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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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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IIHS tests reveals that money doesn't always buy safety

Damon Lavrinc — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 08:29:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Safety, Acura, BMW, Cadillac, GM, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo

Click the image above for a gallery of all the IIHS contenders.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has just released its most recent round of crash tests, rating everything from the Kia Amanti to the BMW 5-series in one fell swoop. With a focus set on more luxury-oriented vehicles, the IIHS tested six new models to destruction, and walked away with results for front, side and rear impacts.

Topping the list, were the 2007 Acura RL, Kia Amanti and Volvo S80, all of which earned top marks. The S80, not surprisingly, garnered the Institute's Top Safety Pick for overall crash worthiness, rating good in all three categories, plus having standard stability control. The BMW 5-series didn't fare as well, getting a "marginal" score on the side impact test, despite being equipped with side airbags.

Mercedes asked the IIHS to retest the 2007 E-Class after only scoring an "acceptable" rating when test previously. After re-engineering a number of interior bits, the score remained the same, although the Institute noted a slight improvement, but not enough to affect the overall score. IIHS president, Adrian Lund, remarked that the E-class could have earned the Top Safety Pick award if the side impact rating had increased.

The IIHS also retested a revised version of the 2007 Cadillac STS, which included reinforced B-pillars, front door trim and a modified side torso airbag, which resulted in an "acceptable" rating.

The Institute made it a point to say that nearly every passenger vehicle now earns a top rating for frontal crashes, but side and rear impacts remain all over the board.

The full IIHS press release is posted after the jump.

[Source: IIHS]

Gallery: IIHS Luxury Vehicle Results - August

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IIHS tests reveals that money doesn't always buy safety originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Aug 2007 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Not all resale values are created equal

Chris Shunk — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 09:50:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying

Buying a new car or truck can be a very expensive endeavor. Style, safety, and reliability are usually at the top of shopper's lists, but the one area that will get you in the end is the all-important resale value.

Some vehicles, like the Honda Odyssey, hold their value extremely well, even after five years. Owners of the Dodge Caravan aren't nearly as lucky, with resale values after half a decade of ownership at a paltry 24-percent of the sticker. As Forbes' Dan Leinert points out, however, the Caravan actually scores quite well in JD Powers studies, so the horrendous resale value can be accounted for when considering the large incentives that are used to move hundreds of thousands of Dodge minivans off dealer lots.

Most of the other vehicles on the list have either gone a really long time without an update, like the Crown Victoria, or are just plain lousy vehicles, like the Kia Amanti. Either way, if your vehicle appears on the "Losing Value List," we'd suggest you hold onto it -- for a while.

You can see the list of the biggest losers after the jump.

[Source: Forbes]

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Not all resale values are created equal originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Mar 2007 09:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LA Auto Show: Kia unveils freshened 2007 Amanti

Frank Filipponio — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 17:54:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Sedan, Kia

Kia's Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Len Hunt, showed off the redesigned Kia Amanti at the LA Auto Show yesterday. Although the big news for Kia was the debut of the Rondo nanowagon, Len took a few minutes out his Rondoism shtick to mention the Amanti as well. The Amanti has earned its fair share of accolades and represents the value leader in segment. With the new enhancements, it should be an even better deal.

Topping the list of changes is a new 264 hp, 3.8-liter aluminum engine. That puts it smack dab in the Honda/Toyota/Ford range finally. Even better, that engine will be pushing a lighter platform with a suspension modified for better response and lighter weight. Woo hoo. And although it might look a lot like the current '90s E-Class knockoff styling hasn't changed much, Kia tells us they have made "significant exterior and interior styling upgrades." Well, the inside does look pretty nifty, and the outside is less stale to our eyes.

All-new features include 17-inch wheels and optional power adjustable pedals. Very Five Hundred. Better still is the fact that some features previously available only as options, will now be standard or available in value laden packages. Definitely a good lunge in the right direction for this competent but previously uninspiring sedan.

Full release and media pics after the jump.

[Source: Kia]

Continue reading LA Auto Show: Kia unveils freshened 2007 Amanti

LA Auto Show: Kia unveils freshened 2007 Amanti originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Dec 2006 17:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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