23 September 2002: Kia will unveil its latest concept car at the Paris Motor Show this week, showcasing the direction that Kia is heading in terms of styling and technology.

The Kia KCV-II is described as ‘a fun car to go out with your friends to have fun and enjoy the sun’. “It’s aimed at drivers who want the practicality and command driving position of a sports utility, but want their car to drive like a car while being an affordable package," says designer Carlos Arroyo.

Arroyo’s concept was picked from an in-house competition held amongst staff at Kia’s European design studio in Frankfurt, Germany. A multinational team of designers under Jay Baek, chief of the design centre, and Peter Arcardipane, chief designer, pushed the concept to reality.

Powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine mated to full-time four-wheel drive, Kia’s sport utility is underpinned by an all-new platform, code-named KM. This is a unitary-construction platform with flexible body architecture capable of supporting a number of bodystyles, from a conventional sports-utility vehicle to a lifestyle variant, like the KCV-II.

The KCV-II also introduces a significant number of technical innovations like advanced airbags, tyre pressure warning sensors, active headrests and emergency brake assist.

Other technical features new to Kia include keyless entry, photochromatic glass and an integrated satellite navigation system with MP3 download software and in/out jacks for additional audio equipment.