Autoblog

Rumormill: Kia Amanti making switch to Genesis RWD platform?

Chris Shunk — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:28:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Kia, Rumormill, South Korea

From its divisive baroque styling to its status as the court jester of the rental car circuit, the Kia Amanti has so far lived a less than charmed life. The Amanti's tough luck story could change in a big hurry, however, if a new story from Motor Trend is true. MT is reporting that the Amanti is will be going rear-wheel drive as soon as late 2011 on a smaller version of the Hyundai Genesis Sedan platform.

Since Kia is more value-oriented as a brand than Hyundai, most expect the new Amanti to be a few thousand dollars cheaper than the Genesis Sedan. The current Amanti has a lofty starting price of $26,045, but boatloads of incentives are needed to move them off dealer lots.

Motor Trend speculates that the 375-hp Tau V8 engine probably won't make its way under the hood of the next Amanti, with the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and the 3.8-liter V6 being the more likely powertrains. We're thinking that a range of four- and six-cylinder engines would be sufficient, especially when considering tough new fuel economy laws scheduled for 2011 and beyond.

We do have one question, however. With such a radical rethink apparently in store and not having a great deal of brand equity tied up in the Amanti brand, wouldn't Kia be better off finding a new name? They haven't seemed too reluctant to change model names in recent years when bringing out new models, so perhaps they'll consider a change in designations.

Either way, with its hip and stylish Soul, the surprisingly competent Optima, along with the pretty new Forte and Koup models, Kia's lineup has gotten a radical overhaul for the better. If the next-gen Amanti is anywhere near as good as Hyundai's Genesis Sedan, the competition should keep a very close eye on boys from South Korea.

[Source: Motor Trend]

Rumormill: Kia Amanti making switch to Genesis RWD platform? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kia recalling 2001-2004 Optima sedans in rust-prone states over subframe corrosion

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 18:20:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Recalls, Safety, Kia

The 2001-2004 Kia Optima is being recalled in several states for corrosion of the front subframe. The recall covers some 36,538 examples sold in the U.S. in the following states: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia - all areas typically noted for being high rust threats due to their difficult winters and use of road salt.

According to the recall, internal corrosion of the front subframe can weaken the mounting points near the lower control arm, leading to everything from irregular tire wear to abnormal stress levels in the system that may contribute to a cras.

The recall begins this month, but neither Kia nor NHTSA have outlined a potential fix in the recall notice posted after the jump.

[Source: NHTSA]

Continue reading Kia recalling 2001-2004 Optima sedans in rust-prone states over subframe corrosion

Kia recalling 2001-2004 Optima sedans in rust-prone states over subframe corrosion originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Jun 2009 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New York 2008: Kia debuts 2009 Optima

John Neff — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 10:17:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Sedan, Kia

Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2009 Kia Optima.

The most exciting thing at Kia's press conference today was undoubtedly the KOUP Concept, but sharing the stage and as an automotive wall flower was the redesigned 2009 Kia Optima. The last-gen Optima, not all that old itself, was derided by some for being blandly designed. Kia claims to have corrected this for '09, but dipped into the derivative styling bin to do it. Though all the sheetmetal is new, the '09 Optima still looks as interesting as white bread. New for next year, however, is a "sport" model designated the SX (no innuendos please). Slotted above the entry-level LX and top-end EX trims, the SX model gets a sportier suspension, black-bezeled grille and headlamps, LED turn indicators in the sideview mirrors, fog lights, and "hyper-silver-finished" 17-inch wheels. Powering the new Optima will be a new 2.4L four-cylinder producing 175 horsepower and 169 pound-feet or torque, which is up 13 hp compared to the prior four-cylinder, and an updated version of the current Optima's smallish 2.7L V6 that's now up to 190 hp and 184 pound-feet. That's still underpowered in our book compared to other mid-sizers that have been offering 3.5L+ V6 engines producing 250 horsepower for some time. The Optima also gets a tweaked interior with more ways to plug into your consumer electronics (USB, MP3 player plug, etc.) and a revised color palette. All in all, the 2009 Kia Optima just isn't daring enough, whether you're talking about its new lines or the engines underhood.

Gallery: 2009 Kia Optima

[Source: Kia]

Continue reading New York 2008: Kia debuts 2009 Optima

New York 2008: Kia debuts 2009 Optima originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Mar 2008 10:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kia asks for the rock, buys its way into NBA

Chris Shunk — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 09:01:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Sedan, SUV, Marketing/Advertising, Crossover, Kia

Close your eyes for a moment and picture the typical form of transportation for an NBA baller. We're assuming that none of you envisioned a Kia, but that's exactly the association that the Korean automaker wants people to make in the future. To that end, it's paid an undisclosed amount of money to buddy up with the NBA and become its official supplier of cars. This paid honor means that Kia can run promotions at the biggest NBA events of the year like the playoffs and the draft, and in return Kia will give cars to the charity of choice for the players named MVP, defensive player of the year, most improved and best sixth man. While we likely won't see any all-stars rolling in an Optima, Kia's affiliation with the NBA is a big advertising victory, even if the "official car" title cost the company a fortune.

[Source: Automotive News, subs. req'd]

Kia asks for the rock, buys its way into NBA originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Jan 2008 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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