Carscoop Reader Spots New Kia Cadenza Filling up in California

It's been a little over a year since Kia lifted the wraps off its stylish replacement for the Amanti, called the K7 in South Korea and Cadenza in other countries, but we're still waiting for the firm's flagship sedan to show up in the USA. However if these (fuzzy) photos are anything to go by, Kia may be getting ready to launch the Cadenza onto the U.S. market.

The silver-colored mid-size sedan was scooped by Carscoop reader Nick K., who you might remember from the first ever Prius MPV spy shots we posted last September, while filling up at a gas station in California.

"The other day I was sitting at a restaurant in Corona Del Mar, California and spotted a Kia Cadenza (K7). Here are the VERY zoomed in pictures I took with my phone," Nick told Carscoop.

The Cadenza, which sits above the Optima in Kia's range, is available in its home country with a choice of three gasoline engines ranging in output from 165HP for the four-cylinder model to 295HP for the 3.5 liter V6. All variants feature front-wheel drive and a new six-speed automatic transmission.

Kudos to Nick K. for the Kia spotting!

READ MORE - Carscoop Reader Spots New Kia Cadenza Filling up in California

Carscoop Reader Spots New Kia Cadenza Filling up in California

It's been a little over a year since Kia lifted the wraps off its stylish replacement for the Amanti, called the K7 in South Korea and Cadenza in other countries, but we're still waiting for the firm's flagship sedan to show up in the USA. However if these (fuzzy) photos are anything to go by, Kia may be getting ready to launch the Cadenza onto the U.S. market.

Read more »

READ MORE - Carscoop Reader Spots New Kia Cadenza Filling up in California

Live Photos of Kia's KND-5 Mid-Size Sedan Concept from Seoul Show

This near-production concept car is the Kia KND-5 and it made its world premiere alongside the new 7-seater Sorento CUV at the 2009 Seoul Motor Show. Boasting an aggressive four-door coupe styling in the likes of Volkswagen's Passat CC (the reference to VW's model was not by chance...), the KND-5 give us a pretty good idea of what the production version that's scheduled to debut in Korea in late 2009, and most likely, in other markets including North America and Europe, in 2010, will look like.

The KND-5 measures 4,945mm long, 1,850mm wide and 1,475mm high with a wheelbase of 2,845mm, meaning that it is roughly the same size as the firm's Amanti sedan which is known in many markets as the Opirus. Power is provided by Hyundai group's 3.5-liter V6 Lambda gasoline engine that produces, depending on the model, between 275 and 310HP.

Hyoung-Keun Lee, Senior Executive Vice President & COO, International Business Division, said, "The aggressive and sophisticated KND-5 exemplifies Kia's futuristic design and values. As a concept car that presents the new direction of luxury sedan design, KND-5 will likely generate a lot of buzz at the Seoul Motor Show."

Our take? It appears that Kia has began reaping fruits of Peter Schreyers labor as the company's head designer.

Live pics courtesy of Kia World

READ MORE - Live Photos of Kia's KND-5 Mid-Size Sedan Concept from Seoul Show

Kia VG Sedan Concept Study Leaked ahead of Seoul Motor Show

A photograph depicting what looks to be a near-production concept study of a mid-size Kia sedan has found its way into the web. Word is that the so-called VG Concept most likely previews the next-generation Amanti sedan, but since we do not have any official information, it would be better if we left a question mark until we hear something from Kia. The VG Concept is slated to make its world premiere along with the all-new Sorento SUV and Kia's first production hybrid model, the Forte LPI, at next week's 2009 Seoul Motor Show that runs from April 3 to 12.

Source: TheCarBlogger , Via: Autoblog.com

READ MORE - Kia VG Sedan Concept Study Leaked ahead of Seoul Motor Show

Official details and High-Res pic of Kia's VG KND-5 Concept Sedan

Following an online leak this past weekend, Kia released a high-resolution photo as well as initial details on its KND-5 concept sedan that will make its world debut at the Seoul Motor Show (April 3-12, 2009). While Kia revealed that the concept study previews a production model that will be revealed at the end of the year, the Korean automaker did not make it clear whether or not the KND-5 will replace the Amanti otherwise known as the Opirus.

However, the KND-5's exterior dimensions bring it closer to the Amanti than to the Optima (Magentis in Europe) measuring in at 4,950 mm or 194.9 in. in length (Amanti: 5,001 mm or 196.9 in.) with a wheelbase of 2,845mm or 112 in. (Amanti: 110.2 in.).

The medium-size concept sedan that will be on display at Kia's Seoul stand will be powered by the Hyundai group's 3.5-liter V6 engine.

