Not black and white

It can be hard to cut through the guff when car brands put a name to their future design strategy. Modern Solid, Sensuous Sportiness and the like - vague terms cooked up in the great marketing microwave in a bid to draw a clean link between every product in a brand's line-up. And now there's Opposites United - not an ill-conceived dating app but Kia's vision of a range of cars taking inspiration "from the contrasts found in nature and humanity".
Unroll those eyes, though, because upon dissection, this name proves a refreshingly succinct summary of the contrasts between severe and soft and curvesome and clean-cut that have won the latest crop of Kias such high praise from consumers and critics alike.
The Sportage, Sorento, EV6, EV9 and EV5 have embodied the philosophy to great effect, and no doubt a good portion of Kia's astronomical global success can be attributed to the confident, daring explorations of its stylists.
Charged with taking the concept from sketchpad to showroom is acclaimed car designer Karim Habib, known for penning a number of hugely important BMWs during his many years in Munich before joining Kia (via Infiniti) in 2019.
The Canadian took centre stage recently to reveal the new three-row EV9 electric SUV and will no doubt become a de facto frontman for Kia as it pushes forward with realising its ambitious global product plan over the coming years.
Immediately he's keen to set one thing straight: what categorically isn't driving Kia's design strategy, despite the top-rung EV9's expected £80,000 list price, is an overt desire to be a premium disruptor.
Denne historien er fra May 31, 2023-utgaven av Autocar UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9500+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra May 31, 2023-utgaven av Autocar UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9500+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på

AYGO X HYBRID SETS NEW EMISSIONS BENCHMARK
Electrified city car claims tiny CO2 output and more than 74mpg

Matt Prior
It’s taking awhile, like closing an ill-fitting lid on a plastic kitchen container.

HOT TESLAS UP ANTE TO TAKE ON EUROPE'S FASTEST EVS
New ‘Ring-honed Model S Plaid and Model Y Performance are imminent

MG CYBERSTER
Intriguing Chinese-built electric roadster joins the fleet

Appetite for production
Hyundai's Ulsan plant is the world's largest car-making facility, with five separate factories and an on-site port. WILL RIMELL is awestruck

AUDI A3 SPORTBACK 40 TFSIe
Perennially popular premium hatchback returns in plug-in hybrid form

Steve Cropley
“Its makers deserve a way of boasting. At present, they can’t”

Damien Smith
Marcus Ericsson looked sick and ashen.

NEW AUDI RS6 TO KEEP V8 AS 730BHP PHEV ALONGSIDE EV
Both hybrid and electric performance A6s are being readied for 2026
BMW 2 SERIES COUPE
Updated two-door still offers six cylinders and RWD – but not together