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Kia launches elegant and luxurious all-new flagship sedan

 

·         Elegant simplicity and balanced proportions create a premium feeling

·         First modern rear-wheel drive Kia has V6 power plus 8-speed transmission

·         Introduces a host of advanced features and technologies new to Kia

·         Striking sedan on sale in Korea from today with export sales later in 2012

 

(SEOUL) May 2, 2012 – Kia’s all-new luxury flagship sedan goes on sale in Korea today (Wednesday), powering the brand into an entirely new segment of the global automotive market.

 

The striking new rear-wheel drive sedan will be launched in a number of key overseas markets starting in the fourth quarter of 2012. The new flagship tops Kia’s global model range and is a true landmark vehicle for the company. Kia’s first modern rear-wheel drive vehicle using its own platform combines stylish design with luxurious comfort, engaging driving dynamics and advanced high-tech features.

 

Known as the ‘K9’ in Korea, the new flagship sedan will have a different name in overseas markets – to be revealed closer to its on sale date.

 

“K9 is our first rear-wheel drive large sedan for more than a decade and sets new standards for advanced design, new technologies and driving performance, representing the ‘best of the best’ of Kia,” comments Soon-Nam Lee, Kia’s Director of Overseas Marketing Group.

 

“Demonstrating once again our brand’s power to surprise, K9 will entice an entirely new customer group of progressive, forward-looking consumers to Kia for the first time,” adds Lee.

 

Designing for a rear-wheel drive platform has provided Kia with an opportunity for proportions that define luxury.

 

As a large rear-wheel drive vehicle, K9 boasts a long wheelbase which gives a generous first impression. As the engine sits further back, the A-pillar is also pushed back to create a longer hood and an impressive short front overhang. Consequently, the distance between the centre of the wheel and the A-pillar, the so called “prestige distance”, is increased.

 

Thanks to the long prestige distance and high shoulder line, the glass house sits far back and the sheet metal-to-glass ratio is significantly increased. The pushed-back position and the small size of the glass house give occupants a feeling of privacy and dignity, while the nice distinctive window graphics accentuated by a chrome inlay give the car a premium feel.

 

“K9 is all about elegant simplicity, balanced proportions and simple surfaces,” says Kia’s Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer. “The class-leading long wheelbase, the prestige distance, large wheels, sharply upright short overhangs and a long sweeping shoulder line all work together in a harmony to give K9 a sporty, athletic proportion and a confident stance quintessential to a premium large rear-wheel drive vehicle.”

 

“While embodying a new generation of Kia design, K9 is a clear signal of our intention and determination to compete head-to-head with the European luxury brands. And for Kia, our customers, and for me – this car is like a dream come true,” concludes Schreyer.

 

With a 5,090 mm overall length and 3,045 mm wheelbase, K9 offers generous front and rear occupant space.  Overall width and height are 1,900 mm and 1,490 mm, respectively, which creates a spacious cabin environment, while efficient aerodynamics and close attention to exterior detailing result in a highly competitive Cd of 0.27.

 

V6 power and eight-speed transmission

Initially, K9 will be available in overseas markets powered by an upgraded 290 ps Lambda V6 3.8-litre MPI engine, with a 334 ps 3.8 GDI engine joining the global engine line-up next year.

 

For fitment to K9, Kia’s engineers boosted the Lambda V6’s power output, raised its efficiency and enhanced its refinement – making it well-suited to power the new flagship model.  The normally aspirated twin DOHC 3.8-litre engines are equipped with dual continuously variable valve timing (CVVT) and a variable intake system (VIS).

 

Every K9 comes with Kia’s all-new eight-speed automatic transmission.  The wide spread of gear ratios guarantees brisk acceleration and high-speed refinement, while shift-by-wire (SBW) technology with a joystick control delivers fast, smooth gear changes. 

 

Rear-wheel drive characteristics

“With K9 we have achieved a near-perfect front/rear weight distribution, which has created a strong foundation for excellent balance and steering response, and a sophisticated blend of ride and handling qualities,” comments Chang-Ky Kang, Senior Vice President of Namyang R&D Chassis Technology Center.

 

Together with the ultra-stiff bodyshell made with 74.3 per cent high-strength steel, K9’s electronically controlled air suspension with five-link front and rear suspension geometry has given the new flagship first-class ride and handling characteristics.

 

Four driving modes (Eco, Normal, Sport and Snow) enable the driver to choose a preferred set-up of suspension, steering, engine and transmission ideal for various road conditions or driving styles.

 

“K9’s excellent balance delivers a host of driver benefits – improved traction, greater road holding, enhanced braking stability, and enhanced turn-in.  Adopting rear-wheel drive also enabled us to create a purity of steering response and feel,” concludes Kang.

 

 Advanced new features

When it goes on sale in overseas markets, K9 will premiere a range of advanced luxury features and technologies that are second to none.  Depending on model, available active safety features will include fully adaptive all-LED headlamps, Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), radar-based Blind-Spot Detection (BSD) and an Around-View Monitor (AVM) with four cameras.

 

Premium comfort features include a 12.3-inch full size Thin Film Transistor (TFT) LCD cluster, a HUD (head-up display), twin 9.2-inch monitors to entertain rear seat occupants and a remarkable 17-channel, 17-speaker Lexicon (by Harman) sound system and Smart Cruise Control (SCC) which adjusts the vehicle’s speed to maintain the distance from the vehicle ahead.

