That doesn’t mean that it needs glasses, or a
special treatment, because the Kia Proceed Concept, which is displayed in
Frankfurt, features a very complicated paintwork. It's called Lava Red, and
it's the result of a week-long paintshop process that saw the combination of 19
hand-applied layers of black, chrome-effect silver, and red tinted lacquer, for
a glossy and lustrous finish.
The special paint, which covers the entire body of
the brand's latest show car, is said to enhance its curvaceous body, and to be
sensitive to changing light conditions.
Some of the exterior highlights include, besides the
'extended hot hatch' shape, which could become a third member of the next
generation Cee'd family, the dynamic lineage, glasshouse that extends to the
tailgate complete with illumination, dramatic roofline, slim waistline,
muscular rear end, and 20-inch rims, with central locking.
Finished in Lava Red as the rest of the bodywork,
the dashboard and steering column provide an interesting contrast in the cabin.
The door linings have been covered in glossy hand-painted fabric, the seats are
wrapped in more than 100 meters of black elastane fabric, specially molded by
hand to create "rippled and ruched upholstery", and there is also
visible carbon fiber that runs across its full length.
The Kia Proceed Concept can seat four, in the
interlinked seats that feature a contoured welcoming wave. The person behind
the wheel can then select between three color-coded driving modes - Lava Red
for GT, Forest Green for Eco, and Ghost White, for Autonomous. Yes, the study
features autonomous drive, but the automaker has yet to detail it.
Other interesting additions made to the cabin are the
aluminum controls, inspired by the haptic, machined actions of top-end audio
systems, and the 'Memory Bank', which is "a flush-mounted shelf housed
within the dashboard, containing a trio of evocative aromas", Kia says.
