| Kia KV7 |
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The KV7 concept's design stands in sharp contrast to the
dramatically raked windshields and wedge-shaped noses found throughout the van segment, and
builds on the philosophy of "embracing the box" established by Kia's funky Soul urban passenger
vehicle to create a unique and alluring design language that brings SUV-like qualities to the
segment.
"From the outset, we felt the category was in need of an honest reassessment due to
the fact that everyone seems so desperate to attach the word 'sporty' to their minivan, even
though vans, at their very core are simply a box," said Tom Kearns, chief designer, Kia Motors
America. "Rather than reject the box we chose to celebrate it, just like we did with the Soul,
and the result is a straightforward yet sophisticated vehicle that retains the functionality vans
are known for and meets the changing and diverse needs of today's consumers."
The KV7 concept's most striking feature is its passenger-side gullwing door, which
creates a massive point-of-entry to the lounge-like interior when opened in conjunction with the
pillar-less front passenger door.
The KV7 concept's inviting face is highlighted by an interpretation of Kia's
signature bold tabbed grille with vertical LED headlamps integrated within the design to create a
clean, smooth look. The KV7 features several LED lighting elements that Kia's design team is
evaluating for future production vehicles, including a continuous line of LED fog lights that
span the entire front end of the vehicle and directional turn indicators on the outside mirrors
and the rear of the vehicle that pulse in the direction being signaled.
The KV7 concept's distinctive windshield follows the unique designs found on the new
Sportage CUV and Optima midsize sedan, and a series of near-continuous windows starting at the
A-pillar provide uninterrupted views of a day at the beach or a night out on the town. And
despite its non-traditional look, the KV7's length (191.85 in.), width (80.0 in.) and wheelbase
(122.0 in.) are consistent with the van segment and allow flexible seating configurations and a
multitude of storage options.
In the process of rethinking what a van's exterior appearance and image could be,
Kia's Southern California design team also envisioned an interior to meet the needs of an
entirely new group of consumers – a group of people referred to as "Ringleaders." Rather
than using a van to transport children and their accompaniments, Ringleaders are busy organizing
road trips, social outings and new adventures for themselves and their friends to experience
together. As such, the KV7 concept's interior employs four custom-built swiveling seats,
including the driver's seat, and a rear-corner mini-lounge with seating for three and integrated
storage compartments to promote interaction in an open social environment.
When the KV7 concept's push button start is engaged, the entire front dash moves more
than six inches toward the driver, bringing all controls within easy reach, including the large
multi-use display which integrates infotainment, climate and navigation systems in one simple-
to-use interface controlled by a trackball mouse mounted in the dash. Rear passengers have their
own, separate interface in the form of a floating tabletop touch-screen computer display. The KV7
is Wi-Fi enabled, providing both the front and rear displays with Internet capabilities and the
ability for multiple passengers to connect their smart phones to the vehicle at one time and sign
on to social networking sites.
The final element that separates the KV7 concept from the rest of the minivan crowd
can be found under the hood – the concept is powered by Kia's new Theta II 2.0-liter GDI
turbocharged engine, which is capable of delivering up to 285 horsepower, and is mated to a six-
speed automatic transmission to deliver V6-type power and performance while achieving better than
30 miles per gallon on the highway.
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| Kia Kee |
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
toward 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 toward 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.
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| Kia Kue |
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The Kia Kue employs a different approach to the crossover
utility vehicle segment by taking elements of what makes a CUV to a new level, namely
performance. Kue is designed first and foremost as a driver’s vehicle. While possessing SUV
characteristics and capabilities, the Kia Kue focuses more on giving the driver an exhilarating
driving experience on the way to the home improvement center than on how much it can
haul.
The Kia Kue has a monocoque platform that sits on 22-inch tires with a wheelbase of more than 114
inches, packaged in an overall length of 186 inches. Though purely a concept, the Kia Kue does,
however, hint at future styling directions for Kia Motors.
‘Good design shouldn’t look like you are trying too hard,’ said Tom Kearns, KMA chief designer.
‘The future Kia direction will incorporate the ‘less is more’ philosophy but still include a
heavy dose of boldness to be distinct.’
With its four wheels pushed to the corners and exterior skin tautly stretched over its
underpinnings, the Kue sits powerful and poised. Draped muscular wheel flares play a nice
contrast to crisp beveled sections found elsewhere on the body. Swept back headlights connect to
the front grille to create a clean, aggressive down-road appearance. The side window shape flows
effortlessly into the rear backlight where two centerline hinging doors open to access rear
storage. A single side door that incorporates a negative skive shape opens scissor style for easy
ingress and egress.
On the inside Kue continues the clean, athletic theme with bold understated simplicity. With a
four-passenger seating arrangement and custom-built bucket seats, Kue is a vehicle both driver
and passengers can enjoy. A technology-driven interface designed to adjust to driver and
passenger preference is the focus of the interior functionality. Touch pad and motion-sensing
controls are used to adjust things like audio and climate, and the entire system is programmable
so that one surface may activate the stereo for one driver and temperature for another. Rear
passengers have their own, separate interface.
