The Kia K900 Is The New Volkswagen Phaeton

"Vicente Esteve" (vicente-esteve) 05/17/2014 at 22:12 • Filed to: Kia K900, VW Phaeton

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Over the last 7 years or so Kia started building many things that has turned this company into something truly great. It has developed a new image headed by a former Audi designer, It has developed innovative engineering such as Turbocharged and Hybrid power trains, an appreciation of hamsters dropping the bass, and even a factory in the United States. Also, through these years, the company has developed something else as well. Balls. But the shape of their balls isn't oval or circular; their balls come in the shape of the new K900

Yes, the Kia K900 is the best example of Kia's own major manufacturer of testosterone. And why wouldn't it? The thing will cost its owner north of $60 Grand, have a 5.0 Litre V8, a RWD platform, bewildering amount of gizmos, whilst still carrying the KIA roundel at the bow. It is, as we all know, Kia's attempt at going to the highest level of upmarket fighting arm and arm with the Political Figure Favourite S-Class, Sober but Wise A8, and the Not So Ultimate, Much Preferably Rear Seat Riding Machine 7 Series. But this isn't the first time a new kid on the block tries to head on against this trio.

A Decade ago, Volkswagen launched what they called: "The Best Car in the World". The Volkswagen Phaeton. It was Ferdinand Piëchs bastard son, that he and the company he was leading at the time nurtured, finely tuned, and raised to become this straight A Student with amazing talents that should be seriously considered. The way it was over engineered to the last damn bolt made it worth the $65K plus Price tag. Its capabilities, not worshiped or comprehended by much made it sell in low numbers, and depreciate like the last iPhone. Although they are separated by a good 10 years, The Volkswagen Phaeton and the Kia K900 seem to be designed, built, marketed, and sold with exactly the same visualisation.

Lets begin with what the 2 cars mean to the companies, and to the consumers. Both Volkswagen and Kia were first known for doing inexpensive cars for the biggest market possible. Yes, the Beetle sold in the millions and has an amazing following, whereas Kia wants you to never know it existed before 2007. But, what Kia made before for people to buy where inexpensive econoboxes that just had to transport you from point M to point V (Trying to think out of the box here), and that is exactly what the Beetle was all about.

Then, through all these years and development both companies have created truly fantastic and competitive products that brought income and loyalty. Both had to make good cars for people to buy and appreciate the brand before they could go all out and make an expensive model. Then, when each of the companies' time came, they rolled out their best offering. both of them, priced at the same $60K range. Both of them offering V8, RWD, and the exact same 420 HP with slightly different torque numbers: Phaeton (406 lb ft.) K900 (376 lb ft.). There are also just inches, and in some cases millimetres in which the wheelbase, length, height, and width compare.

Technology wise, they are in different leagues, but the Phaeton does offer some of the things we see proudly advertised by Kia such as cooling and heating seats, rear console with its separate controls, rear-seats that move bout with their own sunshade, automatic trunk, etc. And, in order for the buying experience to be something different from a teenager working at old navy who buys a base Rio, Kia has fitted dealerships with special elegant touches. Both companies had to train their salesman to sell these cars, and make sure that the buyers were reeled in for a hell of a buy.

Sure, both cars are different in their own way and character. But in the end, they are the shout of the automaker saying that they are ready to take the next step. They are ready to make a customer change its mind about going to the trio of unstoppable success. That they are ready to enter into the final level of brand recognition and appreciation. And, you might ask, will it mean a success for Kia? Well just ask Volkswagen, who did it 10 years ago how it went and take your guess.

Tom McParland > Vicente Esteve 05/17/2014 at 22:21

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Nicely done...I think the K900 is why the Phaeton can make a return. Providing of course that VW prices the new Phaeton closer in line with the Korean "budget" luxury cars. I've written a few pieces on Kia and Hyundai and their quest to take a chunk out of the luxury game.

Enjoy-

http://automatchtom.kinja.com/tag/kia

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Vicente Esteve 05/17/2014 at 22:24

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I think one of the biggest reasons the Phaeton didn't sell really well, other than it being a $65,000 VW, was the fact that it looked like a Passat on steroids.

