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AUTOS: KIA Tries Again To Crack Premium Market
All-new Cadenza unveiled in Seoul replaces Amanti as flagship, emphasizing bold styling and performance.
Bob Golfen  |  Posted November 25, 2009   Seoul (KR)
The new Kia Cadenza will be available with a three-piece panoramic sunroof. Photo: Kia)
Kia revealed a luxury sedan this week in its home town that packs nearly 300 horsepower and, the automaker hopes, the power to attract upscale buyers.

Named Cadenza after the Italian musical term, the car will debut Dec. 12 at the Riyadh Motor Show in Saudi Arabia.

Kia’s new flagship takes the place of the Amanti, which never had much of an impact on the U.S. premium market. Cadenza represents an all-new direction, Kia says, that emphasizes sporty style and performance.

Cadenza is built on a new front-drive platform that Kia plans to use for other future models. (Photo: Kia)
“With the Cadenza, we have created an all-new large sedan that will revitalize Kia’s fortunes thanks to its exciting appearance, strong performance and luxurious cabin,” said Hyoung-Keun Lee, Kia Motors Corp. president.

Kia’s chief design officer, Peter Schreyer, called Cadenza “another quantum leap for Kia.”

“Our new sedan looks masculine and luxurious,” Shreyer said. “Today, people recognize a Kia at first sight: well-balanced proportions, flowing greenhouse and dynamic window graphic plus the big wheels, give this car its confident stance, dignity and elegant personality.”

Cadenza is based on a new front-wheel-drive platform that will be used for future Kias, the automaker said, with a lighter, stronger body and new suspension that helps shed 285 pounds compared with Amanti.

The 3.5-liter V-6 engine boasts 290 horsepower and is attached to a six-speed automatic transmission.

U.S. sales are slated for sometime in 2011 for Cadenza, which is known as the K7 in its home territory. Pricing was not announced, but the 2009 Amanti has a base price of $26,840, with shipping. Amanti goes away in the 2010 model year.

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