There are only a handful of world-famous luxury brands. Mercedes and BMW are obvious examples, as are Rolls Royce and Jaguar. What they have in common is that they draw much of their prestige from their European provenance. Far Eastern cars, on the other hand, are supposed to be cheap and cheerful.
The KIA Opirus sets out to shatter that preconception.
Showcased at the recent Jeddah international Motor Show, the Korean luxury motor was being promoted by KIA Motors President Y. I. Kwon together with the their distributor in the Kingdom, Haji Husein Alireza.
The price starts from SR67,000, which is on the low side. It boasts twin oval shaped headlamps and a large stately grille reminiscent of its better-known competitors. The interior provides ample head- and legroom.
Its sigma 3.5 liter V6 engine, developing 200 hp at 5,500 rpm, in combination with a five-speed automatic transmission with sports mode manual shift, the car maker says, proves "a rewarding experience".
And what about safety? The car incorporates "the latest in active safety technology," as the manufacturers like to put it, which means various capitalized and eminently abbreviable devices including an Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and Brake Assistance System (BAS), as well as High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps, whatever they may mean.
There are a record eight airbags - front, side and curtain - to guard against the hazards of driving in Saudi Arabia.
It has some other natty features, from memory functions for the driver seat, mirrors and steering wheel to dual-zone climate - that's air-conditioning for laymen. For passengers in the back, the C-Pillar design provides greater comfort.
Than what? you may ask. Seats are in any case power adjustable and shades are available for side and rear windows to protect your family from the leering shebab. An automatic light control is another feature, as are, yes: rain sensors, perhaps for the purblind among the drivers.
Altogether, then, the car combines top-of-the-range technology with gadgets of sublime uselessness, both of which are indispensable in a true luxury car. At the price, it is a small miracle.