READ MORE - Official details and High-Res pic of Kia's VG KND-5 Concept Sedan

2011 Kia Cadenza: New High-Res Photo Gallery and Details, International Sales Start in January 2010

The all-new Kia Cadenza sedan was officially launched in Korea today where it will go on sale under the name K7. The 4,965 mm (195.5'') long Cadenza will take over the role of Kia's flagship sedan from the 10-year old Opirus, also called Amanti in some markets. Designed under the guidance of former Audi design chief Peter Schreyer, the Cadenza is the production version of the KND-5 concept model shown in Seoul earlier this year. And yes, we couldn't help but compare the Korean sedan's styling to the new BMW 5-Series that was introduced on Monday.

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READ MORE - 2011 Kia Cadenza: New High-Res Photo Gallery and Details, International Sales Start in January 2010

KIA VG Sedan: New Renderings of Production Model that will Replace the Amanti - Opirus

If these latest teaser renderings of Kia's forthcoming sedan, currently known by its code name "VG", are anything to go by then the production model's looks will remain faithful to the surprisingly well-received KND-5 concept study that was revealed at the 2009 Seoul Motor Show this past April. Aside from the teaser shots, Kia confirmed that the 'VG' is set to replace the existing Opirus / Amanti model in Korean, North American and European markets excluding the UK as the company said it has no plans to bring the sedan to the British market.

"VG clearly demonstrates the next stage in Kia's design evolution and showcases our new design principle of 'sophistication by simplicity'," commented Hyoung Keun Lee, Senior Executive Vice President and COO of International Business Division at Kia.

"The exterior is a seamless blend of powerful front, sleek profile and sophisticated but simple rear lines to create an elegant and luxurious appearance," he added.

We suspect that the production model will have similar dimensions to the concept at 4,945mm long, 1,850mm wide and 1,475mm high with a wheelbase of 2,845mm. The sleek looking KND-5 study was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 Lambda gasoline engine, but buyers should expect to see a wider range with smaller displacement gasoline as well as diesel (for the Korean and European markets) powertrains.

Kia's Amanti / Opirus successor will go on sale in Korea by the end of 2009 with other markets following in the first half of 2010.

READ MORE - KIA VG Sedan: New Renderings of Production Model that will Replace the Amanti - Opirus

Facelifted 2010 Kia Opirus Premium Debuts in Korea

Can't say that we were ever fans of the Kia Amanti's (Opirus in Korea and other markets) wannabe Jaguar S-Type looks, and this latest facelift that comes three years after the latest update in 2006 and six years after the introduction of the car in 2003, won't make us change our mind. Revealed in Korea today, the updated Amanti / Opirus boasts a subtly refreshed exterior with a new Buick-like waterfall grille, redesigned front and rear bumper plus new LED tail lights and mirror turn signals. The restyled 18-inch alloy wheels and extra chrome bits and pieces here and there complete the exterior changes.

Inside, the 2010 Opirus Premium as it's officially called in Korea, gains new trim options and colors as well as a new 3.5-inch color TFT-LCD infoscreen on the dashboard.

All available engines on the Opirus have been revised and now come equipped with a new 6-speed automatic transmission. The base 2.7-liter V6 produces 195HP (a 1.6% improvement), the 3.3-liter V6 259HP (+4.9%) while the range-topping 3.8-liter V6 delivers 284HP (+6.8%).

It remains to be seen if Kia will perform the same changes on the U.S. specification Amanti sedan.

Via: Thecarblogger , Photos: Rpm9

READ MORE - Facelifted 2010 Kia Opirus Premium Debuts in Korea

Live Photos of Kia's KND-5 Mid-Size Sedan Concept from Seoul Show

This near-production concept car is the Kia KND-5 and it made its world premiere alongside the new 7-seater Sorento CUV at the 2009 Seoul Motor Show. Boasting an aggressive four-door coupe styling in the likes of Volkswagen's Passat CC (the reference to VW's model was not by chance...), the KND-5 give us a pretty good idea of what the production version that's scheduled to debut in Korea in late 2009, and most likely, in other markets including North America and Europe, in 2010, will look like.

The KND-5 measures 4,945mm long, 1,850mm wide and 1,475mm high with a wheelbase of 2,845mm, meaning that it is roughly the same size as the firm's Amanti sedan which is known in many markets as the Opirus. Power is provided by Hyundai group's 3.5-liter V6 Lambda gasoline engine that produces, depending on the model, between 275 and 310HP.

Hyoung-Keun Lee, Senior Executive Vice President & COO, International Business Division, said, "The aggressive and sophisticated KND-5 exemplifies Kia's futuristic design and values. As a concept car that presents the new direction of luxury sedan design, KND-5 will likely generate a lot of buzz at the Seoul Motor Show."

Our take? It appears that Kia has began reaping fruits of Peter Schreyers labor as the company's head designer.

Live pics courtesy of Kia World

READ MORE - Live Photos of Kia's KND-5 Mid-Size Sedan Concept from Seoul Show