@Hyundai: The Anatomy of Design: K5

The design elements of K5 make a strong impression that cannot be forgotten easily. Here’s the anatomy of the K5 design elements that draw attention.

The Kia Motors K5 received a lot of attention for its innovative fastback style. It is loved by many customers for its stylish and unique charm while removing the image of a classic family sedan. K5’s design has influenced the entire automotive design industry, not to mention its competitors. It also made many other family sedans look sporty since the emerge of K5.

The 3rd generation K5 further developed the design identity that it has been creating over the years under the concept of ‘the evolution dynamics.’ This is because it has enhanced its completeness by implementing bold and intense design elements and dynamic body proportions. Let’s carefully explored the eye-catching design of K5 as if enjoying artworks in a museum.

In the front of the K5 is the “Tiger Nose” radiator grille, Kia’s design identity, and it has evolved into a more advanced form. The border between the radiator grille and the headlamp has been drastically diminished, and all the sculpting elements are organically connected. The grill pattern is also more elaborate. This is because it got inspiration from the ‘Shark Skin’, a textile material that is sharp like shark skin, but has soft touch.

The headlamps and daytime running lights depict the dynamic graphics of the ‘Vital Sign’ that manifest powerful energy, giving the K5 vitality as if the heart was beating. The front bumper then symbolizes a speedboat creating waves and rapidly leaving the water, and this creates a smooth yet and dynamic frontal image.

The most attractive part of the K5 is the fastback style that has evolved dramatically. This is thanks to its class-leading wheelbase (2,850mm), length (4,905mm), and low overall height (1,445mm), for a sleek and dynamic image. Along with this, the body silhouette implemented by a long bonnet, a gentle roofline, and a short trunk lid delicately create a dynamic feel on the whole body with a rich volume. One of the K5’s iconic design elements, the side-glass chrome moldings, stretch out to the trunk lid and attract attention.

At the rear, the original design elements reveal a sense of luxury and stability. The rear lamps extending from the left and right reflect the same details as the daytime running lights in the shape of a vital sign. When the rear lamps are on, lights are displayed rhythmically, giving the vehicle a sense of speed and vitality. The top of the trunk lid is finished in a dual-tone shade with a black garnish for a visual effect that makes the vehicle look shorter than the actual length. The chrome garnish on the rear bumper reminds us of a dual muffler, adding a dynamic feel like a sports car.

The interior is full of futuristic images. This is because a 12.3-inch large-screen cluster and a 10.25-inch navigation system that provide visual enjoyment to the layered dashboard, which looks like a pile of solid lines and surfaces, are placed like art objects. In addition, the slim ventilator decorated with a bezel pattern that symbolizes the airflow, and an air-conditioning control unit with a touch-type method to strengthen the vibe. And there is more. You can feel the beautiful harmony of interior materials in the K5 cabin. Various decorative materials such as plastic, wood, and metal are harmonized to make the interior mood even more luxurious.

An asymmetrical dashboard surrounding the driver and a floor console with a height optimized for driving create a driver-centric space. Various control panels are also carefully arranged, looking toward the driver, minimizing unnecessary movements for the driver. The floor console features an electronic Shift-by-Wire (SBW) that is both beautiful to look at and easy to use. The electronic Shift-by-Wire is convenient and luxurious by applying a jewel-like sparkling pattern to the rim.

Since its debut, the K5 has led the trend of mid-sized sedans. From the 3rd generation K5, you can feel a unique sensibility with bold design elements that catch the eye. Are you tired of midsize sedans? K5 will surely leave you an unforgettable experience with its dynamic styling.

Photos. Dae-Il Choe, Beom-Seok Kim

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