Automakers often portray stunt driving in TV commercials to glorify their cars or to emphasize on certain features offered with their vehicles. Stunt driving in TVCs may show high speed maneuvering, jumps, spins, donuts, drifts, reversing acrobatics or even tilt driving on 2 wheels in extreme cases.
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However South Korean automaker Kia has gone a step ahead with an outrageously valiant stunt performed in the latest video commercial of the all new turbocharged K5 sedan. The action involves the Kia K5 drifting while jumping off a ramp, thus spinning 360o while in air. High-speed cameras catch the mid-air drift in slow-motion which makes the stunt look even more amazing.
https://youtu.be/JmoLtL8A43w
Off course the car went through some sort of modifications to perform the action, but the changes weren’t too drastic. The K5 used in this commercial got a new handbrake (e-brake), an underbody skid plate, a 5-point harness, bucket seats, roll cage and had its airbags disabled. There were reportedly no changes to the engine, transmission, or suspension whatsoever. The video was shot to demonstrate the handling capabilities of the new Kia K5, and it certainly delivered the message in a rather extraordinary way.
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Under the hood, the 2021 Kia K5 gets a 1.6-liter turbocharged petrol engine capable to generate 180 hp of power and 264 Nm of peak torque & comes paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission with front-wheel-drive as well as all-wheel-drive versions. There is also a more powerful GT version which has a turbocharged 2.5-liter petrol engine churning out 290 hp of power and 421 Nm of torque, and comes mated to an 8-speed DCT gearbox.
The new Kia K5 comes with an impressive array of features, which includes a 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 12-speaker Bose audio system & ambient lighting etc. Kia’s Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are also available, and includes Forward Collision-avoidance Assist, Blind-spot View Monitor with Surround View Monitor and Blind-spot Collision-avoid Assist, Smart Cruise Control (SCC) or Navigation-based SCC (NSCC), Lane Following Assist, Driver Attention Warning & Highway Driving Assist.
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That’s not all, as there is a Rear View Monitor with Reverse Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist (PCA), Rear Cross-traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, and Remote Smart Parking Assist, which enables drivers to move their car autonomously out of a front-and-back parking space remotely with their key fob. All Optima models come with 9 airbags as standard and the usual array of passive safety systems including Vehicle Stability Management and Electronic Stability Control.
A computer animation professional with over 23 years of industry experience having served in leading organizations, TV channels & production facilities in Pakistan. An avid car enthusiast and petrolhead with an affection to deliver quality content to help shape opinions. Formerly written for PakWheels as well as major publications including Dawn. Founder of CarSpiritPK.com
