The full-size, rear-wheel drive sedan is currently offered with two V6 engines, while pricing in Korea starts at 52,900,000 won (US$46,900 / €35,500) and rises to 86,400,000 won (US$76,500 / €57,900).
Kia said today that after its introduction in South Korea, the K9 will launch in a number of key overseas markets starting in the fourth quarter of 2012, though the company would not elaborate further. It is expected, however, that the U.S.A. and Canada will be amongst those markets to receive Kia's new flagship.
"K9 is our first rear-wheel drive large sedan for more than a decade and sets new standards for advanced design, new technologies and driving performance, representing the 'best of the best' of Kia," commented Soon-Nam Lee, Kia's Director of Overseas Marketing Group.
The new K9 shares its underpinnings and mechanical hardware with the Hyundai Genesis and Equs sedans. Kia's model has an overall length of 5,090mm (200.3 inches) and rides on a 3,045mm (119.9 inches) wheelbase, while overall width and height are 1,900mm (74.8 inches) and 1,490mm (58.7 inches), respectively.
Several exterior and interior design cues on the K9 bear more than a passing resemblance to BMW's models and especially the 7-Series, something of course, you will not hear from Kia's chief designer, Peter Schreyer.
"K9 is all about elegant simplicity, balanced proportions and simple surfaces," says Schreyer. "The class-leading long wheelbase, the prestige distance, large wheels, sharply upright short overhangs and a long sweeping shoulder line all work together in a harmony to give K9 a sporty, athletic proportion and a confident stance quintessential to a premium large rear-wheel drive vehicle."
At launch, the K9 is offered in Korea with two petrol engines, a 3.3-liter V6 rated at 296HP (300PS) and a 3.8-liter V6 producing 329HP (333PS), both linked to Kia's all-new eight-speed automatic transmission driving the rear wheels.
Kia said that in overseas markets, the K9 will initially be available with an upgraded 286hp (290PS) Lambda V6 3.8-litre MPI engine, with a 329HP (333PS) 3.8-liter GDI engine joining the global engine line-up next year.
The K9 features an electronically controlled air suspension with five-link front and rear suspension geometry.
The driver can choose from four driving modes (Eco, Normal, Sport and Snow), which change the suspension, steering, engine and transmission settings for various road conditions or driving styles.
Depending on the trim grade, available active safety features include fully adaptive all-LED headlamps, Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), radar-based Blind-Spot Detection (BSD) and an Around-View Monitor (AVM) with four cameras.
Available comfort features include a 12.3-inch full size Thin Film Transistor (TFT) LCD cluster, a HUD (head-up display), twin 9.2-inch monitors to entertain rear seat occupants and a 17-channel, 17-speaker Lexicon (by Harman) sound system and Smart Cruise Control (SCC) which adjusts the vehicle's speed to maintain the distance from the vehicle ahead.
In addition, Kia offers a special VIP Package that adds twin heated and ventilated rear seats with a reclining backrest, sliding cushion and lower leg support for the 'nearside' seat, together with a front passenger seat that slides forwards when unoccupied.
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