Kia KV7 Concept para Detroit

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Press release:

For the past several years Kia Motors' design-led transformation has been delivering production vehicles – such as the Soul, Forte Koup and Sportage – that bear a very close resemblance to the original concept designs that preceded them. At the 2011 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Kia will make another dramatic design statement with the world debut of an all-new, convention-challenging concept vehicle named "KV7."

Further information will be released in early-January.

Artigo:

Gullwing doors... they're not just for SLS AMG owners or Back to the Future fans anymore. Kia is bringing its KV7 crossover concept to the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, and the ingress/egress on it looks to be pretty simple. This is very clearly just the rendering of the concept vehicle, and we'd bet a pair of DeLorean-themed Nikes that nothing with these doors or interior finish enters production. However, the KV7 could offer some subtle styling clues as to the future of Kia's crossover design language. We'll be in a better position to break it all down when we see it up close in Detroit.

Fonte: Autoblog

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Teaser



Press release:

"Kia Motors will unveil the KV7 concept, the latest design statement from the brand's U.S. studio located in Irvine, Calif., at the 2011 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). Conceived as a challenge to the industry's current interpretation of the van, the KV7 incorporates several innovative lighting elements currently being evaluated for future Kia production vehicles.

The KV7 concept will be unveiled at a press conference in Detroit on Monday, January 10 at 5:10pm Eastern."

Fonte: Autoblog

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We've already seen a teaser rendering of Kia's new KV7 concept, but the first real-life photos of the South Korean automaker's Detroit motorshow-bound design study have just made their way onto the internet. Official details remain slim, but we do know that the crossover concept with the very Ford Flex-like shape and the Gullwing-style rear doors has been penned at Kia's California design studio. We'll have more on the KV7 from the Cobo Center later today.

Fonte: Carscoop

Imagens:

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Press release:

IA KV7 CONCEPT SHOWCASES FUTURE VISION FOR THE VAN SEGMENT

Concept Car with Gullwing Door, Tabletop Computer and Lounge-like Seating Debuts at 2011 North American International Auto Show

• Kia's Southern California design team builds on the Soul's philosophy of "embracing the box"
• KV7 delivers maximum functionality and brings SUV-like qualities to the van segment

DETROIT, January 10, 2011 – Kia Motors' design-led transformation has delivered eye-catching vehicles such as the Soul, Forte Koup, Sorento and Sportage that bear strong resemblances to the concept cars that preceded them, and today at the 2011 North American International Auto Show the brand's U.S. design studio unveiled its latest design statement – the "KV7" concept. Conceived as a modern-day "activity van," the KV7 concept challenges the notion that vans are strictly for family transportation and reveals a vision for a vehicle with the functionality to transport a large number of people and their belongings while also serving as a connected social hub for groups of friends and adventure-seekers.

The KV7 concept's design stands in sharp contrast to the dramatically raked windshields and wedge-shaped noses found throughout the van segment, and builds on the philosophy of "embracing the box" established by Kia's funky Soul urban passenger vehicle to create a unique and alluring design language that brings SUV-like qualities to the segment.

"From the outset, we felt the category was in need of an honest reassessment due to the fact that everyone seems so desperate to attach the word 'sporty' to their minivan, even though vans, at their very core are simply a box," said Tom Kearns, chief designer, Kia Motors America. "Rather than reject the box we chose to celebrate it, just like we did with the Soul, and the result is a straightforward yet sophisticated vehicle that retains the functionality vans are known for and meets the changing and diverse needs of today's consumers."

Modern, Confident Exterior
Kia Motors' design-led transformation has infused emotion and passion into the brand's lineup of new and recently introduced vehicles, and the inspiration for the KV7 concept was found in the simplicity of elegant box shapes such as sleek smart phones and classic pieces of luggage. The KV7's wide stance is paired with an A-pillar and windshield design that is less vertical than traditional minivans and its smooth exterior skin and 20-inch wheels exude a modern appearance while projecting the confidence and strength of an SUV.

The KV7 concept's most striking feature is its passenger-side gullwing door, which creates a massive point-of-entry to the lounge-like interior when opened in conjunction with the pillar-less front passenger door.

The KV7 concept's inviting face is highlighted by an interpretation of Kia's signature bold tabbed grille with vertical LED headlamps integrated within the design to create a clean, smooth look. The KV7 features several LED lighting elements that Kia's design team is evaluating for future production vehicles, including a continuous line of LED fog lights that span the entire front end of the vehicle and directional turn indicators on the outside mirrors and the rear of the vehicle that pulse in the direction being signaled.
The KV7 concept's distinctive windshield follows the unique designs found on the new Sportage CUV and Optima midsize sedan, and a series of near-continuous windows starting at the A-pillar provide uninterrupted views of a day at the beach or a night out on the town. And despite its non-traditional look, the KV7's length (191.85 in.), width (80.0 in.) and wheelbase (122.0 in.) are consistent with the van segment and allow flexible seating configurations and a multitude of storage options.

