Kia takes a new model onto the podium: the K8. It is a sedan that in fact serves as the successor to the previously called Cadenza or K7 big brother of the Optima. The design is striking. The K8 is a bit higher on the status ladder than its predecessor.
The Optima, which was in Dutch showrooms until recently, is known as K5 in various countries. According to the same strategy, the Cadenza, the model above the Optima, supplied in the United States, is called K7. The outgoing Cadenza / K7 launched in 2016 is replaced by this brand new K8, which is put higher in the market by Kia than its predecessor.
Kia K8
The K8 is the first model that Kia presents to daylight since its ‘rebirth’. It is therefore not surprising that the car is doused with the latest design language. The sedan naturally features the new emblem that was recently christened. The K8 extends over a length of 5.02 meters, making it five centimeters longer than its predecessor and even 12 centimeters longer than the Optima, which is not available in the Netherlands. The Kia K9, also called K900 or Quoris, with a car length of 5.12 meters is still above the K8.
Technical specifications have not yet been released, the same applies to images of the interior. The exterior of the K8 is interesting enough for now. The front in particular attracts attention. Kia gives it a frameless version of the well-known tiger nose-grille, which is also completed in a special way on the K8. The grille pattern is also reflected in the bumper. The K8 has similarities at the rear with its smaller brother Optima. Naturally, the rear light units are also equipped with LED technology. In the rear window pillar, Kia applies a striking fin-like ornament.
Detailed specifications will follow at a later stage. In the Netherlands we do not have to expect the K8.