KIA Builds a RWD V8 Sedan

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South Korean brand is developing a new big sedan that could take on the Commodore, writes Bruce Newton. DRIVE.

South Korean brand Kia is heading into Commodore territory with a new big sedan.

Large V8 rear-wheel drive saloons debuting at Europe's major motor shows aren't that unusual, but September's Frankfurt show could see evolving Korean budget brand Kia showing off its first ever rear-driver - muscling in on Benz and BMW's homeground.

Referred to in the press as the K9 - a name (canine - gettit?) that certainly won't make it into production- the biggest, boldest Kia yet has been styled under the direction of former Audi/VW designer Peter Schreyer.

The prospect of the German - who left the VW Group after a fall-out with his then boss Murat Gunak - coming back to home territory to debut a very Germanic car from a very un-Germanic brand is delicious.

While Schreyer would not talk directly about the K9 when recently questioned by Drive, his enthusiasm for such a project was obvious.

"I think when you can work with the rear-wheel drive proportion it is always good for the designer," he said. "For a big sedan it is the better proportion; fantastic proportion of course."

Asked if the K9 represented the next step in Kia's design language he said: "Always we try to do that ... but I cannot talk about things that are probably in development."

Schreyer, who cites the original BMW 5-Series sedan as a styling inspiration, was responsible for the first-generation Audi A6, which is regarded as one of the sleekest sedan shapes of all time (albeit front/all-wheel drive) . He is best known for styling the original TT and the VW New Beetle.

At Kia he has overhauled the company's line-up and image with a series of clean and attractive designs including the Sportage SUV and Optima sedan.

Of course the K9 might not be at Frankfurt, it could instead be at Detroit in January - another show where rear-wheel drive is a byword. Drive has heard rumours Kia could unveil its new sports car at Frankfurt, but wherever the K9 turns up it will be soon as open-road testing photography is starting to appear.

They show a car with both BMW 7-Series and Maserati Quattroporte design cues.

Under the skin is the second-generation Genesis architecture and V6 and V8 engines from Kia's parent Hyundai.

While the new Genesis is expected to be available in right-hand drive there is no suggestion the K9 is Australia-bound. A RWD V8 the size of the Holden Caprice is a pretty big stretch for a company that is best known for small cars and SUVs.

Nevertheless, Kia Motors Australia COO Tony Barlow wasn't ruling anything out completely.

"We have an interest in all new models under development. A rear-wheel-drive premium sedan could be seen as a logical step from the Optima to the next level of Kia development," he said.

"It is far too early at this stage to be any more precise about the car but we will definitely maintain a watching brief."

[Paxton]

Hyundai owns Kia. Huyndai have the Genesis and the Eqqus, both are RWD, and both have a V8.

Strangely enough, I keep hearing a persistent rumour about the Genesis, and Australia... But, it's not what you think...

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Paxton

Hyundai owns Kia. Huyndai have the Genesis and the Eqqus, both are RWD, and both have a V8.

Strangely enough, I keep hearing a persistent rumour about the Genesis, and Australia... But, it's not what you think...

Hopefully that rumour comes true, Kia/Hyundai could stick it up Ford/Holden if they bring over their Genesis platform, especially with their V8 and high powered V6.

[Poetic Justice]

Genesis coupe?

[V8 6I]

Sounds like a dog of a car.

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

Hopefully that rumour comes true, Kia/Hyundai could stick it up Ford/Holden if they bring over their Genesis platform, especially with their V8 and high powered V6.

ORLY...so its better than a DOHC I6T or a Miami...or a Coyote NA, EcoBoost V6...or a BOSS302R? (granted the latter are not here yet).

These talks have been going on for a while, so I guess its a matter of time perhaps.

[2011G6E]

Could be interesting!

...and they still wouldn't be allowed to inject some variety into the endless procession of "Commodore/Falcon/Commodore/Falcon/Commodore/Falcon/oh look it's another Commodore" that is the "spectacle" of V8 Supercars...

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Polyal

ORLY...so its better than a DOHC I6T or a Miami...or a Coyote NA, EcoBoost V6...or a BOSS302R? (granted the latter are not here yet).

These talks have been going on for a while, so I guess its a matter of time perhaps.

Well their 5L V8 does 320KW and 510NM naturally aspirated on premium unleaded, so yes.

Hyundai vehicles also tend to cost a lot less than the FPV and HSV as well.

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

Well their 5L V8 does 320KW and 510NM naturally aspirated on premium unleaded, so yes.

Hyundai vehicles also tend to cost a lot less than the FPV and HSV as well.

Link for power, car and price?

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Polyal

Link for power, car and price?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyundai_Tau_engine

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyundai...ond_generation



I could see that sitting in my driveway.

Also their 3.8L V6 in the Genesis does 245 kW, and 395 Nm.

[NC1183]

And Ford want to get ride of the Falcon in Australia as a rear-wheel drive vehicle

[anto]

another stick it to ford comment. thats all i ever seem to read on this forum these days

and that car btw looks craptacular but what would you expect from a Kia/Hyundai.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by anto

another stick it to ford comment. thats all i ever seem to read on this forum these days

and that car btw looks craptacular but what would you expect from a Kia/Hyundai.

