Only hours after we shared with you a video showing the Kia K9 without any camouflage whatsoever, the South Korean automaker revealed the first official photographs of its all-new flagship sedan that will be launched in its home market this summer. Initially referred to by its codename 'KH', Kia confirmed that the Korean market version of the car will be named 'K9' adding that the name for export markets, as well as overseas launch timings, will be announced later this year.
With the new K9, Kia completes its domestic range of "K" sedans, which also include the K5 (Optima in overseas markets) and K7 (Cadenza in overseas markets).
We'll start with the first thing we noticed about the K9 and that has to do with its design. What started out as a hunch when Kia showed us a handful of teaser sketches of its first ever rear-wheel drive saloon has now became more of a certainty. And yes, as many of you also noticed, the K9 appears to borrow one too many styling elements from BMW and especially its 7-Series flagship. We could go on and on, but some of the things that stand out are the headlamp "eyebrow" accents, the low forward bend in the C-pillar and the rear end design as a whole – notice for example, the reverse lights incorporated into the chrome trim on the boot.
That doesn't mean the K9 isn't a good looking car, in fact, we wouldn't be surprised if some may find it more handsome than the 7-Series.
Soon-Nam Lee, Kia's Director of the Overseas Marketing Group, commented on presentation of the firm's new flagship : "K9 is our first rear-wheel drive large sedan, created without compromise in its design, driving performance and new technologies. K9 sets a whole new level of standards and values in the large sedan segment, and its design will be another Kia demonstration of our brand's power to surprise the world."
Kia did not release any additional information on the K9, but as we previously noted, it most likely shares its platform and engine range with the Hyundai Genesis, meaning it could be offered with the same 3.8-liter V6, and 4.6-liter and 5.0-liter V8 units.
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