World premiere for Kia KX3 concept at Guangzhou
- KX3
concept previews a China-exclusive B-segment SUV
- Bold
design and SUV practicality for young, outgoing consumers
- Advanced
1.6-liter T-GDI engine and four-wheel drive powertrain
(SEOUL)
November 20, 2014 – Kia Motors Corporation's joint venture in China, Dongfeng Yueda Kia
(DYK), today
unveiled the KX3 concept in Guangzhou, China, previewing a B-segment SUV that Kia
envisions to offer exclusively for the Chinese market.
Making its global premiere at the 2014
Guangzhou Motor Show, the KX3 concept’s unique appearance is designed to appeal
to young Chinese consumers who are looking for high-value, high-quality cars
that reflect their passion for – and pursuit of – an outgoing lifestyle. Kia’s
latest concept illustrates what a compact SUV from the Korean brand could look
like in a rapidly growing segment of the Chinese car market.
The KX3 concept blends an SUV
silhouette with sporty looks, featuring a coupé-inspired glass area, small rear
spoiler, gently rising belt-line and muscular wheel arches. Kia’s trademark
‘tiger-nose’ grille gets a new matte chrome-look surround, which sits below the
concept’s wraparound LED headlights. The KX3’s high ground-clearance and
chrome-look body cladding around the base hint at the concept’s four-wheel
drive capabilities and on-road stability. The result is a stylish,
athletic-looking compact SUV, promising both a high degree of practicality and
a great drive.
At 4,260 mm long, with a wide 1,765 mm
body and generous 2,590 mm wheelbase, the KX3 concept ensures that passengers benefit
from plenty of cabin space. The raised body, at 1,630 mm in height, offers a
commanding view of the drive ahead – on- and off-road – while the concept’s large
400-liter cargo area is completely flat for added practicality.
The KX3 concept is powered by Kia’s
high-tech 1.6-liter turbo gasoline direct injection (T-GDI) engine, paired with
an advanced seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT), and offers motorists
fun-to-drive handling characteristics. The four-wheel drive powertrain, backed
up by the T-GDI engine’s strong performance and high fuel economy, lets drivers
enjoy greater stability in all conditions.
The KX3’s chassis has been engineered
for a five-star C-NCAP safety rating, employing ultra-high tensile steel
throughout the bodyshell to maximize passive safety.
The high quality cabin is designed to offer
a high level of refinement and comfort, while Kia’s latest in-car connectivity
technology – with easy-to-use smartphone functionality – will satisfy the needs
of young-at-heart Chinese drivers. The KX3 concept promises a high level of
standard equipment, and a wide range of options, to ensure the greatest
possible value to buyers.
The KX3 concept has been designed and
engineered exclusively for the Chinese car market through Kia’s DYK joint
venture. Kia Motors has yet to confirm whether the KX3 concept will be put into
production.
About
Kia Motors Corporation
Kia
Motors Corporation (www.kia.com) – a maker of quality vehicles for the
young-at-heart – was founded in 1944 and is Korea's oldest manufacturer of
motor vehicles. Over 2.7 million Kia vehicles a year are produced in 10
manufacturing and assembly operations in five countries which are then sold and
serviced through a network of distributors and dealers covering around 150
countries. Kia today has around 48,000 employees worldwide and annual revenues
of over US$43 billion. It is the major sponsor of the Australian Open and an
official automotive partner of FIFA – the governing body of the FIFA World
Cup™. Kia Motors Corporation's brand slogan – "The Power to Surprise"
– represents the company's global commitment to surprise the world by providing
exciting and inspiring experiences that go beyond expectations.