Introducing the Kia K4, where bold design meets smart innovation

Industry News

The K4 comes with athletic proportions wrapped in an expressive design, all rooted in Kia’s ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy The model offers a premium connected car experience with 12.3-inch dual panoramic displays With class-leading legroom and boot space, the K4 delivers comfort without compromise Its advanced driver assistance suite, including Highway Driving Assist 2.0 and Smart Cruise Control 2, presents a competitive safety and convenience package Kia blurs the line differentiating the C- and D-segment with the European reveal of the K4, a model boasting a dynamic look based on the company’s ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy. The hatchback is also designed to meet the demands of modern drivers, offering plenty of interior space, premium features, and advanced technologies. Designed with an aggressive lookThe model introduces an expressive new design and generous exterior dimensions: 4,440mm long and 1,850mm wide, while its spacious interior offers passengers in the rear class-leading legroom (964mm) and plenty of headroom (973mm). Behind the rear seats, customers can make use of 438 litres of cargo space, making the model ideal for either transporting moving boxes or weekend trips. The design turns heads with a distinctive floating roofline which slips elegantly into the rear hatch. Key design cues include the Star Map Signature Lighting inspired by the EV9, rear hidden door handles integrated into the C-pillar, and an exclusive Sparkling Yellow exterior colour. On top of this, the K4´s GT-Line looks even sportier. The trim features a three-spoke steering wheel, paddle shifters, 17-inch or 18-inch alloy wheels, gloss black mirror caps, side sills, and wheel arch mouldings. “With the K4, we are demonstrating how our models can deliver dynamic design, innovation, and intelligent technology irrespectively from their powertrain,” said Sjoerd Knipping, Chief Operating Officer of Kia Europe. “The K4 reflects our mission to make exciting mobility accessible to all by supporting customers who are not yet ready for fully electric vehicles.” A powertrain for every journeyThe K4 carries forward Kia’s commitment to offering customers a diverse range of propulsion options. This includes electrified powertrains to ease the transition to electric mobility. Of the five available powertrains in Europe, two are electrified, aligning with Kia’s broader electrification strategy. The powertrain offering starts with a 1.0-litre T-GDi petrol engine (115PS) with a six-speed manual transmission. This engine is also available with mild-hybrid technology. Customers who opt for the mild-hybrid engine can pair it with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission instead. The 1.6-litre T-GDi petrol engine comes with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (150/180PS). Later in 2026, the powertrain line-up will be expanded to include a full hybrid option. “With the K4, we are refreshing our lineup with a model that delivers in every dimension: design, space, technology, and electrified powertrains,” said Pablo Martínez Masip, Vice President of Product & Marketing. “We designed the K4 for customers who want to drive farther, do more, and express themselves along their journey.” Technology that elevates the everydayThe K4 boasts one of the most advanced technological offerings in its class. A