Kia's new upcoming large sedan may rival Hyundai's Genesis








Kia releases production VG sedan sketches
07/29/2009, 3:30 PM
By Nick Aziz

Kia has released additional sketches of the production version of its new VG sedan. Set to go on sale later this year in Korea, the VG will replace the Opirus and Amanti models worldwide. Korean sales will begin later this year with North American sales following in spring of 2010.

VG will be Kia’s first near-luxury sedan and complete the automaker’s passenger car lineup Optima and Amanti. Developed under code name KND-5, the luxury sedan has been spied by our photographers on numerous occasions. The car rides on the same front-wheel-drive platform as the Hyundai Azera, known as the “NF” chassis. Powering this new sporty sedan will be Hyundai’s Theta four-cylinder mill, or the company’s Lambda 3.5-liter V6 mated to a six-speed transmission.

Despite what has been suggested by some media reports, the VG is not necessarily a replacement to the aging Amanti flagship sedan. Rather, a larger model code-named “CH” will serve as a successor.

It remains unclear exactly what price point the VG will hit, but Kia is likely eyeing the coveted, yet crowded, volume mid-size sedan segment. However, it will be priced somewhere below the Amanti, which starts around $26,000 in the United States.

The front of the car sports Kia’s family-look radiator grille which is “based on a symbolic representation of a tiger’s roaring countenance,” the company says. The 20-inch large-diameter alloy wheels enhance the stance further. The KND-5 measures 4,945mm long, 1,850mm wide and 1,475mm high with a wheelbase of 2,845mm. The concept car is outfitted with a 3.5L V6 Lambda engine.

Hyoung-Keun Lee, Senior Executive Vice President & COO, International Business Division, said, “The aggressive and sophisticated KND-5 exemplifies Kia’s futuristic design and values. As a concept car that presents the new direction of luxury sedan design, KND-5 will likely generate a lot of buzz at the Seoul Motor Show.”

“Kia 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,” he continued

c/o leftlanenews.com

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One design flaw imho, it's front drive based on the Azera

paksh3t! sayang naman!

But some sources say, mukhang reardrive din sya. Let's wait and see.