The FINANCIAL — Kia Motors on April 19 unveils two new cars at the Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition 2017, each designed, engineered and built exclusively for Chinese buyers. The new Pegas compact sedan is joined on Kia’s stand by the new K2 Cross, which brings a bold, SUV-inspired design to the compact segment.
Kia’s futuristic motor show display also showcases the company’s next-generation in-car technologies, with a series of interactive virtual reality (VR) simulators which allow visitors to experience Kia’s DRiVE WISE driver assistive systems.
The different zones on the stand demonstrate the full spectrum of Kia’s presence in China, including a dedicated ‘Eco Zone’ for the brand’s latest hybrid-electric vehicles, and a ‘CTCC Zone’, celebrating Kia’s presence in the China Touring Car Championship race series, according to Kia.
High value, maximum practicality and all-new design for Pegas compact sedan
The Kia Pegas is a compact sedan which combines maximum practicality and versatility with a wide variety of customer-oriented technologies and features, as well as a typically bold Kia design. A wide, horizontal ‘face’ gives the Pegas a sporty, stable appearance, and incorporates the brand’s famous ‘tiger nose’ grille, a design signature common to all Kia vehicles around the world.
Manufactured and marketed exclusively in China, the new Pegas is ideal for young customers, offering greater practicality and comfort than many rivals. Its long (2,570 mm) wheelbase means the Pegas offers ample cabin space for all passengers, front and rear, while its large trunk has a maximum capacity of 475 liters, making it one of the most versatile, useful cars in its class. A large sunroof further adds to the spacious, open ambience of the cabin, while a front passenger central armrest enhances comfort on all journeys.
The new Pegas is powered by the latest incarnation of Kia’s efficient 1.4-liter multi-point injection gasoline engine, producing 95 ps and maximum torque of 133 Nm. The engine drives the front wheels and is available with a choice of a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic.
The new Pegas will go on sale across China in the second half of 2017.
K2 Cross – SUV-inspired urban design for Kia’s Compact Sedan
The new Kia K2 Cross brings a robust SUV-inspired design to the brand’s popular K2 compact sedan. This distinctive and charismatic new five-door crossover is designed to take urban environments in its stride. Its ground clearance is elevated by 45 mm compared to the K2 hatchback upon which it is based, affording a more commanding driving position.
The design is enhanced with new roof rails for added carrying capacity, a new metallic-style chin guard at the front, and a purposeful new valance at the rear. While the car maintains the same wheelbase as the K2 hatchback, the new body cladding adds to the car’s width (+30 mm, to 1,750 mm) and length (+40 mm, to 4,240 mm) for a more muscular on-road presence.
The new K2 Cross is available with a pair of highly-efficient gasoline engines – buyers have a choice of a 100 ps 1.4-liter engine, producing 132 Nm torque, and a 1.6-liter engine producing 123 ps and 151 Nm. Both engines feature dual continuously-variable valve timing (D-CVVT) technology to maximize combustion efficiency in the cylinders, and power the front wheels via either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission.
Following its debut at Auto Shanghai 2017, the new K2 Cross will go on sale in China during Q2 2017.
Interactive exhibition of DRiVE WISE driver-assistive technologies
Kia’s motor show stand in Shanghai offers visitors the opportunity to experience the company’s DRiVE WISE Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) first-hand with a series of advanced VR simulators.
DRiVE WISE embodies Kia’s philosophy to realize intelligently safe vehicles and improve safety for all road users. The ‘DRiVE WISE Zone’ allows visitors to fully interact with Kia’s futuristic driver assistive technologies and learn more about the way that these innovations will shape the future of driving. Visitors will be able to experience a range of technologies already available on new cars, such as Advanced Smart Cruise Control (ASCC) and Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), as well as get a feel for how the technology will improve driver safety and enjoyment in future. Exhibits include a single-person cockpit, modelled on the stylish cabin of the Kia Soul, and an eight-seat VR ‘theater’. DRiVE WISE employs advanced camera and sensor technology developed by Kia to aid drivers and help prevent collisions.
From the track to the traffic light – eco models and touring cars on show
Kia is presenting its full line-up of vehicles on sale in China, as well as a series of additional models in the ‘Eco Zone’ and ‘CTCC Zone’ – designed to show the depth of Kia models and technology.
Perfect for more environmentally-conscious car buyers, the ‘Eco Zone’ presents Kia’s latest hybrid-electric models – the Niro hybrid utility vehicle, and the K5. Both feature Kia’s latest advanced hybrid powertrains, pairing gasoline propulsion with eco-friendly battery power to improve fuel efficiency and enhance on-road performance.
For more racing-minded fans, the ‘CTCC Zone’ presents Kia’s K3 China Touring Car Championship racecar, entered into the 2016 CTCC season. Powered by an innovative 1.6-liter turbo gasoline engine and competing in the 1.6 class of the race series, the K3 sedan took all three places on the podium in the final race of the 2016 season. Two of Kia’s K3 CTCC cars will be displayed in a special area of the stand which has been designed to echo the appearance of a race circuit, alongside the race-tuned 1.6-liter turbo engine which led the cars to victory throughout 2016.
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