Kia KIA K9 flagship comes into focus

[Shining Star]

I think it looks great; it's a clean, simple, and elegant design. Yes, there's a lot of BMW in the exterior, but like Martin said that doesn't stop it from being a good looking car.

 

[Human]

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Look, the Germans have grown accustomed to imitation and competition from lesser brands over the years - especially in the large, luxury segment. So they're pretty much used to it.

But those marketing guys at Lexus: they must've just shat their pants.

Yes, the KIA is a pastiche of styling cues from a myriad of other makes, still... doesn't stop it from being a decent looking car.

See the first photo Martin, I also saw Buick in it. And all the cars that follow.

 

[Kowalski]

It's only you. What's a Buick?

Some kind of bling Opel or Vauxhall aimed at "the thrusting young businessman", but mostly driven by the elderly.

 

[ateekt]

I see at least something from almost every car maker on this planet in there, but Kia. Oh wait, the emblem says its Kia.

They got balls to rip all those beauties & grind them into a crappy looking car. And I thought only Chinese knew how to copy'n'ruin a car!!

 

[Deleted member 25]

I think they are doing the 5er gt too much honor

 

[Gianclaudio]

The new 5er, by Kia

 

[K-A]

So Kia has just recreated a second rate, soulless "Chinese version-like" ripoff of the 5er and BMW design idiom, but get this: Which one is real, which is fake?

Yes, that's Kia COMPLETELY RIPPING OFF BMW'S SHIFTER.

The gloves are off. I just can't get behind and support Kia and Hyundai really anymore. First Hyundai rips M-B (and now some Audi, and Jaguar, and....) off completely, and now Kia is going straight after BMW's gullet.

What they're doing is making themselves soulless second rate "poor mans versions" of the real deals. Those of us with knowledgable and refined eyes and senses will tell the differences from the OG's to the phonies, but the masses will probably eat this second rate copy-cat stuff up.

Shameless.

 

[Human]

Damn A-holes!

Poor Volvo intuitive design also suffers from the lack of Korean innovation - e.g. Hyundai Sonata

 

[K-A]

That's right! I forgot about that. Also, the Optima is a SAAB meets Audi interior.

I back up Hyundai/Kia for doing a lot to push the boundaries of the "appliance-grade" price area of cars, but damn, I just can't at least emotionally support a company like that, considering how scumbag-y they're doing it in relation to their peers in the automotive industry. Nice, let the other guys do the R&D and take all the chances, then you swoop in and let the ones that work become second rate imitations combined on your cars. Can't deny on a purely business and short-term non ethical and non-caring about being your own historic force - sense, it will reap rewards for them.

A Member on the BMW Board stated:

I do business with HMC (parent company of Hyundai and Kia) - don't worry, it's nothing to do with styling - I asked one of the guys there who I know pretty well: "which car company does HMC have in their sights?" Fully expecting to hear Toyota or VW. The answer was BMW...

 

[Monster]

So Kia has just recreated a second rate, soulless "Chinese version-like" ripoff of the 5er and BMW design idiom, but get this: Which one is real, which is fake?

Yes, that's Kia COMPLETELY RIPPING OFF BMW'S SHIFTER.

The gloves are off. I just can't get behind and support Kia and Hyundai really anymore. First Hyundai rips M-B (and now some Audi, and Jaguar, and....) off completely, and now Kia is going straight after BMW's gullet.

What they're doing is making themselves soulless second rate "poor mans versions" of the real deals. Those of us with knowledgable and refined eyes and senses will tell the differences from the OG's to the phonies, but the masses will probably eat this second rate copy-cat stuff up.

Shameless.

IMO the Kia's version actually looks better than the BMW's original, I think it is a good thing for the masses to get a chance to enjoy cars with a bit of luxury and style, let them have it, if they think it is good enough for them then just let it be. Those who are lucky enough to afford the real deal can be content with the fact that they own and drive one of the finest vehicles money can buy. There is no need for the hate, HOH I think it is time to whip out your collection of pics.

 

[Centurion]

Audi are manifesting themselves as the new Mercedes. During the 1990 the W140 S-Class and W124 E-Class suffered record breaking copying by rivals. Many American and Korean cars presented in the recent 6 months take inspiration from Audi.

Ripping designs off is terrible and shame on Kia. However, they have done a great job sampling the best from Audi, BMW and Volvo and puzzling it together into a rather stately luxury sedan. It could gain traction in Asia but I Europe it will be less successful in charming customers who have experienced the real deal, though Skoda Superb and VW Phaeton customers might be deterred.

 

[K-A]

IMO the Kia's version actually looks better than the BMW's original, I think it is a good thing for the masses to get a chance to enjoy cars with a bit of luxury and style, let them have it, if they think it is good enough for them then just let it be. Those who are lucky enough to afford the real deal can be content with the fact that they own and drive one of the finest vehicles money can buy. There is no need for the hate, HOH I think it is time to whip out your collection of pics.

