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Kia KV7 concept (photos)

For its concept at the 2011 Detroit auto show, Kia unveiled what it called a minivan, a truck-like vehicle with a loungey passenger area, complete with a tabletop computer in back.

Wayne Cunningham
Wayne Cunningham reviews cars and writes about automotive technology for CNET's Roadshow. Prior to the automotive beat, he covered spyware, Web building technologies, and computer hardware. He began covering technology and the Web in 1994 as an editor of The Net magazine.
Wayne Cunningham
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1 of 8 Josh Miller/CNET
For the KV7 concept, Kia designers decided to embrace the essential boxiness of minivans, and so gave the vehicle a vertical grille and windshield. Kia refers to this element as bringing SUV qualities to the minivan, or "activity van," as it has dubbed the KV7.

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KiaKV7_SS02.jpg
2 of 8 Josh Miller/CNET
Kia specifies its turbocharged direct-injection 2-liter engine to power the KV7, giving it 285 horsepower, about typical for a standard minivan. The front headlight design is probably not practical, as there is no central LED.

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KiaKV7_SS03.jpg
3 of 8 Josh Miller/CNET
Kia boasts that its Soul and Forte models came to production looking very close to their concepts, possibly hinting that it has a production plan for the KV7. In reality, it does not look terribly different from the Ford Flex.

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KiaKV7_SS04.jpg
4 of 8 Josh Miller/CNET
Rather than a family wagon, Kia describes the intended buyer for the KV7 as a "ringleader," someone who organizes camping trips and other outings among friends.

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KiaKV7_SS05.jpg
5 of 8 Kia
Despite designing an essential nonsporty exterior, this wheel has the flat bottom often seen in sports cars. The arrangement of the stereo and cruise control buttons on the steering-wheel spokes would be something Kia could bring to a production car.

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KiaKV7_SS06.jpg
6 of 8 Kia
Kia designed the entire dashboard to recess when the car is turned off, making egress easy. When the driver hits the start button, the dashboard motors out 6 inches.

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KiaKV7_SS07.jpg
7 of 8 Josh Miller/CNET
The rear features a wood floor, a lounge on the right, and pod seats on the left. The seats are designed to swivel, making for a conversational space.

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KiaKV7_SS08.jpg
8 of 8 Josh Miller/CNET
This table is actual a tabletop computer. Kia envisions the car having an Internet connection and working as a Wi-Fi hot spot.

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