 

A special ‘VIP’ option will offer twin heated and ventilated rear seats with a reclining backrest, sliding cushion and lower leg support for the ‘nearside’ seat, together with a front passenger seat that slides forwards when unoccupied.

 

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For high resolution photos, please contact Daniel Ponzini through email at dponzini@kia.ca  or call 905-755-6415.

 

Kia Canada Inc. (www.kia.ca – www.facebook.com/kiacanada) -- a maker of quality vehicles for the young-at-heart -- is a subsidiary of Kia Motors Corporation (KMC) in Korea was founded in 1999 and sells and services high quality class leading vehicles like the Soul, Forte, Optima and Sorento through a network of 174 dealers nationwide. Kia Canada Inc. employs 158 people in its Mississauga, Ontario headquarters and four regional offices across Canada. Kia’s brand slogan -- "The Power to Surprise" -- represents the company's global commitment to surpassing customer expectations through continuous automotive innovation.

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Kia Motors ensures smooth transportation with fleet for UEFA EURO 2012™

 

• Over 350 passenger cars for officials, UEFA and EURO 2012 delegates and official visitors from all over the world
• Kia to introduce its eco-friendly Optima Hybrid for the first time in its football sponsorship activities
• Part of on-going tournament promotion in conjunction with EURO 2012

(SEOUL) May 17, 2012-- Kia Motors Corporation announced today that it will provide 359 passenger cars to ensure efficient and smooth transportation during UEFA EURO 2012™ in co-host countries, Poland and Ukraine, and to fulfill its requirement as a UEFA EUROTOP Partner and official automobile of UEFA EURO 2012™ (in conjunction with its sister company Hyundai Motor Company). Kia is supplying numerous design-acclaimed models as official tournament vehicles, such as the All-new cee’d, Rio and Sportage, which are among the top selling models in Europe. Kia will also add its D-segment sedans, Cadenza and Optima Hybrid, which have not yet been introduced to Europeans customers.
 
UEFA EURO 2012™ is scheduled to kick off on June 8^th in Warsaw, Poland with the champion to be crowned on July 1^st in Kiev, Ukraine. The matches will take place throughout eight cities in Poland (Warsaw, Wroclaw, Poznan, Gdansk) and Ukraine (Kiev, Donetsk, Kharkiv, Lviv). UEFA EURO 2012™ is considered the biggest and most prestigious event among Kia’s UEFA sponsored competitions.
 
 “With only five weeks to go before the tournament begins, the vehicle handover is an essential part of the preparation for UEFA EURO 2012,” said UEFA Marketing Director Guy-Laurent Epstein at the ceremony. “Recognized as a leading global maker of stylish, reliable and comfortable vehicles, Kia will provide EURO officials, VIPs and others with safe, convenient transportation.”
 
Benny Oeyen, Marketing Vice President of Kia Motors Europe, delightedly expressed, “Kia Motors is a proud supporter of football and we are excited to play an integral role in the successful coordination of EURO 2012. We believe that connecting with the world through its most watched sport will not only raise the profile of the Kia brand, but also demonstrate Kia’s unique identity and attributes.”
 
Furthermore, in order to ensure smooth operation, a ‘Kia Roadside Assistance Team’ will be available 24-hours a day from June 2^nd to July 4^th. The team will provide various emergency services to ensure the safety and convenience of drivers and passengers of official cars. During an emergency, drivers are instructed to call a phone number from a hotline sticker that will be placed in each official car for urgent and prompt assistance.
 
Kia Motors has taken an active role in supporting EURO 2012 from the initial stages of the tournament. For instance, the Kia Sportage, an award-winning SUV, was selected as an official ball carrier, promoting the tournament in Kiev, Ukraine and Warsaw, Poland, by carrying a larger than life mock-up of the EURO 2012 official ball, the Adidas ‘Tango 12’.
 
Along with the “Kia Official Match Ball Carrier” program, Kia has introduced several other activities for customers all around the world to increase their enjoyment of the tournament. The five-a-side “Champ into the Arena” invites amateur football talents from all over the world to compete against each other while providing the opportunity to witness an exciting UEFA EURO 2012™ semi-final match. In addition, both offline and online promotions such as “Kia EURO 2012 Road Shows,” which are occurring in cities throughout Europe, and the “Kia Dubstep Dance Contest,” which is hosted on Kia’s official Facebook page, have been building anticipation for EURO 2012.  
 
In addition to its close partnership with UEFA, Kia Motors is also a FIFA Partner, in conjunction with Hyundai Motor, and will sponsor the 2014, 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups. On a local level, Kia Motors has partnered withseveral premier professional European football clubs including FC Bordeaux of France and Moscow Spartak FC.

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Kia Canada Inc. (www.kia.ca – www.facebook.com/kiacanada) -- a maker of quality vehicles for the young-at-heart -- is a subsidiary of Kia Motors Corporation (KMC) in Korea was founded in 1999 and sells and services high quality class leading vehicles like the Soul, Forte, Optima and Sorento through a network of 174 dealers nationwide. Kia Canada Inc. employs 158 people in its Mississauga, Ontario headquarters and four regional offices across Canada. Kia’s brand slogan -- "The Power to Surprise" -- represents the company's global commitment to surpassing customer expectations through continuous automotive innovation.