panoramic display integrates a 12.3-inch instrument cluster, a 5.3-inch climate display, and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment screen. The Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC) system unites navigation, multimedia, and vehicle settings control into a single, intuitive interface. Wireless Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ are standard across all trims with a wireless phone charger available in higher trims. A Harman Kardon® premium audio system transforms the cabin into a personal concert hall. Comfort is further enhanced with heated and ventilated front seats wrapped in stylish, black bio-based artificial leather upholstery. The Digital Key 2.0 with ultra-wideband technology allows compatible smartphones to function as virtual keys. At the same time, Kia Connect services offer a range of digital tools, such as over-the-air (OTA) updates, music streaming, and Wi-Fi hotspot capability. With its AI-powered voice assistant, drivers can simply say “Hey Kia” to control various features or get information, including help with the owner’s manual or local recommendations. ADAS made standardOffering a suite of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), Kia prioritises customer safety with the K4. When the turn signal is activated, the Blind-Spot View Monitor (BVM) provides drivers with a real-time video feed of their blind spots on the instrument cluster. Blind-spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA) uses radar sensors in the rear bumper to monitor blind spots and help prevent collisions during lane changes. In addition to intelligently adapting the vehicle’s speed, Smart Cruise Control 2 (SCC2) can, in the event of an emergency, bring the car to a stop if the driver is unresponsive. Furthermore, Highway Driving Assist 2.0 (HDA 2.0) helps the driver maintain a safe distance from the car ahead, stay centred in the lane, change lanes, and adjust lateral positioning. Moreover, when reversing, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA) detects vehicles approaching from behind at the left and right sides. RCCA provides audible and visual warnings and is even able to automatically apply the brakes to help avoid or mitigate a collision. Additionally, the Surround View Monitor (SVM) employs multiple cameras positioned around the car to create a composite, 360-degree view displayed on the infotainment screen. Finally, using front-facing camera and radar sensors, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist 2 (FCA2) helps prevent or mitigate collisions by detecting potential hazards like other cars, pedestrians, and cyclists. A bold step in a new directionWith its bold aesthetics, spacious flexibility, high-tech features, and performance-focused variants, the K4 is an evolution of other hatchbacks. As customer needs shift toward personalisation and intelligent mobility, the K4 positions itself as a stylish, smart, and connected choice. The K4 will be produced at the company’s new plant in Mexico, with models expected to arrive in UK showrooms in the fourth quarter of 2025. Full UK pricing and specifications will be announced closer to its on-sale date. Technical specificationsThe Kia K4 Dimensions (mm) Exterior Overall length 4,440 Overall width* 1,850 Overall height 1,435 Wheelbase 2,720 Front overhang 905 Rear overhang 815 Ground clearance 140 * excluding door mirrors Interior 1st row 2nd row Head room (w/o sunroof)…

