While today we shared a new set of interior pictures of the All-New Kia K8, the South Korean carmaker have released the first video teaser in South Korea. Also reports from South Korean media said the interior design will be officially revealed in the first week of March.
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What we know so far?
The new logo retains the “KIA” letters but introduces a more modern, angular font which also features a horizontally and vertically symmetrical design. It is expected that the new Kia K8 will be the first to be officially showcased with the new logo.
The Kia K8 is a full change (codenamed as GL3) model of the current second-generation K7 in 5 years (codenamed as YG). The vehicle body is larger than before and advanced convenience or safety functions are strengthened. In addition, it is equipped with much more luxurious specifications than the existing K7. The design is also completely different from the existing model.
The current K7 went through a facelift in June last year with the launch of K7 Premier. The K7 Premier, which was the first facelift model to be released after the release of the second generation K7 in January 2016, was armed with a refined design and outstanding specifications such as 2.5 gasoline engine, a new IT system or a digital instrument panel, but even that wasn’t enough to beat Hyundai’s Grandeur.
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Inside we can see a fully digital gauge cluster and probably in the same piece of glass is another larger widescreen. This digital cluster shows a very simple graphics so they can be using any test mode for the graphics. Also a rotary gear selector (for the shift by wire transmission system), the same as K5, Sorento or Carnival is added.
K8 will introduce a 3.5-liter gasoline engine in addition to the existing Smartstream 2.5-liter gasoline with 198 hp and hybrid models. It replaces the existing 3.0 liter gasoline and boasts powerful performance. The new 3.5 liter gasoline engine boasts a maximum output of 300 hp and a maximum torque of 36.2 kg·m. A LPi variant of the 3.5-liter will offer 240 hp.
In particular and for the first time, the K8 will have All-Wheel Drive in option for the 3.5 liter gasoline engine as well as a turbo powered Hybrid version. It is expected that it will differentiate itself from Hyundai and exhibit stable driving power by applying the 4-wheel drive, which usually applied to high-performance like Stinger, or specialized SUVs like the Sorento. Based on the same engine as Sorento, the 1.6 Turbo Hybrid + Electric Motor gives 230 hp.
