Kia Motors is an automaker that is either falling apart or building a conglomerate, because like the Hindu god, Durga, Kia has sprouted many arms and is working in multiple directions for the future. From electric vehicles (EV6) to multi-purpose vehicles (Carnival MPV), this South Korean automaker is one surprise after another. Year-after-year, Kia Motors ranks high in the J.D. Power Initial Quality Study, but only among mass-market vehicle brands, not all of them. To change that, the newest venture from Kia Motors is the luxury sports sedan, the K8, to dominate the luxury car segment as well. We’ve talked exterior, we’ve checked out the interior, now let’s look at some specs of the Kia K8.
Engineering
The massive interior space of the cabin is thanks to a larger vehicle overall, with extended length, optimal height and width, and a longer wheelbase. Even at the size, the K8 is still the lightest sedan on the market. So, what kind of powertrain will be under the hood of the vehicle? At launch, four powertrains will be available.
Two of the powertrain options are the same state-of-the-art 3.5-liter Smartstream powertrain, except offered with a GDI (gasoline direct injection) fuel delivery method for 295 horsepower and 264 lb-ft of torque, or a LPI (liquid propane injection) that can generate 236 horsepower and 231 lb-ft of torque. If looking to test the “Sporty” name that this sedan is aiming for, then consumers will want the 3.5 GDI Smartstream powertrain. A performance-orientated front-wheel-based AWD K8 model will also be available at launch. Read the rest of this entry