LA Auto Show: 2015 Kia K900 (No, It's Not An Appliance): Comments

[William Maley]

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William Maley

Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com

November 21, 2013

The 2015 Kia K900 which debuted at the LA Auto Show this week brings a number of firsts for the Korean automaker.

• Their first rear-drive vehicle
  
• Their first V8 powered vehicle
  
• Their first heads-up display
  
• Their first rear cross-traffic alert system
  
• Their first pre-collision warning system
  
• Their first name which sounds like part that you get for dishwasher (ok, maybe not)
  

The K900 looks to be a larger Cadenza in design. The two models share elements, such as a large front grille, headlights, and even the wheels. As for size, the K900 is about the same size as the Hyundai Equus, riding on the Equus' 119.9-inch wheelbase.

Inside, the K900 is filled to the brim with luxuries. There are leather seats, heated and ventilated front seats, heated outboard rear seats, a 9.2-inch screen for infotainment, a set of buttons and a knob to control the system, 900-watt Lexicon stereo with 17 speakers, and back seat controls for the climate and radio.

There are three different option packages - Premium, Technology and VIP - that add much more to K900 such as Nappa leather, heads-up display, authentic wood trim, and rear seats that provide cooling and reclining.

The K900 comes equipped with two different engines. The base is a 3.8L V6 with 311 horsepower. Optional is a 5.0L Tau V8 with 420 horsepower. Both engines come with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the V6 getting its own unique gearing.

The K900 arrives sometime in the first quarter of 2014.

Source: Kia

William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected]or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster.

Press Release is on Page 2

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KIA MOTORS INTRODUCES FIRST-EVER REAR-DRIVE SEDAN AT LOS ANGELES AUTO SHOW

Modern and Elegant, the K900 Signals a New Era for Kia and Advances the Brand to New Levels of Sophistication

- Highly intuitive and advanced technology combine with superb craftsmanship and materials to boldly announce Kia's entry into the rear-drive large-sedan segment

- New V8 flagship debuts with 420 horsepower; V6 variant produces 311 horsepower

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 20, 2013 – The highly anticipated K900 rear-drive sedan took center stage today as Kia Motors America (KMA) took the wraps off its new flagship amid a packed house of media representatives from around the world at the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show. The all-new 2015 K900 is poised to challenge the full-size rear-drive luxury sedan segment with an extensive list of standard equipment, world-class accommodations and stunning design that will redefine consumer perception and expectations of the Kia brand.

"Next year will mark Kia Motors' 20th anniversary in the U.S. market, and the all-new K900 is a symbol of how far the brand has come and the next bold example of the challenger spirit that has benefitted Kia over nearly two decades of growth and maturation," said Michael Sprague, executive vice president, marketing & communications, KMA. "Kia's rise over the last five years has been fueled by a willingness to challenge the status quo with vehicles such as the Optima, Sorento and Cadenza, which have brought new and more affluent customers to our showrooms and dramatically raised the profile of the brand while maintaining our value proposition. The K900 is the next logical progression for Kia. It demonstrates what Kia is capable of and will help redefine what the Kia brand stands for."

Offered with a V6 or a V8 engine, the K900's list of standard equipment will feature first-class accommodations and advanced technology. The range-topping V8 equipped with the VIP Package will add additional luxury amenities including reclining outboard rear seats. The K900 Premium V6 will launch with an available Luxury Package and Technology Package. The all-new K900 is expected to go on sale during the first quarter of 2014, and pricing will be announced closer to launch.

Elegant Exterior Design

The first glance of the K900 is designed to leave an indelible impression. The long 119.9-inch wheelbase and wide 63.8-inch front and 64.1-inch rear track of the V8 translate to considerable road presence. In profile, the swept rake of the greenhouse, subdued cut lines along the doors and high rear deck lid lend a muscular tension to the sheet metal. The K900 V8's standard 19-inch multi-spoke chrome wheels are shod with 245/45R-19 tires up front and 275/40R-19 tires at the rear.

Kia's signature grille resides nearly vertically in the smoothly contoured front fascia. A chrome halo surrounds the dark chrome inner elements, which hints at the power and potential behind it. Airflow-smoothing underbody panels mounted beneath the nose, engine bay and cabin help reduce drag and improve efficiency.

