REIMAGINED 2019 KIA K900 MAKES GLOBAL DEBUT AT NEW YORK AUTO SHOW
Next-Generation Flagship Sedan Redefines New Korean Luxury
•Classically drawn exterior inspired by 'Gravity of Prestige' design concept
•Wrap-around cabin touts sophisticated materials and wide array of high-tech features and upscale amenities
•K900 offers superb ride quality and 'confident comfort'
•Standard ÚVO luxe1 embedded telematics allow remote start and HVAC control featuresNEW YORK, March 28, 2018 – Kia Motors America (KMA) today unveiled the completely redesigned Kia K900 sedan at the 2018 New York International Auto Show, establishing a new standard for luxury. The all-new second-generation model combines a dignified and sophisticated exterior design, a beautifully crafted cabin of premium materials, and performance characteristics that befit a world-class flagship sedan. (concept carz) Reimagined in every way, the K900 brings with it an array of new systems and safety features, making it the most technologically advanced Kia ever.'The all-new 2019 K900 is much more than a generational redesign, as it takes on a whole new look, feel and character over its predecessor. Only its name – K900 – is carried over,' said Orth Hedrick, vice president, Product Planning, KMA. 'Our designers and engineers have done an extraordinary job of reimagining the K900 to fully meet the needs and desires of consumers shopping in the luxury sedan segment with the promise of a tremendous value proposition that only Kia can deliver. The all-new K900 is a push into new territory and serves as further evidence this brand is moving in a forward direction.'Conceived and created in Kia's design studio in Korea with collaboration from the Irvine-based California studio, the new K900 is slated to go on sale in the Ú.S. during the fourth quarter of 2018. Pricing will be announced closer to the K900's on-sale date2.Stately Styling
Sophisticated and stately, the entirely redesigned K900 brings a new definition of premium luxury to the Kia portfolio. Although it's slightly longer and wider than the outgoing model, this K900 actually looks tighter thanks to its reimagined proportions, especially with respect to its profile. Combining a beautifully balanced design with flowing lines, tensioned surfaces and geometric details, the K900 introduces a modern air of elegance to the large sedan segment. Kia's designers were inspired by a design ethic they call 'The Gravity of Prestige,' and this all-encompassing philosophy translates to a feeling of solidity and volume in the upscale space.Based conceptually on the ever changing shape of condensed energy, a new 'Quadric pattern' signature grille is the focal point of the K900. There are 176 jewel-like 'cells' within the grille, suggestive of released energy accelerating away from its center in the way ripples in water move away from the impact of a splash. Natural flowing lines emanate from this frontal area, rise over the hood, sweep through the flanks and culminate at the rear.Influenced by the trajectory of light, the design of the duplex headlamps provides the K900 with a visually progressive image that establishes presence and character. Above the light housings, a floating hood design emphasizes the length, volume and balanced proportions of the car.In profile, a satin chrome flash adds depth to the smooth bodywork, running along the base of the doors and around the lower rear section of the K900 to pull your eyes downward to the car's large and detailed 19-inch wheels. The brightwork along the window-line adds a degree of structure to the rich and exaggerated C-pillar design before it merges with the rear deck.The rear of the K900 shows off a wide stance decorated with eye-catching details. The duplex rear combi lights echo the design language of the headlights and the integrated exhaust housings are finished off with chrome.Overall, the K900 is equal parts prestige, power and presence, embodying an appearance reminiscent of a finely tailored suit over an athlete's well-proportioned physique.
Luxury Retreat Within
Elegant by design but with a minimalist layout, the interior of the new K900 provides drivers and passengers with a peaceful retreat that is simple, modern and comfortable. The cabin wraps around the driver, enhancing the sense of being cocooned from the outside world. A tight and virtually uninterrupted line between the doors and the instrument panel creates a deliberate sense of continuity. Flowing from the center of the dash and outward to the doors, surfaces are trimmed in a sophisticated combination of materials, with metal veneers and a choice of four open pore matte wood selections – Walnut, Brown Olive Ash, Beige Olive Ash and Engineered Wood. Soft leather balances the cabin's harder natural surfaces in Black, Beige, Espresso Brown or two-tone Sienna Brown.
