Kia launches revamped mini subcompact cars in home market

Kia Motors Corp., South Korea's No. 2 automaker, said Thursday it has launched the refreshed versions of its two mini subcompact cars -- the Morning and the Ray -- on its home turf, with focus on a safer and more convenient driving experience.

The carmaker said it has included several safety features as standard setups in "The New Morning," such as tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) as well as vehicle stability management, which helps keep directional steadiness when the car suddenly accelerates or comes to a halt.

With the newly-equipped cruise control system in the new edition of the Morning, drivers can specify and maintain a certain speed without having to step on the gas, which can be helpful for long drives or to avoid violating speed limits.

The refreshed designs with a mesh radiator grille and a simpler look to the air intake grille in the front were incorporated to give a more stable and robust look to the car, Kia said.

New 14-inch alloy wheels added to the front helps visually enhance the size of the vehicle, while a sporty look is emphasized with the black diffuser-style rear bumper.

The price tag for the gasoline models of the new Morning ranges from 10.4 million won (US$9451.97) to 13.25 million won depending on various options and engines.

The turbo model, equipped with the Kappa 1.0 Turbo engine producing up to 106 horsepower output and a maximum 14 kilogram-meters of torque, is priced at 14.4 million won and the bi-fuel model starts at 12.1 million won.

The 2015 version of the Ray was also launched in South Korea along with the Morning on the same day, also newly equipped with the TPMS safety feature for all of its models. The sticker price for the gasoline model and the turbo model of the mini subcompact begins at 11.63 million won and 15.34 million won, respectively. (Yonhap)