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January 12, 2005
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This Week:

• Lexus Unveils 500-Plus Horsepower, 200 MPH Sports Car Concept at the 2005 North American International Auto Show

• Jaguar Advanced Lightweight Coupe Makes World Debut in Detroit

• New 2006 Dodge Charger - Out of the Past and Into the Future

• Kia Unveils Concept SUV at North American International Auto Show

• Toyota Unveils FT-SX Concept Vehicle at 2005 North American International Auto Show

• Opel Astra Diesel Hybrid Concept Demonstrates Easy Scalability of Innovative Two-Mode Full Hybrid System

• Ford's Environmental Leadership Grows With Plans For 5 Hybrids And New Hydrogen Vehicles

• Subaru Announces World Debut of the 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca Progressive SUV

• All New 2006 Kia Rio Makes World Debut at North American International Auto Show in Detroit

• BMW Group Sales Increase Yet Again In 2004

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Kia Unveils Concept SUV at North American International Auto Show

KCD-II Mesa Is the Second Concept From the Kia California Design Studio

KCD-II concept

Photo: Kia

Providing a North American vision on a potential new product segment for the company, the KCD-II is a modern, rugged body-on-frame SUV that features three rows of seats, dual full-length sunroofs and an expansive 116-inch wheelbase.

"The Mesa's highly usable interior design leans toward minimalism, while the exterior portrays the unique go-anywhere, do-anything attitude that Kia buyers have come to expect from the brand," said Tom Kearns, chief designer for Kia Design at the Hyundai * Kia Motors Design & Technical Center in Irvine, Calif.

Purposeful Exterior Design

The Mesa's exterior styling is rugged, yet functional, and never compromises the practical utility offered in a large SUV. Designers pushed the imposing, custom-built 22-inch alloy wheels to the corners of the vehicle in an effort to maximize interior space while simultaneously creating stable, responsive handling characteristics.

"Designed to be rugged enough for play on the weekends yet sophisticated enough to take to the theater at night and the office on weekdays, the Mesa really brings everything you could ever want in a truck to the table," said Peter M. Butterfield, Kia president and chief executive officer. "Whether you work hard or play hard, Kia's Mesa concept SUV can provide the best of both worlds."

The Mesa's balanced stance is a result of its stretched wheelbase and extra-wide track. The location of the wheels also provides dynamic stability on or off the road. The vehicle's athletic appearance is further enhanced by sheet metal sculpted to appear lean and taut between muscular fenders, which -- stretched over the massive wheels -- help to project a rugged demeanor.

"Like Hummer and Jeep, Kia has a history of building military vehicles, and we drew on that legacy to bring utility to life in the Mesa," said Kearns.

The turret-style wrap-around windshield reveals a passenger compartment that offers maximum visibility from inside the cabin. The Mesa's high beltline also offers a sense of security and protection. Thick rear pillars add to the vehicle's robust appearance, and outwardly they appear to support the entire roof structure. In fact, the A- and B-pillars help distribute that support and occupant protection, providing a solid structure, along with its fully boxed frame, more than capable of withstanding the extreme bending and twisting inherent in off-road operation. The three-dimensional sculpting of the rear lift-gate further reinforces the vehicle's image of strength and solidity.

While the Mesa is powered by Kia's existing 3.5-liter DOHC naturally aspirated V-6 engine -- as found on the Sorento mid-size SUV -- the engine compartment is sized to accommodate KMC's next-generation power plants, and its aggressively tuned suspension delivers performance in either rear or four-wheel-drive configurations. Equipped with multi-port electronic fuel injection and dual-mode intake system, the 24-valve engine delivers the kind of low-end torque and high-end horsepower that fits the broad requirements of a high performance sport-utility vehicle.

The Mesa features full-time four-wheel-drive with low range for challenging off-road travel. The full-time four-wheel-drive (4WD) system with Active Torque Transfer shifts power to the front and rear wheels according to road conditions, from a maximum 100 percent rear-wheel drive to a 50/50 split. It is also equipped with a limited-slip rear differential to further enhance traction on low-grip surfaces.

A concept vehicle can be a canvas to explore new design directions, and the Mesa represents one potential direction for future Kia trucks.

(Jan. 11, 2005)