The K900 probably won't sell well because it's a $65,000 Kia. It at least looks a bit different from the Optima or Cadenza.

dogisbadob > Vicente Esteve 05/17/2014 at 22:27

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The Phaeton is one of the worst cars ever made, poor reliability and expensive to fix whenever it does go wrong.

Kia's entry (along with the Equus) will almost definitely be miles ahead of the Phaeton in that regard, plus the 10-year/100k warranty that would bankrupt VW if they ever offered one that long

And of course, you forgot the most important competitor—the Lexus LS with its unmatched blend of reliability, quality, luxury, and prestige.

Also, the Phaeton was FWD, not RWD.

Vicente Esteve > Tom McParland 05/17/2014 at 22:34

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Thanks you very much indeed! I have read them already haha, they are great pieces. I also want the new VW Phaeton to have crazy goals that no one cares about. Like the 180 mph at 55 degrees with 18 degrees in the A/C kind of thing.

Vicente Esteve > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 05/18/2014 at 00:08

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Haha, I being a fanboy, really like its looks but understand why anyone would call it a Passat. Yeah, the Kia is a different story, I do like it more than the Equus though and think it will be better with sales.

Vicente Esteve > dogisbadob 05/18/2014 at 00:11

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Yeah, the Phaeton has bad reliability, but the way they made every inch of it with the best details is worth noting.

If VW's had a warranty so long, the sales would be better.

And the Phaeton was only offered in RWD or AWD 4 motion. Never FWD, I don't know if you are confusing it with the Passat.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Vicente Esteve 05/18/2014 at 00:20

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My favorite Luxury Car Kia/Hyundai makes right now is the new Genesis. God that's a pretty car.

Vicente Esteve > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 05/18/2014 at 00:23

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It does look pretty good. I just like the K900 so much because of the LED's which I am a sucker for

desertdog5051 > Vicente Esteve 05/18/2014 at 01:27

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I have been saying that since it was announced. I'm glad to see someone else recognizes the folly. (or is it just ego)

John Williams > dogisbadob 05/18/2014 at 03:35

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The Phaeton is a typical modern German car, in that it offers impeccable details, scads of whiz-bang technology and complicated engineering, but none of it lasts beyond the warranty period. The fact that it's constantly sequestered in a dealership or independent repair shop is often overlooked by the cachet the badge offers.

There's always Lexus, but someone really, REALLY needs to figure out how to combine the Japanese marque's knack for making cars that don't fall apart or become shop-bound after the warranty ends and the advanced tech and details of the German makes.

Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. > Vicente Esteve 05/18/2014 at 07:35

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Well, i'm not sure about the K900, but the Phaeton is the best car in the world.

You see, if you're a government executive, you get a very healthy paychecks along with gazillion of bonus, and you want to be chauffeured to the office everyday, is there any better car than a phaeton?

Average Joe taxpayer will think he's been living wise and trifty because his car got a VW badge on it. While inside you're having a bentley continental GT for half it price. It's a win-win solution.

Vicente Esteve > desertdog5051 05/18/2014 at 07:36

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Yeah, I just thought about it and then did some research and was left surprised.

Vicente Esteve > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 05/18/2014 at 07:38

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People underestimate it so much for its looks. The car inside, and what is can do is miles better than what its exterior suggests. It is the thinking mans car.

Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. > Vicente Esteve 05/18/2014 at 07:46

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Yeah.

When it first came out i thought it was stupid to dump an S-Class Money on a VW. Until i think about it. Plus that V10 Diesel, hngggghhh...

dogisbadob > Vicente Esteve 05/18/2014 at 12:47

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The Phaeton was NOT RWD!!!!

There was in fact a FWD Phaeton offered in Europe; they weren't offered over here, but they did make them. And of course the AWD 4Motion. Check out the Wikipedia entry on the Phaeton and/or Google "FWD Phaeton"

The first-gen KDM-only Equus was FWD, but the new one is RWD.

Vicente Esteve > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 05/18/2014 at 13:12

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Haha Clarkson said on Top gear he would choose it over a Jaguar. HIM

Vicente Esteve > dogisbadob 05/18/2014 at 13:15

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Oh, thanks a lot. It is interesting that it was FWD though, I don't see the point in it.

PardonMyFlemish16 > Vicente Esteve 05/18/2014 at 14:05

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K900 will fail just like the Phaeton failed. People in the S-Class market want full on luxury and prestige at all costs... these store brand entrants don't have it.

