2007 Kia Cue
Price |
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Production |
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Engine |
4.6 liter DOHC V8 |
Weight |
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Aspiration |
supercharger |
Torque |
400 lb-ft | ||
HP |
400 hp |
HP/Weight |
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HP/Liter |
87 hp per liter |
1/4 mile |
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0-62 mph |
-- |
Top Speed |
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(from Kia Press Release) Kia Unveils Kue Concept at North American International Auto Show
IRVINE, Calif., January 8, 2007 – Kia Motors America (KMA) today during a press conference unveiled the all-new Kia Kue crossover concept vehicle at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. The press conference also served as the official public debut in North America for Peter Schreyer, new global design chief of Kia Motors Corporation (KMC).
“We’ve instilled confidence and integrity in our consumer base with vehicles that provide value, quality and safety,” said Len Hunt, executive vice president and COO of KMA. “Kue embodies the next phase of our brand evolution, which will instill pride and passion in our customers through great design.”
The Kia Kue employs a
different approach to the crossover utility vehicle segment by
taking elements of what makes a CUV to a new level, namely
performance. Kue is designed first and foremost as a driver’s
vehicle. While possessing SUV characteristics and capabilities, the
Kia Kue focuses more on giving the driver an exhilarating driving
experience on the way to the home improvement center than on how
much it can haul.
The Kia Kue has a monocoque platform that sits on 22-inch tires with
a wheelbase of more than 114 inches, packaged in an overall length
of 186 inches. Though purely a concept, the Kia Kue does, however,
hint at future styling directions for Kia Motors.
“Good design shouldn’t look like you are trying too hard,” said Tom Kearns, KMA chief designer. “The future Kia direction will incorporate the ‘less is more’ philosophy but still include a heavy dose of boldness to be distinct.”
With its four wheels pushed to the corners and exterior skin tautly stretched over its underpinnings, the Kue sits powerful and poised. Draped muscular wheel flares play a nice contrast to crisp beveled sections found elsewhere on the body. Swept back headlights connect to the front grille to create a clean, aggressive down-road appearance. The side window shape flows effortlessly into the rear backlight where two centerline hinging doors open to access rear storage. A single side door that incorporates a negative skive shape opens scissor style for easy ingress and egress.
On the inside Kue
continues the clean, athletic theme with bold understated
simplicity. With a four-passenger seating arrangement and
custom-built bucket seats, Kue is a vehicle both driver and
passengers can enjoy. A technology-driven interface designed to
adjust to driver and passenger preference is the focus of the
interior functionality. Touch pad and motion-sensing controls are
used to adjust things like audio and climate, and the entire system
is programmable so that one surface may activate the stereo for one
driver and temperature for another. Rear passengers have their own,
separate interface.
The generation-next functionality of the interior is complemented by
the use of sophisticated seat and surface materials and a modern
color palette. Carefully selected materials and textures are vital
components to the interior design of Kue, and they create an upscale
feel that is both modern and inviting. A mid dark interior theme
with highlights was chosen in place of the typical light interior
common to many concept cars. Overall, the Kue interior presents a
new perspective of upscale function with an emphasis on comfortable,
user-friendly interaction.
Just as inviting is Kue’s appeal to be driven in a sporty fashion.
Fitted with a 400-horsepower, DOHC, supercharged 4.6-liter V8 that
twists out 400 lb-ft of torque, Kue is a true performance vehicle.
Helping the driver harness all that power is a full-time all wheel
drive system yielding predictable driving characteristics both on-
and off-road.
Developed by the KMA design team as an expression of Kia’s global design language, the Kia Kue is a true reflection of the Kia brand and the passion it embraces.