2015 Kia K900 debuts as brand's RWD flagship model

Wed, 20 Nov 2013

Despite the fact that executives at both Hyundai and Kia alike have said on numerous occasions that the two companies are separate entities (and largely, they are), there's still a lot that's shared between the two brands. Common platforms and powertrains are found in a number of different Hyundai and Kia products, though the end results have typically been cars that, to the consumer's eye, are quite different. So when Hyundai got its first rear-wheel-drive sedan, the Genesis, a few years ago and followed it up with the larger, more luxury-oriented Equus, it was only a matter of time before sister company Kia got a slice of the RWD pie. And the first product to use this architecture is this, the new K900 sedan that makes its debut at the LA Auto Show.

Kia will offer the K900 with both V6 and V8 power.

Think of the K900 as something of a mix between the Genesis and Equus. All three share the same platform, but the K900 share the Equus' 119.9-inch wheelbase, as well as its front and rear tracks measured at 63.8 and 64.1 inches front and rear, respectively. But unlike the V8-only Equus, Kia will offer the K900 with both V6 and V8 power, like the Genesis. In fact, the K900 will offer the same two engines, although tuned slightly differently, as the Genesis: a 3.8-liter V6 producing 311 horsepower (no torque output is listed as of this writing) and the company's 5.0-liter Tau V8 producing 420 horsepower (oddly, Hyundai rates the Genesis and Equus at 429 hp with this same engine, though that's with premium fuel). Eight-speed automatic transmissions are standard with either powerplant, with Eco, Normal and Sport shift settings.

Visually, the K900 is a handsome thing, looking sort of like a puffed-up version of the smaller Forte or Cadenza sedans. Up front, V8 models use adaptive LED headlamps (with a total of 16 bulbs), and more LED lighting can be found out back. Attractive 19-inch wheels are found at all four corners, wrapped in 245/45-series rubber up front and 275/40-series tires at the rear.

Inside, the K900 packs exactly what you expect – tons of luxurious amenities, and an optional VIP seating package with reclining, heated and cooled outboard rear seats. Standard leather surfaces are found throughout the cabin, and soft Nappa leather is available in black or white with contrasting stitching. On the technology front, V8 VIP models offer a 12.3-inch full-color TFT display in the instrument panel, with different themes depending on which drive mode is selected. In the center console, standard navigation and UVO telematics are viewed through a 9.2-inch HD screen that's controlled by a rotary knob and surrounding buttons (again, like its Hyundai cousins). Of course, there's a mountain of active safety features, including front and rear park assist, rear cross traffic alert, blind spot detection, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control and more. There's even an around view monitor, similar to what Nissan and Infiniti are employing across their full range of vehicles these days.

Kia has not released pricing as of this writing, but we expect a V6 K900 to fall somewhere below the $61,000 starting price of the V8-only Equus. We'll know more closer to the car's launch next year, but for now, have a look below for all of the details in Kia's press blast.

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.

Kia: One of the World's Fastest Moving Global Automotive Brands

Kia Motors America is one of only three auto brands to increase U.S. sales in each of the past four years, and in 2012 the company surpassed the 500,000 unit mark for the first time. With a full line of fun-to-drive cars and CUVs, Kia is advancing value to new levels of sophistication by combining European-influenced styling – under the guidance of chief design officer Peter Schreyer – with cutting-edge technologies, premium amenities, affordable pricing and one of the lowest costs of ownership in the industry. Kia recently moved up in the exclusive ranking of Interbrand's "Top 100 Best Global Brands" after joining the list for the first time last year, and the company is poised to continue its momentum with seven all-new or significantly redesigned vehicles scheduled to arrive in showrooms in 2013. Over the past decade, Kia Motors has invested more than $1.4 billion in the U.S., including the company's first U.S. assembly plant in West Point, Georgia – Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia – which is responsible for the creation of more than 14,000 plant and supplier jobs. The success of the U.S.-built* Optima and Sorento in two of the industry's largest segments has fueled Kia's rapid growth and is complemented by Kia's comprehensive lineup which includes the Cadenza flagship sedan, Soul urban passenger vehicle, Sportage compact CUV, Optima Hybrid, the Forte sedan, Forte5, and Forte Koup compacts, Rio and Rio 5-door sub-compacts and the Sedona minivan.

About Kia Motors America

Kia Motors America is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 765 dealers throughout the United States and serves as the "Official Automotive Partner" of the NBA and LPGA. In 2012, KMA recorded its best-ever annual sales total and gained U.S. market share for the 18th consecutive year. Kia is poised to continue its momentum and will continue to build the brand through design innovation, quality, value, advanced safety features and new technologies.

Information about Kia Motors America and its full vehicle line-up is available at its website – www.kia.com. For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com. To receive custom email notifications for press releases the moment they are published, subscribe at http://www.kiamedia.com/us/en/newsalert.

* The Sorento and Optima GDI (EX Trims and certain LX Trims only) and GDI Turbo are built in the United States from U.S. and globally sourced parts.

By Steven J. Ewing