Kia K9 Caught Driving in Korea w/o Camo

[omoderncultureo]

Kia’s all-new luxury flagship saloon, the K9, has gone on sale in Korea, introducing Kia to an entirely new segment of the global automotive market. The striking new rear-wheel drive will be launched in a number of key overseas markets starting in the fourth quarter of 2012.

With a 5,090 mm overall length and 3,045 mm wheelbase, K9 offers generous front and rear occupant space. Overall width and height are 1,900 mm and 1,490 mm, respectively, which creates a spacious cabin environment.

Initially, K9 will be available in some overseas markets powered by an upgraded 290 ps Lambda V6 3.8-litre MPI engine, with a 334 ps 3.8-litre GDI engine joining the global engine line-up next year.

The all-new saloon will premiere a range of advanced luxury features and technologies, including fully adaptive all-LED headlamps, Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), radar-based Blind-Spot Detection (BSD), a 17-speaker Lexicon (by Harman) sound system, Smart Cruise Control (SCC) and an Around-View Monitor (AVM) with four cameras.

Every K9 comes with Kia’s all-new eight-speed automatic transmission. The wide spread of gear ratios guarantees brisk acceleration and high-speed refinement, while shift-by-wire (SBW) technology with a joystick control delivers fast, smooth gear changes.

“K9 is all about elegant simplicity, balanced proportions and simple surfaces,” says Kia’s Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer. “The class-leading long wheelbase, the prestige distance, large wheels, sharply upright short overhangs and a long sweeping shoulder line all work together in a harmony to give K9 a sporty, athletic proportion and a confident stance quintessential to a premium large rear-wheel drive vehicle.”

“K9 is a clear signal of our intention and determination to compete head-to-head with the European luxury brands. And for Kia, our customers, and for me – this car is like a dream come true,” concludes Schreyer.

Currently there are no plans to bring the K9 to the UK.

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[reelknead1]

Came in expecting a Dog, leaving disappointed.

[Sir UNBANNED_GERBIL M.B.]

Came in expecting dog driving a car. Left disappointed.


EDIT: Damn, just beaten

[2.0_Mazda]

don't like the waterfall grill

A part from that, looks good

[Mazda 3s]

WTF is up with that music in the first video? Good gawd my ears!

[Minneapolis]

They listen to Pitbull in South Korea? Bad taste knows no boundaries!

[GTRaavv]

It's fairly attractive for what it is - a huge sedan. But one issue I have with it is that unlike the Equus, which doesn't share a design theme with lesser models, this shares a lot of the same styling characteristics as much cheaper Kias. This looks like a bigger Optima in the way that the Phaeton looks like a bigger Passat. Can't say that about the Equus. I was hoping to see a more unique approach like that of the 4-door coupe concept they had.

[Notch__Johnson]

Wonder if any of the goodies will transfer over to my Optima?

[R8TD///M]

that front end side view looks like the 6 series

[scsuh]

that front end side view looks like the 6 series

yes, definitely seeing a lot of bmw in the front and back.

[dcmix5]

Came in expecting dog driving a car. Left disappointed.


EDIT: Damn, just beaten

[CP1]

Like the side/greenouse and rear; the front could have been better served w/ a cleaner/simpler headlight shape.

As for the inside, everything looks nicer than what's in the Equus (nicer seats w/ diamond cross-stitching, tho could use a bit more side bolstering), except the dash design already looks old and outdated (also, the steering wheel is awful).

Too bad the clean/modern sheetmetal is marred by an antiquated dash design (Kia needs a new interior designer to better fit w/ the Schreyer-led designs).

[BLK9GEN]

This is the one Kia I like a LOT less than it's Hyundai counterpart. It looks bulky and cheap. Kind of like a Chinese knockoff.

[CP1]

^ Disagree w/ you here; on the outside looks a lot better than the Equus.

Just wish they kept the headlight shape simpler.

[2.0T_Convert]

I would remark at how similar it looks to a BMW but then CP1 will come and tell me I'm blind and should GTFO if I can't see the clear styling elements that are totally Kia and 100% original.

[CP1]

^ Still waiting on the example of a BMW which has the headlight shape similar to the new cee'd.

Also, the grill shape is pretty much the same as on the Kia GT concept; the only reason why people are bringing up the BMW reference in this case is b/c the grill has vertical slats.

Now, the rear does have a BMW-ish look to it, but no more so than the LS460.

[2.0T_Convert]

Like I said in the other thread. Slap a badge and add a divider in the center of the grill and this could pass for a FWD BMW compact.

