Kia unveils K4 hatchback in New York ahead of US launch

Kia, Korea's second-biggest carmaker, said Thursday it has unveiled the K4 hatchback at the New York auto show ahead of its U.S. launch later this year. The K4 hatchback comes with a 1.6-liter turbocharged gasoline engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission, the company said in a press release. It is set to be placed in the U.S. market in the fourth quarter of the year. The model is not for sale in the Korean market. The maker of K5 sedans and Sorento sport utility vehicles (SUVs) also showcased the compact EV4, its first all-electric sedan, at the New York International Auto Show, set to run through April 27, the release said. In the United States, the EV4 will be available in a 58.3 kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery-equipped model or an 81.4 kWh long-range model that can travel more than 530 kilometers per charge, Kia said. "The EV4 makes all-electric ownership accessible for those customers who are seeking a more practical and affordable option on the EV landscape while still desiring an advanced, technology-driven in-car experience," Steven Center, chief operating officer and executiv