Ever since Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin jumped over a Kia to win the 2011 NBA slam-dunk contest, Griffin and Kia have been linked.
Griffin, NBA superstar. Kia, super car.
So it was fitting that Kia unveiled news about its flagship cars for the coming model year during a Clippers game at Staples Center in Los Angeles in part of Asia Week, where the car manufacturer’s director of public relations, Scott McKee, announced Kia would debut several all-new or redesigned models for 2015. Those new models include the Cadenza and the K900, as well as a new minivan and an electric version of the Kia Soul.
Asia Week is a campaign by Kia to reach out to the Asian community to spread the word about the company and their new models to be release this year. It is the first time Kia is targeting the Asian community in hoping to expand and have a bigger fan base.
The flagship Cadenza is a Kia entry in the luxury car market, offering an upscale European-influenced design along with premium amenities, state-of-the-art technology and plenty of power. The Cadenza is offered in two trim levels, known as Premium and SX Limited, with a starting MSRP of $35,100, plus $800 destination and handling.
2014 Cadenza. Photo from Kia Motors America
The Cadenza’s V6 engine with 293-horsepower offers an estimated 28 miles per gallon on the highway. Its modern technology includes voice-command navigation system, Sirius XM Traffic and UVO eServices, an 8-inch touch screen, and a back-up warning system with rear-camera display, which comes standard with this model.
The optional luxury package of the Cadenza includes a sunroof with power retractable sunshade and HID headlights with an adaptive front lighting system.
The limited package has advanced smart cruise control that was designed to use radar to help maintain a set distance to the car ahead, and even can bring the car to a complete stop if needed.
The other Kia flagship model is the K900. The all-new 2015 K900 is poised to challenge the full-size rear-drive luxury sedan segment with an extensive list of standard equipment, world-class accommodations and stunning design that will redefine consumer perception and expectations of the Kia brand.
2015 K900. Photo from Kia Motors America
With the option of a V6 or V8 engine, the standard equipment will feature first-class accommodations and advanced technology. The K900 is expected to be on sale in early 2014.
The K900 has front and rear park-assist sensors and cameras. The speakers in the car will notify the driver when an object is close to the vehicle. The camera will have three colors to notify the driver about how far the object is from the vehicle.
The lane-departure warning system also comes standard. Cameras monitor the car’s position on the road and provide a warning to notify the driver if the car is too close to the lane markers on the road.
About Kia:
Kia Motors America is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 765 dealers throughout the United States and serves as the “Official Automotive Partner” of the NBA. In 2012, KMA recorded its best-ever annual sales total and gained U.S. market share for the 18th consecutive year. Kia Motors America is one of only three auto brands to increase U.S. sales in each of the past four years, and in 2012 the company surpassed the 500,000 unit mark for the first time. With a full line of fun-to-drive cars and CUVs, Kia is advancing value to new levels of sophistication by combining European-influenced styling – under the guidance of chief design officer Peter Schreyer – with cutting-edge technologies, premium amenities, affordable pricing and one of the lowest costs of ownership in the industry. Kia recently moved up in the exclusive ranking of Interbrand’s “Top 100 Best Global Brands” after joining the list for the first time last year, and the company is poised to continue its momentum with seven all-new or significantly redesigned vehicles scheduled to arrive in showrooms in 2013.
The success of the U.S.-built Optima and Sorento in two of the industry’s largest segments has fueled KIA’s rapid growth and is complemented by Kia’s comprehensive lineup which includes the Cadenza flagship sedan, Soul urban passenger vehicle, Sportage compact CUV, Optima Hybrid, the Forte sedan, Forte5, and Forte Koup compacts, Rio and Rio 5-door sub-compacts and the Sedona minivan.
