When it comes to luxury cars, Kia isn't the automaker you'd usually go to. But the brand that was once associated with cheap, poorly built cars has evolved to the point where it can compete head-on with class leaders. Granted, it's not yet there in the full-size luxury market, where the K900 has yet to gain popularity, but it's making tremendous progress. And proof of that are not only in the latest production cars, but also the Proceed concept that was just unveiled at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show.

Essentially a slightly more futuristic, shooting brake variant of the Kia Stinger, the Proceed isn't overly spectacular on the outside. However, the interior is an attention grabber due to its out-of-the-box design and fancy features. More importantly, it shows what the brand is capable of and looking at it make me very confident that Kia will climb higher and higher on the premium ladder. Sure, the Proceed will remain a concept for now, but if previous show cars are any indication, we could see many of these features production models really soon. Keep reading to find out why I think this is one of the most exciting interior designs launched in 2017.

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Bespoke Tailoring and Haute Couture

Now these are four fancy words. The kind only Rolls-Royce, Bentley, and Mercedes-Benz are allowed to use. Well, not anymore. The Proceed's interior is that fancy, and this statement comes from a writer that doesn't take kindly to PR talk.

While modern, the cabin is far from futuristic and boasts a well-balanced mix of new and classic design cues and materials. The dashboard is the first element that catches the eye, mostly because it's finished in the same Lava Red paint as the exterior. But it's not just a big lump of plastic painted in red. No fewer than 90 coats were applied to get that deep, rich metallic color. The simple design also adds elegance and gives the impression that the engine hood flows into the cabin. What I like even more about it is that it reminds me of large 1950s and 1960s American cars, which were available with matching exterior paint, dashboard, and upholstery.

The knurled aluminum knobs on the center console provide a striking contrast, as do the charcoal-like grey and gloss black details. Both the center dashboard and instrument cluster have red backgrounds for their display. However, the latter changes colors depending on the driving mode. While Lava Red comes up when "GT" mode is turned on, it switches to Forest Green in "Eco" and Ghost White in "Autonomous." Both were carefully selected, as they go well with the metallic red.

State-Of-The-Art Design

The seats are also unique in the business, being wrapped in more than 100 meters of black elastane fabric. This was cut, trimmed and tailored by hand to create rippled and ruched upholstery, something you won't find in the fanciest luxury concepts out there. Sure, it's not leather and Alcantara, but we need to look beyond that if we want more sustainable cars in the future. The door panels are as simple as they get, but they are wrapped in glossy, hand-painted fabric that shifts from solid black near the window line through to reflective red in the footwells.

The split backrests of the seats are held in place by metal exoskeletons, while the center console is supported by a visible carbon-fibre spine that runs the full length of the car’s interior.

In-Car Aromas

A thin drawer on the lower dash of the passenger side reveals three metal canisters with different scents. The first is one that smells like aged leather, which is a nice touch given that the concept's upholstery is cloth. The second is the scent of a classic car in the garage. The third brings the aroma of high-octane racing fuel and aims to give the driver a high-performance feel. Kia says that these in-car aromas are about "automotive passion and the love of car culture," as well as a way to "treasure the past."

While it's by no means a premiere, as other carmakers already use in-car aromas, it's definitely unique when it comes to scents.

Headed for Production?

Unfortunately, I don't see the Proceed going into production as is. However, it's a sign that Kia is pushing its limits higher and higher and it won't be long until we see some of these fancy features in production cars. It might not be the new Cee'd or any other compact vehicle, but it could be the K900. And who knows, maybe Kia will follow in the footsteps of sister company Hyundai and launch its very own luxury division. If that happens, the big German automakers may finally have something to worry about.

References

Kia Proceed Concept

Read our full review on the Kia Proceed Concept.

Kia Stinger

Read our full review on the Kia Stinger.