Kia have unveiled the all-new K900 luxury sedan that is set to go head to head against the German vehicles that dominate the luxury car segment, albeit at a much more affordable price.
And by affordable, we means tens of thousands of dollars less.
If you want an idea about how Kia will market the new Kia K900, simply look at what Hyundai did with the Equus luxury sedan. Similar to the Hyundai luxury model, the 2016 Kia K900 will come with the option for a V8 engine, although a V6 will be standard.
The Kia K900 pricing was not revealed at the official U.S. market unveiling, but word out of Kia officials is that it will start at around $50,000. If you load it up with the massive list of options and the V8, you will likely be looking more at $60,000 to $65,000.
It’s safe to say that Kia are treading new ground with the K900 release, as they are not far removed from the brand known for delivering economy models that came in under ten grand.
Kia has done a great job of building their brand in recent years, adopting strategies similar to those used by sister company Hyundai.
That included a 10-year, 100,000 mile warranty that other automakers couldn’t match.
It’s not just reliability that has improved over the years, but also styling. Much of the design credit has to be given to Peter Schreyer, head designer at Kia/Hyundai who is perhaps best known for his work with the original Audi.
The combination of performance and design has done wonders for the Kia brand.
The momentum built over this period is propelling Kia forward, with the luxury market next on the radar. The success of the latest Sorento crossover and Optima mid-size sedan led to the release of the large Cadenza premium sedan, which starts at just $36,000.
The next logical step is the K900 premium sedan, a vehicle that is aimed at drivers who like the creature comforts delivered by hundred thousand dollar sedans like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class or BMW 7-Series.
The all new Kia K900 RWD sedan will deliver the goods yet still allow the driver to fly somewhat under the radar.
The loaded version of the Kia luxury car has it all, with the likes of rear climate control, LED headlights, lane departure assist, adaptive cruise control, and much more.
The standard engine will be the 3.8-liter V6 that will deliver at least 330 horsepower. 420 horsepower and 376 pound-feet of torque can be had by moving up to the 5-liter V8. Both will come standard with an 8-speed automatic transmission. [Photos: Flickr]
Photos of Kia K900
Kia K900 U.S. sales to commence in 2014
The K900 luxury sedan should be available to purchase in the early part of 2014, with Southern California sure to be one of the biggest target markets. That explains why the L.A. Auto Show as chosen for the unveiling of the K900.
