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NEWS
AIMS: Kia aims for Quoris of approval
Luxury flagship will be Korean brand's standard bearer in SydneyKia is a company better known in Australia for its small cars and SUVs, but the company is set to go hunting scalps in a much more rarefied segment of the global market – long-wheelbase luxury sedans.
The manufacturer's weapon of choice for this strategic move is the Quoris, which is being launched into global markets later this year. In something of a coup for the local arm, Kia Australia has secured an example of the Quoris for display on its stand at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney this week.
Quoris takes Kia in a new, technology-rich direction, with Head-Up Display (HUD), which will be a feature of the car in Sydney, and Smart Cruise Control, to maintain braking distance between the Quoris and the car in front. The HUD can be configured for readouts of current speed, prevailing speed limit, navigational directions and blind spot detection. Kia says the intelligent cruise control system will bring the car to a complete stop, if necessary.
Other high-tech equipment that places the Quoris in the same ballpark as well established rivals from Europe include Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFLS) and Around-View Monitor System (AVMS). AFLS adjusts the spread of light to suit driving modes and environment, with the headlights also illuminating the inside of bends. Importantly, for a large sedan like the Quoris, AVMS provides a 360-degree view of the car, for the sake of safety. It complements the car's Parking Guide System (PGS), which displays the car's projected course with guidelines superimposed in the reversing camera monitor and will actually steer the car in reverse leaving the throttle and brakes in the purview of the driver.
Other comfort and convenience features fitted to the Sydney show car include smart-key entry, touchscreen display, two 9.2-inch monitors for rear-seat entertainment (multi-media with premium sound and diverse formats), and a Lexicon audio system by Harman with 12-channel digital amplifier.
Kia claims that the Quoris, riding on a 3045mm wheelbase, provides rear-seat legroom (990mm) that is best in class. Front-seat accommodation matches class-leading dimensions, according to Kia, with headroom of 1020mm and legroom of 1145mm. A powered glass sunroof is standard across the range and the rear-driven Quoris boasts 455 litres of luggage space.
Will we see the Quoris as a production model in Australia however? Not likely, certainly not in the short term, according to Kevin Hepworth, Kia Australia's National Public Relations Manager.
"It's not a marketing issue," he told motoring.com.au today. "The fact is this car is only available in left-hand drive; we couldn't even guesstimate a price on it, as it stands."
"The reason we brought the car out is to show the technology in the car; to show that Kia is capable of building a quality vehicle – a stylish, high-end luxury competitor with a reasonable price, but with all the gear in it."
"There has been no indication at all... that there is a right-hand drive market for it. We're looking at it as a technology showcase and a quality showcase for Kia."
Quoris will not be the only new Kia making its public debut at the motor show; Kia will also display the new Rondo – launched last month in Paris as the Kia Carens – and the Track'ster concept car, as we revealed last week.
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Written byKen Gratton
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