SEOUL, South Korea — The all-new Kia Cadenza will make its public debut on December 12 at the 2009 Riyadh Motor Show and will go on sale in December in Korea, badged as the Kia K7. The upmarket sedan is expected to replace the discontinued Kia Amanti in the U.S., but not until model year 2011.
Revealed last month in the home market, the Cadenza/K7 is being positioned as Kia's flagship model, succeeding the Opirus (the Korea domestic-market version of the Amanti).
The Cadenza/K7 is slightly shorter than the Opirus/Amanti, but the new model is wider, with a longer wheelbase and a roomier cabin. Its new Type-N platform will be used for other Kia models in the future, the company said.
The Cadenza/K7 will be offered in various global markets with a choice of four-cylinder and V6 gasoline engines. The top engine is a 3.5-liter V6 rated at 286 horsepower and 249 pound-feet of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with sequential manual mode. Kia said that particular powertrain combination will provide 0-60-mph acceleration in less than 7.2 seconds, a top speed of 143 mph and average fuel economy of more than 25 mpg.
Among the features are dual-zone climate control, keyless entry with push-button start and a rearview camera.
Kia said the Cadenza will roll out to markets in the Middle East, Latin America and Asia in the first quarter, with China sales slated to begin next June. Deliveries to Europe and North America are expected to commence in late 2010 or early 2011.
Inside Line says: Initial reaction from webizens compares the design of the Cadenza favorably with that of the new BMW 5 Series. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
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n2guru says:
02:04 PM, 12/04/2009
"shame they had to put kia on it, otherwise a good car." It's more of a shame to ask for a handout. Hyundai/Kia has made great strides in improving quality and style that even Toyota is taking notice.
31ejmfdz says:
04:56 PM, 11/27/2009
Same class with Lexus ES, Toyota Avalon, Nissan Maxima.
Wheel base length :
Kia Cadenza (2845 mm) > Toyota Avalon (2822 mm) > Lexus ES (2776 mm)
lexuslvr says:
05:43 PM, 11/25/2009
"286HP seems right because if you convert the 213kW in the press release, that's also 286HP."
Im saying 290 because Kia just the specs. It was like that with the Hyundai theta II GDI I4. When first released it said 201ps/198hp and later it was confermed 201 hp because Hyundai/Kia quotes ps for their engines.
lexuslvr says:
05:34 PM, 11/25/2009
dg0472 negative. Actually I was wrong. C&D captured 6.1 for the Azera and 6 flat for the Avalon:
For Avalon: http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/comparisons/05q3/2005_buick_lacrosse_vs._chrysler_300_ford_five_hundred_kia_amanti_nissan_maxima_toyota_avalon-comparison_tests/first_place_-_toyota_avalon_touring_sedan_page_6
For Azera:
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/car/06q3/2006_hyundai_azera_se-short_take_road_test
dg0472 says:
04:14 PM, 11/25/2009
7.2 is exactly what the Azera did in CR's most recent test. The Maxima did 6.2. For comparison, the Avalon clocked in at 7.1, while the heavier but more powerful LaCrosse tied the Azera.
286HP seems right because if you convert the 213kW in the press release, that's also 286HP.
beau_lane says:
01:41 PM, 11/25/2009
shame they had to put kia on it, otherwise a good car.
lexuslvr says:
12:21 PM, 11/25/2009
I love this car. Kia should be impressed with themselves. WOW 290hp! (I think they got 286 from "290ps/286hp") And since This is Kia's flagship and the fact that Kia is supposed to be sport/lux to Hyundai's luxury then I believe Kia may position this car for direct competition with the 290hp Nissan Maxima. And come to think of it Kia did just what nissan did when they introduced the Maxima; shrink the dimensions, make it lighter and add about 30 hp to the V6. Folks I believe Kia has just made a Kia Maxima!
One thing though. 0-60 in 7.2 is exactly one second slower to 60 then the heavier 260hp Hyundai Azera with 5-speed auto. Also about 1.1 behind the Maxima.
firstclass says:
11:13 AM, 11/25/2009
The chrome inserts underneath the doors and on the rear bumper is a nice touch of class. I'd love to see this car with five spoke rims. Also the steering wheel could use a bit of that brushed aluminum. Overall it looks like a solid improvement.