As someone who's profession revolves around art, and as someone who feels that automotive design is obviously art, I have a real dislike for blatant and tasteless copycats. Not to be confused with inspiration, which I am all for. There's a fine line between being inspired and blatantly copying like we see so many Chinese "companies" do. Also, I personally am all for having the reasons to aspire to have, for example, a luxury car who gives you certain feelings and elements that you can't get from cheaper cars. For cheaper cars to blatantly ripoff the "big guys" and give them faux and second rate versions of the real deal, it just makes aspiring to, and the passion in, owning a "Luxury Car" less strong.

Also, I don't think that just because it comes from BMW or Mercedes, etc., it's better or nicer, I do however feel that the other guys can at least develop their own work to try and combat the big guys, rather than imitating them for cheaper prices in an attempt to take them out by the knees.

I wouldn't be surprised if Kia's is ergonomically superior.... though I would be if it was tactfully more refined or quality feeling. However, I just don't like that Kia straight up took BMW's "patented" (or so I thought) shifter so slavishly.

 

[EnI]

IMO in European customer's mind there is no such concept like "Asian automotive luxury brand / model".

Lexus sales in Europe are extremely poor. Somewhere on Jaguar & Porsche level. While BMW, Audi & MB sell (individually, not combined!) more cars than Toyota brand itself in Europe. Not to mention other Asian car brands.


Btw, that KIA shifter is a carbon copy of this BMW's shifter knob (while the whole layout is more similar to the one in 3er, 5er, 6er, 7er etc):

BMW X1:

BMW Z4:


KIA K9:

 

[Human]

I'd say sue their damn asses for copyright infringement

That's to say IF - BMW has copyright

 

[Centurion]

IMO in European customer's mind there is no such concept like "Asian automotive luxury brand / model".

That's exactly what I said in my previous post. The car does stand a chance in charming Asian customers but European one will be unfazed except a very few. I'd imagine a large majority of the car's sales will be Korean government contracts and Samsung executives' perks.

 

[Levi68]

IMO in European customer's mind there is no such concept like "Asian automotive luxury brand / model".

Lexus sales in Europe are extremely poor. Somewhere on Jaguar & Porsche level. While BMW, Audi & MB sell (individually, not combined!) more cars than Toyota brand itself in Europe. Not to mention other Asian car brands.

I don't agree putting Japanese and Korean/Chinese automkaers in the same basket. After half a decade the japaese are coming back, no german car maker has an affordalbe sportscar as the GT86, BMW dosn't have any supercar, unlike Toyota with the Lexus LFA, and the GS is nearly a better drivers car than the 5 Series. The LS is not performance car, but a very reliable understated luxury car. I loved the 3 Series E46, but my (fathers) car was an IS200. I liked it even more (M3 E46 being my dream).

 

[Mr. M]

That's exactly what I said in my previous post. The car does stand a chance in charming Asian customers but European one will be unfazed except a very few. I'd imagine a large majority of the car's sales will be Korean government contracts and Samsung executives' perks.

Thing is, Kia could probably afford for the K9 to not succeed in Europe. It's a declining market. Its growth market will be in China and India (plus other emerging economies in Asia), and maybe South America, where I don't think they will be much bothered that it looks similar or not to a BMW's interior, especially at that price. A good car is a good car.

 

[Gianclaudio]

That's right! I forgot about that. Also, the Optima is a SAAB meets Audi interior.

I back up Hyundai/Kia for doing a lot to push the boundaries of the "appliance-grade" price area of cars, but damn, I just can't at least emotionally support a company like that, considering how scumbag-y they're doing it in relation to their peers in the automotive industry. Nice, let the other guys do the R&D and take all the chances, then you swoop in and let the ones that work become second rate imitations combined on your cars. Can't deny on a purely business and short-term non ethical and non-caring about being your own historic force - sense, it will reap rewards for them.

A Member on the BMW Board stated:

Let's not forget the worse offender ever: Lexus and their copies of Mercedes.

How in the earth a copycat like the LS or the Equus can be considered premium product is beyond any rational thinking. Would any compare a cheap copy of -insert your fav designer cloth brand here- to the original?

Pfff

 

[Human]

Kia K9 goes on sale in Korea, new details released​

International sales scheduled for later this year​

Kia has released additional information about their K9 flagship.
Currently on sale in Korea, the model features a prominent grille, LED headlights and a dual exhaust system. Overall, it measures 5090mm long, 1900mm wide and 1490mm tall with a wheelbase that spans 3045mm.
The cabin is equipped with premium leather upholstery, metallic trim and an infotainment system. There's also a 17-speaker Lexicon audio system and a rear seat entertainment system.
In the tech department, there's a lane departure warning system, a blind-spot detection system, "smart cruise control" and an around-view monitor with four cameras.
At launch, the K9 will be powered by a 3.8-liter MPI V6 that produces 290 PS (213 kW / 286 hp). It will eventually be joined by a 3.8-liter GDI V6 with 334 PS (246 kW / 329 hp). Both engines will be connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission that sends power to the rear wheels.
International sales are scheduled to begin later this year in "a number of key overseas markets." That's a little vague, but the company confirmed there are no plans to offer the K9 in the United Kingdom.​

Source: ​

Kia​

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VIA:

Read more: http://www.worldcarfans.com/112050243972/kia-k9-goes-on-sale-in-korea-new-details-released#ixzz1tn7OqRKm​

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[Cashmere]

Wow, also comes standard with ambient lighting. Real bang for your buck!