A great preview of what you can expect is the full South Korean brochure
The next-generation Kia will be unveiled at the New York Auto Show. The brochure for the new sedan is available in South Korea and you don’t need to wait until March. The model is called the K9 in its native country. However, the name is often used to refer to a dog. This forces a change of monikers.
The new K900 features headlights that have arcing LEDs in them, a feature not found on the K900. The front is adorned with a lot of chrome, including the surround grille and lower fascia trim. This profile has a combination of a long, narrow hood and a short rear deck. Shiny chrome accents the window surrounds and side mirrors. The lower body is even longer. The taillights at the rear feature LED arches that echo elements from the front.
These elements create a bland sedan. This is disappointing from a company that can make a four-door as beautiful as the Stinger.
The cabin is dominated by a huge, widescreen infotainment screen. A rotary dial at the console seems to control it. The rest of the commands are handled by metallic buttons. The interior is decorated with leather and wood. This brochure shows that there are many options for upholstery choices, including red, brown, black and even brown.
The South Korean Kia brochure lists only the engine options, but does not provide information about the outputs. The range includes a 3.3-liter and 3.8-liter V6 engines, as well as a 5.0-liter V8. All-wheel drive is an option for the V6 models, but it’s not mentioned for the V8. The only gearbox listed is an eight-speed automatic.
The current K900 in the United States is available only with a 3.8-liter and 5.0-liter engines. So don’t expect to see the 3.3-liter model cross the Pacific.
With just 455 and 834 deliveries, the K900 is Kia’s lowest-volume vehicle in the U.S. in 2017, and 834 the year before. Maybe a new generation will rekindle interest in the brand’s large, premium sedan.