Kia and luxury once went together like bleach and ammonia, but as we creep into the 2015 model year, things are starting to change. It started with cars like the Optima and Sorento getting more luxurious digs, then came to a head with the introduction of the Cadenza. And now for 2015, Kia presents its K900, a luxurious sedan that shares a platform with its sister brand's luxury rig, the Hyundai Equus.
Not only is the K900 the most luxurious car that I have ever seen from Kia, but it is also the most powerful, thanks to is 420-horsepower, Tau V-8 that is borrowed from Hyundai. As of July 2014, this Tau V-8 remains the standard engine in all K900s, but soon the 3.3-liter V-6 found in the Cadenza will make its way into the engine compartment.
In the Cadenza, the 3.3-liter engine produces 293 ponies, but I am willing to bet it will exceed 300 horses by the time it makes its way to the K900. And this tuning is likely why the V-6-powered K900 is not on dealer lots yet - a 293-horsepower V-6 is not suitable for a 4,600-pound lard yacht.
Fortunately, I got my crack at the K900 before the V-6 had a chance to ruin the fun, so I got to enjoy all 420 roaring ponies from this Korean masterpiece. But the real question is, can it actually hang with BMW and Mercedes this early into its life?
Find out the answer and read all about my time with the K900 after the jump.
Kia K900 - Driven originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 29 July 2014 11:00 EST.
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