Kia Cadenza aka VG sedan Initial Images and Details Released

Kia Cadenza first images - 1000

Kia goes upscale

By Michael Gauthier
October 19, 2009 4:45 PM
Filed Under: Asian, Kia

Kia has officially revealed the first images and details about the Cadenza (the K7 in Korea) luxury sedan.

Described as "sporty and sleek", the Cadenza features styling inspired by the KND-5 Concept. Details include LED-headlight surrounds, a bold grille, and an upscale design.

While no pictures were released, Kia says the interior boasts a 'floating' dashboard, mood lighting, and a "raft of competitive passenger-friendly high-tech features." Options include a heated steering wheel, power extendable seat cushions, ventilated front seats, and automatic defogging of the windshield.

According to Kia's Director of the Overseas Marketing, Soon-Nam Lee, "(The) New Cadenza will showcase the continuing evolution in Kia's striking design language through the harmonious blend of light and lines. It will also present a new concept in luxury sedans in terms of performance and technology."

Engine options are expected to include a 175 hp 2.4-liter Theta four-cylinder and a 273 hp 3.5-liter Lambda V6. While front-wheel drive is standard, an all-wheel drive system will likely be available.

Look for the Kia Cadenza to be unveiled at the Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Dubai international motor shows, later this year.

Source: Kia

Press Release (Click to expand)

Kia reveals name of all-new luxury sedan

(Seoul) October 18, 2009 - Kia Motors Corporation has unveiled the first official picture and export market name of the production version of its KND-5 concept car - an all-new sedan designed to satisfy drivers' desire for refinement, safety and emotional satisfaction by creating 'ideal' driving conditions.

The stylish luxury sedan, which is to be called 'Cadenza' in markets outside of Korea, will make its overseas premiere at the Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Dubai international motor shows, towards the end of the year.

The Cadenza name is derived from an Italian musical term used to describe an elaborate, ornamental flourish for a concerto or aria. It perfectly symbolizes the dynamic sedan's striking design philosophy and upscale image.

Sporty and sleek in appearance, Cadenza features a bold headlamp design with attention-grabbing LED surrounds and a purposeful, athletic character line. The prominent front grille and stylish taillights emphasize the car's high-tech feel and are a continuing expression of Kia's dramatic design DNA.

On the inside, there is a futuristic 'floating' dashboard that highlights Kia's uniquely innovative design approach. The welcome system turns on the exterior puddle and interior lights to 'greet' the car owner, while the interior mood lighting strip, which runs along the dashboard to the door trim, creates a warm atmosphere within the vehicle.

Kia Cadenza's dynamic design and driving performance, allied with a raft of competitive passenger-friendly high-tech features, will make it a leader in the large, luxury sedan market segment.

Available new technologies will include a heated steering wheel (for winter driving in cold markets), powered extendable seat cushions (for extra thigh support), automatic defogging of the windshield and ventilated front seats (for cool comfort in hot markets).

Soon-Nam Lee, Director of the Overseas Marketing Group, Kia Motors Corporation, said, "New Cadenza will showcase the continuing evolution in Kia's striking design language through the harmonious blend of light and lines. It will also present a new concept in luxury sedans in terms of performance and technology."

 

Comments

tom43
October 19, 2009 6:23 PM
Give it a Diesel engine and a shooting brake/estate and bring it to europe...

politz
October 19, 2009 6:53 PM
wow... now that is one handsome design... kia keeps impressing me with its new designs... hope it drives as well as the forte does.

clash_189
October 19, 2009 7:42 PM
Good looking car, but as usual it blends a few its rival designs, one that will make people say "it's the cheaper version of xxx,xxx,xxx,etc". Kia should find their consistency while designing their cars, Audi has its V grille, MB has its popular grill, BMW ha sits double kidney & hofmeister, Saab with its three aeroplane shaped grille, Renault has its frog shape design and even Pug with its big mouth (in 308 it looks very nice). So now Kia-Hyunday has their grille too, but their car design is not consistent and looks that they don't share a similar dynamic shape in the whole car. Thus, people don't often say that a sonata is the big brother of i30, they say that sonata is budget version from Accord and i30 is taking from 1-series.

clash_189
October 19, 2009 7:49 PM
I forgot to say it is influenced by Mondeo front end and IS profille. Note: the side curve is inspired from 7-series or insigna. Anyway, I will see this car in OZ but not in Indonesia.

alex_rome
October 19, 2009 9:26 PM
Everybody who is going to comment about the design, stating that it's inspired from the lines of other rival cars should think about this fact . when this car was proposed for production the final design was already planned and aproved . meanwhile the other rival cars that you will say it's inspired from were being tested with a serious amount of cameo on them so kia wouldn't have had a chance to see the final designs . so keep your comments to yourself and admit that kia came up with an original and good looking design . just hope the interior quality doens't ruin the overall upscale look of the car

adz612
October 19, 2009 10:57 PM
y'know this car ain't that bad to look at. clean design (apart from the slightly fussy front end), well proportioned. Well done Kia. I wonder if the interior will be just as clean cut?

adz612
October 19, 2009 10:59 PM
in fact, the side profile is absolutely spot on, apart from the wheel size. not big enough to fill the chunky arches. one more inch will make a huge difference to stance and poise! Other than that. No other gripes.

peterjames7
October 20, 2009 4:30 AM
it looks a lot like the new saab 95, i dont think its that succcesful a design though for an executive car, although the new toyota x is even less of an executive looking motor.

MusTang
October 20, 2009 9:25 AM
I like it, Bravo Kia, especially for Soul

Schizo0223
October 20, 2009 10:47 AM
I was worried that Kia would mess up and go for the traditional warm and fuzzy design with lots of chrome...which would kill the advances in design language that they made recently with the Forte, Sorrento, and Soul. But this looks very clean and modern.

I totally agree with ADZ and think that the wheels need to grow an inch.

We should see tons of these being leased for the Executive Directors and VP's of Korean companies...in black ofcourse.

madofmazda
October 21, 2009 12:04 PM
@rx8, Seems like that hocky stick character line is KIA trademark, some of KIA's has it.

View Comment Rules

Add Comment

You are modifying your comment

Exisiting User

Username
Password
remember me

New Users

Username
Email
Password
Comment

Your account

username
password

Other links