Kia Motors on Wednesday unveiled its new K9 large sedan, which is packed with sophisticated technologies developed together with affiliate Hyundai Motor. Kia spent some 500 million dollars since 2008 on developing the most luxurious model in the K-series. At the launch in Seoul, Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group chairman Chung Mong-koo said all state-of-the-art technologies have been used in the development of the K9 for the safety and convenience of drivers. The K9 shares the same platform with Hyundai’s Equus but is 7 cm shorter to give a more dynamic impression.
The K9 Luxury Sedan features head-up displays that enable data to be displayed on the window in front of the driver’s seat, meaning the driver does not have to glance at the dashboard. It is also equipped with a radar-based blind-spot detection device and electronic shift lever. None of these features can be found even in the top-shelf Equus.
The K9 has the world’s first haptic remote control switch module on the steering wheel that allows drivers to control various functions with their fingertips. It comes in two versions with 3.3-liter and 3.8-liter engines, the same sizes as the Hyundai Genesis.
The high-tech K9 Luxury Sedan is company’s first car to have rear-wheel drive and self-adjusting LED headlamps that adapt to the car’s speed and steering.The new large sedan with a 3.3-liter horsepower engine is priced at W52.9-64.0 million, and the 3.8-liter model at W63.4-86.4 million. Exports will begin to Asia in the second half of this year, with other regions to follow. With the new premium sedan, Kia aims to compete with Mercedes-Benz and BMW in the global market.
Kia aims to compete with BMX in the global market????? Doesn’t that sound a little low esteemed?