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Wednesday, 11 December, 2013 11:43 AM
KIA
enters the luxury sedan market with the introduction of the 2015
K900 at L.A. Auto Show
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| PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com |
KIA
showed off its 2015 K900 flagship sedan during its press conference.
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LOS
ANGELES -- Up
until now, the KIA brand has been known for its affordable vehicles
that run well. For the first time ever, it is targeting luxury buyers
who are driving the likes of BMW, Audi, and Porsche. The 2015 K900
is built on the same platform as the Hyundai Genesis and the Equus,
because Hyundai owns nearly 33 percent of KIA Motors. This new luxury
sedan will come with a 3.8-liter, V6 engine producing 311 hp or
a 5.0-liter, V8 motor producing 420 hp. KIA is celebring its 20th
anniversary in America and what a way to do so.
"It's
our first entry into the $50,000 space," said Orth Hendrick,
executive director of product planning at KIA Motors America. "It's
a 120-inch wheelbase so it's about the size of a BMW 7 Series. At
the $50,000 price, it's about the equivalent to the beginning of
the BMW 5 Series. We found that there are a lot of luxury buyers
who are downsizing out of those big cars. They like the experience,
they like the size and the space, but they're not really crazy about
spending that kind of money, $800 or $1,000 a month lease payment.
This car burns regular fuel. Most of those big competitors are all
burning premium fuel."
The 2015
KIA K900 comes with heated and cooled front seats. The V8 model
comes with the same features on the rear row of seats along with
adjustable headrests that one might find on an international airliner.
The dashboard features a 12.3-inch full color LCD screen that is
easily configurable with different themes. Navigation, radio and
other features are located inside another 9.2-inch HD screen in
the center console and are controlled by a rotary knob. The K900
features three driving modes: Eco, Normal and Sport shift settings.
"We
didn't just throw a bunch of features at the car," Hendrick
added. "We were very specific in making sure that this is the
most technologically advanced KIA that we can deliver. Lane-departure
warning, heads up display, smart cruise control that will bring
the car to a complete stop in traffic and then reaccelerate so you
can keep up with traffic as you go forward. A full bevy of safety
equipment including active safety management, which can sense if
you're approaching a collision and prepare it by synching down the
seatbelts and get the brakes ready."
Production
of the new K900 will begin at KIA's plant in Sohari, South Korea.
It will hit U.S. showrooms on Feb. 1, 2014. Pricing will begin at
around $50,000 for the V6 model and the mid $60,000 range for the
V8 model. Leasing options haven't yet been determined at this time.
"We're
hoping that people are going to take a look at this great value
proposition," the executive director of product planning explained.
"It's new for KIA and we're really excited and looking forward
to the introduction."
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PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com |
It
will come with a 3.8-liter, V6 engine producing 311 hp or
a 5.0-liter, V8 motor producing 420 hp.
| |
| PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com |
Navigation,
radio and other features are located inside another 9.2-inch
HD screen in the center console and are controlled by a
rotary knob.
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| PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com |
From
left to right: 2015 KIA K900 V6 edition (white) and 2015
KIA K900 V8 edition (dark grey)
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| PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com |
Leather
seats inside
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| PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com |
The
V8 model comes with LED headlamps
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PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com |
The
K900 features three driving modes: Eco, Normal and Sport
shift settings.
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