Kia KV7 Concept Live from 2011 Detroit Motor Show

Unveiled at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, the gullwing-door Kia KV7 is a concept on a mission, aiming to change the perception about conventional MPVs. The South Korean automaker beleives that a people carrier should not only be roomy and versatile, but also eccentric and packed with the latest available technologies.

At a first glance, the vehicle's simple lines aren’t that impressive, but once the exotic doors are open – it also has a pillar-less passenger door – the perception changes dramatically. You’d expect to find similar solutions on a sleek supercar or expensive luxo-barge, but somehow Kia’s designers managed to successfully pair them with the brand’s trademark boxy design.

The wide bodied (80 inches or 2.03 meters) concept also features stretched LED headlights, a relatively small greenhouse and less vertical A-pillars. Paired with 20-inch alloys wrapped around in 225/45 tires, all these elements create the illusion of a lower stance.

Inside, the KV7 offers multiple seating configurations thanks to the swiveling seats, and comes equipped with all sorts of modern infotainment systems, including a floating tabletop touch-screen computer. Wi-Fi is also on the menu.

The design study is motivated by the same 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that we’ve seen on the 2011 Kia Optima, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

By Csaba Daradics

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Gullwing-door Kia KV7 Concept Flies into Detroit

After two teaser shots and a couple of leaked images earlier today, Kia’s “activity MPV” concept, the KV7, finally hit the showroom floor at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show.Designed to challenge the notion that minivans are strictly for transporting people, the KV7 stands out with its boxy design and, according to the Koreans, also wants to serve as a “connected social hub for groups of friends and adventure-seekers”.

“From the outset, we felt the category was in need of an honest reassessment due to the fact that everyone seems so desperate to attach the word “sporty” to their MPV even though MPVs, at their very core, are simply a box”, said Tom Kearns, Chief Designer, Kia Motors America. “Rather than reject the box we chose to celebrate it, just like we did with the Soul, and the result is a straightforward yet sophisticated vehicle that retains the functionality MPVs are known for and meets the changing and diverse needs of today’s consumers”.

Unlike most MPVs on the road today, Kia’s design study has a wider and lower stance thanks to the less vertical A-pillars and windshield. This is emphasized by the LED headlights, which cover almost the entire width of the fascia. The lines of the body are simple, while the 20-inch alloys add a sporty touch.

Nothing spectacular, right? Wrong. As you can see in the photos, the KV7's stylistic highlight are the Gullwing-style rear doors, which help create a massive point-of-entry to when opened in conjunction with the pillar-less front passenger door.

Measuring 192 inches (4.87 meters) in length, the concept offers flexible seating configurations and multiple storage options. All seats can swivel, including the driver’s seat, and there’s even a mini-lounge in the rear with seating for three, which, says Kia, promotes interaction in an open social environment.

Designers chose a cheerful color palette of soft beige and green tones and used a variety of unconventional materials, such as teak wood and wool, complemented by LED “accent illumination”.

The dashboard is dominated by a large display, integrating all infotainment, climate and navigation functions, and moves more than six inches towards the driver when the engine start button is pushed. Passengers have their separate interface, in the form of a floating tabletop touch-screen computer display and the KV7 is Wi-Fi enabled.

The last piece of the puzzle is found under the bonnet. Kia fitted the concept with a 285 hp 2.0-liter direct-injected turbocharged engine, also used by the U.S.-spec 2011 Optima sedan, coupled to a 6-speed automatic transmission.