Standard on the V8 are adaptive LED headlights. With 16 LED bulbs providing powerful, natural light for enhanced luminosity, the beams, which adjust to follow the bends in the road, shimmer beneath crystal clear lenses that pull back deeply into the front fenders. Soft-glow LEDs frame the multi-faceted headlights. Mounted low and at the far corners of the nose are sleek LED positioning lamps and LED fog lights. Similar use of LED technology can be found at the rear of the K900. The trapezoid taillights offer defused LEDs for the brakes and bright LEDs for the turn signals. A tasteful chrome bezel cuts high across the K900's standard powered rear deck lid, adding elegance and lending visual width. The standard power and heated rearview mirrors integrate auto dimming, LED turn signal indicators and Blind Spot Detection System (BSD) in a smooth, aerodynamic form that helps reduce wind noise. The rear bumper is accented with fully integrated dual chrome-tipped exhaust ports that mimic the shape of the taillights.

Opulence Within

Open the door to the all-new K900 and the same sense of elegant sophistication can be found within the luxuriously appointed cabin. The three-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel is substantial and features controls for audio, cruise control, entertainment, and vehicle information. A heated wheel is available on the V6 Luxury, V6 Technology and both V8 models. High-grade leather is standard, and soft Nappa leather is available in black or white with contrasting piping. Soft-hue LED interior lighting is standard across the K900 line. Available genuine white sycamore or dark charcoal poplar-wood trim sweeps across the dash and door panels, beautifully complementing the richness of the interior. A 12-way adjustable driver's seat, including power lumbar support, is standard on both the V6 Premium and V8 Premium models, and a 16-way power adjusted driver's seat features power headrests and cushion extender for added thigh support as part of the V6 Technology Package and the V8 VIP Package. The front seats feature standard multi-stage heating and ventilation for individualized comfort in all climates.

The K900's executive-class accommodations continue at the rear of the cabin. Standard features include multi-stage heating for the outboard seats. Accessing a panel within the center armrest, rear-seat passengers also have the ability to control the vehicle's ventilation system and may even fold the back cushion of the front passenger seat forward with the touch of a button. K900 passengers may also operate the standard power rear window sunshade, and retractable rear side window sunshades are standard across all models. A full-length panoramic roof with power retractable sunshade is standard on all V8 models. Opting for the VIP Package takes rear seat comfort to another level. Both seats offer multi-stage cooling, have the ability to recline and incorporate power lumbar support and lateral headrest adjustability.

Sophisticated, Intuitive Technology and Safety

Well known for providing intuitively placed controls and easily accessible technology, Kia continues this tried-and-true practice in the 2015 K900. On the V8 VIP, front and center for the driver is the largest TFT instrument panel ever offered in a Kia vehicle. At 12.3 inches, the full-color LCD screen is at once easy to read and easily configurable, featuring different themes depending on the drive mode selected. Also included with the V6 Technology Package and V8 VIP package is Kia's first Head-Up Display (HUD). The innovative full color height-adjustable display "floats" just over the leading edge of the windshield providing the driver important information such as vehicle speed, turn-by-turn navigation, and alerts including the Blind Spot Detection System (BSD) and Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) .

First-class in-car entertainment comes standard in the form of a 900-watt Lexicon high-fidelity audio system, the most powerful and advanced system ever offered by Kia. An audiophile's dream come true, the Lexicon system features a trunk-mounted 12-channel digital amplifier, 17 speakers, including a center channel and an inverted subwoofer located in the rear parcel shelf. The inverted design helps reduce encroachment into the trunk. The speaker arrangement is custom designed for the interior of the K900 to optimize sound quality for every seat in the house. Standard infotainment features include Bluetooth® hands free accessibility, HD RadioTM , three-month complimentary Sirius/XM satellite programming along with AUX and USB ports conveniently accessed through a soft-close genuine wood-covered panel in the center console.

