The CarScoop Diaries: Settling Down is Hard to Do

In the 2010 film The American, there is a scene where a catholic priest tells George Clooney “Journalism can’t make you rich”, hinting that he knows the latter is not the photographer he claims to be but something much more sinister.

Truer words have rarely been spoken, especially when it comes to the specialized sector that is motoring journalism. It won’t make you rich* but, on the other hand, you’ve turned your hobby into a job and that job does come with certain perks.

First and foremost, you get to drive nearly every new car and that includes some of the best. You also visit some amazing places, meet very interesting people and gain an insight about the inner workings of the automotive industry.

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Kia Builds 1 Millionth Vehicle at its Slovakian Plant

The 1 millionth vehicle rolled off the assembly line at Kia's Zilina plant in Slovakia just a little over five years since the factory opened, marking a significant landmark for the South Korean automaker.

The milestone model was a white, diesel-engined Cee’d SW that was handed over to a Slovakian children’s charity called the Red Nose Clowndoctors (no connection with Adult Swim's Children's Hospital…).

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Kia Moves Production of Venga from the Czech Republic to Slovakia

South Korean car manufacturer Kia Motors said on Thursday that it has begun assembly of the Venga small MPV at its factory in the city of Zilina in Slovakia, which also builds the Cee'd family of C-segment models and the Sportage SUV.

Up until now, Kia produced the B-segment MPV at sister company's Hyundai Motor other European plant in the Czech Republic.

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Kia to Add Third Shift at Slovak and US Plants Due to High Demand

To keep up with rising demand for Kia models in Europe, the South Korean has decided to introduce a third shift at its Zilina plant in Slovakia and hire another 1,000 new employees. The company expects the recruitment process to be completed by December and have the three-shifts operational in the first quarter of 2012. Read more »

Kia Plug-ins to Geneva Show with Venga All-Electric Concept

Kia pulled the wraps of its first all-electric plug-in concept car based on the new Venga small MPV at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. The main difference between the production and the concept version of the car is well hidden under the hood as Kia replaced the Venga's conventional powertrain with an electric motor producing 107HP (80kW) and a maximum torque of 280Nm.

According to the South Korean automaker, the Venga EV is capable of accelerating from standstill to 100km/h (62mph) in 11.8 seconds, and reaching a top speed of 140km/h or 87mph.

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Kia Venga Mini MPV: Updated with Live Shots from the Frankfurt Show

*New Photo Gallery with Images from Kia's Frankfurt Show Stand

Kia has issued an array of new photos of the Venga, the firm's new mini MPV competitor in the B-segment that will rival the likes of the Opel Meriva and Citroen C3 Picasso when it goes on sale across Europe later this year. The Venga, which was designed and engineered and will be manufactured in Europe, is 4,068 mm long and 1,600 mm tall with a stretchy 2,615 mm wheelbase that's longer than let's say, that of the VW Golf / Jetta models (2,578 mm), thus promising to offer a spacious interior for its size.

The Korean automaker's proposal in the mini MPV segment comes equipped with a sliding rear bench that can also fold flat increasing the car's stuffing abilities along with a clever boot floor that provides a hidden storage area. Some versions will also feature a tilt-&-slide all-glass panoramic roof.

European buyers can pick from two 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre gasoline and diesel engines, with outputs ranging from 75 to 115 horsepower. Interestingly, all engines in the line-up will be fitted with Kia's ISG (Idle Stop & Go) start-stop technology as standard.

Frankfurt Show Gallery

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Press Album

Kia Venga: All-New Mini MPV Revealed Ahead of Frankfurt Show

These are the first official photos of Kia's new mini-MPV model that bears the name Venga. Due to make its world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the Venga is the production version of the 'No 3' concept study shown at Geneva this past March. In essence, it's a more practical Soul that will compete head on with cars such as the Opel Meriva and Citroen C3 Picasso when it goes on sale across Europe later this year and in the UK early in 2010.

The Korean automaker says that the 4,068 mm long Venga, which features a 2,615 mm wheelbase and a 1,600 mm high roofline, offers interior space typical of a larger C-segment vehicle, but within a B-segment footprint.

Kia's mini MPV model will be equipped with a sliding 60/40 split rear seat that folds flat into the floor to liberate more cargo space and a twin-level boot floor while a tilt-and-slide all-glass panoramic roof will also be in the menu.

Designed, engineered and manufactured in Europe, the Venga will be marketed exclusively in Europe with buyers being offered a choice of two 1.4-liter and 1.6-liter petrol and diesel engines, producing between 75 and 115 horsepower. All engines will come with Kia's start-stop technology.

"This is exactly the kind of vehicle UK motorists are looking for as we emerge from the recent economic turmoil – a fantastically flexible package providing big-car comfort and space within a compact package," said Michael Cole, Managing Director of Kia Motors Limited. "It will offer our customers style, sophistication and refinement coupled with environmental economy," he added.