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Kia Granbird
The Kia Granbird (Korean: 기아 그랜버드) is a high-decker coach produced by the South Korean vehicle manufacturer Kia. It was derived from the Hino S'elega platform and for a brief period of time from former Asia Motors. Production started in 1994, and the exterior look stayed the same until the second generation in 2007, and then finally a refresh in 2020. The Granbird is produced at Kia's Hanam plant, and Kia's commercial and military trucks. The Granbird is only sold in selected markets.
In 1994, Kia introduced the Granbird, to compete with the Hyundai Aero and the Daewoo BH series, SsangYong Transstar. This generation was only offered with direct injection diesel engines.
Released in August 1994 during the Asia Motors era under the name Granbird AM948/AM949, this model continued production until Kia Motors was acquired by Hyundai Motor Company, after which it was renamed KM948/KM949 Granbird. It is the only independently developed model among those launched by Asia Motors and later carried over to Kia that continues to this day. The bus is produced at the Hanan Special Vehicle Plant in Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju.
Although it was based on the platform of the first-generation Hino Selega FD/FS by Hino Motors, unlike Daewoo or Hyundai buses at the time that adopted foreign technology and design, the Granbird featured an original design (except for the engine and platform). In 1995, it became the first Korean commercial vehicle to receive the Good Design Award and the Successful Design (SD) Award from the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
Until the full model change to the second-generation New Granbird on November 29, 2007, its overall design remained mostly unchanged except for minor updates to the radiator grille, fog lights, and dashboard. The Granbird is still commonly seen today. It features a rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive (RR) layout, with air suspension as standard (leaf spring suspension was not available).
Initially, it was equipped with Hino’s V8 EF750 and F17E engines. After Kia became part of the Hyundai Motor Group, the bus adopted Hyundai’s Q engines or Powertec engines (380 hp, 410 hp). The Powertec engine became an option for the Blue Sky and Sunshine models starting in 2000, later becoming standard on Greenfield and higher models. The 410 hp engine was offered as an option on all models except the Greenfield after the Q engine was discontinued in 2004.
Originally, the seats were supplied by Asia Motors, but they later switched to Hanil Interior (used by Hyundai) and Myungbo Industries (used by Daewoo Bus), with Myungbo seats as standard and Hanil seats available for an additional cost. This bus was also used during the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
The first version had a long distance between the front axle and the front door, using a boxy dashboard similar to the AM bus. A 1997 facelift shortened the distance and introduced a more streamlined dashboard.
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Kia Granbird
The Kia Granbird (Korean: 기아 그랜버드) is a high-decker coach produced by the South Korean vehicle manufacturer Kia. It was derived from the Hino S'elega platform and for a brief period of time from former Asia Motors. Production started in 1994, and the exterior look stayed the same until the second generation in 2007, and then finally a refresh in 2020. The Granbird is produced at Kia's Hanam plant, and Kia's commercial and military trucks. The Granbird is only sold in selected markets.
In 1994, Kia introduced the Granbird, to compete with the Hyundai Aero and the Daewoo BH series, SsangYong Transstar. This generation was only offered with direct injection diesel engines.
Released in August 1994 during the Asia Motors era under the name Granbird AM948/AM949, this model continued production until Kia Motors was acquired by Hyundai Motor Company, after which it was renamed KM948/KM949 Granbird. It is the only independently developed model among those launched by Asia Motors and later carried over to Kia that continues to this day. The bus is produced at the Hanan Special Vehicle Plant in Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju.
Although it was based on the platform of the first-generation Hino Selega FD/FS by Hino Motors, unlike Daewoo or Hyundai buses at the time that adopted foreign technology and design, the Granbird featured an original design (except for the engine and platform). In 1995, it became the first Korean commercial vehicle to receive the Good Design Award and the Successful Design (SD) Award from the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
Until the full model change to the second-generation New Granbird on November 29, 2007, its overall design remained mostly unchanged except for minor updates to the radiator grille, fog lights, and dashboard. The Granbird is still commonly seen today. It features a rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive (RR) layout, with air suspension as standard (leaf spring suspension was not available).
Initially, it was equipped with Hino’s V8 EF750 and F17E engines. After Kia became part of the Hyundai Motor Group, the bus adopted Hyundai’s Q engines or Powertec engines (380 hp, 410 hp). The Powertec engine became an option for the Blue Sky and Sunshine models starting in 2000, later becoming standard on Greenfield and higher models. The 410 hp engine was offered as an option on all models except the Greenfield after the Q engine was discontinued in 2004.
Originally, the seats were supplied by Asia Motors, but they later switched to Hanil Interior (used by Hyundai) and Myungbo Industries (used by Daewoo Bus), with Myungbo seats as standard and Hanil seats available for an additional cost. This bus was also used during the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
The first version had a long distance between the front axle and the front door, using a boxy dashboard similar to the AM bus. A 1997 facelift shortened the distance and introduced a more streamlined dashboard.