[supra93]

https://www.carscoops.com/2021/02/ki...he-k7-cadenza/

[AlexFL]

Damn. It’s gorgeous. Kia keeps getting better and better. Looks like a French car.

[freakystyly]

No joke, quote from the article: Elsewhere, the Kia K8 features a dynamic character line said to take inspiration from “yachts sailing across calm waters.”

The Koreans are getting miles better each generation at least, I hope they keep it up.

IMO, they should have topped out the sedan lineup at the Stinger.

[kyriian]

Originally Posted by freakystyly

No joke, quote from the article: Elsewhere, the Kia K8 features a dynamic character line said to take inspiration from “yachts sailing across calm waters.”

The Koreans are getting miles better each generation at least, I hope they keep it up.

IMO, they should have topped out the sedan lineup at the Stinger.

Think the Stinger is more the sporty side, whereas this is more of a ultraluxo boat

2 different markets

[stein_325i]

Looks good, although not a fan of the front end. Judging by the rear this looks to be Peter Schreyer's work. Looks like it could be one of those DS luxury cars in France.

[Run Silent]

I don't understand this trend of ENORMOUS rear overhangs all of a sudden. The Honda Pilot and Honda Accord are the worst offenders, but this Kia is now in the running as well.

I feel like if you loaded a bunch of suitcases in the trunk, the front wheels would come off the ground.

[supra93]

https://www.carscoops.com/2021/02/so...-k8-stateside/

Kia finally previewed the new K8 full-size sedan this week, but for prospective American customers, we’ve got some bad news: it’s not coming to the U.S.

That’s according to a Kia spokesperson, who told CarScoops that Kia Motors America currently has no plans to offer the K8. There is a glimmer of hope, as he added that the brand is constantly reassessing. For now, though, it’s a no go.

The K8 is designed to replace the K7 or, as it’s known in the US, the Cadenza. Kia said last month that it was discontinuing the Cadenza for the U.S. market; citing slow sedan sales, the automaker stated that it was focusing on crossovers.

Kia has yet to fully unveil the K8, having only released pictures of the exterior. Information about the interior, the drivetrain, and the technology have not yet been shared officially, though the company did explain its vision for the design.

“This modern sedan has been designed with innovation and elegance at its very core,” said Karim Habib, senior vice president and head of Kia Global Design Center on Tuesday. “While paying homage to the K7, the K8 looks to the future. Its progressive exterior takes on character and emotion, and combines those qualities with an expressive looking front and a dynamic swooping rear, giving the K8 a high-quality, premium presence that takes direct inspiration from some of the world’s most technically advanced yachts.”

The new K8 is also the first vehicle we have seen with the new Kia logo that was unveiled earlier this year. The car is set to launch in South Korea later this year and Kia has yet to specify which other markets might get it.

[stein_325i]

Interior looks very interesting.

[RM7]

Originally Posted by Run Silent

I don't understand this trend of ENORMOUS rear overhangs all of a sudden. The Honda Pilot and Honda Accord are the worst offenders, but this Kia is now in the running as well.

I feel like if you loaded a bunch of suitcases in the trunk, the front wheels would come off the ground.

Probably to have any semblance of a trunk when you have such a long and broad hood. Instead of "cab forward", the designs over the last few years have been "cab rearward", so you need more space back out there for the seats and trunks. It makes the car look more stylish and coupe-ish, but this is one of the effects IMO.

[stein_325i]

Kia K8 Cabin Revealed With Big Screens And Swanky Style

[Burrcold]

Not my cup of tea, but damn KIA knows how to do luxury, while not being luxury.

[supra93]

https://www.carscoops.com/2021/03/ne...nd-offers-awd/

Kia showed us what the K8 would look like in February but has only now officially revealed what it’s putting under the hood.

The Cadenza/K7 successor that will not be sold in North America or Europe will be powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine making 295 hp (300PS) in top spec. Naturally, it will be only one of a number of engine options and will be joined by a 2.5-liter inline-four making 195 hp. The K8 will also get a 3.5-liter LPI (Liquid Propane Injection) engine that makes 236 hp (240PS). Later in the year, Kia will introduce a base 1.6-liter turbocharged four.

Power will be routed via an 8-speed automatic transmission that Kia says improves the V6 engines’ fuel economy by up to 6%. Unlike other premium sedans that sometimes go the double-clutch route for performance, Kia is doubling up on torque converters. That, says the company, makes acceleration smoother and reduces “shift shock,” making for a nicer ride. It’s also partially responsible for those efficiency gains.

Available AWD for V6 model

One of the biggest advantages of the new car over its predecessors will be the addition of driven wheels. Exclusively available for the 295hp 3.5L V6 gasoline model, will be a front-wheel-based AWD system. As standard, it will be front-wheel-drive, though.

The K8 will also be available with electronic suspension adjustments to make it more comfortable or more sporty depending on your mood. But the focus seems to be on comfort.

To make it quieter, Kia has increased the gear ratio, added sound deadening, and has added a third layer of sealing material between the door and the body to really make the interior vault-like.

To really keep you comfortable the interior of the K8 will even come with a “Comfort Stretch mode.” This uses airbags within the seat to give you a “stretch.” It’s a bit of a gimmick, but it’s a fun one. And it’s offered in addition to heated and ventilated seat functions.

It will also come with an air filter that actually monitors air quality in the car. The system also helps keep the HVAC system cleaner, meaning the car will smell better for longer.

As for tech, the K8 gets a 12.3-inch infotainment screen and a 12.3-inch instrument screen. It even gets a 12-inch heads up display that can project information about speed, driver-assistance systems, and traffic signs on the windshield.

You’ll be able to control many of the cabin’s controls with voice commands. If you’re a bigger fan of listening than speaking, you’ll be treated to a 14-speaker sound system from Meridian.

And no premium sedan would be complete without some advanced driver aids. These include highway driving assistance, forward collision avoidance, smart cruise control, and remote parking assistance. These will help steer the K8 and maintain a distance from surrounding cars in many cases.

The Kia is accepting pre-orders in Korea as of today. As we reported when it launched, the K8 will not be sold in the North American market.

[stein_325i]

Looks good besides the horrid front end.

[DieselDiner]

Originally Posted by Run Silent

I don't understand this trend of ENORMOUS rear overhangs all of a sudden. The Honda Pilot and Honda Accord are the worst offenders, but this Kia is now in the running as well.

I feel like if you loaded a bunch of suitcases in the trunk, the front wheels would come off the ground.

It's a 3 box sedan, what were you expecting?

[..Rush..]

Not bad!

[Run Silent]

Originally Posted by DieselDiner

It's a 3 box sedan, what were you expecting?

Well - I would expect it to have modern approach angles and not have overhangs like a K-car from the early 1980's. See below. Top design is what a car should look like, bottom one is what this darn thing looks like, along with the new Accord.