Open, Relaxed Interior
In the process of rethinking what a van's exterior appearance and image could be, Kia's Southern California design team also envisioned an interior to meet the needs of an entirely new group of consumers – a group of people referred to as "Ringleaders." Rather than using a van to transport children and their accompaniments, Ringleaders are busy organizing road trips, social outings and new adventures for themselves and their friends to experience together. As such, the KV7 concept's interior employs four custom-built swiveling seats, including the driver's seat, and a rear-corner mini-lounge with seating for three and integrated storage compartments to promote interaction in an open social environment.

-more-
The simple yet sophisticated theme is brought to life inside the KV7 concept through its modern color palette featuring soft beige and green tones and the use of unique seat and surface materials. The KV7 utilizes a variety of unconventional textures, including reclaimed teak wood flooring and sustainable wool and felt materials help to foster a warm and inviting atmosphere.

When the KV7 concept's push button start is engaged, the entire front dash moves more than six inches toward the driver, bringing all controls within easy reach, including the large multi-use display which integrates infotainment, climate and navigation systems in one simple-to-use interface controlled by a trackball mouse mounted in the dash. Rear passengers have their own, separate interface in the form of a floating tabletop touch-screen computer display. The KV7 is Wi-Fi enabled, providing both the front and rear displays with Internet capabilities and the ability for multiple passengers to connect their smart phones to the vehicle at one time and sign on to social networking sites.

Building on the experimental use of LED lighting elements found on the exterior, the KV7's concept's interior also features multiple flush-to-the-floor accent illumination points and standout green LED lighting throughout the front dash, instrument panel and rear display area to compliment the vehicle's color palette.

The final element that separates the KV7 concept from the rest of the minivan crowd can be found under the hood – the concept is powered by Kia's new Theta II 2.0-liter GDI turbocharged engine, which is capable of delivering up to 285 horsepower, and is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission to deliver V6-type power and performance while achieving better than 30 miles per gallon on the highway1.

Exterior Dimensions
Length: 191.85 in. (4873mm)
Width: 80.0 in. (2033mm)
Height: 42.6 in. (1082mm)
Wheelbase: 122.0 in. (3100mm)

Wheels & Tires
Wheels: P255/45R20
Tires: 20-in.

Exterior Features

• Wide stance, smooth exterior skin and 20-inch wheels
• A-pillar and windshield design that is less vertical than traditional minivans
• Passenger-side gullwing door which creates a massive point-of-entry to when opened in conjunction with the pillar-less front passenger door
• A continuous line of LED fog lights that span the entire front end of the vehicle
• LED Directional turn indicators on the outside mirrors and the rear of the vehicle that pulse in the direction being signaled
• Interpretation of Kia's signature bold tabbed grille with vertical LED headlamps integrated within the design
• A distinctive windshield and series of near-continuous windows starting at the A-pillar for maximum visibility

Interior Features

• Four custom-built swiveling seats, including the driver's seat
• Rear-corner mini-lounge with seating for three
• Integrated storage compartments
• Modern color palette featuring soft beige and green tones
• Unique seat and surface materials
• Variety of unconventional textures, including reclaimed teak wood flooring and sustainable wool and felt materials
• Front dash moves more than six inches toward the driver when push button start is engaged
• Large multi-use display which integrates infotainment, climate and navigation systems in one simple-to-use interface controlled by a trackball mouse mounted in the dash
• Rear floating tabletop touch-screen computer display
• Wi-Fi enabled cabin
• Ability for multiple passengers to connect their smart phones simultaneously
• Multiple flush-to-the-floor accent illumination points and standout green LED lighting throughout the front dash, instrument panel and rear display area

Driving Functions

• New Theta II 2.0-liter GDI turbocharged engine
• Up to 285 horsepower
• Six-speed automatic transmission
• V6-type power and performance while maximizing fuel efficiency

Fonte: Autoblog

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Mais fotos:
Kia KV7 Concept (2011) with pictures and wallpapers

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Interessante... Parece uma espécie de Kia Soul do tamanho de uma Espace...

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Em Detroit:
















Mais fotos aqui.

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Kia says KV7 Concept presages some sort of production model; Hamstars to return?

The Kia KV7 Concept isn't only a concept. At the Detroit Auto Show this week, Michael Sprague, Kia's vice president of marketing, told Autoblog "We tend to use auto shows to presage what will be coming," and referenced the Kia Kue Concept from 2007 revealing the brand's design intent as precursor to the Sportage, then the Kia Koup Concept in 2008 and Soul Concepts in 2009 leading to their respective production versions.

The question is what we might see on the retail floor; certainly not the lounge-like seating, the full-length LED dash, or the gill-like LED headlights. Sprague tells AB, "With the KV7 what we see coming eventually is materials on the vehicle that we'd like to see incorporated. Or getting a Kia that's Wi-Fi enabled, it's just a question of how soon." Could this hint at a successor to Kia's aging Sedona/Carnival minivan?

Either way, it's likely that the brand's hilarious Hamstars won't be selling whatever the KV7 turns into. As to how much longer the furry rappers can keep it moving in the Soul's ad campaign, Sprague admits "We might have another one in us." Otherwise, the marketing push is that "we're going to market more sporty as Hyundai goes more premium," and the brand's creative like the Sweet Dreams ad stresses "making rational things fun."

Fonte: Autoblog