Autoblog

Kia releases first renderings of next premium sedan

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 13:58:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Kia, Luxury, South Korea

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

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Kia releases first renderings of next premium sedan originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Jul 2009 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Seoul Motor Show: Kia unveils KND-5 concept

John Neff — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 10:27:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Sedan, Kia, Misc. Auto Shows, South Korea

Kia KND-5 Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Kia debuted its "near-luxury sedan" concept called the KND-5 at the Seoul Motor Show today. Known internally as the VG, which is what we've been calling it when spy shots and leaks have occurred, the KND-5 is a thinly veiled representation of Kia's own version of the Hyundai Azera. It will top the Kia range of cars when it goes on sale in South Korea later this year, with availability in other markets like the U.S. coming soon after. The concept is powered by a 3.5-liter Lamda V6, though we expect each market will get its own suite of engines, with the U.S. likely being offered a 2.4-liter four-cylinder and 3.8-liter V6.

As you can see, the concept doesn't look far from production ready except for its panoramic roof that extends back directly from the windshield. The concept interior also likely needs to be toned down before entering production, but otherwise the KND-5 might be exactly what we find in our local Kia dealerships next year. Check out the full press release from Kia after the jump and official high-res images in our gallery below.

Gallery: Kia KND-5 Concept

[Source: Kia]

Continue reading Seoul Motor Show: Kia unveils KND-5 concept

Seoul Motor Show: Kia unveils KND-5 concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Apr 2009 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kiazera: Kia VG concept leaked

Alex Nunez — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 09:25:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Sedan, Kia, Misc. Auto Shows

Click on the Kia VG concept to enlarge

So, what happens when you build a Kia based on the Azera's architecture? You get Kia's upcoming flagship sedan. The Kia VG concept has leaked onto the web and will debut at the Seoul Motor Show later this week. It's one of these concept-in-name-only deals, so look for the production version to hit South Korean showrooms in September, with a North American arrival in Spring, 2010. Power for the front-driver will range from the 2.4-liter four we'll be seeing a lot of in the coming months, to the 3.8-liter Lambda V6 in what's likely to be the range-topping torque-steer special. Looks nice, too. Kia's increasingly-formidable, value-priced lineup gets better with each new announcement. We've gone from the likes of the Sephia to this? Impressive. We'll have more on the VG concept once it makes its debut this week.

[Source: The Car Blogger]

Kiazera: Kia VG concept leaked originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 29 Mar 2009 09:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Kia Amanti replacement spotted cold-weather testing

Chris Shunk — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 08:56:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Hyundai, Kia

The Kia Amanti is what happens when designers can't decide whether to copy a Mercedes or a Jaguar, with the result being a quantifiable and qualified mess. Hyundai has quickly improved its styling with winners like the Genesis Coupe and Sedan, and we've been hoping for sister company Kia to follow suit. We can think of no better place to start than the replacement for the visually challenged Amanti, and spy pics from near the Artic Circle show that the affordable "luxury" (the quotes remain until proven otherwise) sedan is coming along quite nicely.

This Kia mule, which we're told is codenamed VG, was covered in camouflage, but at first (obstructed) glance we see the silhouette of a far more contemporary sedan. The VG will ride on the same platform as the Hyundai Azera, giving the Amanti replacement a longer wheelbase than its predecessor. The stretch will give the Amanti more interior space, as evidenced by the long, elegant-looking greenhouse. Kia will also add projector headlamps and LED tail lamps that are all the rage these days. Styling points are also earned for some very stylish rims that help give the mule a more commanding presence on the road.

The new Kia will find motivation from a new 3.5-liter V6 engine, giving the Koreans equal displacement to just about every other V6 on the market. Word on the street is that the VG will also receive an AWD system at some point, though it likely won't be available at the time of the car's launch in September.

[Source: NextAutos]

Spy Shots: Kia Amanti replacement spotted cold-weather testing originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Mar 2009 08:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rendered Speculation: Kia's big VG

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 17:57:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Kia, Rendered Speculation

So the Kia VG mule that has kept spy photographers busy the last few weeks has now been given a computer animated face and body. It's a nice looking ride, though has a surprising amount in common with the Hyundai Genesis... which means we also see, well, a lot of other cars in it. But that's not a bad thing, really, because the result is a tasty little creation, especially coming from Kia. The lines are a touch more forceful than those on the Genesis, which goes along with Kia being the sporting brand, or so they say. If the final version looks even close to this rendering, and they give it performance to match... well, then Kia will have taken a giant leap forward. Thanks for the tip, miha!

[Source: Kia World]

Rendered Speculation: Kia's big VG originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Sep 2008 17:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Azera-based Kia luxury sedan spotted

John Neff — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 10:58:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Kia

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.

Gallery: Azera-based Kia luxury sedan - spy shots

[Source: KGP Photography]

Spy Shots: Azera-based Kia luxury sedan spotted originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Aug 2008 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Kia VG foretells next Azera

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:47:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Hyundai, Kia

Spies have caught a sleek new sedan doing the rounds in Korea. Word is that it's codenamed VG, will be arriving in '09, and will be "closely related to" the Hyundai Azera. While there is no word on engines yet, the car is expected to be front-wheel-drive. That doesn't exactly bode well for Kia's brief of being the sporty brand -- so sayeth Hyundai -- but the car is supposed to be "near luxury" and appears to have some all right lines, even under the camo. We look forward to seeing more.

[Source: Kia World]

Spy Shots: Kia VG foretells next Azera originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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