New Kia Concept Debuts at North American International Auto Show
DETROIT, Jan. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- The all-new Kia Kee sports coupe
concept vehicle today made its U.S. debut at the North American
International Auto Show in Detroit. Previously introduced at the Frankfurt
International Motor Show in Germany, the Kee is an expression of the
company's emphasis on design and incorporates styling cues that will
establish a design language and identity for the brand.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to:
http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/kia/31391/
Designed in Europe under the guidance of Kia's Chief Design Officer,
Peter Schreyer, the sports coupe concept is named Kee for several reasons.
"Kee refers to the English word 'key' as the coupe embodies design elements
which will become essential to the future 'look' of Kia vehicles," explains
Schreyer. "The coupe also represents the 'key' which will open the door to
success for our brand and acknowledges the Chinese and Korean word 'Ki' --
the cultural concept for life-force or spiritual energy."
A New Design Philosophy
The four-seater, 2-door coupe Kee is designed with svelte,
newly-proportioned lines resulting from a slightly lengthened greenhouse.
It is a new interpretation of a 2+2 coupe with an imposing road presence
that demonstrates an uncluttered, pure and timeless execution which
represents a new design philosophy for Kia.
"More than any other car-buyer, the sports coupe enthusiast knows
instinctively when a car is right, when it is suited to its purpose,"
observes Schreyer. "Shape, proportion, stance and both tactile and
emotional aspects can all add up to a car that stirs the blood.
"The Kee is a combination of all of those elements. It is a harmonious
blend of everything that sets a sports coupe apart from a more functional
vehicle that is typically used for a wide range of activities. The sports
coupe is single minded. It is about driving, pure and simple. It is about
appearance, performance, emotion," explains Schreyer.
Much more than just a concept car, the new Kee is also the dawn of a
new design language for the Kia brand -- a language that is meant to speak
to motorists around the globe about Kia's intention to become a major
automotive nameplate.
Kee embodies Kia's desire to create a family of cars that will be
instantly recognizable on the road and will have a simple yet sophisticated
appeal in dealer showrooms. Whether wide-eyed admirers of this new
generation of vehicles are existing Kia customers -- wise to the quality,
safety and strong value of the brand -- or an entirely new audience, they
will immediately recognize a range of cars aimed at those who enjoy driving
and seek the perfect machinery to deliver that experience.
"Kee communicates a design language that will be seen on all future Kia
products," continued Schreyer. "That language is stated in certain elements
of the visual representation -- lines, shapes, details. It is meant to be
consistent and easy to understand; visually strong and purposeful but
capable of being transferred from this sports coupe concept to a city
runabout, a family sedan, a load-lugging MPV or a go-anywhere SUV.
"It was essential Kee should consist of a rhythm of lines --
controlled, clean, and pure. It had to have classic proportions and be well
balanced. This is the future for Kia design -- it displays purpose and
function while still delivering emotion," added Schreyer.
Strong and Distinctive Presence
Measuring 14 feet long, the Kia Kee is a new interpretation of a 2+2
coupe, featuring a broad stance and a low profile with unique exterior
elements such as a strong and powerful frontal design with distinctive
headlamps and an eye-catching LED cluster, as well as a dynamic profile
with striking greenhouse treatment. Kee keeps a simple yet distinctive
outline thanks to its long sweeping hood, slightly lengthened cabin,
sculpted flanks and strong, yet almost hidden, body lines.
Beneath the powerful and unique appearance are a host of fine details
all hinting at the car's true purpose to create a sophisticated design
entity. Whether it is the milled aluminum B-pillar visible through the
panoramic grey-tinted glass, the distinctively individual 20-inch wheels or
the small touches such as the electronic micro-switch door release set into
the side- window glass, it is clear that this car has been lovingly created
by people who care about design.
Sleek Yet Sporty Interior
Inside, Kee looks and feels like a true sports car in which the
observant driver will instantly feel comfortable and at ease. The cabin is
designed for maximum focus on driving. Clustered directly ahead of the
driver, the main dials and controls are simple and straightforward
utilizing Kia's new standard red-orange illumination.
Behind the square-bottomed steering wheel are paddles to shift the
six-speed semi-automatic sequential gearbox. Instead of a standard gear
stick, an ergonomically designed lever sits atop the milled aluminum center
console and requires only a nudge forward or backward to select the desired
drive mode. The top of the computer mouse-like lever flips up to reveal the
electronic starter button.
Emphasizing the theme of real-life functionality, the rear of the 2+2
cabin is sufficiently spacious to allow two adult passengers to travel on
individual seats in the back of the vehicle whenever necessary. While Kee
is not intended to be a regular four-seater, Kia knows that real people
have real needs and the Kee presents a viable packaging layout.
The design team has concentrated on producing a realistic sports coupe
-- not a flight of fancy; the brand has no intention of moving into the
exotic sports car territory that others so amply fill. Every element of the
Kia Kee design is clear, easy to understand and use. All the main controls
are fly-by wire, but their feel has been created to deliver a sense of
tradition. For example, the toggle switches mounted on the dashboard --
echoing the DNA of generations of sports cars -- let drivers navigate
intuitively through the interface menu of the info-media center.
New Generation Engine
After pressing the starter button the driver will immediately recognize
the throaty roar of a V6 engine. The next generation 2.7-liter MUE-II
engine produces 197 horsepower and delivers instant response, enormous
flexibility and scintillating performance on any road.
Light-weight aluminum or plastic panels and components were used
wherever possible in order to reduce engine weight and keep the emphasis on
rapid and controlled acceleration that ensures simple fun and driving
pleasure. The result is a low curb weight with excellent balance biased
towards the front of the front-wheel drive car to deliver neutrally safe
handling. Kee could also be built with rear wheel drive or even
all-wheel-drive for even more spirited driving.
Kee is the first step towards a new family look for Kia vehicles
underscored by a focus on distinctive design. Kee lays down very clear
indications of how Schreyer and his design team intend future Kia vehicles
to look and displays elements that its creators will transfer to future
production models.
Kia Motors America -- the sales, marketing and distribution arm of Kia
Motors Corporation in Seoul, South Korea -- offers a complete line of
vehicles through more than 640 dealers throughout the United States. In
2009, KMA's first U.S. plant in West Point, Ga. will begin production. For
more information visit http://www.kiamedia.com.
SOURCE Kia Motors America
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.kiamedia.com
CONTACT:
Alex Fedorak of Kia Motors America,
+1-949-468-4813, AFedorak@Kiausa.com
|
