The Kia K9, also known as the Kia K900 in the United States and Canada and the Kia Quoris in other export markets, is a full-size luxury car manufactured and marketed by Kia, produced from 2012 to 2026.
It was first came out in its native country, South Korea, in May 2012, with export sales beginning in late of the same year. Then, since June 2013, it was sold in South Korea, United Arab Emirates, Colombia, Chile, Guatemala, Peru, Russia, the United States, and Canada. There are plans to release it in China, although Kia will not use the Quoris nameplate after it lost a legal battle.
The second-generation K9 was launched in 2018.
__TOC__
First generation (KH; 2012)
The K9 is a derivative of the Hyundai Equus and Genesis, with which it shares the BH-L (VI) platform. It is the first rear-wheel-drive sedan Kia offered in the United States. The K9's development code was KH.
The K9 is slightly shorter than the Equus, and has a longer wheelbase than the Hyundai Genesis with shorter front overhang dimensions. The Quoris features Kia's "Tiger nose" grille as well as blind spot detection, head-up display and an adaptive front lighting system.
Launch engines in Korea include a V6 and a GDI (Gasoline Direction-Injection) V6, coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The Quoris debuted in Russia in 2013 with a 3.8L V6.
The K900 in the US uses a GDI V8, producing of torque. In Canada, the K900 can be fitted with either a 3.8L GDI V6, producing of torque or the same 5.0L GDI V8 as the US market.
Powertrain +SpecsModelYearsTransmissionPowerTorque0–100 km/h(0-62 mph)(Official)Top speed3.3 Lambda II GDi2012–20188-speed automatic @ 6,400 rpm @ 5,200 rpm3.8 Lambda II MPi2013–2018 @ 6,200 rpm @ 5,000 rpm7.3s3.8 Lambda II GDi2012–2018 @ 6,400 rpm @ 5,100 rpm6.8s2015–2018 @ 6,000 rpm @ 5,000 rpm5.0 Tau GDi2014–2018 @ 6,400 rpm @ 6,400 rpm @ 5,000 rpm5.7s
Second generation (RJ; 2018)
Kia debuted the all new K9/K900 (still sold as the Quoris in a few markets) at the March 2018 New York International Auto Show. The new generation is longer and wider than the outgoing model, and has a wheelbase stretched by about . It retains the same 8-speed transmission, as well as the same three engine choices. The interior features higher quality leather and wood trim, as well as an analog clock developed by Maurice Lacroix. Kia also introduced an AWD model in South Korea for the second generation.
2021 facelift The exterior images of the newer facelift version were released on 17 May 2021. Compared to the pre-facelift model, it got a wider grille with chrome V logos, a full-width rear lamp, and a repositioned number plate. This version also got a tweaked interior, such as a larger 14.5-inch infotainment display and fingerprint authentication system.
Powertrain +Petrol enginesModelYearsTransmissionPowerTorque0–100 km/h(0-62 mph)(Official)Top speed3.3L Lambda II GDi2018–present8-speed automatic @ 6,000 rpm @ 6,000 rpm @ 5,000 rpm8.0s (RWD)8.4s (AWD)3.3L Lambda II T-GDi2018–present @ 6,000 rpm @ 1,300–4,500 rpm3.8L Lambda II GDi @ 6,000 rpm @ 5,000 rpm5.0L Tau GDi2018–2021 @ 6,000 rpm @ 5,000 rpm5.7s (AWD)
Marketing To promote the K900, Kia Motors released their Super Bowl XLVIII commercial, featuring Laurence Fishburne reprising his role as Morpheus from The Matrix series. In October 2014, basketball player LeBron James was named Kia's K900 luxury ambassador.
The Kia K900 sold over 200 units per month from April to June in the U.S. market its launch year. Sales dropped to roughly 100-130 units in July and August 2014, and then to 56 in September and up to 62 October.
The K900 was discontinued in 2018 in Canada, and in 2021 in the United States. Kia cited the market transition from large cars to crossovers and SUVs. Only 305 units of the K900 were sold in the US in 2020.
Discontinuation On 6 July 2026, Kia has confirmed that the K9 will be discontinued at the end of 2026 after 14 years of production, due to declining sales. The K8 will soon serve as Kia's largest car due to its similar segment.
Sales Calendar year South Korea United States Canada 2014 4,429 1,330 23 2015 4,294 2,524 36 2016 2,555 834 26 2017 1,553 455 7 2018 11,843 354 4 2019 10,878 390 2020 7,831 305 2021 6,432 85 2022 6,736 20233,898 20242,209
See also Kia GT Concept Kia Stinger Kia Opirus
References
External links
(South Korea)