Kia's SUV future out of the square

This stylish concept -- dubbed the KND-4 -- points the way to Kia's next generation of SUVs. Unveiled last week at the Seoul motor show, the KND-4 is a precursor to a vehicle that could sit alongside the Sportage and Sorento in the increasingly-dynamic South Korean carmaker's line-up.

However, unlike those two vehicles, the KND-4 is likely to be a softroader with a pronounced on-road bias. This is no doubt in light of statistics that show the vast majority of SUV buyers rarely venture beyond the blacktop.

Be that as it may, the lime-green concept does have some off-road credentials such as four-wheel drive, good ground clearance and minimal front and rear overhangs. It measures 4466mm long, 1860mm wide and 1600mm tall, which means it's longer and wider than the Sportage, but 95mm lower.

It's powered by a 2.2-litre VGT diesel engine that drives all four wheels via the latest version of Kia's Active Torque Transfer (ATT) system, which -- in severely slippery conditions -- automatically distributes torque to the wheel or wheels with the best traction.

The concept's rakish nose houses LED headlights, while the flared wheelarches enclose large diameter 20-inch wheels and 245/40 R20 low-profile tyres that "appear to bulge out of the vehicle's form."

Designed to seat four people in individual seats, the KND-4's interior is 'future-oriented' with floor, dashboard and door trim panels in metallic finish, while the centre console features the next generation AMOLED (Active-Matrix, Organic Light Emitting Diode) display screen that features an ultra-thin screen, ultra-wide viewing angle and ultra-high contrast.

A production variant of the KND-4 is likely to be at least 12 months away, but it's likely to be a key addition to Kia's range if it does finally eventuate.

The South Korean marque's Australian fortunes have taken a taken a bettering since it took charge of its local operation from Ateco Automotive earlier last year.

Kia sold 20,770 vehicles in 2006, compared with 25,293 units in 2005 (when Ateco distributed the brand in Australia), but it says it is looking forward to stronger sales and a top ten position within two years (more here).

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