Kia/Hyundai are coming up in the world, I'd sooner own a south korean built vehicle by Hyundai/Kia than an Aussie produced Falcon/Commodore, I deal with the current model Territory at work, thats enough for me.

[mcnamg]

The Equus is quite clearly styled in a the Vein of Mercs and Lexus who they aspire to beat eventually.

[Yellow_Festiva]

That does look nice.

Kia has been selling a large sedan for years, the Opirus, although it was FWD and if memory serves based on Mitsubishi running gear.

They (Hyundai / Kia) have been leading the sales race for a few years now in a few categories and perhaps have a nice sum of cash to play with...

The Genesis is a gem of a car... Perhaps they are seeing how the Optima sells before investing in a $40,000+ large car. If this shares the platform with the Genesis it will be a good contender with our local large sedans.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

That does look nice.

Kia has been selling a large sedan for years, the Opirus, although it was FWD and if memory serves based on Mitsubishi running gear.

They (Hyundai / Kia) have been leading the sales race for a few years now in a few categories and perhaps have a nice sum of cash to play with...

The Genesis is a gem of a car... Perhaps they are seeing how the Optima sells before investing in a $40,000+ large car. If this shares the platform with the Genesis it will be a good contender with our local large sedans.

Optima is an AWESOME car, but unfortunately for this year they only allocated 1100 for Australia...

[kinksta]

Wow, this can only be a good thing. Love that Equus!!

[Ben73]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyundai_Tau_engine

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyundai...ond_generation



I could see that sitting in my driveway.

Also their 3.8L V6 in the Genesis does 245 kW, and 395 Nm.

That looks great.
I wouldn't be complaining if i owned a V8 one.
Are these coming to Australia, and how much would they be worth.

[Franco Cozzo]

I don't think the current generation Genesis/Equus cars are coming to Australia, Hyundai mentioned something a while back about not tooling up to sell them in a new market half way through the current generation.

Maybe for next generation, start emailing them

[rancidpunx]

Thats hideous.

[nstg8a]

that has to be the worlds biggest b pillar...

[Ben73]

I just found out it's a limo. Only has 4 seats.
Much better if the B pillar was slightly smaller and it had 5 seats.

[Falcman0o7]

One word....Disgusting.

[Yellow_Festiva]

Originally Posted by nstg8a

that has to be the worlds biggest b pillar...

Thats the stretch version.

[tezxr8man]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyundai_Tau_engine

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyundai...ond_generation



I could see that sitting in my driveway.

Also their 3.8L V6 in the Genesis does 245 kW, and 395 Nm.

Sorry but did you just say you wanted a Hyundai??????

[mik]

not a fan

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyundai_Tau_engine

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyundai...ond_generation



I could see that sitting in my driveway.

Also their 3.8L V6 in the Genesis does 245 kW, and 395 Nm.

Your money...

Here is a review and you just cant past the fact your paying that much for a Hyundai.

http://www.edmunds.com/hyundai/equus/2011/

Do they really think the numbers will flock to that car?

If your after a luxury car, no one, bar a tiny few, would look at this car. If your buying it for prestige who is going to agree with you?

On paper it works, in reality it doesnt.

+1 to butt ugly to top it off. Its as bad as the Ssangyong Chairman.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by tezxr8man

Sorry but did you just say you wanted a Hyundai??????

Yep, they're quite nice cars, especially the i45 and the Kia Optima/Sportage/Sorento.

If it was the same price over here, $58,000, that puts it into entry level FPV prices, fair for what you get.

What I don't understand is why people pay upwards of $50,000 for a Taxi branded with a "performance" logo complete with plastic dash, crappy "premium" stereo, some different seats and and a big engine.

The entire FPV lineup isn't anything special for the price you pay.

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

Yep, they're quite nice cars, especially the i45 and the Kia Optima/Sportage/Sorento.

If it was the same price over here, $58,000, that puts it into entry level FPV prices, fair for what you get.

What I don't understand is why people pay upwards of $50,000 for a Taxi branded with a "performance" logo complete with plastic dash, crappy "premium" stereo, some different seats and and a big engine.

The entire FPV lineup isn't anything special for the price you pay.

LOL ...wow

Let me see...a F6 or a wanna be Mercedes that looks like butt...hmm

[bobthebilda]

Originally Posted by Polyal

Your money...
Here is a review and you just cant past the fact your paying that much for a Hyundai.
http://www.edmunds.com/hyundai/equus/2011/
Do they really think the numbers will flock to that car?

.

A few years back, Holden started selling the statesman as a Daewoo Veritas in South Korea. The expected market at the time was around 5000 cars. Unfortunately, quite alot had to be sold way way way below cost.

Kia wouldnt be targetting Australia with this car, it would be targetting alot of the ultra rich in certain asian countries. The australian market would just be the cream on top. If you can sell an extra 50 to 100 cars a month into the australian market, its a bonus. Finding 50 to 100 buyers in an 80,000 a month market is not a hard sell.