Tech-savvy Flagship
As expected, the all-new K900 comes equipped with a wide array of advanced technology, connectivity and infotainment features. The center console features a tactile port dial that is both convenient and intuitive for driver operation of the 12.3-inch Human Machine Interface (HMI) touchscreen that displays maps, trip information, audio sources, climate controls and more.5 A newly designed, modem-based Premium Navigation6 system comes equipped with enhanced user-friendly features accessible via Kia's ÚVO luxe1 sub-brand, dedicated exclusively to K900 owners. ÚVO luxe1 offers a full suite of remote features through an embedded modem in the vehicle and accessible once the ÚVO account is created on the myÚVO.com website and the vehicle is enrolled. ÚVO luxe1 telematics features can be used from the desktop, tablet, or dedicated ÚVO luxe1 app, and all three access points allow remote start, setting of preferred cabin temperature, or easy to use features, such as Find My Car. K900 owners are also provided with a dedicated service representative reachable through a VIP phone line. There's also full connectivity via Apple CarPlay7 and Android Auto,8 and additional convenience comes from a wireless cell phone charger.9When piloting the K900, the driver will benefit from either a high-resolution seven-inch color TFT instrument cluster or an available 12.3-inch color TFT instrument cluster with graphics differentiated by the selected drive mode – Comfort, Eco, Sport or Custom. Beyond the gauges, there's an available 9.7-inch Head Úp Display (HÚD),10 teeming with content related to speed, navigation, audio, and driver assistance systems that allows the driver to focus more of their attention on the road ahead.As part of Kia's Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)11, the K900's Surround View Monitor (SVM)11 utilizes four cameras providing a 360-degree perspective with stitched images that provide a seamless view. Blind Spot View Monitor (BVM)11 provides the driver with a live video feed of adjacent lanes in the instrument cluster and is activated via the turn signal. Útilizing the blind spot sensors, the K900 also enhances visual awareness by offering a haptic steering wheel10 that can help alert the driver by way of vibration in the event of a potentially unsafe lane change if the vehicle senses the presence of another vehicle or object.Additionally, on the ADAS11 technologies front, the K900 brings Lane Keep Assist System (LKAS)11, Forward Collision Avoidance Assist (FCA)11 and Driver Attention Warning (DAW),12 the latter of which is designed to advise the driver to stop the vehicle and get rest if it detects drowsiness or fatigue while monitoring driving behavior and patterns. Other significant ADAS11 systems are Rear Cross Traffic Avoidance Alert (RCAA)11, which can automatically apply the brakes when backing up in the event it detects an object crossing a predetermined distance from the rear of the vehicle, Safe Exit Assist,13 which can help notify the driver or passengers if it detects potential hazards, including passing cars, bicyclists or pedestrians, when opening any door to get out of the vehicle, and Lane Follow Assist (LFA)10, which can provide a degree of automatic steering control in certain circumstances during Advanced Smart Cruise Control (ASCC)10 operation based on analyzing lane markings and radar-based front vehicle information that it detects.A fully immersive driving experience is only complete with proper acoustics and the K900 delivers premium sound through a 900-watt 17-speaker Harman Kardon/Lexicon14 system, Kia's most powerful audio system ever, featuring QuantumLogic15 Surround Sound technology and Clari-Fi16 technology. QuantumLogic15 extracts signals from the original recording and redistributes them into an authentic, multidimensional soundstage for playback that is clear, refined and full of detail. QuantumLogic15 also offers selectable modes including Stereo Mode, Audience Mode and On Stage Mode, which highlights 360-degree instrumentation that will make listeners feel like they are on stage with the performing artist. Simultaneously, Clari–Fi16 works in real-time to rebuild audio details lost in digitally compressed music.World-Class Powertrain
The K900 has evolved into a truly sophisticated driving machine powered by a 3.3-liter twin turbo V6, the same engine found in the automaker's highly acclaimed Stinger fastback sport sedan. (concept carz) This world-class engine outputs 365 horsepower17 and 376 pound-feet of torque and was recently named to Ward's 10 Best Engines list for its exceptional responsiveness and refinement. The twin fast-spooling single scroll turbos are integrated into the exhaust manifold for enhanced durability. Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) works seamlessly in tandem, resulting in optimal and instant power delivery.Since turbo engines typically generate more heat than non-turbo engines, a robust cooling system was required. To meet the challenge of extreme environments, Kia's development team exceeded internal targets and over-engineered a system that utilizes a wider radiator for more efficient cooling and airflow, and adopted a high-capacity 600-watt brushless electric fan motor. Aiming to provide the highest level of quality and durability, Kia conducted testing and validation in extreme environments all over the world.The engine pairs with a second-generation in-house built 8-speed automatic transmission to manage its power in a smooth and seamless manner. The Shift-by-Wire gear selector is standard and with no required scheduled maintenance under normal conditions, the transmission is excellent for everyday driving. At the same time, this gearbox allows quick and confident shifts during more spirited driving.For an added dose of performance, improved handling, stability and agility, the K900 is equipped with a standard full-time Dynamic Torque Vectoring Control all-wheel drive system9 that is rear biased and electronically controlled based on road conditions. Following the Stinger, the K900 becomes the second application of this in-house built system and elevates traction and handling to help the K900 compete against its premium European competitors. Designed to improve performance in a variety of environments, it freely distributes torque between the front and rear wheels and also can send power from side to side, depending on conditions. Should the system detect slippage, power is seamlessly directed towards the front or rear wheels, depending on the driving situation. Úp to 50 percent of torque can be distributed to the front wheels, and in Sport mode, up to 80 percent of the power can be routed to the rear wheels.
Vehicle Dynamics
The sedan's performance equation was further honed with a number of enhancements under the direction of Albert Biermann, president of Kia's Vehicle Test and High Performance Development. 'The goal for the K900 was to achieve 'confident comfort' on the road,' stated Biermann. 'To deliver this result, we focused on four main categories: drivability, NVH, comfort and steering precision.'
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