Kia's all-new flagship sedan, the 2013 Kia K9 is officially going on sale today in South Korea. Kia's new rear-wheel-drive sedan shares its platform with the Hyundai Equus and was designed by former Audi designer Peter Schreyer.
2013 Kia K9
The 2013 Kia K9 is being offered with a choice of two V6 engines, even though the Hyundai Equus is offered with a V8. The base 3.8L V6 packs 286 horsepower, while the top V6 engine will pack 330 horsepower. Both V6 engines will be mated to Kia's new eight-speed automatic transmission. The K9 has four driving modes (Eco, Normal, Sport and Snow), which change the suspension, steering, engine and transmission settings based on road conditions or driving styles.
2013 Kia K9
The K9 is being launched first in South Korea, but Kia will launch the K9 in other key markets by the end of the year.
2013 Kia K9
"K9 is all about elegant simplicity, balanced proportions and simple surfaces," said 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."
2013 Kia K9
The K9 will be offered with tech features like LED headlights, lane departure and blind spot warning systems and an Around-View Monitor with four cameras.
2013 Kia K9
2013 Kia K9
Currently the Hyundai Equus starts at just under $60k, so expect Kia's new rear-wheel-drive sedan to start below that when it arrives in the U.S.
Articles Source : kia world