By Csaba Daradics

KV7 specification summary

Exterior Dimensions
Length: 191.85 in. (4873mm)
Width: 80.0 in. (2033mm)
Height: 68.1 in. (1729mm)
Wheelbase: 122.0 in. (3100mm)

Exterior Features

§ Wide stance, smooth exterior skin and 20-inch wheels with 225/45 tyres

§ A-pillar and windshield design that is less vertical than traditional minivans

§ Passenger-side gullwing door which creates a massive point-of-entry to when opened in conjunction with the pillar-less front passenger door

§ A continuous line of LED fog lights that span the entire front end of the vehicle

§ LED Directional turn indicators on the outside mirrors and the rear of the vehicle that pulse in the direction being signalled

§ Interpretation of Kia’s signature bold tabbed grille with vertical LED headlamps integrated within the design

§ A distinctive windshield and series of near-continuous windows starting at the A-pillar for maximum visibility

Interior Features

§ Four custom-built swivelling seats, including the driver’s seat

§ Rear-corner mini-lounge with seating for three

§ Integrated storage compartments

§ Modern colour palette featuring soft beige and green tones

§ Unique seat and surface materials

§ Variety of unconventional textures, including reclaimed teak wood flooring and sustainable wool and felt materials

§ Front dash moves more than six inches toward the driver when push button start is engaged

§ Large multi-use display which integrates infotainment, climate and navigation systems in one simple-to-use interface controlled by a trackball mouse mounted in the dash

§ Rear floating tabletop touch-screen computer display

§ Wi-Fi enabled cabin

§ Ability for multiple passengers to connect their smart phones simultaneously

§ Multiple flush-to-the-floor accent illumination points and standout green LED lighting throughout the front dash, instrument panel and rear display area

Driving Functions

§ New Theta II 2.0-litre GDI turbocharged engine (as fitted to U.S. spec Optima)

§ 285 horsepower

§ Six-speed automatic transmission

§ V6-type power and performance while maximising fuel efficiency

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First Photos of Kia's Detroit Show KV7 Concept Study

We've already seen a teaser rendering of Kia's new KV7 concept, but the first real-life photos of the South Korean automaker's Detroit motorshow-bound design study have just made their way onto the internet. Official details remain slim, but we do know that the crossover concept with the very Ford Flex-like shape and the Gullwing-style rear doors has been penned at Kia's California design studio. We'll have more on the KV7 from the Cobo Center later today.

Source: Bobaedream

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Detroit Preview: Kia Publishes One More Teaser of its KV7 Concept Study

In a few days from now, we'll get to see Kia's all-new KV7 crossover concept in the flesh at the Detroit Motor Show, but until then, we have one more teaser to share with you. This time, the South Korean firm released a cropped image of the actual concept model, providing a sneak peak of the KV7's front end. Previously, Kia had shown a rendering of the crossover model revealing the study's gullwing-style rear doors.

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New Kia KV7 Crossover Concept Heading to Detroit Motor Show

Kia is giving us our first glimpse of its all-new KV7 concept model, which will have its world premiere at next month's 2011 Detroit Motor Show. Aside from the teaser rendering you see pictured above, the Korean firm didn't really reveal any details on the funky crossover model that features a set of Gullwing-style rear doors, but if you insist, we've added the press release after the jump.

KIA Press Release:

"For the past several years Kia Motors' design-led transformation has been delivering production vehicles – such as the Soul, Forte Koup and Sportage – that bear a very close resemblance to the original concept designs that preceded them. At the 2011 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Kia will make another dramatic design statement with the world debut of an all-new, convention-challenging concept vehicle named "KV7."

SEMA: Kia Tunes into Green with Forte Hybrid Concept

We've already told you about the other Kia show cars at SEMA -namely, the Koup Type R, Soul specials and Sportages, but the South Korean firm also brought to Las Vegas a concept version of its Forte Hybrid. According to Kia's own words, the SEMA Show study "demonstrates styling options for those looking for an alternative to a mundane hybrid ride."

It is based on the South Korean market Forte LPI Hybrid, which utilizes a 1.6-liter LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) engine coupled to an electric motor with 15kW and 105Nm and a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).

The SEMA Show tune comes courtesy of Kinetic Motorsports and it includes a subtle aero kit, new alloy wheels wrapped in low-rolling resistance tires and a lowered suspension.

Inside, the tuner modded the Forte Hybrid with two-tone black and green leather upholstery and matching door panels and decorative trim, plus a 1200 watt Infinity audio system.

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