Kia News: Kia Teases A New RWD Luxury Sedan

[William Maley]

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William Maley

Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com

February 13, 2012

No, your eyes aren’t deceiving you. That sketch you see is a Kia and it’s teasing a new RWD luxury sedan, a first for the Korean automaker.

Kia released three sketches of their new RWD sedan, codenamed KH. The KH design shares many cues from the midsize Optima and GT concept shown at last year’s Frankfurt Motor Show. There’s also a little BMW 7-Series influence in the back end of these sketches.

Rumor has it the the KH will use the Hyundai Genesis platform as a base and come with a range of six and eight cylinder engines, and use a 8-speed automatic or even a new 10-speed automatic transmission.

The KH will be going on sale in South Korea later this year wearing the K9 nameplate. Other markets will follow there after.

Asked if the KH would make it over to the states, a Kia spokesman said,

“Kia Motors America is still evaluating plans for KH in the U.S. market, and there is nothing further to announce at this time.”

Source: Autoweek

Press Release is on Page 2

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Kia reveals sketches of all-new flagship sedan

• Kia’s first rear-wheel drive vehicle
  
• To be launched in domestic Korean market in the first half of 2012
  
• Launch timings for other markets to be confirmed
  

(SEOUL) February 13, 2012 – Kia Motors today revealed the first official sketches of its all-new flagship sedan, which is expected to establish new standards for design flair in the large sedan segment.

Codenamed KH, the new model is Kia’s first ever rear-wheel drive sedan and combines innovative design with high-tech features. KH is among the company’s most eagerly anticipated new models and will be launched in Kia’s domestic market in the first half of 2012.

The design concept behind KH is distinctive, modern and classic, which is expressed through sophisticated, technically-advanced elements combined with Kia’s existing dynamic design language to create a vehicle that truly stands out from

its competitors.

The new model features a bold front-end design appropriate to a luxury car. Kia’s charismatic family-look radiator grille is flanked by modern headlamps that reinforce

the brand’s innovative challenger image, and the proportions of the unique hood design give KH a classic car-like feel.

KH’s profile, which was a key focus for Kia’s designers during development, features a simple side character line to give a feeling of spaciousness while emphasizing the new model’s bold and dynamic image. The high-tech rear combination lamp clusters, plus the luxurious, bold chrome accent give KH a sophisticated and stable rear view.

Soon-Nam Lee, Kia’s Director of the Overseas Marketing Group, says, “Our all-new flagship sedan integrates all of our key capabilities such as design, performance, high-tech features and infotainment into one striking model.

“Although launch timings for overseas markets are yet to be confirmed, this all-new rear-wheel drive large sedan will definitely become the leading model of our line-up around the world, showcasing the best of the best of Kia.”

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[Drew Dowdell]

Kia, you haven't market tested that name in the US have you?

That said, the designer Kia stole from Audi clearly has eyes on BMW.

[Chris_Doane]

Pics of a prototype:

http://www.roadandtr...gt-opirus-sedan

[G. David Felt]

Interesting, I like the look and it would be interesting to see how spacious or if it is on the inside.

I agree with Oldmoboi, they need to do their research, calling this KH will not fly and their names need to be mucho better for a flag ship luxury car.

[Robert Hall]

Interesting...still don't see much diffferentiation between Kia and Hyundai other than styling. 'KH' is a bland name, should give it a real name and not an acryonym. I thought I'd read a while back that their big car was going to be called the Cradenza.

[G. David Felt]

I know there is a tire called Credenza and I think in Japan one of their sedans has that name also.

I just think they need to come up with something better than KH for their luxury auto.

While I love all my caddy's, I am not a big fan of their 3 letter naming either. Most people could not tell you what they stand for.

In fact without Binging or googling, I wonder how many anyone here could name for Caddy?

STS =

DTS =

CTS =

XLR =

ATS =

SRX =

XTS =

ELR =

EXT =

ESV =

Seems Crazy to me to have all these acronyms.

[Drew Dowdell]

Well, I could... but I agree with you on the naming.

[Intrepidation]

Can't wait to see it.

[smk4565]

I am really curious to see how this car turns out. The Optima looks really good, a sporty rear dive version of that could be sweet. But if it is sort of generic like an Equus that would be a let down. Amazing that Hyundai/Kia will have 3 rear drive V8 sedans, and GM and Ford together make 2. (ATS, CTS, not counting the police only Caprice)

[Robert Hall]

I am really curious to see how this car turns out. The Optima looks really good, a sporty rear dive version of that could be sweet. But if it is sort of generic like an Equus that would be a let down. Amazing that Hyundai/Kia will have 3 rear drive V8 sedans, and GM and Ford together make 2. (ATS, CTS, not counting the police only Caprice)

GM only has 1 (ATS doesn't have a V8 version yet that we know about)... it is sad the direction Ford has gone..

Edited February 15, 2012 by Cubical-aka-Moltar