Kia Cadenza unveiled in Korea, ready to replace Amanti [w/VIDEO]
Kia Cadenza (K7 in Korea) - Click above for image gallery
Kia has dropped the first official photos of its new top of the line sedan, which has been officially dubbed the K7 in the Korean Domestic Market and Cadenza outside of South Korea. The Cadenza is essentially identical to the KND-5 concept that debuted at the Seoul Motor Show earlier this year, and to our eye that's a good thing after viewing the rather ungainly Amanti for the last several years.
The Cadenza carries forward the design language that we've seen on recent Kia concept and production cars like the Forte and second generation Sorento. The nose gets a bit more sculpting than the compact sedan, and the overall effect is much more upscale than before. The biggest change from other recent Kias is the relocation of the "hockey-stick" contour line from the rocker panel area to just below the beltline. Look for the Cadenza to make it's global debut at motor shows in the Middle East in December. You can see more pics in the gallery below or check out some b-roll video after the jump.
Gallery: Kia Cadenza
[Source: Kia]
PRESS RELEASE
Kia Motors Corporation has unveiled the first official picture of the production version of its KND-5 concept car – an all-new sedan designed to satisfy drivers' desire for refinement, safety and emotional satisfaction by creating 'ideal' driving conditions. The stylish luxury sedan, which is to be called 'Cadenza' in markets outside of Korea, will make its overseas premiere at the Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Dubai international motor shows, towards the end of the year.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Shiftright 12:11PM (10/18/2009)
Not all that distinctive, but generically attractive and well proportioned. The Amanti always looked like a previous gen E-class wearing a bowler hat to me. Rented one once and it handled like a '78 Lincoln Town Car.
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zamafir 12:31PM (10/18/2009)
well put, it was truly a joke, this is fine, a little more appealing than the camry visually, or the accord four door. looks like hyundai/kia are gaining a lot more experience in the areas that count.
daleam 12:51PM (10/18/2009)
I'm not crazy about the tail lamps, but overall it's actually quite pretty. Good job, Kia!
James 5:07PM (10/18/2009)
Nice Kia...I see a silhouette of Lexus ES. Slap the "L" logo and it could pass for one.
Now if only Kia would redo somewhat their logo to make it more appealing to reflect their resurgence...
Whitecollarcriminal 7:53PM (10/18/2009)
That's a sexy car. I wish Ford built Focuses like that.
And this is a KIA?
wow.
Sal Collaziano 9:56AM (10/19/2009)
The newest model of Amanti actually handles better - but it still feels similar to a Lincoln Town Car - just a much newer model. The new Cadenza looks good enough to sell more than the Amanti did - which had a love it or hate it exterior style. The interior was very comfortable, however.
This car looks much nicer inside and out.. I'll go take a closer look as soon as I can here in America..
Sal Collaziano
http://www.hyundaikiaforums.com
jmc8387 12:25PM (10/18/2009)
Very nice! Looks so much better than the hideous Amanti. Kia is doing a great job of cleaning up there line-up with vehicles that at least look as if they can be more competitive.
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Trent 12:20PM (10/18/2009)
Very attractive effort from Kia. This is the first car they have designed that I actually think looks very nice. It has the same clean lines as the Audi. I wonder how that happened?
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jsjs 12:42PM (10/18/2009)
If you alreeady didn't know, that's b/c Audi's former head designer, Peter Schreyer, is the design chief for Kia.
I wish Kia hadn't toned down the angle-sweep of the headlights (that were more radical on the concept), but I guess one should have expected such a thing for the production model.
Keep in mind that, while being the largest sedan in Kia's fleet, the Cadenza technically isn't the replacement for the hideous Amanti - the replacement for the Amanti will be a smaller, premium RWD sports sedan built on a shortened Genesis platform.
Bob-omb 12:23PM (10/18/2009)
Kia really seems to be making the most tasteful, simple designs in the mainstream segments now. All of their competition has switched to clunky, swoopy, and wavey sheetmetal. This car won't really turn a bunch of heads, but how nice to see a new car that won't look ridiculous in 10 years.
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Auari 12:25PM (10/18/2009)
I like it all, other that the ugly Q7 taillights.
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Autblogist! 12:29PM (10/18/2009)
Is that video of the car a concept or the production? If that's the interior of the production version, it looks amazing!
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Other Man 12:34PM (10/18/2009)
Yeah not very distinctive (thought I do like Kia's new grille as seen here).
But it's definately good looking. Put the right interior in there and the 3.8 with six gears and they might have a winner against the new Taurus (and coming Impala).
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Pokey 12:33PM (10/18/2009)
Nice, clean design, I like it!
I was going to say that this car kind of resembled another car, but I know some idiot will call me racist if I do, so I'll keep that to myself.
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bh 12:35PM (10/18/2009)
Kia actually released four photos:
http://kia-buzz.com/?p=3009
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bh 12:36PM (10/18/2009)
Oh, and the video is of the concept car, not the production version.
BassClef 12:44PM (10/18/2009)
Cadenza, Rondo, Sonata, Forte, Soul.....I'm loving these musically named cars. Here's hoping for Funk (with a P trim level).
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artandcolour 12:54PM (10/18/2009)
George Clinton would be an awesome spokesperson for the Kia P/Funk.
i like this new Kia. i've liked every new Kia sine Schreyer took over. what i like is the family ties are apparent, but not slavish. put a Soul next to this Cadenza, and it's clear they're related, but not different sized copies.
Jakesnake1294 3:47AM (10/19/2009)
Credenza is the first thing that came to my mind. It's a piece of furniture that my mom bought in 1972.
Art 12:56PM (10/18/2009)
if it has any genesis in its blood....
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