Futuron Concept is Kia's new electric coupe-style SUV

Kia Motors has unveiled the Futuron Concept, a new all-wheel-drive coupe-style SUV that gives a glimpse of what the Korean brand's future electric vehicles might look like.

• Sleek, streamlined shape with details that run throughout the body
• New front design with distinctive tiger nose and Star Cloud lighting.
• Spacious interior, where you can freely adjust the seating arrangement.
• Level 4 autonomous driving
• Concept car debuts at China International Import Expo 2019

The Futuron Concept combines elegant body proportions with straight lines and smooth surfaces. The light body hides an electric all-wheel drive system and a functional and technologically advanced interior.

The Futuron made its debut today at the China International Expo 2019 (CIIE) in Shanghai, which runs until November 10.

Coupe-style electric SUV

Kia Futuron Concept has a length of 4850 mm and a height of 1550 mm with a wheelbase of 3000 mm. The increased ground clearance harmonizes with the low body and gives the car a dynamic look.

The body proportions of the Futuron Concept provide a largely electric drive with a high-capacity battery located under the floor. Electricity is supplied to four powerful motors located right at the wheels. The increased ground clearance betrays neither a low center of gravity nor the fact that behind it lies a modern e-AWD transmission that provides lightning-fast response to driver commands.

The Futuron concept provides a new kind of interaction between car and driver. The front wing flows smoothly into the cabin, creating a kind of connection between the driver's seat and the road in front of the car. Plenty of natural light enters the car's interior through a diamond-shaped panoramic glass roof that connects to the bonnet. It has a network of LiDAR sensors that serve as light sensors, determine the distance to the vehicle in front, and enable Level 4 autonomous driving, i.e. without having to keep your hands on the wheel and watch the road in most situations.

New front end with distinctive "tiger nose".

As with the Imagine by Kia studio model shown in early 2019, the Futuron concept also reveals a new design for the Korean brand's future electric vehicles. A wider than ever tiger nose and innovative Star Cloud headlights give the car a new look both day and night. A geometric mosaic of LED lighting is also used at the rear, making the Futuron concept easily recognizable from behind as well.

Functional and autonomous cabin

The two front seats are made from flexible materials and provide both an upright driving position and a reclining resting position with autonomous driving enabled. In terms of a wide range of adjustments, they are similar to business class aviation seats. After starting the autonomous driving mode, the steering wheel hides in the dashboard in front of the driver.

One of the most important features of the Futuron Concept cab is the "cockpit" built around the driver. The GUI "protrudes" from the driver's side door and surrounds the steering wheel, connecting to the instrument cluster in the center of the dashboard and the steering wheel display. The interface is controlled via augmented reality, displaying useful information about autonomous driving, transmission and navigation.

Photos: KIA