Spy Shots: Azera-based Kia luxury sedan spotted
by John Neff on Aug 5th 2008 at 10:58AM 
Click above for high-res gallery of spy shots
Our spy photographers from KGP caught another vehicle out testing in the desert recently, though this time it comes to us all the way from Korea instead of Japan. Kia is supposedly developing a new near-luxury sedan using the best bits of the Hyundai Azera. These spy shots reveal some of the car's design cues, including a nice set of complex element headlights that reach far up the fender wall, LED taillights and exhaust tips integrated into the rear apron. Clearly this is going to be more upscale than any Kia with which we've crossed paths before, as the brand's current big sedan, the Optima, can barely compete in the midsize family sedan segment. This larger sedan, reportedly codenamed VG, appears to at least have a smooth and sophisticated design beneath all that covering. We expect to learn more about this car in the coming year when it debuts at either the Chicago or New York Auto Show. Check out more pics from every angle in the gallery below.
[Source: KGP Photography]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Red 11:10AM (8/05/2008)
Cribbed the greenhouse straight from Lexus. That said, considering Kia's Cee'd design language and what appeared on the updated Sportage, this will probably be--admittedly--a handsome design. Maybe a tad boring, maybe even derivative, but still handsome particularly for a Kia.
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jsjs 2:42PM (8/15/2008)
Or is that Buick?
BlackCanary 11:05AM (8/05/2008)
The Azera is pretty nice if not a little stogy. If this can make the Azera a bit more sporting it should be pretty nice. The interior of the Azera is very nice with not a hard piece of plastic to be found. Very nice vehicles for $25k. Only problem is the lackluster MPG. 19mpg is just ok.
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Avinash machado 11:10AM (8/05/2008)
Kia will have to overcome a lot of perceptions. It has the image of an economy brand and many will not consider a luxury car with a Kia badge.
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BlackCanary 11:14AM (8/05/2008)
They will when you can get one fully loaded for less then $30K with the interior volume of a 7 series. Well at least that is the method that Hyundai has used with the Azera.
Torrent 11:29AM (8/05/2008)
I will.
MemphisNET 11:11AM (8/05/2008)
Hey, I'm all for inexpensive premium vehicles - but where are they trying to position Kia?
Having said that, the Azera is already a pretty nice vehicle so this should go over well, if only positioned awkwardly in its own lineup.
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Steve 11:13AM (8/05/2008)
Actually the current big Kia sedan is the Amanti, not the Optima.
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BlackCanary 11:15AM (8/05/2008)
I dont thinkt the Amanti gets the credit it deserves as one of the ugliest cars ever made. I think even Aztek owners have right to make fun of that car.
Gregg 11:22AM (8/05/2008)
Yes, I would think this is the replacement for the stodgy old Amanti. Definitely is an improvement in the looks department.
MemphisNET 11:25AM (8/05/2008)
I almost forgot about the Amanti. I remember seeing a pre-production model at the Toronto AutoShow. It was a blend of 'awesome' and 'Chinese knock-off' in looks. Cool car, would never buy one new even if it does represent a good value. Two years old and 20k off the sticker would be the sweetspot for it.
BlackCanary 11:35AM (8/05/2008)
$20k off the sticker of an Amanti would leave the price at a few thousand. Probably still too much for that car.
ua5j32a2 11:32AM (8/05/2008)
Are you sure that's not based on the Genesis platform? It's wearing the 18" Genesis wheels and the overall dimensions of the car look more like the Genesis class.
Besides, Kia already has a sedan based on the Azera; the Amanti.
Oh, and I spot a silver Genesis coupe in one of the pictures. Cool.
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BlackCanary 11:36AM (8/05/2008)
Azera and Amanti have nothing in common. The Amanti and the XG were similar.
cxv 11:34AM (8/05/2008)
I just saw the new Genesis and is really a nice premium looking car that is going to help Hyundai a lot to change peoples mind. I'm sure this new KIA sedan is trying the same formula and smart shoppers will take advantage of a well made and good looking car with a long warranty for the price of a medium priced Accord.
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UH2L 11:35AM (8/05/2008)
I really don't get the Hyundai/KIA positioning thing either. Can Hyundai really considered premium over KIA when so much of their portfolio overlaps and is based on platform sharing?
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BlackCanary 11:40AM (8/05/2008)
The positioning with Hyundai and Kia is getting awfully similar to the way Ford and Mercury are different.
James 11:51AM (8/05/2008)
I agree. It would be nice if either Hyundai's or Kia's commercials somewhat differentiated the two, but the commercials both seem to drive home the "buy our cars because they are better value for your money"
wagonphile 11:52AM (8/05/2008)
The Azera's okay, but it's still just a ho-hum FWD. I'll happily shop a Genesis-based Kia sedan, though! Make mine a 6 cylinder with 6 speed manual, please, and I'll happily skip out on luxo features to keep the price and the weight down.
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CalGuy 12:02PM (8/05/2008)
Wasn't there some announcement from Hyundai/Kia a few years back that Kia was going to have future models angled with more of a sporty/youth feeling and Hyundai would be the more refined/mature brand.
I recall just after reading that, Kia introduced that atrocious Amanti. They could use a Pontiac vs. Buick type direction. To me (and I should say-- I'm certainly not their target customer) they seem like direct competitors.
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