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Kia K9

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Now we have official pictures.

And I think it does look really good.
Especially when compared to the sea of boring German designs out there.
And much better than the large Hyundai models like the Genesis or Equus.

So far, the K9 will be available in Korea with 2 different engines, both V6.

But it is coming to the US. Maybe with a V8 option. And with a new name.

Not sure if Kia has the image to see this on the US or Europe. My guess is that it would start at around $40 000. Being sized right in between the Genesis and the Equus.
It sure does look the part….

Conversation 33 comments

  1. Doesn't look very original: front and back is very similar to BMW and overall shape is like a copy of the Jaguar XF (and Buick Lacrosse).

  3. looks like a 7 series bmw or the 2013 6 series 4 door coupe. either kia is looking to step their game up or bmw need some new designers.

  4. Hyundai needs to start a separate luxury brand like Toyota did with Lexus. Releasing all these cars under the Hyundai/Lia names is only going to hurt sales in the long run.

  5. The styling is nowhere near as original as the Optima's, which is a shame.

    We have a BMW-esque nose, Maserati side vents and rear lights, and a centre section that is very very Lexus.

    I'm sure it'll be a reasonably good car and sell quite well, but it seems like a wasted opportunity.

  6. When your biggest part seller is KDM Genesis badges and emblems to replace the Hyundai badges on your American coupe and Sedan, that kind of tells you something.

  7. Seriously? No one thinks this is a complete knockoff 7 Series? Are you kidding me?

    Seriously, Kia and Hyundai have no shame.

  9. Even though the exterior looks somewhat generic, it's still handsome. Problem is they forgot to design the interior – I'm not sure it even stands up to the Optima.

  10. Got to agree with everyone here. Really looks like BMW and other luxury brands pieced together. And one thing nobody talks about is how Kia's and Hyundai's suspensions are too soft or too hard. Little about these cars have sophisticated handling. And I think Kia is going to have to address that to be taken seriously.

  11. a dog by any other name……really my dear simple common folk dreamers, here is the truth. No one will spend real world $$$ on a big Kia, no matter how it performs, looks or otherwise. Reason, People with money crave stature and want to outdo their friends. You see kids, Prada, Gucci, Armani, Louis Vuitton do not go hand in hand with KIA. Now, Infiniti and Mercedes do. This is what it all boils down to. There are no focus groups or any research required, just ask. In fact, Kia will not listen because like their parent company Hyundai, they are feeding their own egos. They will fail as the VW Phaeton failed for the same reasons.

  12. Kinda looks like a Chinese mashup of a Lexus GS and BMW 7. The shifter looks exactly like BMW's as well.

  13. "How can we avoid idiotic comments about copying? perhaps by informing them that the chief designer of Kia is German and used to work for Audi. Hmmm…could he be bringing to Kia his own design elements? And by the way, you have heard that Huyndai hired away the US design head of BMW."

    Everyone knows that. What you clearly don't understand, supergenius, that just because Kia/Hyundai hires employees from Audi/BMW or whoever, that it doesn't mean they're not copying. In fact, that's how good copies are generally done… by using many of the same resources as the authentic brand.

  15. I don´t see a real design effort here, mmmmm, let´s see… just mix the Buick LaCrosse with the BMW 6 series grand coupe and you get this Kia car!!!!… Easy to do in AutoCAD or whichever CAD software you like to work with!!!, Regards!!!

  16. Peter Schreyer's done a great job of improving Kia styling.

    Look at the Optima, or the Cerato Koup – they're fresh, modern and don't look like a clone of any other car.

    This Kia is aimed at a more conservative (and affluent) buyer, but that's no excuse for pilfering specific design elements from other vehicles.

    As the company's range-topper, it should be a unique expression of Kia's design ethos. That's why it's a wasted opportunity, and a disappointment.

  17. It's light-years better than the Kia Amanti! Cut them some slack.. No car company has ever come so far so fast.

  18. car is ugly, car is ugly, kia is not known for quality, genesis does not sell at all, they are dogs and the dealer in my town has had the same one in stock for 3 months. They are offering 3000 off and no bites. The guy above talking about it not selling is accurate and dead on. The people with money buy cars of distinction, not kias. I know that kia and hyundai are the same comapny and they are both the same prices as japanese names like Hinda and Nissan wtf, really???, wake up people. Speed has nothing to do with admiration, most companies that grow extremely fast , fall just as fast. bye bye kia.

  22. I was wondering on the size of this thing, so it's right between the Genesis and Equus. I'd say that was a smart move actually.

  23. "car is ugly, car is ugly,…"

    Are you a redneck living in a town of 19 residents, with no passport and ambition to get out of your county(I said county, not country)?

  25. "That's what people said about Hyundai Genesis and Equus before they flew off the showroom floor like a hotcake. You should check the latest sales figures for both Genesis and Equus before you open your mouth."

    Why don't you tell us what the sales figures are? I've seen maybe a dozen Genesis sedans and only one Equus. In spite of the hype, these cars are not selling well. There's just no way.

  26. "Here is one of the sources for those incapable of finding out sales figures for the Genesis. It is selling in the mid 30k units per yer. "

    Genesis sales are comparable to the outdated Avalon, whose sales have slowed to a complete crawl. The Equus sold 351 cars last month. In spite of what you say, neither the Genesis nor the the Equus are selling well.

  27. Looks like a BMW and Buick had a kid.

    Yes, they copy everything. North American engineering center is take apart automobile, send measurements back to South Korea. Good thing we are getting free trade with them. Cant wait!

  29. I just upgraded from my BMW 750i for the 2015 K900, I love it because it has more extras than the 750i. I was going to originally trade to a Mercedes Benz but decided to drive a few blocks to KIA, I was thinking "hmm, 10 years, 100k Mile warrantee" that made sense to me and this car was half the price, than MB. Love, Love, Love the surround cameras that give you a birds eye view of your entire surroundings. I love the Heads-up Display, the soft close doors, and all the other extras it came with that my BMW did not have. Its not as heavy as the BMW, nor quite the power but its a luxury, and I have a Cadillac CTS V, which goes faster than any street car i know of. My K9 does have the get-up-and-go power to pass someone on the freeway and thats all the power i need. the only thing i miss about the BMW is the way the doors stayed open on a angle/hill and not slamming shut on you as you step out. and of course the payment. I'm paying less on my monthly car note for this K9 and donating the remainder to a worthy charity. Now that makes sense to me. BTW, The Millers are first in the nation to buy this Kia K900…at North County Kia in Excondido, CA….Thanks Guys!!!!

  30. That's what people said about Hyundai Genesis and Equus before they flew off the showroom floor like a hotcake. You should check the latest sales figures for both Genesis and Equus before you open your mouth.

  32. How can we avoid idiotic comments about copying? perhaps by informing them that the chief designer of Kia is German and used to work for Audi. Hmmm…could he be bringing to Kia his own design elements? And by the way, you have heard that Huyndai hired away the US design head of BMW. So, get used to it bozos, the Koreans know what it takes to design attractive cars. they hire competent designers.
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Schreyer

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