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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https://carscoopcar.blogspot.com/2011/01/carscoop-reader-spots-new-kia-cadenza.html

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

https://carscoopcar.blogspot.com/2009/11/2011-kia-cadenza-new-high-res-photo.html

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

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Kia KND-5 Concept Car

https://carscoopcar.blogspot.com/2009/10/2011-kia-cadenza-sedan-amanti-opirus.html

2011 Kia VG Sedan: First Official Photos of Production Model Leaked

This past Aprli at the Seoul Motor Show, Kia gave us a foretaste of its upcoming flagship sedan with the KND-5 concept car. And even though we weren't supposed to see it yet in production form, the first official photos of the model that is currently known by its code name VG were leaked onto the internet today. The VG is set to replace the existing Opirus / Amanti in Korean, North American and European markets - with the exception of Britain as Kia said that it has no plans to import the model in the UK.

Oddly enough, and even though at a first glance it appears that the production model has kept all the distinct features we liked on the concept car, the end result -always judging by these photos- looks far less aggressive when compared to the KND-5.

Of course it's a stunner when put side to side with the current Amanti / Opirus, but then again, find a four-door saloon that isn't...

The 'VG', or whatever else Kia decides to call it will, most likely have similar dimensions to the concept that measured 194.5-in. (4,945mm) in length, 72.8-in. (1,850mm) in width and 57.9-in. (1,475mm) in height with a wheelbase of 111.8-in (2,845mm).

The mid-size saloon that will sit atop the Optima / Magentis in Kia's lineup will be offered with a choice of two engines, either the Hyundai Group's new 2.4-liter four-cylinder direct-injection petrol engine producing around 200 horsepower or a Lamba V6.

Sales will kick off in Korea before the end of the year and the U.S., Europe and other international markets sometime in the first half of 2010.

Via: fiatgroupforum

2011 KIA VG SEDAN PRODUCTION MODEL

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KIA KND-5 CONCEPT CAR

https://carscoopcar.blogspot.com/2009/10/2011-kia-vg-sedan-first-official-photos.html