Kia Motors Co Ltd. has issued the following press release:
Kia has exhibited two “beach-oriented” prototypes at the SEMA Show, the Sorento Surf and the Rio Cinco Swim.
Sorento Surf
LAS VEGAS, Nov. 5, 2002 – Whether you’re a veteran of the waves or just learnin’ surfin’, there’s no better way to get to the beach than in the Sorento Surf. The Kia Sorento Surf is an updated version of the essential beach cruiser, with everything a weekend warrior might want or need to hit the beach with a vengeance in a stylish and muscular vehicle.
Based on the newly introduced Kia Sorento midsize sport utility vehicle, the five-passenger Sorento Surf is equipped with a powerful DOHC, 24-valve, 3.5-liter V6 engine that generates 192 horsepower and is coupled to an electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission with overdrive.
Starting with its Sunset Silver metallic paint and tinted windows, the Sorento Surf is meant for serious beachgoers. Adding to its sporty look are blacked-out reflectors in the headlights, a high capacity roof rack with basket and polished, aluminum light tabs featuring low profile, oval-shaped Hella Lights. The vehicle features a stinger antenna that is center-mounted above the windshield header and color-keyed wheel flares and bumper fascias for a distinctive look and aggressive stance.
“The Sorento Surf is meant to demonstrate how easy it is to customize a vehicle to suit your particular lifestyle,” said Peter M. Butterfield, Kia’s executive vice president and chief operating officer. “The Sorento is a functional vehicle that can easily be modified at a relatively low cost with factory and aftermarket parts, adding to an already great value package. The Sorento Surf also let’s us take the temperature of SEMA show goers and aftermarket suppliers about the appeal and suitability of Sorento for an even wider range of custom applications.”
As a rugged, authentic SUV, the Sorento Surf features body on frame construction with nine crossmembers and a double wishbone front suspension and a five-link solid rear axle. A long wheelbase (106.7 inches) and wide track (62.2 inches) provide a comfortable ride and excellent stability in all driving situations, while the short front and rear body overhangs allow the Sorento Surf to navigate steep, challenging terrain and shines as a serious performer, on- and off-road. — 2009 Ford Flex crossover.
For added flash, the Sorento Surf features several metallic accents on the exterior, including a polished aluminum skid plate along with tubular chrome aluminum step bars and a polished stainless steel exhaust with dual square tip outlets. In addition, the engine features blue anodized components, steel braided hose covers, and the engine cover has been painted to match the exterior color.
Beach cruising should be effortless with the Surf’s larger, 16-inch, off-road tires and matching 16-inch polished aluminum alloy wheels. The SUV’s suspension has been lifted three inches in the front and two inches in the rear to accommodate the larger wheel and tire package, which gives the vehicle a more in-your-face look.
To be certain you don’t get stuck in the sand, a beach cruising faux pas, the Sorento Surf comes equipped with a part-time four-wheel-drive system, which engages with the turn of a knob for convenient shift-on-the-fly driving as well as a transfer case equipped with low range for the most challenging off-road situations.
Inside the Sorento Surf is dressed to impress and includes luxurious touches making every trip to the beach a special event. Standard comfort and convenience features include air conditioning, power windows/door locks/heated mirrors, cruise control, eight-speaker CD sound system, map lights, four 12 volt power outlets, 8-way adjustable driver’s seat and 60/40 split flip-and-fold rear seats.
Into leather? The Surf includes leather seats with color-coordinated perforated inserts, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, leather headrests and leather door panel inserts. Keeping with the metallic accents, a metalized aluminum finish has been added to the instrument panel vent trim, outboard vents and center console. Upgraded floor mats have been installed and the cargo mat is comprised of black neoprene “wet suit” fabric, matching that of the Cinco Swim, for wet suits and other beach equipment. — Proton Persona launch.
In addition, the Sorento Surf comes equipped with an upgraded Delphi AM/FM/CD/MP3 sound system featuring Satellite XM and SkyFi.
Inside, the Sorento Surf seats five passengers comfortably with generous head and leg room. It boasts passenger room of 107 cubic feet, which is larger than Jeep Grand Cherokee (100 cubic feet), Nissan Pathfinder (92.9 cubic feet) and Toyota Highlander (105.7 cubic feet) and overall interior volume of 138.4 cubic feet. The 60/40-split rear seats easily flip and fold for a smooth, flat cargo area.
Standard safety features include three-stage dual front airbags and front and rear side-curtain airbags, front pretensioners, front force-limiters and five three-point seatbelts and headrests to accommodate all occupants.
Cinco Swim Makes Waves
If everybody with saltwater in their veins and a limited budget had ocean access, they’d want to drive the Cinco Swim production concept 5-door sport wagon from Kia. Designed by Kia Motors America, the Kia Cinco Swim showcases the many ways consumers can personalize the versatile Rio Cinco to meet their unique lifestyles.
“We recognize that increasing numbers of our customers are interested in personalizing their vehicles to suit their daily life and activities,” said Peter M. Butterfield, Kia’s executive vice president and chief operating officer. “So we’ve taken a slice of life centered around a beach theme and outfitted two popular Kia models to show what you can do with some careful aftermarket parts shopping, or what we might do at some point in the future of a product cycle to maintain the appeal of our vehicles.” — Fiat Uno Mille evolution.
The Cinco Swim is designed to be the ultimate car for the ultimate surfer. Painted in a bright Pacific Ocean Blue with a “ghosted” Kia log on the hood, the exterior of the vehicle features many subtle, yet noticeable changes, including tinted windows, a custom fabricated roof rack, modified “ripple” grille design, rear spoiler and stainless steel dual tip exhaust outlets. The vehicle comes equipped with a custom painted “short” surf board to match the contour of the roof.
The Cinco Swim is powered by a 1.6-liter DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder engine coupled with a 4-speed, electronically controlled automatic transmission and brought to quick stops at the best surf spots by 4-wheel power disc brakes. To give the vehicle a sportier stance, it has been lowered two inches to accent its plus-one 15-inch tires and polished chrome wheels.
On the inside, the Cinco Swim is decked out in “wet suit” neoprene fabric that covers the seats, head rests, door panel inserts and the cargo area. Silver, black and blue “marbleized” accents can be found on the center stack trim, the steering wheel is wrapped in color-keyed leather and drilled metal foot pedals complete the theme of personalized, sporty fun. The vehicle also houses plenty of beach gear including water tank with pump, hose and spray nozzle, air compressor, elastic cords for hanging towels and wetsuits and more.
Because music is a huge part of the surf life, the Cinco Swim comes equipped with an upgraded Delphi “Sky Fi” audio system to receive satellite radio transmissions for blow-out sounds through upgraded speakers. And to quickly locate the secret surf locations, the car is equipped with a GPS-based navigation system as well.
