Interview with SVP Marketing & Brand for Kimpton makes it sound like further evidence that Kimpton is being groomed to be a 'luxury' brand within IHG
http://www.hotelsmag.com/Industry/News/Details/68270
I don't know if I buy off on Kimpton slotting in the 4 1/2 star category, but thats what this sounds like what IHG is going for. Also tiny tidbit it sounds like in addition to Europe they're aiming for South America (I honestly would've expected them to try and go urban-Asia (Hong Kong, Singapore, Seoul, etc)