Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Spy Shots: Kia Amanti replacement spotted cold-weather testing]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/17/spy-shots-kia-amanti-replacement-spotted-cold-weather-testing/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/17/spy-shots-kia-amanti-replacement-spotted-cold-weather-testing/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/17/spy-shots-kia-amanti-replacement-spotted-cold-weather-testing/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

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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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.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hyundaihyundai azeraHyundaiAzerakiakia vgKiaVgsedansedansspy picsspy shotsSpyPicsspyshotsvgThu, 17 Jul 2008 17:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Japanese makes dominate Consumer Reports Car Owner Satisfaction Survey]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/03/japanese-makes-dominate-consumer-reports-car-owner-satisfaction/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/03/japanese-makes-dominate-consumer-reports-car-owner-satisfaction/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/03/japanese-makes-dominate-consumer-reports-car-owner-satisfaction/#commentsFiled under:



Consumer Reports released its Car Owner Satisfaction Survey results and brands hailing from the Land of the Rising Sun accounted for nearly half of the winners. Toyota took 10 of the top 39 spots, including the Prius, where nine-out-of-ten owners said they'd buy it again given the chance. U.S. automakers didn't fare as well, only taking seven spots, but the addition of the V6-powered Ford Fusion and Saturn Aura proved that Detroit is making inroads in the family car segment. Despite many domestic models getting tagged "least satisfying" there's been a significant up tick in the U.S. automaker's standings.

Also of note, European models made up 12-percent of the list, particularly the BMW 335i and Porsche Boxster, which rivaled the Prius for owner gratification. The Hyundai Azera and Santa Fe also made the "most satisfying" cut, which is determined if 80-percent of owners said they would buy or lease the model again.

Consumer Reports' full press release is available after the jump.

Continue reading Japanese makes dominate Consumer Reports Car Owner Satisfaction Survey

Japanese makes dominate Consumer Reports Car Owner Satisfaction Survey originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 Dec 2007 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bmw 335iBmw335iconsumer reportsconsumer reports car owner satisfaction surveyConsumerReportsConsumerReportsCarOwnerSatisfactionSurveyford fusionFordFusionhyundai azerahyundai santa feHyundaiAzeraHyundaiSantaFeporsche boxsterPorscheBoxstersaturn auraSaturnAuratoyota priusToyotaPriusMon, 03 Dec 2007 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyundai "BH" in U.S. by 2008, will not replace Korea's Equus]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/23/hyundai-bh-in-u-s-by-2008-will-not-replace-koreas-equus/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/23/hyundai-bh-in-u-s-by-2008-will-not-replace-koreas-equus/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/23/hyundai-bh-in-u-s-by-2008-will-not-replace-koreas-equus/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Despite our earlier speculation, Hyundai's upcoming BH model won't be a replacement for the Korean Equus. Hyundai Motor Co. says now that its new "BH" luxury car will slot in between the Azera and the Equus, in a spot formerly filled by the front-wheel drive Dynasty. This V8 powered rear-wheel-drive sedan will go on sale in South Korea at the end of this year or possibly in early 2008. U.S. sales would start soon after that. We'll actually see the car, sans camo, as the Genesis Concept next month at the New York Auto Show.

With the Azera selling between $25,000 and $30,000, we'd guess the new BH will run $30,000 to $40,000. With hopes of targeting cars from Lexus and Infiniti to BMW and Mercedes-Benz, the Hyundai should offer tastefully elegant styling and the rumored 300-hp 4.6-liter V8 at a much lower price level than the competition. Some outlets have even reported a range of V-8s, including 4.6, 5.0 and 5.5-liter versions.

[Source: Wards Auto]

Hyundai "BH" in U.S. by 2008, will not replace Korea's Equus originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Mar 2007 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Hyundai AzeraHyundai BHHyundai DynastyHyundai EquusHyundai GenesisHyundaiAzeraHyundaiBhHyundaiDynastyHyundaiEquusHyundaiGenesisFri, 23 Mar 2007 13:57:00 EST