2007 Kia Kue Concept

Kia has released a design sketch of its newest concept car – Kue. The Crossover Útility Vehicle (CÚV) will be revealed at the upcoming North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit.

With distinctly grand SÚV styling, the Kue majors on greater driving dynamics and performance. The focus is very much about an exciting driving experience, as opposed to the typical SÚV or CÚV lifestyle.

The Kue is based around a dynamically focused monocoque chassis and features bold seven-spoke 22-inch alloy wheels. Size wise, the Kue measures up with an overall length of 4,720mm and a 2,900mm wheelbase. This compares to 4,810mm and 2,890mm for Sedona and 4,590 and 2,710 for Sorento.

Although Kue will be presented at the Detroit show as a pure concept, it will present a number of strong styling indicators to the direction of Kia's future models. The doors feature a distinctive, yet familiar, sill-to-waist door crease which can be clearly seen on the all new cee'd – the first Kia to be designed and built in Europe.

Source - Kia

Kia Unveils Kue Concept at North American International Auto Show

Crossover Concept Focuses on Sporty Driving and Hints at Future Design Direction for Kia

Kia Motors America (KMA) today during a press conference unveiled the all-new Kia Kue crossover concept vehicle at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. The press conference also served as the official public debut in North America for Peter Schreyer, new global design chief of Kia Motors Corporation (KMC).

'We've instilled confidence and integrity in our consumer base with vehicles that provide value, quality and safety,' said Len Hunt, executive vice president and COO of KMA. 'Kue embodies the next phase of our brand evolution, which will instill pride and passion in our customers through great design.'

The Kia Kue employs a different approach to the crossover utility vehicle segment by taking elements of what makes a CÚV to a new level, namely performance. Kue is designed first and foremost as a driver's vehicle. While possessing SÚV characteristics and capabilities, the Kia Kue focuses more on giving the driver an exhilarating driving experience on the way to the home improvement center than on how much it can haul.

The Kia Kue has a monocoque platform that sits on 22-inch tires with a wheelbase of more than 114 inches, packaged in an overall length of 186 inches. Though purely a concept, the Kia Kue does, however, hint at future styling directions for Kia Motors.

'Good design shouldn't look like you are trying too hard,' said Tom Kearns, KMA chief designer. 'The future Kia direction will incorporate the ‘less is more' philosophy but still include a heavy dose of boldness to be distinct.'

With its four wheels pushed to the corners and exterior skin tautly stretched over its underpinnings, the Kue sits powerful and poised. Draped muscular wheel flares play a nice contrast to crisp beveled sections found elsewhere on the body. Swept back headlights connect to the front grille to create a clean, aggressive down-road appearance. The side window shape flows effortlessly into the rear backlight where two centerline hinging doors open to access rear storage. A single side door that incorporates a negative skive shape opens scissor style for easy ingress and egress.

On the inside Kue continues the clean, athletic theme with bold understated simplicity. With a four-passenger seating arrangement and custom-built bucket seats, Kue is a vehicle both driver and passengers can enjoy. A technology-driven interface designed to adjust to driver and passenger preference is the focus of the interior functionality. Touch pad and motion-sensing controls are used to adjust things like audio and climate, and the entire system is programmable so that one surface may activate the stereo for one driver and temperature for another. Rear passengers have their own, separate interface.

The generation-next functionality of the interior is complemented by the use of sophisticated seat and surface materials and a modern color palette. Carefully selected materials and textures are vital components to the interior design of Kue, and they create an upscale feel that is both modern and inviting. A mid dark interior theme with highlights was chosen in place of the typical light interior common to many concept cars. Overall, the Kue interior presents a new perspective of upscale function with an emphasis on comfortable, user-friendly interaction.

Just as inviting is Kue's appeal to be driven in a sporty fashion. Fitted with a 400-horsepower, DOHC, supercharged 4.6-liter V8 that twists out 400 lb-ft of torque, Kue is a true performance vehicle. Helping the driver harness all that power is a full-time all wheel drive system yielding predictable driving characteristics both on- and off-road.

Developed by the KMA design team as an expression of Kia's global design language, the Kia Kue is a true reflection of the Kia brand and the passion it embraces.

Kia Motors America – the sales, marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corp. in Seoul, South Korea – offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 630 dealers throughout the Únited States. For more information visit www.kiamedia.com.

Source - Kia