The V6 is a larger 3.5-liter engine that produces nearly 300 horsepower.
A little more than a month ago, Kia officially retired the Cadenza/K7. They revealed exterior photos from the all-new K8 and then showed the fancy cabin in March. Today, the technical specifications for the new car are finally available. The sedan measures 5,015 millimeters (197.4 in) long.
The flagship K8’s 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine produces 296 horsepower (221 Kilowatts), or six more ponies than the 3.3 liter V6. The torque is up to 265 lb-ft (359 Newton-meters), or 12 lbft (16 Nm) higher than the old sedan. The torque and horsepower increase is minor, but the most important innovation is the addition to this top-tier model of an all-wheel drive system.
Kia will sell the 3.5-liter engine equipped with liquid propane injection (LPI), alongside the gasoline direct inject (GDI) which has a lower output of 237 horsepower (173 kW) and 232 pounds (314 Nm). For now, there is no mention of a diesel engine. This could indicate that there will not be a CRDi-powered K8.
The K8 midrange will use a smaller, four-cylinder 2.5-liter powertrain that produces 195 horsepower (145 kW), and peak torque of 183lb-ft (248Nm). The 3.5 and 2.5 engines can be connected to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The base model will also be available with a 1.6-liter motor and is expected to arrive in the coming months.
Kia claims that the Cadenza-replacing large sedan has a MacPherson front suspension and multi-link rear suspension. It also reduces noise, vibration and harshness (NVH), thanks to stronger sound-deadening material. The South Korean brand cites a triple sealing solution that “dramatically reduces unwanted sounds” for its doors.
The exterior is a marked departure from the Cadenza’s old Cadenza. But the cabin also has a level of sophistication that was previously unattainable. The “smart support” function for the driver’s chair caught our attention. The function activates either when the sport mode switch is on or automatically when the K8 exceeds 81 mph (130 km/h). It lowers the seat’s hip height and strengthens the support for the side bolsters.
There are many goodies on the list, including ventilated seats with a 12-inch head up display and Kia’s first Meridian soundsystem (with 14 speakers and a pair 12 inch digital screens). The package also includes a surround-view camera system and navigation-based adaptive cruise control.
The all-new Kia K8 will be available for purchase in South Korea next month before being released worldwide. The American K900, a larger sedan with a more luxurious interior, has been dropped from the market. The sporty Stinger, which is positioned above the Rio, Forte and K5 sedans was still available stateside. It received a recent nip-and-tuck with more power in the 2022 model years.