Kia's new 'K' series gets a world premiere with the K4

Kia made the world premiere of the K4 at the 2024 New York International Auto Show (NYIA) at the Jacob Javits Convention Centre in New York, USA, on Wednesday (27th). The new sedan sets new standards in the mid-size segment with its innovative design and class-leading technology.

The K4 has a strong and dynamic exterior design based on the 'Power to Progress' of Kia's design philosophy, Opposites United. On the face, the vertical headlamps on the edge of the bumper give it a broad and commanding stance, while the StarMap lighting technology, which is shaped like a constellation, is a further evolution of Kia's Tiger Face.

At the sides, the organic flow of light created by the staggered squares gives the impression of a luxurious sedan, while the fastback silhouette, which flows gently from the roof to the rear end, maximises visual dynamism. At the rear, as at the front, the longitudinal lamps at the very end of the bodywork cut vertically through the lower bumper, adding a sense of strength along with the diffuser.

The interior is based on Offerit United's 'Joy for Reason' philosophy, with a unique design that goes beyond the driver-centric structure expected of a midsize sedan.

Kia has struck a balance of logic and emotion in the K4 by contrasting the technical elements of the cabin for the driver with the comfort elements for the passengers. The K4 features nearly 30 inches of digital displays, including a 12.3-inch cluster and infotainment and 5-inch climate control displays, respectively, with physical buttons underneath for quick and intuitive access to frequently used navigation and climate control functions.

In addition, the door trims, crash pad and console are coloured in three different combinations - Onyx Black for the driver's seat and Slate Green, Medium Grey and Canyon Brown for the passenger's seat - to visually separate the two spaces through colour contrast. The passenger's crash pad is mood-lit to add a cosy touch.

On the exterior, the K4 GT Line utilises vertical design elements that contrast with the horizontal lines of the body to create a stronger impression, with GT Line-specific bumpers and features, while the interior features a colour contrast of onyx black and 'off white' with exclusive patterned design elements to create a more luxurious and dynamic image than the base model.

It also features Kia AI Assistant, a generative AI technology that uses natural language understanding to understand complex contexts and communicate with the driver in a natural way. Kia AI Assistant can help customers design a trip or provide information based on the Owner's Manual, and will be available in future updates to enable even more features for an enhanced vehicle experience.

In addition, Kia offers the latest connectivity features such as the infotainment system 'ccNC', 'Quick Control', 'Wireless Phone Connectivity', Digital Key 2 and over-the-air (OTA) software updates.

The K4 is available in two variants: a 2.0 petrol and a 1.6 petrol turbo. The 2.0 petrol model is mated to an IVT transmission and produces a maximum power output of 149 hp and maximum torque of 18.3 kg-m. The 1.6 petrol turbo model is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission with a maximum power output of 193 hp and a maximum torque of 27.0 kg-m.

The K4 is also equipped with an eight-airbag system including rear side airbags, Highway Driving Assist 2, Smart Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist, Intelligent Speed Assist, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Blind Spot Warning, Blind Spot Monitor, Surround View Monitor, Park Distance Warning, and other advanced driver assistance systems and safety and comfort features that make driving fun. Kia plans to launch the K4 in North America later this year.

"The K4 demonstrates Kia's commitment to delivering a dynamic sedan with advanced technology and powerful performance," said Kia officials. "The K4 will exceed customer expectations with value that exceeds expectations."

At this year's New York Auto Show, Kia will occupy approximately 535 square feet (1,768 m²) of space from Friday, 29 March to Sunday, 7 April and will display 21 vehicles, including the new K4, as well as the EV6, EV9, Telluride, Sorento and K5.

Article roadtesting editorial (dhseo1208@gmail.com)

Photo Kia