Kia Launching Rear-Wheel Drive Flagship Sedan in 2012

Kia has slowly been building its cache as a quality automaker after some early missteps. Its Optima sedan in the US has received mostly rave reviews from critics, and Americans seem convinced by the marque. Kia has decided its time to follow its sibling Hyundai and introduce a flagship sedan. 

Kia has codenamed the new model KH, and it will go on sale in Korea in the first half of 2012. From there it will likely move on to other markets. The KH will be the first rear-wheel drive sedan produced by Kia. 

The KH's design inspiration according to Kia is "distinctive, modern and classic." 

The sketches that Kia released should give a good idea what the KH will look like, given that it will be on sale so soon. The front wears Kia's corporate, mouth-like grill with headlights mounted high on the fenders. The side is handsome, although minimally styled with a single crease running the length of the car. The rear is equally inoffensive. If anything, this vehicle might be slightly boring, especially compared to the dynamism shown in the Optima. 

"Our all-new flagship sedan integrates all of our key capabilities such as design, performance, high-tech features and infotainment into one striking model. Although launch timings for overseas markets are yet to be confirmed, this all-new rear-wheel drive large sedan will definitely become the leading model of our line-up around the world, showcasing the best of the best of Kia," said Soon-Nam Lee, Kia's Director of the Overseas Marketing.