The Kia Lotze Innovation

Economy

The Kia Lotze Innovation

Published: 12 Jun. 2008, 22:20

The Kia Lotze Innovation

Adding to the competition in Korea’s midsize sedan market, Kia Motors Corporation, the nation’s No. 2 automaker, has launched the revamped version of its Lotze sedan.

The body of the new Lotze Innovation reflects significant design changes and many new features, such as the “eco-driving system.”

The system helps drivers operate their vehicles in a more economical way by displaying a red light when drivers accelerate suddenly or otherwise consume a lot of fuel, Kia explained in a statement yesterday.

The new Lotze is 5.5 centimeters longer than the old version and features a new radiator grille design by Kia design chief Peter Schreyer. The design of the grille, inspired by a tiger’s mouth, will become a signature company look for other upcoming Kia models, Schreyer said.

The new version will sell for between 17.53 million won ($17,000) and 27.15 million won, the automaker said.

“We aim to sell 140,000 units of the Lotze Innovation annually from next year, including 80,000 units overseas,” said Cho Nam-hong, chief executive officer of Kia. Korea’s No. 2 automaker sold 95,716 Lotze sedans last year, including 63,272 overseas, where it sells the model under the Optima name. The Lotze Innovation is one of five new or revamped models Kia plans to introduce this year.

By Moon So-young Staff Reporter [symoon@joongang.co.kr]