Today marks another edition of Leith Cars’ Showroom and Tell. With its recent release, we thought it appropriate to take a closer look at the Kia K900.
Exterior
The initial assessment of a vehicle is its appearance. The Kia K900 is visually striking with a unique combination of strength and grace. The sharply angled headlamps surround a grille marked by vertical slats, which sits over top a front air dam highlighted with a series of individual running day lights. A distinct beltline appears just inches away from the grille, curves around the headlamps, and creates a sleek yet muscular appearance. The smooth swage line adds a bit of elegance to the car’s athletic look.
Kia engineers maximized the “prestige distance,” the spacing between the cabin and front wheel, by mounting the K900’s engine further back; thus, affecting the placement of the cabin. This yielded a more commanding mien. In all, the car fuses brawn and sophistication in a manner not seen in the luxury segment, which underlines the automaker’s motto of “challenge the luxury you know.”
Interior
On the inside, the Kia K900 excels in its offerings of luxury. Sitting onto its buttery leather seats is a harmonious marriage between driver and car, which can be augmented through the 16-way adjustable controls with lumbar support. Once settled, place your hands on the heated steering wheel and prepare for the supremely quiet cabin. When the weather permits, you can enjoy the sunshine by retracting the full-length, tinted panoramic sunroof, which is framed by a premium headliner – all accomplished with the mere push of a button.
The design of the instrument panels provide simplicity for navigating the many options a K900 offers. Aluminum alloy inlays accent the available genuine wood trim, which complement the cream color of the leather seating. The interior scheme engenders a feeling of refinement while operating this car.
Technology
A truly luxurious car possesses more than an impressive body style and chic interior. It must be equipped with exclusive features, which is why the Kia K900 houses an impressive assemblage of technology. Each savvy innovation enhances the driving experience – whether for safety, comfort, or entertainment.
Kia prioritizes safety, so the engineers employed a fastidious approach in designing the mechanisms that help protect passengers. One of the most remarkable advancements on the K900 is its Adaptive Front Lighting System. This system communicates with the LED headlights to aim an adjustable beam, turning the lamps to match the turning angles and vehicle speed.
Kia’s Lane Departure Warning uses a rear view mirror-mounted camera to alert you as soon as you begin to veer into a neighboring lane – only if you did not signal. If, however, you utilize the turning signal and commence a lane change, the available Blind-Spot Detection System will emit a warning light and sound should there be a vehicle traveling alongside you.
Owners also enjoy innovations that make driving more comfortable. One of the most important facets of a driving experience is the delivery of music. Lexicon, a Technical Grammy Award recipient, created the Logic7 Surround Sound, which, in a K900, is further enhanced by 17 speakers and a 900-watt digital amplifier. As a unit, this surround sound generates immaculate clarity that rivals any live concert. This option, as well as many others, can be controlled through Kia’s UVO, its voice-activated infotainment and telematics system. Displayed on a crisp 9.2-inch screen, you can view navigation, diagnostics, and other features.
Finally, you can relish the benefit of a customizable Head-Up Display. This full-color HUD projects vital information onto the windshield without being obstructive, and it can automatically adjust its brightness contingent upon environmental conditions.
Powertrain
The available 5.0-liter V8 Direct Injection engine with Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) produces 420 horsepower and 376 ft-lbs of torque. Marry that to an 8-speed, shift-by-wire automatic transmission for seamless shifting and powerful acceleration.