Kia K4 and Nissan Kicks, made in Mexico, were the attractions in the “city that never sleeps”
In few places is Holy Week celebrated like on Mexican soil, probably for this reason. The “Big Apple” surrendered to the charm of a sedan made in Pesquería, Nuevo León and a crossover produced in Aguascalientes, which arrive to reinforce the range of Kia and Nissan, respectively.
It all started last Monday, when Rodrigo Centeno, the president of Nissan Mexicana, revealed to the media invited by the brand to get a closer look at the new Kicks that, now we can say, we had already seen in Japan last October, but in total confidentiality. The Kicks is 10 cm longer than its predecessor. Its shapes are more square and robust, the interiors are more spacious and well-kept. Under the hood is the 2.0-liter naturally aspirated engine, which sends power to the front wheels through a CVT box. There are rumors that, both in Brazil, where it will also be produced, and in Mexico, the new Kicks will coexist with the current one. We’ll see if this is confirmed.
Since man does not live on crossovers alone, Kia showed live the car that it had already revealed in photos a few days before the show: the K4. The car will be the substitute for the Forte, repeating the strategy that the Korean brand showed with the K3 and Rio.
Kia K4. This vehicle offers more space, better finishes and more safety. COURTESY Bigger, better, safer
The K3 is longer and wider than the Forte. It maintains the 2.0 engine with 147 HP and IVT box. Enthusiasts will not be very happy to know that the GT version and also the manual gearbox are disappearing, with the GT-Line now being the most equipped. But they will be pleased to know that the transmission will be a torque converter automatic for the latter, with eight speeds and that the 1.6 turbo is maintained, although now it will only have 190 HP. The K4 offers more smoothness, spaciousness, better finishes and more safety, mainly in the most equipped versions, which will have several electronic driving aids, the famous ADAS, which at least in the United States, will have up to 21 assistances.
In other news we saw the new Infiniti QX80 with a more modern exterior, a more luxurious interior and under the hood, a Twin Turbo V6 with 450 HP and 516 pound-feet of torque. The transmission will be a nine-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. At the moment, we do not have an arrival date to Mexico.
Before starting the room, the World Car Awards, with the Kia EV9 winning the World Car of the Year and the Electric Car of the Year. Volvo EX30 won in Urban Car; ToyotaPrius, in Design; HyundaiIonic 5 N, in Performance and the BMW 5 Series, in Luxury Car.
But really the most important thing in the “Big Apple” were two vehicles that will be proudly made in Mexico, the Kicks and the Kia K4.
Sergio Oliveira/New York
2024-04-06 11:30:00
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