MotorAuthority

Kia previews 2010 Amanti sedan with Seoul Motor Show concept

Posted Sun Mar 29 2009 6:39 PM by Jeremy Weber

The Amanti will ride on a new FWD platform shared with Hyundai’s next-generation Azera (Grandeur) sedan

The affordable large car segment is starting to get just a little overcrowded, and in a time where customers all around the world are downsizing to smaller midsize models, performance, fuel-economy and overall value is now more important than ever. South Korea’s entrants in this field have been winning plenty of accolades lately, especially newcomers like the Hyundai Genesis, and Kia is working on another large car that by the looks of things will only continue this trend.

The replacement for the Amanti (Opirus) sedan is just around the corner, but an image of a concept version of the car has leaked ahead of its official unveiling at next month’s Seoul Motor Show. Comparing this show with previous spy images, it appears that the concept will closely mirror the upcoming production model due towards the end of the year. Hopefully the curvaceous and muscular body, LED tail-lamps and sporty profile will help to erase the boring whitegoods-on-wheels look of the current Amanti.

Kia is yet to reveal any official details but the most likely engine options will be the new 2.4L Theta four-cylinder, 2.7L Mu V6, and the 3.3L and 3.8L Lambda V6s. Expect U.S. models to be fitted with the 3.8L unit, with power levels up around the 280hp (206kW) mark.

According to a previously leaked document outlining Kia’s future product plans, the new Amanti is set to make its world debut in August next year with sales expected in the following month. Incidentally, the underpinnings of the new car will also be shared with Hyundai’s next-generation Azera (Grandeur), which is expected to be launched around the same time.

The story doesn’t end there as TheCarBlogger is also reporting that Kia will launch two new large sedans, an entry-level model codenamed the VG and a more luxurious version codenamed CH.

Story Tags:

• 2010 Kia Amanti
• 2010 Kia Amanti spy shots
• 2010 Kia Opirus
• 2010 Kia Opirus spy shots
• Amanti
• Hyundai Azera
• Kia
• Kia Amanti
• Kia Amanti spy shots
• Kia Opirus
• Kia Opirus spy shots
• Kia VG
• Opirus
• Sedans
• Spy shots
• VG

Reader Comments

• Tue Aug 5 2008 4:51 PM

  Rodan says

  They really should try better to differentiate Kia from Hyundai or they are going to run into the same probs Ford has.

• Tue Aug 5 2008 7:56 PM

  NoNameDenton says

  Picanto minicar?

• Wed Aug 6 2008 1:10 AM

  Turkle says

  We also get a back end shot of the production ready Hyundai Genesis Coupe in the 4th picture. I was hoping that there would be a little bit more "character" at the back end of the car. The previous pictures we were provided made the back end look plain and a little boring. Also, that Hyundai H is now competing in size with the ever growing Honda H on their cars.

• Fri Aug 8 2008 1:27 PM

  NaBUru38 says

  "Picanto minicar?" The Picanto is an A-segment car, ie city car or minicar.

• Sun Mar 15 2009 8:08 PM

  NoNameDenton says

  The Amanti needs to be replaced, but won't it overlap with the Optima