The generation-next functionality of the interior is complemented by the use of sophisticated
seat and surface materials and a modern color palette. Carefully selected materials and textures
are vital components to the interior design of Kue, and they create an upscale feel that is both
modern and inviting. A mid dark interior theme with highlights was chosen in place of the typical
light interior common to many concept cars. Overall, the Kue interior presents a new perspective
of upscale function with an emphasis on comfortable, user-friendly interaction.
Just as inviting is Kue’s appeal to be driven in a sporty fashion. Fitted with a 400-horsepower,
DOHC, supercharged 4.6-liter V8 that twists out 400 lb-ft of torque, Kue is a true performance
vehicle. Helping the driver harness all that power is a full-time all wheel drive system yielding
predictable driving characteristics both on- and off-road.
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| Kia Ray |
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As the world looks for more efficient vehicle designs that
combine sophisticated and sleek lines with functionality and fuel economy, the Kia Ray concept is
a bold new collaboration between design and engineering and inventively showcases a futuristic
four-seat compact sedan based on the Kia Forte platform and demonstrates a prospective plug-in
hybrid vehicle configuration from Kia. Designed with lightweight and recycled materials, as well
as hexagonal roof-top solar cells embedded in the glass roof panel that power extra lighting or
climate control systems, the Kia Ray is the fifth vehicle from the Irvine Calif.-based Kia Design
Center America (KDCA) to be revealed in the last year. The latest design from KDCA follows
award-winning Kia vehicles Soul, Forte, Forte Koup and the all-new 2011 Sorento CUV.
"It is important to imagine what people will want in the future from a green perspective early in
the design process, because people want to reduce their carbon footprint without driving carbon
copies," said Peter Schreyer, chief design officer, Kia Motors Corporation. "Being green doesn’t
have to be an obvious statement anymore and the Kia Ray exemplifies a viable blend of modern,
eco-minded features for today’s environmentally conscious consumers."
The stylish, aerodynamic Ray combines design and engineering for maximum efficiency,
incorporating clean, flush surfaces minimizing any unneeded edges, a flowing profile and
pronounced rear shoulder ending in a slightly high deck lid for reduced drag, touch-screen
controls, drive-by-wire steering, "cool-glazing" solar glass and a lithium-polymer battery - all
possible indicators of future technology from Kia. As a plug-in hybrid, Ray is designed to reach
driving distances of more than 50 miles using its electric motor on a single charge, and has a
fuel economy rating of more than 202 miles per gallon, and has a total range of 746
miles.
As part of Kia Motors’ EcoDynamics sub-brand, the Ray concept demonstrates a unique vision for
eye-catching vehicles with the goal of reducing environmental footprints. Kia models will carry
the EcoDynamics badge as they are progressively introduced, and are designed to deliver
significant environmental benefits, these vehicles also will retain a sporty design, fun-to-drive
performance and a strong appeal for the young-at-heart.
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| Kia Soul'ster |
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“Soul’ster delivers something new, intriguing and relevant
to today’s buyers – a fun, affordable convertible for active people who like to share good times
with friends,” said Tom Kearns, chief designer, KMA. “Defying categorization and providing
utility and practicality, the Soul’ster exhibits distinctive design cues and satisfies multiple
consumer needs.”
A two-door concept with roadster roots, the brightly colored Soul’r yellow Soul’ster projects a
hip industrial look with screw borders, reminiscent of a rivet design found on a fighter
jet.
The windshield is shortened for a sportier and hunkered down appearance. A two-piece top enables
passengers to expose the front and back seating areas independently, using elbow-grease
technology. The roll bar serves a dual purpose and includes a place for the slider tracks, while
providing protection not found in traditional convertibles.
With a unique face, Soul’ster has a tough but refined character. The toughness is expressed
through details like the anodized skid-pad insert, which matches the fender vents, roll bar
header and wheels.
The energetic, distinctive look carries from front to rear with dual chrome exhaust and polished
aluminum exhaust tips featuring carbon-fiber interior sleeves. The large 19-inch, five-spoke
aluminum alloy wheels perfect the Soul’ster’s appearance. Regardless of Soul’ster being viewed
from front, back or side, it offers innovative perspectives derived from the original Soul.
Once inside, Soul’ster takes even more progressive variations from Soul beginning with the new
four-passenger seating design, a diversion from Soul’s five-passenger arrangement, lending
spacious versatility for long summer weekends. The surprisingly flexible Soul’ster provides real
seating for two in the front with comfortable seating for two more adults in the back.
Adding to the edgy design scheme, the non-floor-mounted cantilevered seats project the illusion
of being suspended in space when viewed from the side allowing for increased rear legroom.
Storage compartments below each of the fold-flat rear seats, offer room for myriad cargo needs.
In addition to the spacious cargo area, dual storage compartments also can be found in the rear
and underneath the cargo hold area.
With young buyers in mind, Soul’ster offers an agile, smooth and spirited ride. As with its Soul
cousin, Soul’ster’s can be made available with a myriad of engine choices depending upon each
market’s needs. A 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine is mated to a five-speed manual transmission,
which produces approximately 120 horsepower.
For those looking for a little more power, a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is available with
either the five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission, producing approximately 140
horsepower. Fuel economy for both engines is estimated at 30 or more miles per gallon. Other
markets might choose the 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine producing 124 horsepower or a 1.6-liter
turbodiesel.
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