Efficient, sustainable, digital: New BMW Group Plant Debrecen set to begin series production of the BMW iX3 in late October

Industry News

First BMW Group car plant to rely entirely on electricity from renewable energy during normal operation; no fossil fuels used Use of electric power in paint shop drives reduction in CO₂e emissions from BMW iX3 production Typical iFACTORY: virtual planning and testing, efficient processes and structures, smart use of AI High-voltage batteries assembled on site Note: This press release is a 1:1 copy of the original issued by BMW headquarters in Germany. No adaptions have been made to cater to the UK market. Debrecen. The BMW Group has entered the final phase before the first Neue Klasse model rolls off the assembly line. Series production of the new BMW iX3 will get underway in late October at the BMW Group plant in Debrecen, Hungary, as the newest, most innovative manufacturing facility in the company’s global production network officially begins work. “The start of series production for the BMW iX3 signals a new era of automotive manufacturing. Our new plant in Debrecen has been designed and built fully in line with our strategic vision of the iFACTORY. Digital from the very beginning, the plant will offer a new dimension in efficient production without fossil fuels,” says Milan Nedeljković, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Production. The BMW iFACTORY represents a strategic vision of production, built on streamlined, efficient structures, responsible resource management, economical use of cutting-edge digital innovations and a strong focus on employees. The BMW Group has also registered new patents for a large number of innovative systems and processes at Plant Debrecen. “We have taken on the challenge of building a completely new vehicle as the first job at an entirely new plant – and doing so in the leanest, most efficient way possible. We have simplified processes, reduced complexity, digitally validated each individual operation and systematically leveraged expertise across our global network. The result is this plant, with its efficient production, innovative processes and the flexibility to integrate additional models,” says Hans-Peter Kemser, head of BMW Group Plant Debrecen. As with any new model, capacity for the new BMW iX3 will be gradually ramped up in stages after the start of production. Spearheading the arrival of the Neue Klasse, the iX3 showcases the latest design and technology innovations that will define the brand’s entire model range in the future. Between now and 2027, the technologies in the Neue Klasse will be integrated into 40 new models and model updates. From virtual factory to realityThe guiding principles of the BMW iFACTORY have been fully implemented in the technologies employed at the new BMW Group plant in Debrecen. For example, Plant Debrecen was planned and built digitally from the outset, and celebrated its virtual start of production back in March 2023 in the BMW Group’s Virtual Factory. This approach allowed every operation to be tested virtually in advance, enabling production lines to be installed in the buildings exactly as in the digital twin. Optimal processes for all plant technologiesWith an optimised value stream and efficient systems, the press shop guarantees a high level of productivity. The BMW Group continues to follow its proven strategy of using the same tools and presses throughout its global network. This optimises capacity utilisation within the network by allowing press tools to be deployed at multiple locations and enabling staff to be trained in-network. The body shop, in particular, benefits from prior digital planning and validation. Every process detail was digitally simulated in advance to determine the ideal value stream and ensure that each of the nearly 1,000 robots was optimally positioned. From the outset, close collaboration between development and production teams led to high production efficiency and maximum customer benefit. For example, the number of joining methods was significantly reduced, lowering overall complexity. Design features integrated early in development are also evident in the details of the Neue Klasse, such as the invisible door seal. This creates a visual connection between the window and the door, resulting in a unique look. In addition, maximising the space available for the battery in the body structure – and thus the size and performance of the battery – directly benefits the customer. At BMW Group Plant Debrecen, the paint shop plays a critical role in significantly reducing the CO2e footprint of the BMW iX3. Production of the new BMW iX3 will generate a total of about 80kg CO₂e (scope 1/2 emissions). This figure covers CO₂e emissions from Plant Debrecen, as well as in-house parts production at other BMW Group facilities, including components manufactured in Landshut, for example. This represents a reduction of approx. two-thirds compared to production of existing BMW derivatives. For Plant Debrecen alone, this approach will reduce CO₂e emissions from the manufacture of a vehicle, including its high-voltage battery, by around 90% – to about 34 kg CO₂e (when operating at full capacity, compared with other BMW Group facilities). Paint shops typically rely on gas to reach the high temperatures (up to 180 degrees Celsius) required. Plant Debrecen will be the BMW Group’s first car plant supplied exclusively with electricity from renewable energy sources during normal operation, i.e. without using fossil fuels such as oil or gas. Because of its high energy demands, the paint shop is the most important factor in significantly lowering Plant Debrecen’s CO2e emissions. In the paint shop alone, using electricity from renewable sources reduces annual CO2e emissions by up to 12,000 tonnes. About a quarter of the plant’s annual power needs will be supplied by the 50‑hectare on-site photovoltaic system. Surplus solar energy, such as that generated on non‑working days, is stored in a 1,800 m³ thermal storage system with a capacity of 130 MWh. The paint shop also uses an energy recovery system. A heat grid was successfully implemented in the design of the new paint shop, delivering additional energy savings of up to 10%. This innovative concept combines multiple measures for efficient energy recovery from the compressed air supply, drying ovens and cooling systems. The recovered waste heat is then used to preheat the water circuit. In addition, a thermal storage system – holding 1,800 m³ of water, with a capacity of 130 MWh – stores surplus energy…

Rolls-Royce presents Cullinan Cosmos: a one-of one commission that celebrates the drama of space