[CP1]

^ FAIL.


How are the headlights even close, much less the grill? (Which is the same basic "tiger nose" grill on every other Kia like the Optima.)

Let me know when the 6 Series or another other BMW for that matter has a headlight shape that goes like this.

[Mazda 3s]

^ FAIL.


How are the headlights even close, much less the grill? (Which is the same basic "tiger nose" grill on every other Kia like the Optima.)

Let me know when the 6 Series or another other BMW for that matter has a headlight shape that goes like this.

[GTRaavv]

Don't make him/her work overtime tonight.

[Notch__Johnson]

Aston Martin One-77:



Kia GT Concept:

[TOMPASS]

Heard the handling is a bit tricky-it likes to wag its tail in the twisties.
Power will undoubtedly be neutered for the US market. (If it was a Subaru, I'd say it comes with a boxer engine, but it isn't)
Will it have a moon-woof option?
Will the next Dr. Who drive one?
Should be popular with veterinarians (dentists too, but that a whole 'nuther series of bad jokes)

[omoderncultureo]

Kia has unveiled its new K9 flagship sedan, which goes on sale Korea in the first half of the year.

Kia has also confirmed that the K9 will be sold outside of its domestic market, though the name and exact timings for overseas launches won’t be revealed until later this year.

Previously referred to as the KH, the new model is Kia’s first rear-wheel drive sedan and it’s set to serve as the automaker’s flagship.

Kia boasts that the K9 exemplifies the “best of the best” design, driving performance and high technology capabilities.

The styling draws its inspiration from the theme “distinctive, modern and classic,” which as it turns out includes LED headlights, bold character lines, and a purposeful stance. According to Kia, the K9’s profile was a key focus for the design team. It features a simple side character line to give a feeling of spaciousness while emphasizing the new model’s boldness.

While the K9 name may seem odd, it continues Kia’s naming practice for models, such as the existing K5 and K7, sold in its domestic market. The letter “K” represents not only Kia and Korea, but also refers to the Greek word “Kratos” (meaning powerful, domination and reign) and the English word “Kinetic” (meaning active, dynamic).

Kia hasn’t gone into details about its K9’s mechanical package but beneath the sheet metal is the same rear-wheel drive platform from the Hyundai Equus luxury sedan, not the smaller Genesis as previously predicted. This means the K9 is likely to come with a V-8 engine matched to an eight-speed, or possibly even a 10-speed, automatic transmission.

A starting price below the $58,750 sticker of the Equus in the U.S. would also be likely, that is, if the K9 ever does arrive. But considering the following statement from Soon-Nam Lee, Kia’s overseas marketing chief, “This all-new rear-wheel drive large sedan will definitely become the leading model of our lineup around the world, showcasing the best of the best of Kia,” it certainly would be strange if it didn’t.

Link

[2.0T_Convert]

Just to piss CP1 off a bit more:





Does it look the same - No, of course not.

But many of the basic elements are similar. It's as if Kia took a 7-series and refreshed it.

[duke of chucchinchilla]

It looks like a BMW 7 series, not any specific generation of 7 series, but a 7 series nonetheless.

[Wrong Beach]

i like it except the stupid vents again and the grille treatment is not great.

[Mazda 3s]

Looks like a previous generation Lexus GS had a gangbang with a BMW 5-Series and 7-Series.

[Golgo-13]

VERY nice.

[Swallow Doretti]

Oh sure it looks like a derivative mix of the 7-series, Quattroporte and last-generation Lexus GS. But to Kia's credit, at least they only took the good parts of the designs. Buyers should have no trouble sticking on some other brand's badges and convincing the valets of the world it's a new BMW/Maserati/Lexus whatever, all so you won't have to explain why the hell you just spent $50K on a Kia.

[Fritz27]

I had no idea Koreans listened to country music.

[Cousin Eddie]

[B3sat16v]

I had no idea Koreans listened to country music.

I said the same thing.

[akuma]

front overhang is ginormous

[lonewolf]

The front looks FUGLY - especially the grill and the side profile is 100% BMW 7.

Too many shiny cut paste bits. Sorry but this is a fail from Peter Shreyer

[mk3alltheway]

^ FAIL.


How are the headlights even close, much less the grill? (Which is the same basic "tiger nose" grill on every other Kia like the Optima.)

Let me know when the 6 Series or another other BMW for that matter has a headlight shape that goes like this.

ohh get over yourself! It looks similar, nobody is saying its identical ..