Falc'man
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2015 Kia K900 debuts as brand's RWD flagship model
Posted Nov 20th 2013 4:05PM
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.
http://www.autoblog.com/2013/11/20/2015-kia-k900-la-2013/
Posted Nov 20th 2013 4:05PM
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.
http://www.autoblog.com/2013/11/20/2015-kia-k900-la-2013/
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