Kia recently introduced a new flagship sedan model to their line-up. The all-new saloon premieres a range of advanced luxury features and technologies never seen before in a Kia including fully adaptive all-LED headlamps, Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), radar-based Blind-Spot Detection (BSD), Smart Cruise Control (SCC) and an Around-View Monitor (AVM) with four cameras. In Korea it’s sold as the K9 while all over the world it is sold as the Quoris. Its name comes from the combination of the English words ‘core’ and ‘quality’.
Kia Quoris |
A near-perfect front/rear weight distribution of the Quoris creates a strong foundation for balanced poise and excellent steering response, and a sophisticated blend of ride and handling qualities. Thanks to the adoption of rear-wheel drive, the front wheels are free of the task of driving the vehicle allowing the steering to impress drivers with a more natural weight and feel. The new sedan comes fitted with a Lambda V6 3.8-liter MPI gasoline engine with a host of improvements to boost its power, raise its efficiency and enhance its refinement. The normally aspirated twin DOHC, 24 valve, six cylinder engine is equipped with dual continuously variable valve timing (CVVT) and a variable intake system (VIS) enabling it to generate 290hp and 358 Nm of torque. O to 100 kph takes just 7.3 seconds while top speed is pegged at top speed of 240 kph. Married to the engine is an all-new eight-speed automatic transmission system.
Rear of the Quoris |
With its long wheelbase (3,045 mm), wide track (1,616 / 1,634 mm front / rear) and sophisticated fully independent five-link suspension system, Quoris will deliver the quality of ride, handling, stability and refinement that luxury sedan buyers expect. Mounted on a sub-frame to isolate road shocks, the front suspension has co-axial coil spring shock absorber units and a new friction bearing in the steering column to enhance straight-line stability and steering precision. At the rear, the suspension subframe also houses the rear differential. The coil springs and shock absorbers are separate units and the set-up gives the wheels 1.4 degrees of negative camber for improved cornering ability, with geometry that minimizes toe-in changes for consistent handling characteristics.
8-speed automatic transmission system |
The high-performance HPD dampers fitted front and rear have sliding ASD (Amplitude Selective Damper) valves that vary their stiffness to adapt to different driving conditions. When cruising on smooth well-paved roads, the dampers are softer to help enhance ride comfort. During sporty driving damping stiffness is increased to provide more responsive handling. For even greater comfort, Quoris will be available with an electronically controlled full air suspension system as standard on the top specification model. The regular dampers are replaced by Adaptive Air Dampers which are pressurized from an air storage tank and a separate air compressor mounted in the engine bay, ahead of each front wheel.
290hp V6 engine |
A choice of four fully automatic driving modes (Eco, Normal, Sport and Snow) ensures ideal characteristics for all driving conditions. When drivers select one of the four driving modes by pressing the drive mode button near the gear selector, the action activates different settings for the air suspension (where fitted), steering, engine and transmission to suit their personal preference and various road conditions. The Sport mode immediately facilitates sporty driving dynamics by making the dampers stiffer, increasing the weight of the steering and quickening the engine’s throttle response to generate more torque faster and speeding up the gear shift timings. Self-levelling, the air suspension system can operate in Automatic mode or allows the
Luxurious front cockpit |
driver to select Normal mode (constant ride height), Low mode (down 15 mm) and High mode (up 30 mm), adjusting the vehicle height and ground clearance to ideally suit road conditions. When driving faster than 120 kph for more than 10 seconds, the self-leveling system lowers the car by 15 mm reducing the ground clearance to 130 mm from regular 145 mm. Aerodynamics is consequently improved, resulting in high-speed acceleration and fuel efficiency improvements. At the opposite end of the system’s operating range, when approaching unpaved roads, the driver can choose to raise the Quoris’ ground clearance by 30 mm to 175 mm, enhancing ride comfort.
Long wheelbase for improved comfort |
Facing the driver, the three-spoke, leather-wrapped steering wheel features powered adjustment for height and reach. The driver-oriented cabin places the engine start/stop button to the right of the wheel and the space efficient control for the EPB (Electric Parking Brake) is located near the gear selector, ensuring effortless activation and release of the brake. Taking HAC (Hill-start Assist Control) one stage further, Quoris will also be equipped with AVH (Automatic Vehicle Hold). AVH maintains the braking pressure to prevent roll-back on hills. Unlike HAC, this new system also applies the brakes during a temporary stop, so that the driver does not need to keep pressing on the brake pedal to hold the vehicle. When the driver pushes the accelerator, AVN is automatically released. If the car has stopped for more than 10 minutes, AVH is automatically switched off and the system engages the EPD to secure the vehicle in the parking mode.
Around View Monitoring System |
Kia engineers were determined to make new luxury sedan one of the very best-in-class for refinement. The windscreen and door windows feature extra thick, specially laminated, five-layer, sound-proofing glass. The block-type engine mountings have larger hydraulic mass dampers. Driver comfort is assured by the powered, heated and ventilated front seats trimmed in premium Nappa leather, and the premium ambience is reinforced by the superfine suede cabin head lining. Entertainment is provided by a 17-speaker Lexicon (by Harman) sound system. Rear occupants enjoy classy entertainment as well thanks to the rear wide screens located at the back of each front seat.
Luxurious interior |
In addition to the characteristics of a rear-wheel drive, together with advanced powertrain technologies, the Quoris offers a host of advanced driver assistance features and technologies such as HUD (Head Up Display) and a Haptic steering control – as well as Advanced Smart Cruse Control (ASCC), Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), Blind Spot Detection (BSD) and Lane Change Assist (LCA). Both the HUD and a rotary type Haptic remote control on the steering wheel help the driver remain focused on the road, which is particularly beneficial during high speed maneuvers. The HUD (Head-up Display) presents a variety of information discretely on the windshield in the driver’s sight line, enabling it to be assimilated without distraction from the road ahead. The HUD can present information using a variety of colors. The information displayed by the HUD includes speeds, turn-by-turn navigation information, road warning and warnings from the car’s ASCC, LDWS, BSD and LCA systems. The HUD system uses three-dimensional effects backed up by 65,000 colors and adjusts the brightness of the display to suit local ambient light levels. Settings of the HUD displays such as the display location, brightness and letter sizes are conveniently adjustable.
Side mirror warning |
Prices for the Quoris have not been announced. The new flagship sedan will be available worldwide including Africa and hopefully Kenya by the end of next year.
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