KIA to show new concept KCV-III sports car at Sydney Show

Huge high-definition headlamps extend up the wheel arches and highlight the narrow radiator grille and prominent air dam. The side view is dominated by massive 20-inch wheels, giving the KCV-III a low-slung, racy appearance that is backed up by a four-cylinder inline DOHC engine that displaces 2.0 litres and generates 108 kW at 6,000 rpm. Torque is a healthy 190 Nm.

The doors are angled down toward the front for a more dynamic look and the slender roofline and A-pillar improves all round visibility. The roof, which folds down at the touch of a button, is composed of three panels of solar control glass.

"The problem with a traditional convertible is that you can't enjoy the outdoors if it's too cold to put the roof down," says Mr. Lee. "With the KCV-III there are no barriers between you and the environment, so you get the fun of top-down motoring even when the weather is unsuitable."

Deep character lines emphasise the high wheel arches and give the car a powerful, stable look. The rear takes its cue from high-performance sports cars and its rounded contours highlight the vehicle's aerodynamic styling. Independent strut suspension at the front coupled with a torsion beam rear axle give the KCV-III reliable, responsive handling characteristics.

Safety features include advanced airbags that sense whether the passenger seat is occupied before deploying. The system also integrates with seatbelt sensors to detect whether or not a seatbelt is being worn. In the event of a collision, the airbag system will gauge the severity of the impact and deploy accordingly. If seatbelts are not being worn, the airbags will deploy at lower speeds to increase protection of the occupants. Active headrests move forward in the event of a collision, preventing the whiplash injuries that are common even in minor accidents. A further safety feature is seat-integrated roll-bars that provide added protection in the event of roll-over accidents.

"Vehicle safety regulators are increasingly focusing on roll-over protection," says Mr. Lee. "Adding the roll-bars meant that we could not only keep pace with that trend but also gave us a styling element that adds to the modern, sporty look of the car."

Another area attracting increasing attention from safety regulators is passenger protection. The KCV-III is designed with special "soft spots" in the front bumpers and hood to cushion the impact if the car were to hit a pedestrian. The windscreen wipers are recessed to avoid causing additional injury.

Of course, the driver would hope never to use such features. Helping prevent accidents is an electronic stability program which employs sensors to monitor each road wheel, the steering wheel angle, throttle position, acceleration and yaw. It compares data on the intended direction of the car and the actual track of the car. When a potential skid is identified, the ESP "sees" the problem by constantly comparing the status of the car to a computer generated reference model based on the current situation.

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