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R&D capabilities fuelling Kia's rapid growth

MUSCAT -- Kia , one of the fastest growing automobile brands in the world, has sustained consistent growth by investing heavily in research and development (R&D).

"Global resources are employed to enhance quality and technology while furthering the internationally competitive R&D capabilities. The vision of Kia Global R&D Centre in Namyang near Seoul, South Korea is to secure world-best innovations and raise the profile as a premium automaker," said a senior spokesperson of the company.

"Under the philosophy of putting quality first, over five per cent of the revenues are invested into R&D to secure world-leading quality, marketability and technology. Through the global R&D network that spans the US, Europe, Japan and India, the aim is to develop key technologies and vehicles for the local markets. Its quest also includes making world a better place for all by popularising next generation eco-friendly technologies and creating a new auto-culture through people-centred technologies.

"Environmental issues have emerged at the core of a common paradigm for the future global village, and Kia has already taken bold steps towards environmentally-friendly investments and research that have resulted in a range of innovative breakthroughs from fuel-saving technology to new materials and responsible treatment of end-of-life vehicles," he said.

Nevertheless, the proof of the pudding lies in the eating and so teams of select journalists from around the world were recently taken on a tour of Kia 's Global R&D Centre in Namyang.

With a team of over 8,000 designers and engineers the centre is one of the largest facilities of its kind in the world. It houses world-class facilities that include a computer aided design and engineering centre, power train R&D centre, automotive electronics lab, wind tunnel test facility, crash test facility and the proving grounds.

The indoor presentation room with its impressive 82ft high dome-shaped ceiling can simultaneously display up to seven vehicles for design assessment. The sliding blind structure lets in natural light to allow the best possible conditions for assessing new designs.

Drawing on advanced virtual reality technologies, the state-of-the-art virtual presentation room enables evaluation of lifelike digital prototypes before starting production. Kia pursues design excellence by using background settings of major overseas markets in its virtual driving simulations and by implementing real time changes of car body colours.

The Powertrain R&D Centre is responsible for developing engines and transmissions, which form the heart of automobiles by generating and transferring power.

Innovation

More than 2,000 researchers including top engineers with masters and doctoral degrees are devoting their efforts to the development of world-class powertrain innovations. This is also the birthplace of the renowned Theta engine, which has been licensed to other automotive companies for $57 million in royalties.

By developing a full line-up of proprietary engines that includes gasoline and diesel variants for passengers and commercial vehicles, the Powertrain Centre is the heart of Kia Motors R&D Centre.

Asia's largest and Korea's only wind tunnel is also the most expensive facility within Kia Motors R&D Centre. The facility tests vehicle air resistance by releasing gusts of up to 200km/hour via a 27.559-feet high (equivalent to a three-storey building) wind tunnel.

A precision weighing device that alone costs $4 million is installed beneath the tested vehicle.

Completed in December 2005, Kia 's car-to-car crash test facility is one of the most technologically advanced in the world. With the capability to crash test cars moving at a top speed of 100 km/hour, over a hundred safety tests are carried out here before the official launch of a vehicle.

With test dummies alone costing about $100,000 to 200,000 each, the lab invests heavily in conducting safety tests with a high degree of precision. Sparing no expense when it comes to passenger safety, the facility is truly the pride of the Kia R&D Centre.

The 70-km-long driving test site features 34 different test roads with 71 types of road surfaces.

This is where vehicles undergo tests on their steering stability as well as cornering and braking performance on all possible road conditions.

The largest track is the oval-shaped four-lane high-speed track, which allows vehicles
to race at up to 250 km per hour.

In sum, one can state that with an R&D network that has some of the most advanced design and testing facilities, Kia Motors R&D Centre will continue to embrace challenges and realize innovation to leap forward as a global best automaker.

Kia 's exclusive distributor in Oman, Reliable International Automotive, a part of the Saud Bahwan Group, has created a truly rewarding ownership experience for customers.

Excellent product attributes and an unmatched after sales support of 17 sales outlets, 19 service centres and easily accessible 28 parts outlets ensure their absolute satisfaction, every mile of the way.

© Times of Oman 2009