Kia Kue abandons airbag, swaps in GPS navigation

We know it's possible to strap a PSP to your steering wheel, but seriously, it's not like we'd recommend taking such a setup onto the open road. Apparently, designers at Kia are throwing caution to the wind and cramming convenience in your face with its Kue concept vehicle, which neatly sports a full-fledged GPS navigation system in place of an airbag. Yeah, you've got Honda trying to stuff such protective devices into frickin' motorcycles, but who needs driver's side safety when you've got a 100,000-mile warranty? Nevertheless, the whip also manages to sport Lambo-doors, swivel seats, a widescreen in-dash display, and what appears to be flush-mounted pillar controls. Of course, the Kue could end up rocking a half dozen airbags in a variety of other locations, but if you're interested in a few more pics of the quasi-street-legal ride, be sure to click on through.

[LS @ Apr 12th 2007 4:11AM]

oh come on! swapping an airbag for a gps system that might just as likely send you in to a swollen river than get you to your desired location is a tad reckless!
I hope that's just a (fugly) concept car

[Colin @ Apr 12th 2007 5:06AM]

...it's not like they could ever sell the thing without a driver-side airbag anyway.

But yeah, it's fugly. Looks like an Rx-8 that's been kicked in the arse.

Question to car makers: What is the fascination with removing the instrument cluster from the dashboard? Just put a big pile of gauges in front of the steering wheel and be done with it. Stop messing around!

[Jeff @ Apr 12th 2007 7:44AM]

Am I the only one that actually uses my steering wheel for turning? That display's bound to make a lot of folks dizzy.

[Mrmean @ Apr 12th 2007 7:45AM]

lol at this piece of ugly crap Kia..why do car co's make concept vehicles anyway? Waste of time and money they could use to better enhance their already crap vehicles..

[Bill Vincent @ Apr 12th 2007 9:40AM]

Concept units are the method that any manufacturer of almost any product uses to test out theories and ideas that only exist in a designers mind. If they don't work, in the bin they go to be forgotten or recycled when technology or innovation makes it viable. If they DO work, they may find their way into a production model. They're well aware that most prototype/concept units have things on them that are probably not viable.

[anonymous @ Apr 12th 2007 9:41AM]

what I really want is more cars with the HUD capability. I was in a car 10 years ago that had it and it made it real nice to see the info without having to look away from the road. Why is it that technologies that make sense never get very far.
examples:
the hill-holder clutch from Subaru
HUDs

I am sure you can name several others...

[Rick Lyon @ Apr 12th 2007 10:19AM]

So, while your distracted by the display and take your eyes off the road and plow into an oncoming semi you won't have your airbag to prevent your head from becoming a permanent part of the steeringwheel and dashboard? Those silly Koreans.

[Kev50027 @ Apr 12th 2007 11:03AM]

Who the hell is going to want to stare at the steering wheel? It's easier to stare at a GPS as a HUD or in the center console than on the steering wheel.

[blore40 @ Apr 12th 2007 12:02PM]

KIA is now aptly named - Killed in Action

[waLLy @ Apr 12th 2007 1:32PM]

It's funny you mention strapping a PSP on the wheel...

This think looks like someone duct-taped a 3 year old MP3 player on the wheel. Seriously.

[apeguero @ Apr 12th 2007 3:39PM]

What's next? Them realizing what mistake they've made by removing the airbag and then adding it back with the GPS on top? Really people, it's a KIA. What else did you expect?

[Willis @ Apr 12th 2007 5:10PM]

yeah, real smart, Kia; swap a safety device for a non-essential piece of equipment. which is gonna save your life in a wreck?? Dumbasses...perfect example of why I'll NEVER buy, own, or drive a vehicle made across the Pacific...

[anon @ Apr 12th 2007 5:18PM]

This is only a concept. Kia has put out prototypes with Nitrous and other gizmos... that will not be available to the public from the manufacture.

Isn't it illegal to sell a car without airbags (Federal Regulation)? This is a concept car.

Use some common sense people, don't slam a manufacturer for trying something different. The PT Cruiser Concept was different when it was released and for a while it saved Chrysler's bacon.

Is it ugly? Maybe. Is the Camaro concept ugly? I don't think so but my friends do... so, it's a concept, who cares.

Kia has sold over 2 million vehicles and has grown faster that Toyota, BMW, Mercedes, and Mazda. I wouldn't put them down just yet.

Most stuff today is made in Korea (LG, Samsung, etc) with cell phones, plasma and LCD TVs, and tons of other electronic devices. Japan has taken a step down to Korea and it won't be long before their cars surpass Japan's quality. Kia already outsells Honda worldwide.

Which direction are the domestic cars going? Ford is closing 14 manufacturing plants. Chrysler, Jeep, & Dodge are up for sale. GM is still promoting SUVs with $3.20 per gallon prices.

[EWR @ Apr 20th 2007 4:00PM]

What happened to the good old paper MAP??? Cars these days are cluttered with so much useless stuff its unbelievable. People should just try sleeping instead of vying for a built-in DVD player. People should just print out directions from Mapquest before they go on a trip. Not only that, but the pounds of gadgets this would eliminate would lighten the car, getting it somewhat better mileage. I am not putting down KIA as havign made a bad concept, for the essential features of the car (especially the scissor doors) seem to be a good idea to me. However, I would rather have an airbag on my steering wheel with directions being held in paper form by the person in the passenger seat than having to stare at my steering wheel trying to find out when the unit wants me to turn left.