Kia K9 RWD Sedan Spied Undisguised for the First Time!

After seemingly endless months of the same old spy shots of camo-clad prototypes, we bring you the first spy shots of the Kia K9 rear-wheel drive luxury sedan undisguised. Thanks to the members of Bobaedream.com, we have our very first good look at Kia’s upcoming flagship model (code-named KH).

We can clearly see a front-end design inspired by the look of Kia’s recent GT Concept and featuring the automaker’s corporate tiger-nose grille and tapered-back LED headlights. The headlights also evidently draw inspiration from those of the BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo, while the corporate grille elicits thoughts of BMW’s kidney grilles. The rear-end also draws inspiration from the BMW 7-Series. As derivative as the KH may be though, the hodgepodge of design cues all come together very nicely.

As mentioned, the KH’s mechanicals will be shared with the Equus, which will likely see the KH come with a V-8 engine matched to an eight-speed, or possibly even a 10-speed, automatic transmission. Expect the smaller 385-horsepower 4.6-liter V-8 to help differentiate the KH from the 5.0-liter endowed Equus. A diesel option should also be offered for European buyers.

First sales are scheduled to start in Kia’s domestic market in the first half of the year. Kia is keeping quiet on launch plans for other markets as some of these dates, including an arrival in the U.S., are still being evaluated. However, being Kia’s new flagship and showcasing the best design and engineering talents the Korean automaker has to offer, it will be highly unlikely that the KH doesn’t eventually arrive on U.S. soil.