We first heard rumors about a range topping Kia sedan referred to by most as the K9 in late 2009, but now, the word is coming from two company officials.
"We have an interest in all new models under development. A rear-wheel-drive premium sedan could be seen as a logical step from the Optima to the next level of Kia development," Kia Motors Australia COO Tony Barlow told Drive, an Australian car site. "It is far too early at this stage to be any more precise about the car but we will definitely maintain a watching brief,” he added.
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Making its world premiere today at the at the Seoul Motor Show, is Kia’s Naimo electric crossover utility vehicle (CUV), a B-segment sized concept car that will serve as a test-bed for the company's EV technology. Penned by Kia's international design team in Seoul, the car takes its name from the Korean word “Ne-mo”, which is pronounced ‘Neh-mo’ and means ‘square shape.
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At a first glance, the vehicle's simple lines aren’t that impressive, but once the exotic doors are open – it also has a pillar-less passenger door – the perception changes dramatically. You’d expect to find similar solutions on a sleek supercar or expensive luxo-barge, but somehow Kia’s designers managed to successfully pair them with the brand’s trademark boxy design.
The wide bodied (80 inches or 2.03 meters) concept also features stretched LED headlights, a relatively small greenhouse and less vertical A-pillars. Paired with 20-inch alloys wrapped around in 225/45 tires, all these elements create the illusion of a lower stance.
Inside, the KV7 offers multiple seating configurations thanks to the swiveling seats, and comes equipped with all sorts of modern infotainment systems, including a floating tabletop touch-screen computer. Wi-Fi is also on the menu.
The design study is motivated by the same 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that we’ve seen on the 2011 Kia Optima, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.
By Csaba Daradics
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“From the outset, we felt the category was in need of an honest reassessment due to the fact that everyone seems so desperate to attach the word “sporty” to their MPV even though MPVs, at their very core, are simply a box”, said Tom Kearns, Chief Designer, Kia Motors America. “Rather than reject the box we chose to celebrate it, just like we did with the Soul, and the result is a straightforward yet sophisticated vehicle that retains the functionality MPVs are known for and meets the changing and diverse needs of today’s consumers”.
Unlike most MPVs on the road today, Kia’s design study has a wider and lower stance thanks to the less vertical A-pillars and windshield. This is emphasized by the LED headlights, which cover almost the entire width of the fascia. The lines of the body are simple, while the 20-inch alloys add a sporty touch.
Nothing spectacular, right? Wrong. As you can see in the photos, the KV7's stylistic highlight are the Gullwing-style rear doors, which help create a massive point-of-entry to when opened in conjunction with the pillar-less front passenger door.
Measuring 192 inches (4.87 meters) in length, the concept offers flexible seating configurations and multiple storage options. All seats can swivel, including the driver’s seat, and there’s even a mini-lounge in the rear with seating for three, which, says Kia, promotes interaction in an open social environment.
Designers chose a cheerful color palette of soft beige and green tones and used a variety of unconventional materials, such as teak wood and wool, complemented by LED “accent illumination”.
The dashboard is dominated by a large display, integrating all infotainment, climate and navigation functions, and moves more than six inches towards the driver when the engine start button is pushed. Passengers have their separate interface, in the form of a floating tabletop touch-screen computer display and the KV7 is Wi-Fi enabled.
The last piece of the puzzle is found under the bonnet. Kia fitted the concept with a 285 hp 2.0-liter direct-injected turbocharged engine, also used by the U.S.-spec 2011 Optima sedan, coupled to a 6-speed automatic transmission.
By Csaba Daradics
KV7 specification summary
Exterior Dimensions
Length: 191.85 in. (4873mm)
Width: 80.0 in. (2033mm)
Height: 68.1 in. (1729mm)
Wheelbase: 122.0 in. (3100mm)Exterior Features
§ Wide stance, smooth exterior skin and 20-inch wheels with 225/45 tyres
§ A-pillar and windshield design that is less vertical than traditional minivans
§ Passenger-side gullwing door which creates a massive point-of-entry to when opened in conjunction with the pillar-less front passenger door
§ A continuous line of LED fog lights that span the entire front end of the vehicle
§ LED Directional turn indicators on the outside mirrors and the rear of the vehicle that pulse in the direction being signalled
§ Interpretation of Kia’s signature bold tabbed grille with vertical LED headlamps integrated within the design
§ A distinctive windshield and series of near-continuous windows starting at the A-pillar for maximum visibility
Interior Features
§ Four custom-built swivelling seats, including the driver’s seat
§ Rear-corner mini-lounge with seating for three
§ Integrated storage compartments
§ Modern colour palette featuring soft beige and green tones
§ Unique seat and surface materials
§ Variety of unconventional textures, including reclaimed teak wood flooring and sustainable wool and felt materials
§ Front dash moves more than six inches toward the driver when push button start is engaged
§ Large multi-use display which integrates infotainment, climate and navigation systems in one simple-to-use interface controlled by a trackball mouse mounted in the dash
§ Rear floating tabletop touch-screen computer display
§ Wi-Fi enabled cabin
§ Ability for multiple passengers to connect their smart phones simultaneously
§ Multiple flush-to-the-floor accent illumination points and standout green LED lighting throughout the front dash, instrument panel and rear display area
Driving Functions
§ New Theta II 2.0-litre GDI turbocharged engine (as fitted to U.S. spec Optima)
§ 285 horsepower
§ Six-speed automatic transmission
§ V6-type power and performance while maximising fuel efficiency
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Source: Bobaedream
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It is based on the South Korean market Forte LPI Hybrid, which utilizes a 1.6-liter LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) engine coupled to an electric motor with 15kW and 105Nm and a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).
The SEMA Show tune comes courtesy of Kinetic Motorsports and it includes a subtle aero kit, new alloy wheels wrapped in low-rolling resistance tires and a lowered suspension.
The first concept study, the Soul White Tiger, is actually a teaser to one of two all-new special edition models that the company is planning to launch before the end of the year. Following in the footsteps of the four special edition Souls introduced over the past year, the White Tiger model features some unique styling cues and added content.
The concept was developed by Kia's racing partner, Kinetic Motorsports, who built and campaigns the Forte Koup race cars. Performance upgrades are limited to a set of BBS RG 18-inch forged aluminum alloy wheels, race-inspired tires and suspension components, a short throw gaearshift and dampened composite fiber disc clutch.
