Facelifted 2010 Kia Opirus Premium Debuts in Korea

Can't say that we were ever fans of the Kia Amanti's (Opirus in Korea and other markets) wannabe Jaguar S-Type looks, and this latest facelift that comes three years after the latest update in 2006 and six years after the introduction of the car in 2003, won't make us change our mind. Revealed in Korea today, the updated Amanti / Opirus boasts a subtly refreshed exterior with a new Buick-like waterfall grille, redesigned front and rear bumper plus new LED tail lights and mirror turn signals. The restyled 18-inch alloy wheels and extra chrome bits and pieces here and there complete the exterior changes.

Inside, the 2010 Opirus Premium as it's officially called in Korea, gains new trim options and colors as well as a new 3.5-inch color TFT-LCD infoscreen on the dashboard.

All available engines on the Opirus have been revised and now come equipped with a new 6-speed automatic transmission. The base 2.7-liter V6 produces 195HP (a 1.6% improvement), the 3.3-liter V6 259HP (+4.9%) while the range-topping 3.8-liter V6 delivers 284HP (+6.8%).

It remains to be seen if Kia will perform the same changes on the U.S. specification Amanti sedan.

Via: Thecarblogger , Photos: Rpm9

Live Photos of Kia's KND-5 Mid-Size Sedan Concept from Seoul Show

This near-production concept car is the Kia KND-5 and it made its world premiere alongside the new 7-seater Sorento CUV at the 2009 Seoul Motor Show. Boasting an aggressive four-door coupe styling in the likes of Volkswagen's Passat CC (the reference to VW's model was not by chance...), the KND-5 give us a pretty good idea of what the production version that's scheduled to debut in Korea in late 2009, and most likely, in other markets including North America and Europe, in 2010, will look like.

The KND-5 measures 4,945mm long, 1,850mm wide and 1,475mm high with a wheelbase of 2,845mm, meaning that it is roughly the same size as the firm's Amanti sedan which is known in many markets as the Opirus. Power is provided by Hyundai group's 3.5-liter V6 Lambda gasoline engine that produces, depending on the model, between 275 and 310HP.

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."

Our take? It appears that Kia has began reaping fruits of Peter Schreyers labor as the company's head designer.

Live pics courtesy of Kia World

Official details and High-Res pic of Kia's VG KND-5 Concept Sedan

Following an online leak this past weekend, Kia released a high-resolution photo as well as initial details on its KND-5 concept sedan that will make its world debut at the Seoul Motor Show (April 3-12, 2009). While Kia revealed that the concept study previews a production model that will be revealed at the end of the year, the Korean automaker did not make it clear whether or not the KND-5 will replace the Amanti otherwise known as the Opirus.

However, the KND-5's exterior dimensions bring it closer to the Amanti than to the Optima (Magentis in Europe) measuring in at 4,950 mm or 194.9 in. in length (Amanti: 5,001 mm or 196.9 in.) with a wheelbase of 2,845mm or 112 in. (Amanti: 110.2 in.).

The medium-size concept sedan that will be on display at Kia's Seoul stand will be powered by the Hyundai group's 3.5-liter V6 engine.

Kia VG Sedan Concept Study Leaked ahead of Seoul Motor Show

A photograph depicting what looks to be a near-production concept study of a mid-size Kia sedan has found its way into the web. Word is that the so-called VG Concept most likely previews the next-generation Amanti sedan, but since we do not have any official information, it would be better if we left a question mark until we hear something from Kia. The VG Concept is slated to make its world premiere along with the all-new Sorento SUV and Kia's first production hybrid model, the Forte LPI, at next week's 2009 Seoul Motor Show that runs from April 3 to 12.

Source: TheCarBlogger , Via: Autoblog.com