Kia K4 Concept Revealed: Beijing

Kia has revealed its K4 "concept" at the Beijing auto show this week, ahead of an expected production debut later this year.

The K4 is a small sedan designed specifically with Chinese buyers in mind, and will sit beneath the Optima (which is also called the K5 in South Korea) in Kia's range of road cars.

Powered by the Korean automaker's 1.6 litre turbocharged petrol four-cylinder, the K4 will be available solely with a seven-speed twin clutch automatic transmission (the first of its kind for Kia) and will take power to the front wheels.

Kia's strategy for the K4 is to target China's emerging middle class, with features like a push-button ignition, reversing camera, UVO infotainment system and high-end instrument cluster to elevate the K4 above other, more budget-oriented, Chinese-market small sedans.