SEOUL, South Korea — Kia Motors will call its new flagship sedan the Kia K7 in the Korean domestic market and the Kia Cadenza in most export markets, including the U.S. The Cadenza/K7 was previewed earlier this year at the 2009 Seoul Auto Show as a concept called the Kia KND-5.
The production model will make its overseas debut later this year at auto shows in Dubai, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
Kia released official images of the K7/Cadenza. They show a distinctive Kia family face with a grille that is shared with the Forte compact and the redesigned Sorento utility vehicle. The K7 will be formally introduced next month in Korea, where it is expected to replace the Opirus as the brand's top-of-the-line sedan. In export markets, including the U.S., it is expected to supplant the Amanti in 2010.
Kia said the name is a musical term used to describe an elaborate, ornamental flourish for a concerto or aria, typically performed by a solo instrument.
Among the available equipment on the new Cadenza will be a heated steering wheel, power-extendable seat cushions, ventilated front seats and an automatic windshield defogger.
Inside Line says: Kia's newest designs are looking much more consistent — like they all came from the same design team, and not from different corners of the globe. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
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