Kia KND-4 Concept at Seoul

Kia KND-4 Concept

By Frank
April 5, 2007 9:05 AM
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While most eyes are on the New York International Auto Show, and at that at the new Mercedes hotness known as the CLK AMG Black Series, elsewhere in the world there is more going on. Most notibly, at the Seoul International Motor Show where Kia is showing off their design skills with the KND-4 Concept car. Mr Yong-Hwam Kim, Senior Executive vp and COO of Kia: "The KND-4 is an exciting new concept which showcases Kia's passion for design and technology. Over time, elements of this concept SUV will evolve into our next-generation lineup." This is the first Kia vehicle to demonstrate the company's renewed passion for 'Designology' (Design & Technology), and it looks a lot better than the New York Chevrolets, even if it is a 4x4. Press release and 5 pictures after the jump

Source: Kia Motors

Press Release (Click to expand)

Kia KND-4 World Premiere at Seoul Motor Show

Kia Motors Corporation is staging the world premiere of its all-new KND-4 concept car at the Seoul International Motor Show. Designed to strengthen Kia's position as a leading brand in the 4x4 and RV sectors, the KND-4 concept debuts a dynamic, powerful character and a strong sense of individuality. "The KND-4 is an exciting new concept which showcases Kia's passion for design and technology. It hints at the increasingly sophisticated styling and advanced technologies that will give our future products an even stronger and more distinctive road presence," commented Mr Yong-Hwan Kim, Senior Executive Vice President and COO of Kia Motors Corporation. "Over time, elements of this concept SUV will evolve into our next-generation lineup, ensuring continued popularity of our already competitive 4x4 models." The exterior styling of KND-4 is designed to appeal to customers who crave an active lifestyle, while removing the traditional boundaries between urban and rural vehicles to create an SUV that looks good in any environment. The sleek, rounded nose features LED headlights, while flared wheelarches wrap around large diameter 20-inch wheels. The pronounced shoulder line, glass profile and sweeping C-pillar give a dynamic flare to KND-4. The full-width rear screen emphasises interior volume and provides a simple contrast to the complex styling of the LED rear light clusters. Short overhangs and a high ground clearance ensure excellent off-road ability. Designed for four people with individual seats, the KND-4's interior is 'future-oriented' with floor, dashboard and door trim panels in a metallic finish, highlighted by indirect lighting. The interior is equipped with the most advanced IT technology available to present the driver with information from within and from outside the vehicle. Dominating the centre stack is a next generation AMOLED (Active-Matrix, Organic Light Emitting Diode) display screen with an ultra-wide viewing angle and ultra-high contrast. Controlled by multi-function buttons on the steering wheel, the KND-4 offers the driver both Bluetooth and Blu-ray technologies along with a built-in hard drive for the audio player. Blu-ray technology, as seen in the new PlayStation 3, can store up to 10 times more information than a regular DVD. Conceived and created at the Kia Namyang Design Centre - hence the KND-4 naming - it is powered by a 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine driving all four wheels via the latest version of Kia's Active Torque Transfer (ATT) system.