KIA Futuron Concept, an electric SUV with Level 4 autonomous driving

KIA has just unveiled its first coupé SUV, but it cannot be purchased since it is a concept, at least for now. It is called KIA Futuron Concept and its aim is to explore a new design direction for the future electric cars of the Korean brand.

As its name suggests and the photos confirm, this is a futuristic concept that we will not see on our streets in the short term. However, the KIA Futuron envisions a “progressive electric coupé SUV” from the brand that will eventually go into production.

The exterior design is the most striking aspect of this concept, which debuted at the China International Import Expo (CIIE) 2019 in Shanghai. Blending elegant proportions with clean shapes and surfaces, the Futuron presents a new interpretation of the ‘tiger nose’ grille. Much wider, it now incorporates light units with a design inspired by a “star cloud” over a “dragon skin surface inspired by Chinese mythology”.

Inspired by the nebulae in the night sky, according to the brand’s press release, the headlights consist of a geometric LED matrix mosaic that is reflected at the rear by similar LED taillights. We have seen something quite similar in the teaser photos of the Hyundai Grandeur.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ap74g8QGpKg

KIA Futuron, an electric SUV with Level 4 autonomous driving that gets ahead of the future

The vehicle’s proportions are equally striking, featuring a low-slung coupé SUV chassis that contrasts with its considerable height. The new KIA Concept measures 4,850 mm long, 1,550 mm high and has a wheelbase of 3,000 mm.

The concept features an unusual roof, namely a diamond-shaped panoramic roof that sits over a 360-degree core inspired by the “flying saucer and UFO design”. The roof extends over the hood to give drivers an unmatched view and also incorporates a network of LiDAR sensors (light detection and ranging) capable of providing Level 4 autonomous driving functions.

The vehicle’s dramatic shape is made possible by the fully electric powertrain fitted beneath the chassis. A high-capacity battery is mounted low in the body beneath the cabin floor, supplying power to four powerful electric motors at the wheels. This results in a low centre of gravity and an e-AWD system said to offer “quick responses to driver inputs”.

A coupé SUV with four electric motors

The autonomous driving capabilities of the KIA Futuron Concept are reflected in the spacious and flexible interior design. The two front seats are made of flexible materials and can offer an upright “driving” position or a reclined “rest” position. When autonomous mode is activated, the front seats recline as the steering wheel retracts.

The Star Cloud lighting and the scaled Dragon Skin motif on the doors create a connection with the exterior, with the ventilation system also housed behind the Dragon Skin scales. Another striking interior element is the cabin area surrounding the driver, which features a graphical user interface (GUI) that flows from the driver’s door and wraps around the steering wheel in a continuous arc. This effectively merges the instrument cluster directly with the audiovisual screen in the centre of the instrument panel.