World premiere for all-new Kia ex_cee´d cabrio concept

Kia´s exciting all-new ex_cee´d cabrio concept car will make its world premiere at the 77th Salon de l´Automobiles in Geneva, Switzerland on 6 March. The styling of the ex_cee´d cabrio is the work of new Kia Design Chief Peter Schreyer and gives a clear indication that Kia could produce a stunning looking cabrio under his guidance.

Based on the new three-door cee´d Sporty Hatch (scheduled for production in Slovakia from December), the ex_cee´d has the same wheelbase, but features several new exterior panels, while sharing the floor-pan and numerous unseen components with the three-door car, plus a powered folding fabric roof.

By adopting a fabric roof for the ex_cee´d, Kia deliberately goes its own retro-way rather than following the trend towards cabrios with folding metal roofs. Peter Schreyer paid special at-tention to designing a classic cabrio with a traditional soft-top roof: "I´m convinced that the fabric roof will have a renaissance. We´ve all lived with the romantic idea of open-air driving for a long time and for me, it is the fabric roof that is the quintessential element of a truly
rewarding cabrio."

With its slight wedge shape profile, muscular wings over 19-inch alloy wheels, and an aggressive nose with dynamic front styling, the ex_cee´d has instantly found a form that stands out from the cabrio crowd. The cabrio concept is finished in ´meringue white´ exterior paint with a ´bitter chocolate´ fabric roof - colours that are echoed by the interior´s two-tone leather.

"With this new cabrio concept car, Kia has once again demonstrated that it is a young, style-conscious company that knows how to combine elegance with dynamics," enthused Mr Yong-Hwan Kim, Senior Executive Vice President and COO Kia Motors. "The Kia ex_cee´d is a fresh aesthetic high-point in our history, an encouraging sign of the growing internationalisation of our brand and a step forward in the process of evolving into a European company with Korean roots."

cee´d family marks historic turning point
The launch of the Kia cee´d family (five-door hatchback from December last year, five-door Sporty Wagon - from August 2007 and three-door Sporty Hatch - from December 2007) marks a major turning point in Kia´s history. The bringing of this trio to the marketplace is the start of a new era. They are the first-ever Kia cars designed and manufactured in Europe and will introduce a qualitative revolution for the brand.

Endorsing the quality of this new model range, Kia is giving all cee´d vehicles a remarkable 7-Year / 150,000 kilometre warranty which is transferable to subsequent owners.

Geneva Show Press Conference
The Kia ex_cee´d cabrio concept, Kia cee´d Sporty Wagon and Kia Rio Hybrid sedan will be unveiled on Stand 5231, Hall 5, during the Kia Motors press conference at 14.00 hrs on 6 March.

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Editors´ Notes

Kia Motors Europe
Kia Motors Europe is the European sales, marketing, and service arm of Kia Motors Corporation. With its headquarters in Eschborn, Germany, it covers 29 markets in Europe.

About Kia Motors Corporation
Kia Motors Corporation (www.kiamotors.com) was founded in 1944 and is Korea´s oldest manufacturer of motor vehicles. As part of the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group, Kia aims to become one of the world´s premier automotive brands.

Kia´s 12 manufacturing and assembly operations in seven countries produce more than 1.1 million vehicles a year that are sold and serviced through a network of distributors and dealers covering 160 countries. Kia today has 32,500 employees and annual revenues of US$16 billion.

Kia is the major sponsor of the Australian Tennis Open and an official worldwide sponsor of the Davis Cup. Tennis sensation Rafael Nadal is a global brand ambassador for the Kia brand appearing in Kia´s global advertising campaigns in TV and print media over the next two years (until 2008). He will also help to promote the Kia brand at several international motor shows.

From 2007 to 2014, Kia will be an official automotive partner of FIFA - governing body of soccer´s FIFA World Cup. Kia boosted its football links this year with three new sponsorships of major teams that will see the Kia logo appearing in the UEFA Champions League - FC Girondins de Bordeaux, FC Brussels and Atletico de Madrid.

Kia Motors Corporation´s brand slogan - ´The Power to Surprise´ - represents the company´s global commitment to surpassing customer expectations through continuous automotive innovation.

Press Contact

Mr Panu Vainamo
Tel 0049 6196 5092 132 Email pvainamo@kia-europe.com

Kia Motors Europe GmbH
Hauptstrasse 185, 65760 Eschborn, Germany.
Tel 0049 6196 5092 132 Fax 0049 6196 5092 100