Kia is far from the budget brand of the mid-1990’s with its new lineup that includes the new Optima, which is finally competitive against sedans like the Camry and Accord. Now that Kia has managed to build an Optima that people will actually buy, what is next? Well a premium rear-wheel-drive sedan based off the Hyundai Genesis could be in the works.
Kia Motors Australia COO Tony Barlow told Drive, “We have an interest in all new models under development. A rear-wheel-drive premium sedan could be seen as a logical step from the Optima to the next level of Kia development.”
In 2009 there were rumors that Kia was working on a new flagship sedan, which was referred to as the K9. Peter Schreyer, Kia’s chief designer didn’t confirm that a new rear-wheel-drive sedan is in the works, but he did say, ” “I think when you can work with the rear-wheel drive proportion it is always good for the designer. For a big sedan it is the better proportion; fantastic proportion of course.”
When he was asked if the K9 would represent a new design direction for Kia, Schreyer stated, “Always we try to do that … but I cannot talk about things that are probably in development.”
According to the latest rumors Kia may unveil a concept or production version of the K9 at the Frankfurt Motor Show this fall.
Full Story: Drive
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