2018 Kia K900 previewed in sketch form before debut

Kia has released the first sketches of the all-new K900, the brand’s flagship premium sedan which is set to go on sale in global markets (known as the K9 in Korea and Quoris in other selected markets) from the second quarter of 2018.

The vehicle you see here was styled by Kia’s global design headquarters in Namyang, Korea, with input from its United States design studio in Irvine, California. The brand says its designers were inspired by the ‘Gravity of Prestige’ design concept, which exudes luxury and poise.

Compared to its predecessor, the new K900 is quite a bit more handsome to look at, even though sketches aren’t definitive of a vehicle’s final design. The brand’s ‘tiger nose’ grille features a quadric pattern with 176 cells framed within the grille, which are arranged in a way to suggest “energy accelerating away from its centre.”

A wide lower intake is a throwback to what you’ll find on the current-generation model, as is the “power bulge” on the bonnet that is a lot more expressive in this context. Another major focal point of the front fascia are undoubtedly the headlamps, which sport a dual-tier lighting array within them.

Elsewhere, there’s a chrome strip that flows along the base of the doors, wrapping around the lower rear section as well. Additional chrome can be found on the window line, which accentuates the free-flowing C-pillar. The rear taillights mimic the front lighting units, with similar-looking graphics within them. The bold rear end also comes with a small lip spoiler and integrated exhausts with chrome housings.

The new K900 will be manufactured in Korea, but it isn’t clear what engines the sedan will get, which differs from market to market. In the U.S., the outgoing K900 sold is available with either a 3.8 litre V6 or 5.0 litre V8 petrol engines. The Korean market K9 not only gets those two engines, but also a 3.3 litre V6.

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