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!

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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.

We've yet to see either car in the flesh, but judging from the photos, our first thought is that Schreyer and Kia have really pushed the envelope in the styling department. That, and BMW is playing it a bit too safe with its latest designs...

"Our new sedan looks masculine and luxurious," said Peter Schreyer. "Today, people recognize a Kia at first sight: well balanced proportions, flowing greenhouse and dynamic window graphic plus the big wheels, give this car its confident stance, dignity and elegant personality. The distinctive 'tiger nose' front with its signature grille and headlights are evidence of Kia's new self-confidence. Kia Cadenza is a big step into the future - another quantum leap for Kia," Schreyer concluded.

Inside, Kia's new sedan features an equally contemporary and clean design. Among the many features is a 'mood lighting strip' that runs across the two-tier dashboard and all around the door trims, keyless entry and an engine 'start' button, reversing sensors, a reversing safety camera with interior mirror display screen and a powered extension for the driver's seat cushion.

Even though the Cadenza is shorter than the Opirus, the extended wheelbase (up by 45 mm to 2,845 mm or 112''), additional exterior width and more compact rear suspension, are claimed to ensure more space for the passengers than the old model.

The Cadenza makes use of Korean firm's new front-wheel drive 'Type-N' platform that will be used in other future Kia models. The company claims that, despite the added features, the lighter yet stronger bodyshell, along with all-new suspension systems, helped the Cadenza to achieve a weight loss of up to 130 kg or 287 pounds, compared with the Opirus.

Kia said that the new Cadenza will be offered with a total of three gasoline engines ranging from 165HP to 295HP for the 3.5 liter V6, with all models featuring front-wheel drive and a new six-speed automatic transmission. The Hyundai - Kia Group's new 201HP 2.4-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with direct injection gasoline should be among the choices.

The 2011 Cadenza will make its overseas world premiere at next month's Riyadh Motor Show in Saudi Arabia on 12 December, followed immediately by an appearance at the Dubai Motor Show on 15 December.

According to the Korean automaker, the Cadenza is scheduled to go on sale in international markets -excluding North America and Europe- in the beginning of 2010. The regions of Central and South America, the Caribbean, Asia (excluding China), the Pacific, Middle East and Africa will get the new Kia in March 2010, while sales in China will begin in June 2010.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS [ EXPORT MARKETS ] - NOVEMBER 2009

Body & Chassis

Four-door, five-seater sedan, with all-steel unitary construction bodyshell. Powered by transversely-mounted V6 gasoline engine driving the front wheels.

Engine

3.5-litre / 290 ps : [ Middle East & General Markets ]

Type : 'Lambda II' Quad-OHC, six-cylinder in V, with dual CVVT

Max power : 290 ps (213 kW) @ 6600 rpm

Max torque : 338 Nm (34.5 kg.m) @ 5000 rpm

Transmission

Automatic : 6-sp with fully auto & sequential manual modes

Suspension & Damping

Front : Fully independent by MacPherson Struts.

Rear : Fully independent by Multi-Link rear axle.

Steering

Type : Hydraulic power-assisted rack and pinion

Gearing : 2.94 turns lock-to-lock with 11.08 metres turning circle

Brakes

Front / Rear : 300 x 28 mm ventilated discs / 284 x 10 mm solid discs

Wheels & Tires

Standard LX : Alloy 16 in x 6.5J 215/65 R16 tires

Standard EX* : Alloy 17 in x 7.0J 225/55 R17 tires

*Optional on LX

DIMENSIONS

Exterior (mm)

Overall length : 4965

Overall width* : 1850

Overall height : 1475

Wheelbase : 2845

Capacities

Fuel tank : 70 litres

Luggage (SAE) : 451 litres

Weights (kg)

Curb weight (min.) : 1575

Gross weight : 2065

Performance

Top speed / kph : 230

0-to-100 kph (sec) : 7.2

Fuel Economy

Combined cycle : 9.36 (litres / 100 km)*

CO2 : 223 g/km*

*Manufacturer's estimated figure

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.

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

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.

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