The audio system, along with standard navigation and Kia's exclusive UVO eServices telematics software, are all viewed through a 9.2-inch high-definition screen that is accessed through a new standard Driver Information System (DIS) found in the center of the instrument panel. Using a simple rotary knob surrounded by intuitively placed direct-access buttons, the DIS falls naturally to the driver's right hand, allowing immediate access to the K900's wide range of advanced systems, including entertainment and voice-command navigation functions. All K900s come standard with a power-operated trunk lid. A slim credit-card style smart-key entry system that welcomes the vehicle owner by automatically extending the outside rearview mirrors and activating perimeter lighting is standard on all but the V6 Premium.

Front and rear park-assist sensors and cameras are standard across the line for enhanced confidence and convenience. Auditory cues notify the driver as the vehicle approaches an object with the tones emanating from the speaker located closest to the object. The parking display also indicates distance to the object via green, yellow and red lines, providing a visual aid to the driver. The V8 comes standard with Kia's first Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) system, which provides an audible warning to the driver if oncoming cross traffic is detected from the rear while the K900 is in Reverse. Working in conjunction with RCTA is Blind Spot Detection (BSD), which is standard on the V8 and available in the Technology Package on the V6. Opting for the VIP Package nets the new Around View Monitor system , which utilizes four discreetly placed wide-angle mini-cameras at the front and rear and within the outside rear view mirrors. The cameras provide a crystal-clear view of anything within several feet of the K900, providing potential safety benefits as well as easier maneuvering in tight spaces.

A Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) is standard on the V6 Technology Package and both V8 models. The camera-based LDWS monitors the K900's position and provides an audible warning to the driver when the vehicle begins to drift too close to the lane markers. First introduced on the Cadenza, the K900 is available with radar-based Advanced Smart Cruise Control (ASCC) . Included within the V6 Technology Package, and VIP Package on the V8, ASCC adjusts vehicle speed to help maintain a set distance to the vehicle in front and even has the ability to bring the K900 to a full stop. For added convenience, the system will also automatically accelerate the vehicle once traffic allows.

The K900 introduces Kia's first use of Advanced Vehicle Safety Management (AVSM) .

Integrating the control of various vehicle monitoring systems, including the Electronic Stability Control (ESC), seatbelt mechanisms and multiple warning systems, the AVSM can alert the driver to danger, pre-pressurize the braking system and activate the Pre-Safe Belt (PSB) system , depending on the anticipated level of a collision risk. If a potential collision is detected, AVSM warns the driver in three stages: an audible alarm, a visual warning on both the HUD and TFT LCD cluster and a cinching of the front seatbelts.

Flagship Performance

A bespoke flagship should be equipped with the proper running gear and the all-new 2015 K900 lacks for nothing. The K900 introduces the first V8 engine offered in a Kia sedan. The Tau DOHC all-aluminum 32-valve five-liter engine produces 420 horsepower. The engine is designed for efficiency with Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) and dual CVVT variable valve timing on both the intake and exhaust. A special tuned air intake improves airflow while a roller-type timing chain and Teflon coated crank oil seal reduce frictional losses. The fast-heating catalytic converter helps reduce emissions and is of a lightweight design. The V8 is mated to a new smooth-shifting eight-speed transmission. Shift mapping is variable depending on the driver-selectable settings of Eco, Normal and Sport, and each mode also adjusts the electric steering's sensitivity.

The 3.8-liter Lamba V6 produces 311 horsepower, making it the most powerful V6 in the Kia lineup. A three-step Variable Intake System (VIS) is designed to provide optimum low- and mid-range torque. Similar to the V8, the Lamba V6 features GDI and CVVT technology to help improve efficiency. A variable-load oil pump maintains optimum pressure at both low and high speeds. Like its more powerful sibling, the V6 also is mated to the same eight-speed transmission; however the gear ratios are tailored to best match the engine application.

An advanced five-link fully independent front and rear suspension soaks up road imperfections while also managing to communicate what's happening at each corner. Mounted on a sub-frame to isolate road shocks, the front suspension has coaxial coil-spring shock absorbers and a new friction bearing in the steering column to enhance straight-line stability and steering precision. At the rear, the suspension sub-frame also houses the differential, and the coil springs and shock absorbers are separate units, allowing for negative camber for improved cornering ability.

The rear-drive layout of the K900 encourages spirited driving, and the solid chassis, comprised of 75 percent high and ultra-high tensile strength steel, utilizes advanced manufacturing methods that result in a body shell with exceptional strength and torsional rigidity. The K900 V8 includes as standard equipment staggered 19-inch chrome alloy wheels while the V6 rides on 18-inch alloy wheels shod with P245/50R-18 tires. NVH is kept to a minimum with standard laminated side window glass and generous use of sound reducing materials.

