Kia releases first renderings of next premium sedan
2010 Kia VG renderings - Click above for high-res image gallery
This past April at the Seoul Motor Show, Kia showed off the KND-5 concept, the Korean automaker's vision for its next-generation "near luxury" model. Based on the front-wheel drive platform shared with the Hyundai Azera, the car is known internally as VG and is slated to go on sale in Korea later this year. Even better, the sedan should make it Stateside in early 2010 after making its American debut at next year's Detroit Auto Show. Expect a range of engines, possibly including Kia's 2.4-liter direct-injected four and 3.8-liter Lambda V6.
It's not often that concepts keep their most distinctive features when they reach production, but if these latest renderings from Kia are anything to go by, we like where this is heading – especially when compared to the ugly-duckling Amanti. Says Hyoung Keun Lee, Kia's Senior Executive Vice President and COO of International Business Division:
"VG clearly demonstrates the next stage in Kia's design evolution and showcases our new design principle of 'sophistication by simplicity'. The exterior is a seamless blend of powerful front, sleek profile and sophisticated but simple rear lines to create an elegant and luxurious appearance."The VG obviously subscribes to the en vogue four-door coupe concept with an appropriately low roof and rising beltline. Up front, we note a prominent version of Kia's latest corporate grille, flanked by dramatic headlamps with LED eyebrows overhead and deep-set foglamp sockets below. Another remnant leftover from the KND-5 concept are the sweeping swage lines that add visual interest to the car's side profile. Out back, the LED pattern is repeated in the large tail-lamp clusters. See the renderings for yourself below and click past the break for the official press release.
Gallery: Kia VG Official Renderings
PRESS RELEASE:
KIA MOTORS RELEASES FIRST IMAGES OF ALL-NEW MODEL
Kia Motors has today released the first images of its new premium saloon due to go on sale in Korea at the end of the year.
The new model, currently known by its code name VG, was shown in concept form at the Seoul Motor Show earlier this year and is set to replace the existing Opirus model in Korean, North American and European markets.
"VG clearly demonstrates the next stage in Kia's design evolution and showcases our new design principle of 'sophistication by simplicity'. The exterior is a seamless blend of powerful front, sleek profile and sophisticated but simple rear lines to create an elegant and luxurious appearance," commented Hyoung Keun Lee, Senior Executive Vice President and COO of International Business Division at Kia Motors Corporation.
There are no current plans to bring this model to the UK market.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Remy Overkempe 2:04PM (7/29/2009)
Looks somewhat like an Audi...
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alfaBAT9 2:05PM (7/29/2009)
.. or a Passat CC.
Motor_Yakuza 2:30PM (7/29/2009)
P-ass-at CC witch is a Merc CLS rip off.
Protzenegger 2:34PM (7/29/2009)
@Yakuza
So, a car in the same market segment as another = ripoff?
Also, learn to spell.
bomaj 2:43PM (7/29/2009)
isnt the design head at kia from audi?
kshankwiler 3:30PM (7/29/2009)
So, a Volkswagen CC, a Saab 9-5 and an Audi A4 walk into a bar...
Ligor 5:04PM (7/29/2009)
this will water down Audi's looks
and I bet Audi wishes they had payed their designer to stay with them.
Imagine the new few designs coming out of Kia mimicking Audi's or today
Audi will have to stay ahead of the curve adn get a bit more soul in their boring but classy designs
Rar 9:11PM (7/29/2009)
Yeah, it looks like a very Audi-ish.
Because Kia chief designer is a foremr chief designer of Audi and VW !!
I know it head lamp look like a Audi-ish. its design have a Audi DNA.
But, Front grill design is a definitely Unique.
Brian 2:05PM (7/29/2009)
Buick, Lincoln, and Chrysler must be crapping their pants.
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Erik 4:23PM (7/29/2009)
Huh? Over a drawing? I HIGHLY doubt it.
I would imagine KIA's biggest competitor will be Hyundai.
merlot066 4:45PM (7/29/2009)
Over an artist rendered picture based off of a concept car by KIA. Good job. Notice how they say "near luxury" brand, so this will basically be competition for a Chrysler 300, except I think the Chrysler would win, lol.
joe23521 4:45PM (7/29/2009)
Isn't Kia owned by Hyundai?
Aaron 5:20PM (7/29/2009)
You two do realize that we've already seen an actual concept car right? earlier this year? Um...yea, the fact that this rendering doesn't differ much from said concept (except for the obvious and typical exaggerations) bodes very well for the final production model.
Aaron 5:28PM (7/29/2009)
Take a look at this post: http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=4498348&postid=59431852#59431852
Big 9:53AM (7/30/2009)
Brian is right. This is a beautiful car for what it sure to be not much money. Kia has been producing better and better product. Not only should Buick, Lincoln, and Chrysler be taking note, Toyota should. If you look at the Kia Soul, the Forte, and now this car you see a trend developing. This company has a good future ahead of it. Oh, and I got a Kia Soul. Its fantastic.
nony 2:06PM (7/29/2009)
Audi called and want the front and rear designs back, in better condition that is :)
Otherwise, looks pretty good from the side. Just too bad it isn't based on the Genesis platform.
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haroonpathan 3:40PM (7/31/2009)
Do they want their designer back too…
Taglane 2:56PM (7/29/2009)
I thought Kia's new designer used to design for audi, so...yeah...
kimosen 2:07PM (7/29/2009)
Where are the tires? I know it's a rendering, but those wheels look more like "pimp my ride" than anything else.
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nagmashot 2:09PM (7/29/2009)
poor Audi copy... and in two years the fanboy claims the new Audi looks lika a Kia lol
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