hybrid eco concept. Based on the latest generation of the South Korean firm's compact SUV model, the concept hooks up Kia's 1.7-liter turbo diesel engine, which produces 115-horsepower and 260Nm of peak torque, to a 5 kW electric motor with a double layer capacitor.

Kia also made small changes to the Sportage's body to reduce aerodynamic drag and added low-rolling resistance tires. According to the company, the Sportage Mild Hybrid emits just 117 g/km of CO2. Kia did not release fuel economy estimates.

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Sigh... Viral Marketing Tricksters Knock on our Door with a Kia Called Mediocrity

We not sure how Kia's marketing people are going to feel about this one (unless they're part of it...), but photos of an older generation Optima covered in beige cladding and featuring a badge with the word "MEDIOCRITY" have just landed in our mail box. Tony B, the tipster-reader-scooper who sent in the photos, claims he snagged the car in LA.

Of course, it didn't take long to figure out that this is a viral campaign of some sort. However, since we're gearing up for this week's Paris Motor Show, we're not going to waste our time looking for answers about a covered up Kia...

Nonetheless, this is what we know: the photos we're shot on September 10; a similar set of images along with an almost identical text were also sent to Motorauthority (even though they mistook it for a "seven year old" Mitsubishi). See both texts below:

From Tony to Carscoop:

"I was in LA last week and saw 3 or maybe 4 identical test cars. The other spy cars had more testing gear taped on and computers and other screens visible, but by the time I was able to find my camera , I was only able to catch up with one of the cars.

I don't know what kind of test car this is, but they sure didn't want us to take any pictures. There was a M on the grille and a nameplate on back reading MEDIOCRITY. Are they serious? MEDIOCRITY?"

From Tina to MA:

"I was in L.A. last week with my husband and we saw several (5 or 6) identical test cars. The other spy cars had more testing gear taped on and computers and other screens visible, but by the time I was able to dig my camera out of my purse, I was only able to catch up with one of the cars.

I don't know what kind of test car this is, but they sure didn't want us to take any pictures. There was a M on the grille and a nameplate on back reading MEDIOCRITY. Are they serious? MEDIOCRITY?"

And well, that's about it. Feel free to have some fun in the comments section below.

"Scoop" Pictures:

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2004 Kia Optima:

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Kia Releases Full UK Pricing on All-New Sportage

After the recent launch of the limited production Sportage First Edition models, Kia UK has announced pricing (see US pricing here) on the full-range of its compact SUV that goes on sale in the country on November 1st. The full lineup consists of four engines, including two petrol units, a 140HP 1.6-liter powerplant and a 2.0-liter with 161HP, and two diesels, a 1.7-liter delivering 115HP and a 2.0-liter with 136HP.

There are also three trim grades badged '1', '2' and '3', with all-wheel-drive (AWD) versions available at the mid and high grade level given the KX preface. The flagship models are offered with a fully integrated satellite navigation system, featuring a 7-inch full-map color touchscreen mounted into the central dash console.

On the Road prices range from £16,645 for the front-wheel drive 1.6 GDi 1 model to £26,170 for the range-topping 2.0 CRDi 3 variant with all-wheel drive and an automatic transmission.

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