Jump to content
Create New...
  • William Maley
    William Maley

    Kia Teases A New RWD Luxury Sedan


    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


    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.”

    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments

    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.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    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.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    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.

    • Agree 1
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    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)

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    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 by Cubical-aka-Moltar
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites



    Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
    Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

    Guest
    Add a comment...

    ×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

      Only 75 emoji are allowed.

    ×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

    ×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

    ×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.


  • google-news-icon.png



  • google-news-icon.png

  • Subscribe to Cheers & Gears

    Cheers and Gears Logo

    Since 2001 we've brought you real content and honest opinions, not AI-generated stuff with no feeling or opinions influenced by the manufacturers.

    Please consider subscribing. Subscriptions can be as little as $1.75 a month, and a paid subscription drops most ads.*
     

    You can view subscription options here.

    *a very limited number of ads contain special coupon deals for our members and will show

  • Posts

    • Whoever was sketching had an inkling of what was to come.  I like the dark blue and the absence of a spoiler.  I'm not crazy about the greenhouse ... or, maybe, I'm not sure how I feel. Interesting, because, within the last hour, I saw a stock rust metallic colored Chrysler 300, maybe one or two levels up from entry level.  I've never seen one in this color before.  It really flattered this car more than it does the previous RWD Charger.   It was stunning.
    • While one could say this is political in posting, I am focusing on the Tesla protest and what could be another ERON in the making. Over 200 ‘Tesla Takedown’ protests take place throughout US on ‘Global Day of Action’ against Elon Musk’s role with DOGE | CNN Business Protesters rally at Tesla showrooms in U.S., Europe to protest Elon Musk All peaceful here in Washington State, but the Tesla stores all had 200 to 300 people at each one, major protest against the auto brand.  Tesla stock and sales worldwide have fallen. Many are calling for his firing from Tesla to hire a CEO focused on the auto business.  Then we have news of missing money from Tesla with nothing but excuses from Musk. Tesla is somehow missing $1.4 billion Musk calls SSA a Ponzi scheme and yet we now have this manipulation of stock after moving a billion dollars in GPU's to xAI which also does not seem to be accounted for at Tesla. xAI Buys X in Blockbuster Deal. Elon Musk Found a Way to Win the Twitter Deal. So, one has to question and wonder. Is Tesla the next ENRON to explode and take everyone's money leaving Musk with his other companies paid for by looting Tesla, an EV auto company that is now behind other companies in the world. Chinese, Korean and German auto companies are making better EVs than Tesla.  Will Tesla survive as an independent company till 2030? Politics are a very emotional area, but a bigger thing to focus on here in the trade war for the U.S. and for the growth of EVs is how will Tesla survive or will it? I honestly can see the Tesla Supercharger Station business surviving no problem as an Independant company.
    • Fair enough but certain folks need to actually listen in regards to things like politics instead of doing whatever the hell they want and then later, claim that they are somehow a victim or that they were "bullied". There is a place for political talk and it is not on a car forum (unless it is directly related to the industry, of course).
    • I know there aren't any details on the range or capacity of the other battery packs, but this REALLY intrigues me. I'm sure the standard range would be less than I'd like, but 440mi seems excessive so the middle battery would likely be perfect. 
    • Even people who like to road trip spend the majority of their time not road tripping. There's really no point in a 600 mile range EV unless batteries become SOOOOOO much lighter where 100kw batteries only weights a few more pounds than a 75kw battery and there's really no "extra weight" to be carried around, wasting efficiency. 
  • Who's Online (See full list)

  • My Clubs

×
×
  • Create New...

Hey there, we noticed you're using an ad-blocker. We're a small site that is supported by ads or subscriptions. We rely on these to pay for server costs and vehicle reviews.  Please consider whitelisting us in your ad-blocker, or if you really like what you see, you can pick up one of our subscriptions for just $1.75 a month or $15 a year. It may not seem like a lot, but it goes a long way to help support real, honest content, that isn't generated by an AI bot.

See you out there.

Drew
Editor-in-Chief

Write what you are looking for and press enter or click the search icon to begin your search