Kia introduces all new K7

Kia Motors’ latest version of its flagship K7 sedan / Courtesy of Kia Motors

By Park Jin-hai

HWASEONG ― Kia Motors showcased the latest version of its flagship K7 sedan for the media Monday, prior to its late January launch.

With the fully changed second-generation K7 sedan, Kia Motors wants to add it to the league of global luxury cars.

“The K7 is our passion for our next-generation premium car,” said Jung Rag, Hyundai executive vice president in charge of general product management, during the media event at Namyang R&D Center in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province. “To cater to the high expectations of our customers, we focused on every detail to make this car premium per se.”

The all-new K7 team designed the motor to run like “soft charisma.” The car has great fuel efficiency and driving performance, thanks to the eight-speed automatic transmission Kia Motors developed with its own technology.

It is the first locally produced car with an eight-speed front wheel drive transmission.

Kia, which has been using Bosch and Delphi products in its drive trains, spent nearly three years developing the new transmission.

Kia became the third carmaker in the world to develop such a transmission following carmakers in Japan and Germany, according to the carmaker.

“The new eight speed transmission can deliver power more efficiently, contributing to better fuel efficiency. Compared with a six-speed automatic transmission, the new K7 has 7.3 percent higher mileage for the gasoline model and 6.3 percent higher mileage for the diesel powered car,” said a Kia Motors official.

Going forward, Kia Motors plans to put the transmission in other premium sedans and SUVs.

The K7 comes with four different power trains, including the 2.4-liter and 3.3-liter gasoline models and the 2.2-liter diesel models. It also plans to launch the hybrid model during the second half of the year.

The 3.3-liter gasoline powered model can deliver 290 horsepower and mileage of 10 kilometers per liter (kmpl), whiled the diesel powered models can produce 202 horsepower with 14.3 kmpl.

In terms of the exterior, the biggest difference from the previous version is the large intaglio tiger front grill. Together with the Z shaped headlamps and break lamps, it adds up to a more charismatic look for the sedan.

The all- new K7 is slightly wider and lower than the previous models and provides more space to the passengers as well as having a sportier image.

The car is also equipped with the Krell, a high-end home audio system manufactured in the U.S., for the first time in a domestic car.

Kia Motors used more advanced high strength steel, aiming at improving the strength of the vehicle without increasing its weight.

Other safety features include smart blind-spot detection, autonomous emergency braking and advanced smart cruise-control that will help drivers avoid accidents.

The price of the K7 ranges from 30.80 million won to 39.40 million won depending on power train and options.

Kia Motors will begin receiving orders on Tuesday.