Having a humble beginning as a bicycle manufacturer in the 1950s, Kia has come a long way over the past 60 years, with the proof being in their latest vehicle – the K900. The mission to fortify Kia as a true luxury player is embodied in the rich styling and top-notch specs of the 2015 Kia K900 sedan.
More Than Meets the Eye
Although the lackluster name may leave something to be desired, the K900 promises to be a sportier edition of the competitions finest luxury sedan. Under the hood, the 2015 Kia K900 offers either a 420-horsepower 5.0-liter V8 or a 311-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 engine that is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive train.
Luxury from Top to Bottom
Led by Audi’s former chief designer, the exterior styling of the K900 is much bolder and more visually distinct than models before. Morphing the classic €tiger nose€ mesh grille that Kia is known for, the front end of the K900 has distinct styling that sets this vehicle apart from its competition, showcasing a classier shape. The exterior luxury elements have also worked their way inside, with the Kia K900 sporting the following options:
€ LED headlights
€ Wood trim
€ Leather upholstery (Napa leather upgrade optional)
€ Nine-inch navigation and multimedia display
€ Heated front seats
€ Drivers who like to live life luxuriously will enjoy the features and upgrades available on the 2015 Kia K900, and customers who choose the larger V8 model will have even more luxury upgrades to choose from. Some of the interior options include the following:
€ Panoramic sunroof
€ Reclining, ventilated, and heated rear seats
€ 12-inch display screen
Keeping Passengers Safe
Armed with the latest in safety systems, the K900 is designed to keep passengers safe while driving to work or running errands. Some of the key safety features of the K900 model include a lane departure warning, 360-degree-view monitor display, blind-spot detection, and collision warning system. An added bonus to purchasing this sleek vehicle is that most of these safety features come standard, helping reinforce Kia’s unwavering priority to their customers’ safety. With these standard features, Kia is anticipating that the base price for the K900 will be around $50,000, and top executives estimate the fully loaded V8 version to top out at $65,000.
The Test Drive
At this present time, Korea is the only country that has K900s available to the public. Although the United States’ model will vary slightly from the Korean model, the test drive of the Korean K900 did offer a bona fide luxury experience. Coupled with a spacious interior and intuitive navigation system, this vehicle’s multimedia control makes driving extremely comfortable and exciting. A few minor downfalls is that the K900 lets in more wind noise than desirable when driving at highway speeds, and the V6 model lacks the power needed for a seamless acceleration. Both issues are remedied by purchasing the optional V8 model for the extra power and interior space.
Key Specs
Expected to debut in the spring of 2014, the V8 model of the 2015 Kia K900 features the following specs:
€ 13.8-second quarter mile
€ 5.5-second 0-60 MPH acceleration
€ 113-foot braking distance from 60-0 MPH
€ Estimated 15 city/23 highway MPG fuel economy
With a sole focus of achieving luxury legitimacy, Kia has appointed the K900 as their flagship into the luxury car market. Built to give customers the styling, power, and features they expect in a luxury sedan, the 2015 Kia K900 is sure to have high-end shoppers giving this car a second look.