Plus people who thought the Genesis and K900 would be the second coming of the '89 LS400 aren't remembering the fact that the S-Class market at that time was pretty awful. The big dog, the W126 S-Class (the 560SEL etc) was like 14 years old as MB was gearing up for the thoroughly modern and high tech W220. The 7 was OK but still second rate. Audi and Jag were DOA. And the economy was on a huge upswing. So the large luxury sector was basically wide open.

Now??? The current S-Class is easily the best S-Class of all time by a wide margin. The LS, A8, 7 and XJ are damn good. The economy sucks and the segment is in decline. Hyundai/Kia need a standalone luxury brand and the debut car in it should be a small CUV. They missed this boat by almost 30 years.

Vicente Esteve > PardonMyFlemish16 05/18/2014 at 14:26

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Times really have changed, very good points. Also, the fact that the Phaeton was german at least gives it a bit more creed than the Korean 70 thousand dollar Kia.

Troll is English for Troll > Vicente Esteve 05/18/2014 at 16:39

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I saw one of these the other day. The V8 version as well. I was actually quite shocked to even see it on the streets.

It's not that someone would buy a really expensive Kia, but here in Los Angeles where the idea of self-entitlement carries over into the vehicles we drive, I was thinking someone with that kind of money would much rather buy a used BMW 7-Series.

Then again, that man probably needed turn signals as standard. He ended up using them.

Troll is English for Troll > dogisbadob 05/18/2014 at 16:41

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Are you sure it was FWD? I was under the assumption it was a RWD/4WD.

dogisbadob > Troll is English for Troll 05/18/2014 at 16:45

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Yes, I am sure it was FWD/AWD. The Phaeton was available with FWD in Europe, but not over here. And of course AWD (standard here, optional there).

Check out the Wikipedia article on the Phaeton, and/or Google "Phaeton FWD"

Vicente Esteve > Troll is English for Troll 05/18/2014 at 18:27

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Hahah wow, it is eye popping that it was in California. I believe that the K900 is actually pretty good looking. I wouldn't choose it in any other colour but white, with white interior.

font9a > Vicente Esteve 05/18/2014 at 20:58

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I saw one today live and in the flesh, driving in Austin. And it does look really good in real life. I think the comparo to the Phaeton is spot-on. It's just way too big for most people, and has less brand panache than VW-Porsche-Audi.

font9a > dogisbadob 05/18/2014 at 21:02

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It was not FWD.

The W12 motor in that car is a thing of grace and beauty.

When you're saving $50K on the price of an A8L, reliability and running costs aren't top of mind.

Vicente Esteve > font9a 05/18/2014 at 21:21

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Exactly. The looks of it are the Best of any Kia, but not being german means it will be a hard sell.

dogisbadob > font9a 05/18/2014 at 21:24

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Actually, a FWD Phaeton *was* available in Europe, but not over here, and not on the W12 (there was a base V6 Phaeton that we never got). Check out the Wikipedia article and/or google "Phaeton FWD" for more info.

POWERbookduo > Vicente Esteve 05/18/2014 at 23:38

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Skoda Superb is basically the Phaeton, priced right and they are still being made today, albeit with weedy engine

Troll is English for Troll > dogisbadob 05/19/2014 at 03:53

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Congrats. You win this round.

Troll is English for Troll > Vicente Esteve 05/19/2014 at 03:54

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Classy.

However, for the price of this car, I'd think about looking into other options. Especially for a car with a brand that simply doesn't scream "success."

That's shallow thinking. But for large sedans like this, that's usually how it goes anyways.

Vicente Esteve > POWERbookduo 05/19/2014 at 07:28

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Skodas are really becoming an issue for Volkswagen. They are now it main competitor, its own success has hampered the brand.

Vicente Esteve > Troll is English for Troll 05/19/2014 at 07:33

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Yeah, these buys are not mud as rational, as visual. Visualising the badge. I can guarantee you NO ONE who has bought earlier S-Classes will go out and buy this Kia at all. Even if they cant afford the new one, they'll just keep theirs to not be seen driving a Kia. I see this car more centred to the family man that hit a lucky point in its career and has plenty dough to buy an E-Class or Jaguar XF, then he sees this car that costs the same but is in another class and buys it.