Currently reading: Kia Cadenza revealed at New York motor show

The 2017 Kia Cadenza may not be coming to the UK, but it does preview Kia's future design language and upcoming technology that will make it in to UK cars

Kia has revealed the 2017 Cadenza at the New York motor show. 

Although the Cadenza is not a UK model, and this new version won't be sold in the UK, the look of the new car previews Kia's design language, and technology that will make it into UK-bound cars. 

Leading the design highlights are a new grille incorporating a more subtle interpretation of Kia's 'tiger nose' grille and vertical slats - expected to be destined for the UK on the next Kia Ceed - zigzag-shaped LED daytime running lights incorporated into more angular light clusters at the front, as well as Kia's signature quad-foglight clusters below.

The zigzag LED motif also makes it into the intricate rear light clusters, which use other LED accents to give a complex appearance. Sitting above these is a full-width chrome strip, something that appears to be becoming something of an industry trend, after being adopted into the styling of many Mercedes-Benz models.

Technological upgrades may make it to UK cars

Among the new technology to feature on the Cadenza is a series of driver assistance systems, including a new blindspot detection system, a system that applies the brake to one of the front wheels when it detects drift into the opposite lane to correct the car's course, autonomous emergency braking and a forward collision warning system. A head-up display and an improved birds-eye view camera system are also among the new tech to be fitted to the Cadenza, as well as a 'Smart Trunk' with a bootlid that automatically opens when the keyfob is held near the sensor for more than three seconds. 

Improved seat heating, which automatically dips after a period of time and features heating elements that give a more even spread of heat are also included, as well as new adjustable seat cushions with sliding and rotating adjustment for a greater range of possible seating positions. A wireless smartphone charger and updated smartphone technology with Android Auto and Apple Carplay - the former of will arrive on the Optima Sportswagon - complete the interior technology upgrades. 

Mechanical updates over the outgoing Cadenza include a more extensive use of high-strength steel in the car's construction, as well as the use of aluminium in various chassis and steering components. An eight-speed automatic gearbox that is lighter than the previous six-speed 'box also features. An amplitude selective damping system, which Kia claims improves the ride of the Cadenza, is also destined for the UK.

The second-generation Cadenza will go on sale in late 2016, in markets where the previous model is already sold. Although a non-UK car, Kia hopes that demand from other markets will be strong enough to warrant the Cadenza going on sale elsewhere too; this is currently happening with the Optima Sportswagon in the US. 

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The Apprentice 23 March 2016

So you cross over the line to

So you cross over the line to the other side of the road (if clear!) to avoid an obstacles in the road, say a child - and the car brakes a wheel and steers you back over killing the child? these 'safety' systems scare me, a lot.