With the Batman-inspired Optima SX Limited Concept already on the scene, Kia Motors America and DC Entertainment pulled the wraps off four more of the eight total vehicles being created to celebrate various members of the DC Comics Justice League — and ultimately to support the "We Can Be Heroes" organization that’s dedicated to fighting hunger in the Horn of Africa. These latest additions to the growing KMA/DC superhero stable include uniquely modified versions of the Forte Koup, Rio 5-door, Soul and Forte 5-door.
Flash-inspired Kia Forte Koup Concept
Created by West Coast Customs, this fast-paced flyer features a high-profile red, orange and yellow airbrushed exterior that matches the look of the uniform worn by its namesake and a see-through Flash logo in the hood. A custom coil-over suspension drops its ride height and sharpens handling while its cornering grip is augmented by Continental Extreme Contact performance tires on 20-inch Asanti color-matched wheels. The interior boasts black nappa leather seats with red suede inserts, yellow contrast stitching and embroidered character artwork complemented by a black suede headliner and custom-painted trim elements. A killer sound system with Quart 4-channel amp and dual 10-inch subwoofers adds sonic excitement while the headrest of each front bucket is fitted with a rear-facing 7.0-inch Rosen Entertainment video monitor.
Aquaman-inspired Kia Rio 5-door Concept
Another West Coast Customs exercise, the Rio 5-door was chosen to the environmentally conscious Aquaman’s ultra ride because of its outstanding 85-percent materials recyclability status. A custom-fabricated body kit and Asanti 20-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Continental performance rubber adds even more profile to the car’s gold/green/orange exterior. Inside, the Aquaman-inspired Kia Rio 5-door Concept matches its green leather seats trimmed in gold and yellow with a green suede headliner. In addition to having an Aquaman logo in the rear seat backs and a premium component audio package that also features Rosen Entertainment video monitors, the cargo bay on this recast Rio Aquaman comic-book art and a polycast cutout that creates an underwater scene illuminated by Oracle LED lighting.
Green Lantern-inspired Kia Soul Concept
Built by Super Street Magazine, the Green Lantern-inspired Kia Soul is fitted with a unique wide-body kit and has its rear doors welded shut to create a more streamlined look. Finished in green and black with green mirror-chrome window tint and blacked-out headlights with green-tinted projector beams and green LED auxiliary lighting, this distinctive Soul also features a lowered suspension and rides on color-matched one-off 18-inch alloy wheels rendered with a lantern motif. The green and black leather interior appointments are paired with custom-painted trim and Green Lantern logos stitched into the seatbacks. Pop the liftgate and you find a stylized "power battery" with the lantern logo etched into a clear panel that contains the superhero’s oath as well as a video monitor, that like those in all of the other vehicles, plays the "We Can Be Heroes" promotional video.
Cyborg-inspired Kia Forte 5-door Concept
Crafted by RIDES Magazine, this unique Kia Forte 5-door Concept was designed to embody the communications skills, power and endurance of the half-man/half- machine Cyborg. Fortified with a full body kit and finished in Aztec Silver that recalls its namesake’s armor, this hard-edged Forte 5-door also features red accent bits and LED lighting along with 18-inch Rotiform TMB alloy wheels. Red and silver dominate the interior trim out as well, as does a prominent Cyborg logo. A central tablet computer ensures a constant state of connectivity with the outside world while a JL Audio system keeps things rocking when it’s time to just kick back and take a break from active crime fighting.
