New Kia K8 (PHOTO)

Kia will replace the losing customer Cadenza with the new K8 sedan. So far, only the exterior of the new large “four-door” has been revealed. According to unofficial data, the model will be offered with a pair of “aspirated”, there will also be a hybrid version with an installation based on a “turbo four”.

We have already seen this sedan more than once in spy shots – however, in camouflage. Previously, it was believed that it would be positioned as the third generation K7: the model wears such an index in its native Korea, while in other countries it is known under the name Cadenza. Recall that K7 / Cadenza is the most expensive front-wheel drive “four-door” Kia, only cooler than the K9 / K900 sedan created on a rear-wheel drive platform. The second generation model debuted in 2016, in 2019 it underwent a serious restyling, and a year later another batch of new things arrived. But the G7 ended 2020 at home with a 26% drop – 41,048 cars were sold. And in the States, for example, only 1,265 customers (-22%) opted for a Kia sedan. Now it has been officially announced that there will be no next K7 – the Kia K8 sedan will replace it.

The company emphasizes that the model demonstrates “the beginning of the rebirth of the Kia brand.” The exterior is made in a new style: the “four-door” received narrow LED headlights and a frameless radiator grille with a pattern in the form of diamonds, on the sides of which there are “mosaic” blocks with running lights; rear lights – in the form of a rather wide plate with branches. In addition, K8 got a new Kia emblem (it’s made of aluminum). The brand has not yet shown the interior, inside we are waiting for a virtual “tidy” and a large touchscreen of the multimedia system, and instead of the traditional box selector, they probably installed a washer or a push-button remote control.

Of the characteristics of the Kia K8, only the length has been named so far – 5015 mm, which is 20 mm more than that of the K7. Wheelbase “seven” – 2855 mm. Most likely, like its predecessor, the new sedan is built on a front-wheel drive platform.

Meanwhile, the Korean media have already found out with which engines the new product will be offered: according to their data, the range will include the former “aspirated” 2.5 GDI (198 hp) and the new V6 3.5 GDI (300 hp), will also be powered by gas engine V6 3.5 LPI (240 hp) and a hybrid version based on the “turbo” 1.6 T-GDI (total output – 230 hp). The hybrid has a six-speed “automatic”, the rest of the engines supposedly have 8AKP.