Kia K9/Kia Quoris to launch in the US as Kia K900

The Kia K9 – destined to be the Kia Quoris in some markets – is to launch in the US early in 2014 as the K900, a new flagship car for Kia.

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It’s over a year since Kia launched a range-topping car in South Korea, an impressive luxury car that has more than a hint of BMW 7-Series about it but got saddled with an odd name – Kia K9.

Kia realised the K9 badge would raise eyebrows in many markets – particularly English speaking ones – so announced it’s new name, the equally daft Kia Quoris, a few months later. And now it seems they’re having another go with their over-worked car-naming team, with the K9/Quoris heading for the US in early 2014 with another new name in the process – the Kia K900.

But whatever name it’s saddled with, the big Kia is an impressive offering.

Yes, the nose is more Korean than Teutonic, but in almost every other way the Kia K900 is throwing down a serious challenge to the established German premium models like the 7-Series, S-Class and A8 (not to mention the Lexus LS and Jaguar XJ) with a comprehensive spec and appealing powertrains.

Those powertrains look to be a 420bhp V8 and a 290bhp V6 petrol fitted with an 8-speed auto ‘box and come with a spec including stuff like adaptive LED headlights, Adaptive Cruise, Heads-Up display, high-end sound, leather and all the toys you’d expect in premium large saloon.

In South Korea, the K9 starts at under £30k and in the US is expected to cost from a little over £30k, rising to around £45k, prices that will make buyers of more established high-end models sit up and take notice.

We did have doubts that the new Kia would come to the UK, but with the Hyundai Genesis now looking like it’s heading for the UK, we wouldn’t bet against the new Kia coming to the UK in the next year. If it does, let’s hope it arrives as the K900 rather than the Quoris.