- Kia has revealed sketches of the KH, its first rear-wheel-drive vehicle, a flagship sedan based on the Hyundai Genesis and set for a launch in Korea in the first half of this year.
- Kia said launch timings for overseas markets are yet to be confirmed.
- The sedan is expected to be named K9 in the Korean market.
SEOUL, South Korea — Kia has revealed sketches of the KH, its first rear-wheel-drive vehicle, a flagship sedan based on the Hyundai Genesis and set for a launch in Korea in the first half of this year. The sedan, which is expected to be named K9 in the Korean market, is a major enhancement for Hyundai's sister brand.
Kia said launch timings for overseas markets are yet to be confirmed, but the car is expected to be sold in North America. Kia, in a statement, said there are no plans to sell the car in Europe.
The K9 was previewed last year in the Kia GT Concept, which turned heads at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show. The GT Concept featured rear-wheel drive, aeronautical design cues and suicide doors. While Kia did not reveal any powertrain specifications on the K9, the GT Concept was equipped with a 390-horsepower 3.3-liter turbocharged V6 engine linked to an eight-speed automatic transmission.
It is also expected that other engine options may include the Genesis' 3.8-liter V6.
"The design concept behind KH is distinctive, modern and classic," said Kia in a statement.
The Korean automaker promises that the sedan will get "high-tech features and infotainment."
Inside Line says: A major milestone for Kia and its out-sized ambitions to tangle with BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
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macsaan says:
09:20 AM, 02/15/2012
it really looks like BMW
but lets wait till the real one comes out.
rendering might b different so don't curse too bad
jcsupreme says:
12:40 AM, 02/14/2012
Front end, looks like an evolved BMW, or devolved, depending on perspective. back end is just like that big Lexus you see around, you know which one i mean.
isend2c says:
12:00 PM, 02/13/2012
I try to defend Hyundai / Kia frequenly... But the taillights on this are mimicing a 7-series and the headlights the new 6-series... Still, I'd get this or the Genesis over a 5 Series because I can get everysingle feature for the price of a base 528i. And I Love my BMW...
msmlexis says:
11:48 AM, 02/13/2012
I see they corrected lunch and made it say launch.
ttbuyer says:
11:35 AM, 02/13/2012
I doubt many people will cross shop this with BMW/Audi/Mercedes because the people who buy German cars (almost) always weigh prestige heavier than value.
This is MUCH letter looking than ANY German sedan, though. And it will probably be much more reliable, too.
thaitanium15 says:
11:04 AM, 02/13/2012
design inspiration: BMW 5 GT
alaskanroads says:
09:50 AM, 02/13/2012
WTF KIA?! Things were going so well.... Dont be like the Chinese!
compressor says:
09:45 AM, 02/13/2012
Kia/Hyundai has shown its design department can actually design so why not start a design language.
The older european marks have a legacy of design heritage. This is valuable. Like it or not, people like to be able to look at a car and know it is a Mercedes, a Jaguar, a 911. Kia & Hyundai need to establish their own design language and stick with it. Quit copying, it is an insult to your talented design team.
twistedrider says:
09:35 AM, 02/13/2012
Kia has a European designer (Peter Schreyer) at the helm. European flair with Korean tech and reliability. Perfect.
vhorizon says:
09:06 AM, 02/13/2012
tangle with BMW alright. I have to see the real thing but looks like 7 series. doesn't look distinctive. but looks alright.