Confessions of an Automationeer, Part 202: Crossed Over

Confessions of an Automationeer, Part 202: Crossed Over

Not long after completing the AAA Centaurite, I decided to finish another fully detailed Automation build (i.e., one that has an interior comprised of 3D fixtures to complement its exterior), but this one was a whole decade older, and far more adept at off-roading. The result was the KMA KX1 - which I ended up submitting here. This small unibody crossover (as opposed to a larger SUV, which may have a partial unibody or even a ladder-frame chassis) had a 2.0L naturally aspirated I4 up front, transversely mounted and driving all four wheels (wrapped in high-profile all-terrain tires) via a switchable on-demand AWD system for some light sand or snow crawling.

Above, from top: The 1998 KMA KX1 may have been a typical small crossover of the late '90s, but its light weight made it more fun to drive than you'd think, considering how much larger and heavier today's equivalents tend to be.

Even when fitted with the optional 5-speed advanced automatic transmission (as installed on the example shown on this post), the KX1, despite its commensurately high ride height and soft suspension, never feels too sluggish when accelerating or turning, thanks to its 1.4-ton curb weight. With a 3-pedal manual it would certainly be quicker, but I spurned that option for the sake of drivability and comfort. Although not fitted to this particular example, a two-tone exterior color scheme was optional. I could've simulated it by setting the lower body, wheel arch, and bumper areas to a different, contrasting color (which would've most likely been pale gold or silver, both of which complemented the deep metallic red background color equally well) - something made possible by those sections being treated as separate sections on the body set I chose for this build - but I ultimately chose not to do so.

In short, the KX1 may be a somewhat out-of-character build for an Automationeer like me, who generally focuses on the performance and luxury segments, but I did a decent job with the tools and rule set, given that I entered this into another forum competition - my fourth Discourse entry over the past week, and the third build in that timespan with a fully detailed interior. It may have given me a higher workload than usual, but considering the amount of satisfaction I got out of the whole series of builds, I felt it was definitely worth it.