Automotive

Kia's K900 boosted to 650 hp thanks to rear-mounted turbos

Kia's K900 boosted to 650 hp thanks to rear-mounted turbos
The K900 High Performance boasts an unorthodox turbo setup
The K900 High Performance boasts an unorthodox turbo setup
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The K900's interior is trimmed in tan leather
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The K900's interior is trimmed in tan leather
21-inch gloss black wheels are wrapped in Pirelli tires
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21-inch gloss black wheels are wrapped in Pirelli tires
Kia's infotainment system carries over from the standard K900 for front passengers
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Kia's infotainment system carries over from the standard K900 for front passengers
Rear seat passengers are treated to 11-inch monitors, which can play footage from iRacing.com
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Rear seat passengers are treated to 11-inch monitors, which can play footage from iRacing.com
The interior is filled with touches to remind you this isn't an average K900
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The interior is filled with touches to remind you this isn't an average K900
The monitors are controlled by keyboard and mouse
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The monitors are controlled by keyboard and mouse
The upgraded turbochargers boost the K900's output to around 650 hp
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The upgraded turbochargers boost the K900's output to around 650 hp
A special bodykit is part of the High Performance kit
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A special bodykit is part of the High Performance kit
The K900 High Performance is designed to be a luxurious way of getting racing drivers to and from the track
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The K900 High Performance is designed to be a luxurious way of getting racing drivers to and from the track
The K900's boot has space features a helmet dryer
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The K900's boot has space features a helmet dryer
Grey paint is the final touch on the K900 package
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Grey paint is the final touch on the K900 package
The K900 High Performance is lowered by an Eibach suspension setup
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The K900 High Performance is lowered by an Eibach suspension setup
The K900 High Performance boasts an unorthodox turbo setup
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The K900 High Performance boasts an unorthodox turbo setup
The K900 High Performance boasts an unorthodox turbo setup
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The K900 High Performance boasts an unorthodox turbo setup
View gallery - 14 images

SEMA always manages to present some fascinating (and baffling) modified cars to sit alongside the styling specials from big-volume manufacturers like Chevrolet and Ford. LUX Motorwerks has provided one of these by boosting the Kia K900’s 5.0-liter V8 with two boot-mounted turbochargers, to create the inventively-named Kia K900 High Performance.

The addition of the two turbochargers boosts the engine’s output from 420 hp (313 kW) to around 650 hp (485 kW). Apparently mounting the bespoke Garrett 2871R turbo setup in the boot helps to cut down on “engine compartment heat build-up” under heavy acceleration, and “doesn’t require the removal of any sheet metal” from the hood – or perhaps the turbos just didn’t fit in the front.

The K900 High Performance boasts an unorthodox turbo setup
The K900 High Performance boasts an unorthodox turbo setup

This unorthodox turbo setup is clearly visible through a special port in the boot, which is flanked by a ProDryer helmet dryer and race suit compartment, something designed to fulfill Kia’s brief of a luxury car that can ferry race drivers to and from the racetrack.

The car on display in Las Vegas is also fitted with a unique styling package that includes a one-off bodykit, blacked out chrome trim and gloss-black 21-inch wheels, which are coupled with Pirelli tires. Behind those 21-inch wheels is a set of Ksport 8-piston brake calipers, which clamp on 15-inch cross-drilled rotors. The K900 High Performance is also lower than the standard car, thanks to Eibach suspension.

The K900 High Performance is lowered by an Eibach suspension setup
The K900 High Performance is lowered by an Eibach suspension setup

The seats are trimmed in tan leather with black suede inserts and carbon fiber trim has been added on the steering wheel. The interior makeover also includes 11-inch monitors mounted for rear seat passengers, which are playing footage from online racing game iRacing.com at the show.

When SEMA closes, there is no word from Kia or LUX as to when the K900 High Performance will make another appearance.

Source: Kia

View gallery - 14 images
4 comments
4 comments
Australian
650HP and Massive turbo lag. I don't get it.
Slowburn
There are ways of dealing with turbo lag. My favorite is to is to turn the compressed air duct into a tank using a one way valve by the turbo and a control valve just in front of the throttle body with another one way valve so when idling the engine is getting uncompressed air. Then when you touch the throttle the tanks control valve opens providing instant power.
Michael Wilson
Its a 5.0l v8 making 420hp stock. The jump to 600hp is not that great a leap. As someone who has built boosted 6 and 4 cylinder cars, I can tell you, there will be little, if any lag in a vehicle like that.
The displacement of the engine is more than sufficient, the head flow on modern engines is more than enough and the turbos are most likely ball bearing so boost responce is good. Also, its not running enough boost pressure to feel "laggy".
Lag comes from smaller displacement, low compression, poorly flowing 4 cylinder engines or overboosted, small displacement engines coupled to large turbochargers. When jumping from 150 or 200 hp to 700hp, it cannot necessarily be helped, but when you've got 400+ hp on tap already, there will be no lag to speak of.
David Wilson
@ Michael Wilson.....Its a bigger leap than you seem to think, it is actually 650hp not as you say 600hp....That is a jump of 180hp which in any language is a big leap, that is a 43% increase on the stock HP figure of 420hp.....