Kia's new K8 saloon embodies technology, modern design and innovation

The Kia K8 combines cutting-edge innovation and dynamic performance to establish new benchmarks for premium quality in the saloon segment. The K8 offers progressive and refined driving performance, cutting-edge Advanced Driver Assistance System, and a contemporary and clean interior space that provides the driver and passengers with a first-class lounge experience.

The K8's four powertrains have all been developed to offer refined, smooth power delivery while improving fuel economy and reducing emissions. A 3.5-litre Smartstream powertrain is offered in two power and fuel options, a Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) derivative with 296bhp and 359Nm of torque, and a Liquid Propane Injection (LPI) stablemate with 237bhp with 314Nm of torque.

A 2.5-litre GDI engine is also available, delivering 195bhp and 248Nm pf torque. Like the Smartstream powertrain, the 2.5-litre four-cylinder features GDI and Multi Point Injection (MPI) dual injection technology to realise optimised fuel injection across all operating conditions. The entry-level powertrain in the new K8 is a refreshed version of Kia's 1.6-litre T-GDI engine, which will be available from the first half of this year.

An eight-speed automatic transmission, designed and developed in-house, accompanies the 2.5-litre GDI engine, the 3.5-litre GDI and LPI Smartstream derivatives. Adding to the sense of refinement, the K8 has been developed to offer minimal Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH), employing reinforced sound packaging materials including a triple sealing solution to the doors that dramatically reduces unwanted noises.

As a performance-orientated model, the all-wheel drive K8 will be available with the 3.5-litre GDI Smartstream powertrain that delivers tailored power and performance driving characteristics while achieving improved fuel economy and reduced emissions. It allows the K8 to always perform optimally by actively distributing torque between the front and rear wheels depending on road conditions and driving situations.

Every element of the K8 interior has been designed with high-end luxury in mind, serving to elevate the senses of the driver and passengers. For example, the K8 features an ergonomically-advanced driver's seat that uses no fewer than seven air pockets - including in the backrest, sides and hip areas - to achieve the perfect seating position and feeling when driving.

Named the Ergo Motion Seat, the leading-edge driver's seat has a 'comfort stretching' mode that individually controls the air pockets of the hip and backrest areas of the seat, creating the effect of stretching while sitting down. There is also a 'smart support' function that tenses the seat against the body of the driver, creating a unison and helping to inspire total driving confidence.

The 'smart support' function of the seat is activated when the K8 engages sports driving mode or when the car exceeds 130km/h. It lowers the height of the hip area of the seat and strengthens the support to the side bolsters. A third innovative mode - 'posture assistance' - adjusts the air pouches located around the hip and back areas of the seat when driving for more than one hour to provide a sumptuous seating position.

Further enhancing driver comfort is a new cushion extension function of the Ergo Motion Seat that allows the driver to fully adjust the length of the hip areas of the seat to make it compatible with their height and preferred driving position.

The same care and attention to detail has also been given to the well-being of the passengers in the K8. Just like the driver's seat, for the front passenger there is a high-tech eight-way adjustable comfort electric seat that offers the optimal seating position and resting space.

The ventilation and heating of all the K8 seats can be adjusted in three easy stages and the cabin can be sectioned into three main areas for ambient temperature optimisation, meaning each passenger plus the driver experiences a bespoke lounge environment.

For passengers in the second row of the K8, there is a multi-functional fully-connected centre armrest featuring a USB charging port, sliding cup holders and a media control device. Further enhancing K8 passenger convenience, the rear area of the first-row headrests has been developed to encompass a hanger-type design, allowing clothing and handbags to be easily and conveniently hooked into place.

A contemporary panoramic curved display links a 12-inch digital cluster and a 12-inch infotainment system, bringing together the K8's advanced connectivity and infotainment technology for all inside the sports saloon. This curved display - a first for Kia - is clean, ultra-modern and easy-to-use, giving the K8 an effective minimalist-meets-simplicity tech style.

The K8 is the first-ever Kia to feature a sound system from Meridian Audio. The 14-speaker premium sound system makes use of advanced materials and next generation innovations to enable the highest levels of sound quality. The system includes a titanium dome vibration plate tweeter that helps to minimise sound distortion and natural wood fibre dresses the vibration plate that is part of the door speaker.

Adding to the K8's leading tech capabilities, Kia's all new 12-inch head-up display technology - which has a 50% increase in projection area and graphic size compared to the previous generation - has been applied for the first time. This next generation head-up display unit clearly visualises essential data for the driver in their eye line, including Advanced Driver Assistance System, navigation information and the current speed.

Kia's Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) reduces hazards, fully protecting occupants and other road users on every journey. As part of its ADAS package, the K8 features Kia's Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA), which helps avoid collisions with objects in front of the vehicle while driving.

If the preceding vehicle suddenly slows down, or if a forward collision risk is detected, such as a stopped vehicle, a pedestrian, or a cyclist in front of the K8, FCA provides a warning. After the warning, if the risk of collision increases, FCA automatically assists with emergency braking of the vehicle.

The FCA's emergency braking capabilities also assist in many other driving scenarios for the K8. This includes if there is a risk of collision with an oncoming vehicle while turning left at a junction or while driving through a junction and there is a risk of collision with oncoming traffic from either the left or right.

When changing lanes while driving, if there is a risk of collision with an oncoming or preceding vehicle in the next lane, FCA automatically assists with avoidance steering capability. Finally, if there is a risk of collision with a pedestrian, FCA technology automatically assists with avoidance steering.