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I'm Uniji, an automotive influencer.
Just a few years ago, Kia's flagship mid-size sedan, the 'K8,' made headlines with its larger body size and a new name following the full redesign of its predecessor, the K7. However, the unfamiliar design initially received mixed reactions, leading to a decline in sales after the initial excitement. The situation worsened with the launch of the full redesign of the Grandeur.
Sensing the urgency, Kia unveiled the new K8 in August, showcasing a full redesign that signals a fresh start. This new model has evolved to be more luxurious, capturing the attention of domestic consumers. Even now, it has quickly become a common sight on domestic roads.
The new K8 represents Kia's first product improvement model since its initial launch in April 2021, enhancing its design luxury and incorporating advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) as standard, along with new convenience features. Reflecting Kia's latest design identity, the K8 facelift, dubbed 'The New K8,' has evolved into a more futuristic version, now ready to challenge the Hyundai Grandeur and Genesis G80, which lead the domestic mid-size sedan market.
The dramatically changed exterior design of the new K8 incorporates bolder and more innovative elements, presenting a refined and luxurious image. The revised front design features Kia's new family look with 'Star Map Signature Lighting' daytime running lights, visually connecting with the center-positioned lamps that create a futuristic ambiance while emphasizing the vehicle's width.
The bumper design, which exudes the grandeur of a mid-size sedan, adds a wide feel with a long horizontal chrome trim at the bottom. The side profile sees an increase in front and rear overhangs by 10mm and 25mm respectively, while the voluminous hood design creates a sleek and dynamic proportion.
The rear design features a new bumper that enhances the overall volume, integrating a lower chrome trim and Star Map Signature Lighting with vertically shaped lamps that complete the cohesive design. Additionally, Kia offers three selectable patterns for the 'Dynamic Welcome Light' and introduces the 'Dynamic Escort Light,' a first for the Hyundai Motor Group, which greets and bids farewell to passengers with light movements during boarding and alighting, enhancing the luxurious experience.
Just as the exterior design has transformed, the interior of the new K8 also showcases significant changes. By using new materials, it enhances luxury while emphasizing horizontal spatial perception and elegant aesthetics. Kia applies soft-touch materials to the upper part of the crash pad and the lower side of the console, where passengers' knees make contact. The 'Silver Lining Dark Wood Grain Trim' starts from the center of the crash pad and flows to both front doors, harmonizing with the geometric-patterned speaker grilles to elevate the luxury feel of the interior.
Moreover, the luxury extends to the futuristic panoramic curved display, flanked by dynamic ambient lighting that creates an illusion of a more spacious interior. This lighting activates in various situations, such as speeding alerts, entering school zones, voice recognition, and welcome/goodbye scenarios, providing real-time notifications to the driver.
To ensure optimal seating comfort, the air cushions in the seat cushions and backs feature a comfort stretching function, enhancing travel comfort with the Ergo Motion Seat, which is also applied to the passenger seat. Additionally, a uniquely designed 'Signature Black' trim has been newly introduced in this model.
Meanwhile, Kia has integrated various driving convenience features into the new K8, equipping it with advanced driver-assistance systems that ensure stable driving performance suitable for a mid-size sedan. The 'Preview Electronic Control Suspension' utilizes information from the front camera and navigation maps to optimally control the shock absorber damping force during driving situations like passing over speed bumps, creating a more comfortable driving environment.
Additionally, 'Highway Body Motion Control' reduces vertical (bounce) and front-to-back (pitch) movements during highway driving assistance and smart cruise control when vehicle speed changes, enhancing driving stability. The new K8 also features 'Active Road Noise Control' linked with Meridian Premium Sound, providing passengers with a quieter driving experience. Moreover, the 'Intelligent Headlamps,' which control high beams based on the front situation, help secure stable visibility.
Kia does not stop there. The K8 features a capacitive sensor-based 'Steering Wheel Grip Detection' that enhances the usability of driving assistance functions. Additionally, the 'Lane Keeping Assist 2' has shifted from a torque control method to a steering angle control method, improving performance. Smart cruise control (stop & restart), navigation-based smart cruise control (for safe areas on highways and expressways), and highway driving assistance come standard across all trims, enhancing driving convenience.
Additionally, the K8 incorporates the next-generation infotainment system 'ccNC' and supports over-the-air (OTA) software updates, providing an advanced connectivity experience. These updates keep essential electronic control features up to date, while also supporting natural language voice recognition, quick controls, high-quality audio streaming services 'Streaming Plus,' e-hi-pass (high pass), wireless phone projection, car wash, and valet modes.
Meanwhile, the fully transformed Kia flagship mid-size sedan, the K8 facelift 'The New K8,' is available in 2.5 gasoline, 3.5 gasoline, 3.5 LPi, and 1.6 gasoline turbo hybrid models. A Kia representative stated, "The K8 plays a central role in Kia's sedan lineup," adding, "With its refined styling and enhanced product appeal, The New K8 will bring a fresh breeze to the mid-size market." As the domestic mid-size sedan landscape undergoes significant change, many are watching to see if it can stand shoulder to shoulder with the existing leaders, the Hyundai Grandeur and Genesis G80.
The pricing for the Kia K8 facelift 'The New K8' starts at 37,360,000 KRW (approximately $28,000 USD) for the 2.5 gasoline model, 40,480,000 KRW (approximately $30,000 USD) for the 3.5 gasoline model, 43,720,000 KRW (approximately $32,000 USD) for the 1.6 turbo hybrid, and 37,820,000 KRW (approximately $28,500 USD) for the 3.5 LPG model.
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