Kia caused a stir in the when it unveiled the cee'd small car at the
Paris Motor Show last September. Now the company is looking continue its product assault in the United States by branching out into the burgeoning crossover market. The Kue concept, revealed in
Detroit, is the vehicle set to do that.
Unlike most crossover vehicles launched so far, the Kia Kue has been designed as a performance-oriented driver's car first and foremost. A supercharged 4.6-litre V8 producing 400bhp and 400lb.ft of torque finds a home under the bonnet. The Kue puts down all of this power via a full-time all-wheel drive system.
Built on a monocoque platform that sits on 22-inch tyres, the Kue was developed as an expression of Kia's global design language. Purposeful and poised, it has a wheelbase of 2900mm, and an overall length of 4730mm. Muscular wheelarches and headlights which extend far into the wings contrast crisp bevelled sections found elsewhere on the body. A single side door opens scissor-style for easy access.
Power, responsiveness and handling all take precedence over interior space, though there is a four-passenger seating arrangement and custom-built bucket seats. Carefully selected materials and textures are vital components to the interior design, and they create an upmarket feel that is both modern and inviting. A dark interior theme with highlights was chosen in place of the typical light interior common to many concept cars.
Features include pad and motion-sensing controls to adjust the audio and climate controls, with the entire system programmable to each individual user. One surface may activate the stereo for the driver or the temperature for another. Rear passengers also have their own, separate interfaces.
Unsurprisingly, Kia insists that the show car is purely a concept, though it does hint at the company's future styling direction and with the crossover market in the States taking off, it is possible that Kia has such a vehicle in mind for production.
Eric Gallina - 12 Jan 2007