Further styling evolution shown in new Kia K4

KIA has revealed images of its K4 compact sedan this week, the model setting standards for the brand’s exterior and interior design language that it says embrace its “bold attitude of continuously moving forward”.

The model is set to make its global debut at the New York Motor Show this week.

Inspired by Kia’s ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy, the body of the K4 is styled by twisting the connections of “logically aligned squares” in a sequence it calls ‘Twist Logic’. It says the approach is most evident when viewed in profile, highlighting the fastback style of the four-door model’s body.

From the front, the Kia K4 features vertically set headlights positioned at the extreme edges of the ‘Tiger Face’ front end in a bid to emphasis the model’s horizontal stance. The daytime running lights (DRLs) are integrated within the fascia’s horizontal chrome garnish, further accenting the car’s “sophisticated appeal”.

At the rear, the K4 is sculpted to exude “strength and dynamism”, again featuring vertically set lights positioned as far outboard on the body as possible. The tail-lights cut downwards vertically to a “wide, technical bumper” with a built-in air diffuser Kia says promotes a “strong, graphical design”.

“Every contour, curve and detail of the K4 has been carefully considered and crafted to adhere to Kia's design philosophy, Opposites United, bringing together clean faceted surfacing and technological details in a bold, cohesive statement,” said Kia Global Design executive vice president Karim Habib.

“Every aspect further strengthens the relationship between brand and design – with the design of the K4 we are building on what we have learnt and making those values accessible to even more people, by bringing a product that is relevant and meaningful, to inspire the way they think, move, and live.”

The design philosophy continues inside the cabin where expected and unexpected layout designs converge.

Kia says the driver-oriented cockpit gives the K4 a unique character where driver and passenger spaces are separated by a “bold graphic split”. It says the clear distinction between the two zones provides a “technical and machine” character for the driver, and a “comfortable and human” character for the passenger.

Drawing from the brand’s ‘Joy of Reason’ design philosophy, the interior designers created a cabin they say focuses on feel as much as it does more practical attributes, striking a “perfect balance between the rational and the emotional”.

The dashboard of the K4 is dominated by a large central screen and elegantly designed centre console, the illumination of the cabin offering both direct and indirect options for a “sophisticated” night-time feel.

Physical buttons and controls have been “deliberately kept to a minimum”, a line of integrated physical buttons similar to those offered in the EV9 offering easy access to most-used functions.

The interaction between machine and driver also relies on a rotary style controller for “quick, intuitive interactions”, while four further hard buttons provide “seamless control” over the climate control system.

Kia says the K4 interior will be available with an array of exciting new upholstery options, materials, patterns, and colours, including Medium Grey, Slate Green, Canyon Brown, and Onyx Black.

Further details, including market availability of the Kia K4, will be released in updates.