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[Robert Hall]

Sounds like a truck name.

[smk4565]

The combination of a V8 and rear wheel drive is a good thing. However, do they really expect to sell them with that name?

[balthazar]

do they really expect to sell them with that name?

Do you actually think there's any difference between 'K900' and 'S350' ??

[G. David Felt]

I knew I had heard K900 before and that it was not a car. Sure enough, Lenovo had the first K900.

Car over all sounds nice and to me is a knock off of the BMW but the Name is Lame!

KIA, WAKE UP WITH SOME STARBUCKS and get a REAL NAME!

[Robert Hall]

The name makes me think of the KW900.. (Kenworth truck)

[riviera74]

Why is Kia getting an Equus clone and NOT a Genesis (sedan) clone? The name K900 sounds like a name that belongs on something else, like a code name for a platform or something else.

Having said that, this may well be a sweet car.

[Cory Wolfe]

The car is better executed than the Genesis and Equus. While it's still not an original look, it has a certain presence and carries on Kia's current design language (though, with a definite BMW flavor). Being that it does share it's underpinnings with the Hyundai sisters, it won't be the engineering marvel that the VW Phaeton was, however. If only success had less emphasis on actually selling... This Kia may be the surprise of the mainstream luxury sedans.

[ocnblu]

It continually blows my mind that people with enough money to buy a car in this class would consider... for ONE SECOND, either a Hyundai, or a Kia. I would give up my membership in the country club if I were relegated to such shame as that.

[smk4565]

The K900 if it is priced like an Equus I think has a really hard time on price point. I agree with ONC. The Genesis being priced from the low $30s is against the Avalon, Lacrosse, etc and if you want RWD V8 and full size there is the Genesis and 300/Charger and that is it unless you spend $70,000 or more. So I can see where a Genesis or $40k rear drive Kia would work because the traditional big American car buyer has no where else to go, the Grand Marquis is dead. Bit at a $60,000+ level no one is looking at Kia.

[Robert Hall]

It continually blows my mind that people with enough money to buy a car in this class would consider... for ONE SECOND, either a Hyundai, or a Kia. I would give up my membership in the country club if I were relegated to such shame as that.

Well, it's no different than people buying Samsung phones or TVs. The Korean product is about price and perceived value, not real luxury or quality or heritage.

[vonVeezelsnider]

Probably going to open myself up with this but I'm not negative on this car - at all. Yes the grille is like that from a 5-Series without the center crossmember, and yes it doesn't have the nicer tailiights of the Cadenza which to me look more premium, and yes that white woodgrain is funky- of course I have a weeping birch tree in my front yard which is white/silver/gray so I guess it's not that foreign to me. Would like to see it in the flesh to evaluate the styling. Many cars these days, including the LaCrosse do not photograph as well as they look in person. Cory is right when he says that this certainly isn't the anonymous immitator that Hyundai's own offering is.

May be cheaper, albeit slightly, than the Equus... the materials don't look quite as nice as the MY14 Horse, nor does it appear to have the air suspension setup and what not. My main concerns surrounding the Equus are the expense associated potentially with the air suspension over time (replacement at $1200+ Labor /corner) and slightly too weak MPG 23MPG Hwy with the Tau V8. If this thing is a little cheaper to boot I would at least drive one and potentially give it a chance, as I would with the 300 if they finally clue into putting an 8-Speed on the Hemi.

Edited November 25, 2013 by vonVeezelsnider

[G. David Felt]

Personally this will sell initially to those Koreans that want to support the motherland and a few others that like it over other luxury auto's and are not hung up on names. Yet in the long term, I do not see this being successful.

[Drew Dowdell]

After seeing the next Genesis, I am now underwhelmed by this.

[Robert Hall]

Looking at the photos of the next Genesis, it looks like they were inspired by Audi upfront and used the Avalon greenhouse...not very original.

[balthazar]

The only luxury brand currently with any originality in the styling department is Cadillac. The rest either regurgitate their own old cues or crib bits from everyone else.