| In The Streets of Seoul With Kia (part 1) | In The Streets of Seoul With Kia (part 2) |
(Seoul, Korea) – Anyong asseo. Good morning, Good evening. Those are the first words you learn in Korean. And accompanied by a discrete little bow, these are the words you’ll speak most often if you ever visit the country. In fact, those are the exact words, and gestures, I used most often when visiting Hyundai and Kia’s Research and Development Centre in Namyang, in the suburbs of Seoul.
 |
| Photo: Kia |
Because the Koreans have regained their pride and because Kia’s executives know that they are well on their way to becoming one of the most influential automakers in the world, they decided to bring the world to them.
That’s why for the past few weeks dozens of journalists from around the world have been taking turns visiting “The Land of the Morning Calm,” some of them specializing in the automotive world – and some of them not – to learn more about what Kia has to offer. And everything always starts with a little bow and “Anyong Asseo.”
But don’t misunderstand me. While the Koreans are polite and welcoming, their research centre is very much a well-guarded secret. The few journalists that are admitted are required to show their credentials and leave all cameras at the door. Even cell phones have to be left behind, to prevent any impromptu photo shoots.
Because here, in Namyang, is where Kia’s future is being played out. Behind these walls, all the new vehicles the Korean manufacturer intends to launch are dreamed up, designed and tested. This is also where they measure the distance, positive or negative, that separates Kia from the competition.
Unique facilities
The research and development centre is impressive. Overall, it sprawls over some 500 football fields and includes, as is often the case, a 17-kilometre test track. There are also various testing areas for different types of surfaces, on which each vehicle is put through its paces.
But that’s just the tip of the proverbial iceberg, as the centre also houses the company’s biggest design centre, even if Kia also operates others elsewhere around the world.
And to fill up all that square footage, numerous buildings also house engine design and cabin layout facilities, and there’s even a prototype production centre to create the models to be used for testing.
An enormous wind tunnel equipped with an 8.3-metre fan is used to measure the aerodynamic and acoustic performance of the vehicles. It can simulate winds up to 200 km/h as well as side winds.
 |
| Photo: Kia |