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Kia presents its KND-4 Concept Vehicle at the Los Angeles auto show

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Khatir Soltani
It seems as if all of a sudden, everyone's got an active lifestyle and need an appropriate vehicle. Kia's answer is the KND-4, a compact 2-door SUV.


Specifically-designed to provide an idea of what future Kia SUVs will look like, the KND-4 was conceived in the company's design center in Korea and made its world debut at the Seoul Motor Show last April.

On the outside, the KND-4 features LED headlights and a grille that sweep way into the fat front fenders. The squared-off rear end hosts a large rear window, and the SUV is jacked up on 20-inch wheels.

Inside, there are individual seats for four passengers who are embraced by backlighted metallic trim spread around the cockpit. The cargo area gets a mobile hard case used for storage and--mandatory for those with an active lifestyle--a first aid kit.

The instrument panel features a type of display that Kia calls AMOLED (Active-Matrix, Organic, Light Emitting Diode), which is said to provide a clear image of the readouts, no matter from what angle you're looking at them. Other gadgets include Bluetooth communication, Blu-Ray playback and a hard disc drive for the sound system, all controlled by wheel-mounted switchgear.

Under the hood, Kia dropped a turbocharged, 2.2-liter diesel engine that sends power to the road via the company's Active Torque Transfer (ATT) system, which favours the wheels that have the most traction under slippery surfaces.


photo:Kia
Khatir Soltani
Khatir Soltani
Automotive expert
  • Over 6 years experience as a car reviewer
  • Over 50 test drives in the last year
  • Involved in discussions with virtually every auto manufacturer in Canada