Kia’s all-new luxury flagship sedan goes on sale in Korea, powering the brand into an entirely new segment of the global automotive market. The striking new rear-wheel drive sedan will be launched
in a number of key overseas markets starting in the fourth quarter of 2012. The new flagship tops Kia’s global model range and is a true landmark vehicle for the company. Kia’s first modern
rear-wheel drive vehicle using its own platform combines stylish design with luxurious comfort, engaging driving dynamics and advanced high-tech features. Known as the ‘K9’ in Korea, the new
flagship sedan will have a different name in overseas markets – to be revealed closer to its on sale date.
“K9 is our first rear-wheel drive large sedan for more than a decade and sets new standards for advanced design, new technologies and driving performance, representing the ‘best of the best’ of
Kia,” comments Soon-Nam Lee, Kia’s Director of Overseas Marketing Group.
“Demonstrating once again our brand’s power to surprise, K9 will entice an entirely new customer group of progressive, forward-looking consumers to Kia for the first time,” adds Lee.
Designing for a rear-wheel drive platform has provided Kia with an opportunity for proportions that define luxury. As a large rear-wheel drive vehicle, K9 boasts a long wheelbase which gives a
generous first impression. As the engine sits further back, the A-pillar is also pushed back to createa longer hood and an impressive short front overhang. Consequently, the distance between the
center of the wheel and the A-pillar, the so called “prestige distance”, is increased. Thanks to the long prestige distance and high shoulder line, the glass house sits far back and the sheet
metal-to-glass ratio is significantly increased. The pushed-back position and the small size of the glass house give occupants a feeling of privacy and dignity, while the nice distinctive window
graphics accentuated by a chrome inlay give the car a premium feel.
“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 anda 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.”
“While embodying a new generation of Kia design, 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. 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, while efficient aerodynamics and close attention to exterior detailing result in a highly competitive Cd of 0.27.
V6 power and eight-speed transmission
Initially, K9 will be available in overseas markets powered by an upgraded 290 ps Lambda V6 3.8-liter MPI engine, with a 334 ps 3.8 GDI engine joining the global engine line-up next year. For
fitment to K9, Kia’s engineers boosted the Lambda V6’s power output, raised its efficiency and enhanced its refinement – making it well-suited to power the new flagship model. The normally
aspirated twin DOHC 3.8-liter engines are equipped with dual continuously variable valve timing (CVVT) and a variable intake system (VIS). 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.
Rear-wheel drive characteristics
“With K9 we have achieved a near-perfect front/rear weight distribution, which has created a strong foundation for excellent balance and steering response, and a sophisticated blend of ride and
handling qualities,” comments Chang-Ky Kang, Senior Vice President of Namyang R&D Chassis Technology Center. Together with the ultra-stiff bodyshell made with 74.3 percent high-strength steel,
K9’s electronically controlled air suspension with five-link front and rear suspension geometry has given the new flagship first-class ride and handling characteristics. Four driving modes (Eco,
Normal, Sport and Snow) enable the driver to choose a preferred set-up of suspension, steering, engine and transmission ideal for various road conditions or driving styles. “K9’s excellent balance
delivers a host of driver benefits – improved traction, greater road holding, enhanced braking stability, and enhanced turn-in. Adopting rear-wheel drive also enabled us to create a purity of
steering response and feel,” concludes Kang.
Advanced new features
When it goes on sale in overseas markets, K9 will premiere a range of advanced luxury features and technologies that are second to none. Depending on model, available active safety features will
include fully adaptive all-LED headlamps, Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), radar-based Blind-Spot Detection (BSD) and an Around-View Monitor (AVM) with four cameras. Premium comfort features
include a 12.3-inch full size Thin Film Transistor (TFT) LCD cluster, a HUD (head-up display), twin 9.2-inch monitors to entertain rear seat occupants and a remarkable 17-channel, 17-speaker
Lexicon (by Harman) sound system and Smart Cruise Control (SCC) which adjusts the vehicle’s speed to maintain the distance from the vehicle ahead. A special ‘VIP’ option will offer twin heated and
ventilated rear seats with a reclining backrest, sliding cushion and lower leg support for the ‘nearside’ seat, together with a front passenger seat that slides forwards when unoccupied.
