Kia K8, the new Korean rear-wheel-drive sports saloon

Kia is using these months to unveil its upcoming news, and if the other day we saw the new Kia Rio, today we are going to look at the new rear-wheel-drive sports saloon that aims to sit at the top of Korean buyers’ preferences. It is the Kia K8, a car that has just come off the production line, and we can see the version offered in its home country before it goes on sale worldwide.

The origins of this model are to be found in the Concept GT we saw in 2011, which shares many elements with that model, although it has details that update its look. For example, the roofline has been modified and the rear lights also differ from the model it is based on. The K8 has started production, and the one in this photo appears to be one of the first to leave the assembly line.

Engine and features

As for the engine, although there is no confirmation yet, it is expected to be the 3.3-litre twin-turbo V6 also used in the Genesis G80, which delivers a total output of 365 CV, sending all that power through a six-speed automatic gearbox. This engine could be complemented by another, a 2.0-litre turbocharged unit, offering performance similar to the other variant, although it will take a little longer to become available.

In the rest of the world, the new Kia K8 could be named Kia GT and could attract plenty of attention from potential buyers thanks to its specifications and the feel that rear-wheel drive provides. We know little about the technology equipment, but we assume it will include all the usual features, with driver assistance systems and connectivity to access smartphone applications. In any case, its size and presence make it a rival to similar models, which will have to move quickly to cope with its arrival.

Via | Carscoops