NEWS
BEIJING MOTOR SHOW: Kia K4 concept
New mid-sized sedan to slot in between Cerato and Optima, but not for OzKia revealed the K4 concept car at the 2014 Beijing motor show, an almost production-ready preview of its new mid-sized sedan.
The K4 has been “developed especially with Chinese consumers in mind” and will be pitched at the middle-class Chinese family car buyers. It shows off an uncomplicated exterior design that adheres to Kia’s current design philosophy and is claimed to deliver class-leading interior space.
Drawcard features include a push-button engine starter and what Kia dubs its ‘Supervision’ instrument cluster and UVO infotainment system.
Slotting in between the Kia K3 (similar to Cerato) and K5 (Optima), the new K4 will reach production later in 2014, and the concept version is powered by the Hyundai/Kia group’s 1.6-litre GDI turbo-petrol engine paired to a seven-speed DCT, or dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Unlike the K5, which also badged as an Optima, the K4 is unlikely to be sold in Australia.
“Kia has previously made China-only vehicles, and to my knowledge the K4 won’t be offered in markets outside of China,” said Kia Australia’s national public relations manager, Kevin Hepworth.
Measuring 4.72 metres long and sitting on a wheel base 2.7 metres long, the new model is slightly shorter than the Hyundai i40 sedan.
It boasts a safety suite of six airbags, stability control and a reversing camera, which along with other “active and passive safety systems” should be enough to ensure K4 sedan is awarded a five-star C-NCAP safety rating, says the company.
"From its earliest development stage, the K4 concept was designed specifically to satisfy Chinese consumers' needs and preferences,” said Soon-Nam Lee, vice president of Kia's overseas marketing group.
"Now, we are confident that the production version of the mid-size K4 family sedan will set a whole new standard for its class in China when it is launched later this year," he said.
Kia will build the new front-wheel drive sedan in China at the Kia/Dongfeng-Yueda facility in the Jiansu province.
Images: XcarChina
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