Industry News

Rolls-Royce presents Cullinan Cosmos: a one-of-one commission inspired by space First Rolls-Royce in history to feature a fully hand-painted Starlight Headliner Starlight Headliner developed over 160 hours by an in-house Rolls-Royce artist Bespoke detailing based on a specially created Star Cluster motif Cullinan Cosmos commissioned through Private Office Dubai “We wanted to create something our family would remember forever: a Rolls-Royce that captures the essence of the cosmos and shows that no dream is out of reach.”Commissioning Client, Cullinan Cosmos “Space travel is an enduring fascination for the commissioning clients of this extraordinary one-of-one motor car. For the Bespoke Collective, this project also explored new frontiers, with our first-ever hand-painted Starlight Headliner. Bold in its conception and spectacular in its realisation, this commission demonstrates how Rolls-Royce brings clients’ otherworldly visions to life with drama, depth, and absolute precision.”Phil Fabre de la Grange, Head of Bespoke, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Rolls-Royce presents Cullinan Cosmos: a one-of-one commission that celebrates the drama of outer space. Commissioned by a family who shares a fascination for the universe with their four-year-old son, this theme was brought to life through a constellation of Bespoke details. At its centre is a Rolls-Royce first – a hand-painted Starlight Headliner painstakingly developed by one of the marque’s in-house artists over 160 hours. EXTERIOR PALETTE: OUTER LIMITSCullinan Cosmos is finished in shimmering Arabescato Pearl, recalling the soft lustre of moonlight across a midnight sky. The exterior is completed with a hand-painted twin coachline in Charles Blue and an Illuminated Spirit of Ecstasy that glows like a distant star by night. INTERIOR SUITE: EXPLORING INNER SPACEThe interior of Cullinan Cosmos offers a calm, meditative environment, inspired by the stillness and wonder of deep space. The reclining seats are finished in Charles Blue and Grace White leather with matching Grace White contrast stitching and piping. Piano White veneers add a crisp, technical edge that subtly echoes the high-gloss surfaces of satellite casings. The commissioning clients worked with Rolls-Royce designers to create a unique Star Cluster motif, which appears as Bespoke embroidery on the door panels and headrests, and as a hand-painted artwork on the front passenger fascia. HAND-PAINTED STARLIGHT HEADLINER: NEW HORIZONSCullinan Cosmos features the first fully hand-painted Starlight Headliner ever created for a Rolls-Royce motor car. Developed over 160 hours and painted entirely freehand by one of the marque’s in-house artists, it depicts an ethereal interpretation of the Milky Way – the hazy band of stars and cosmic mist visible in the night sky – colour-graded to complement the Bespoke interior palette. To create the luminous cloud formations, the artist used more than 20 successive applications of acrylic paint, building depth and dimension with a variety of brushes. To achieve the mist effect, the artist turned to an unexpected tool – a makeup brush – to allow the lightest layer of pigments to dry delicately on contact. The shimmering field of painted ‘stars’ was formed using a combination of fine, pointed brushes and a speckling technique, giving the final composition an organic, celestial quality. Only once the painting on the Starlight Headliner was completed and sealed were the fibre-optic perforations individually punched and positioned by hand to complement the contours of the artwork. Cullinan Cosmos was commissioned through Private Office Dubai, one of a number of Rolls-Royce’s international Private Offices created to bring the full capabilities of the Bespoke Collective closer to the brand’s most visionary clients. Cullinan Cosmos was delivered to the commissioning family in time for a special occasion – ready to transform every journey into a voyage through the stars. CO2 EMISSIONS & CONSUMPTION.WLTP (combined) CO2 emission: 380-363 g/km; Fuel consumption: 16.8-17.7 mpg / 16.8-16.0 l/100km. Further information: https://bit.ly/3XtQW7q FURTHER INFORMATIONYou can find all our press releases and press kits, as well as a wide selection of high resolution, downloadable photographs and video footage at our media website, PressClub. You can also follow the marque on social media: LinkedIn; YouTube; Instagram; and Facebook. EDITORS’ NOTESRolls-Royce Motor Cars is a true luxury house, creating the world’s most recognised, revered and desirable handcrafted Bespoke products for its international clientele. There are over 2,500 people working at the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood, West Sussex. This comprises both its global headquarters and Centre of Luxury Manufacturing Excellence – the only place in the world where Rolls-Royce motor cars are designed, engineered and meticulously built by hand. An independent study by the London School of Economics & Political Science confirms that since the company first launched at Goodwood in 2003, it has contributed more than £4 billion to the UK economy and adds more than £500 million in economic value every year. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is a wholly owned subsidiary of the BMW Group and is a completely separate, unrelated company from Rolls-Royce plc, the manufacturer of aircraft engines and propulsion systems.