2011 Kia Cadenza Sedan: Amanti / Opirus Replacement Officially Revealed
After an online breach on Friday gave us our first taste of the production version of Kia's 2009 Seoul Motor Show KND-5 concept car, the South Korean automaker today came out with official photos of its new range-topping sedan that has been named K7 for the domestic market and Cadenza for the rest of the world. The mid-size sedan that will replace the Opirus / Amanti (depending on the market) will make its overseas premiere at the Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Dubai international motor shows, towards the end of the year.Soon-Nam Lee, Director of the Overseas Marketing Group, Kia Motors, said, "New Cadenza will showcase the continuing evolution in Kia's striking design language through the harmonious blend of light and lines. It will also present a new concept in luxury sedans in terms of performance and technology."
The latest work of Kia's chief designer Peter Schreyer and his team remains close to the original concept and incorporates all the fancy-pansy styling cues we see on the automaker's newest models such as the Sorento, Forte / Coupe and Venga.
Still, to be completely frank, the Cadenza is a disappointment when compared to the KND-5 concept model as the vehicle's proportions have been altered -look at the front overhang for example- while many of the styling details have been watered down.
Sure it looks a million times better than the Amanti, but a game changer (in terms of styling) it is not. Or at least that's what we think.
There are no photos of the Cadenza's cabin but Kia says that highlights include the "futuristic 'floating' dashboard" and an "interior mood lighting strip that runs along the dashboard to the door trim" - whatever that means.
According to Kia, available new technologies will include a heated steering wheel (for winter driving in cold markets), powered extendable seat cushions (for extra thigh support), automatic defogging of the windshield and ventilated front seats (for cool comfort in hot markets).
The new Cadenza is expected to go on sale in South Korea before the end of the year and the rest of the world during the first half of 2010. Kia's new mid-size sedan will most probably be offered with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder petrol engine with direct-injection churning out about 200 HP and the Kia/Hyundai Lambda V6 petrol. A diesel option should also be in the mix for certain markets.
2011 Kia Cadenza Sedan
_________________________________________________________________
Kia KND-5 Concept Car
- U Spy: New Kia Cadenza Sedan Spotted Again In California
An undisguised example of the new Kia Cadenza sedan has been spotted by a Cascoop reader rolling around in California for the second time since the beginning of the year. This one was caught by Sanjay Patel. "Saw this Kia Cadenza with Michigan plates...
- 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....
- 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...
- 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...
- 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...