New Kia Cadenza sedan
26th November 2009
 The
all-new Kia Cadenza luxury sporty sedan (called the K7 in Korea) will be a
'big step into the future' for Kia when it goes on worldwide sale next year.
New Cadenza will make its overseas world premiere at next month's Riyadh
Motor Show in Saudi Arabia on 12 December, followed immediately by an
appearance at the Dubai Motor Show on 15 December.
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. The 4965 mm
long Cadenza will take over the role of large luxury sedan for the Kia
marque from the 10-year old Opirus (called 'Amanti' in some markets, but not
sold in Australia) and is destined to totally transform Kia's sales
performance in the D2 segment.
"With the Cadenza, we have created an
all-new, large sedan that will revitalize Kia's fortunes thanks to its
exciting appearance, strong performance and luxurious cabin which will
guarantee a much broader consumer appeal, attracting thousands of new
customers to our brand," commented Hyoung-Keun Lee, President, Kia Motors
Corporation.
 Under
the direction of Kia's Chief Design Officer (CDO), Peter Schreyer, the large
sedan design team in Korea was determined to transform every aspect of the
brand's range-topping model, to deliver sporty and sleek styling, agile and
dynamic performance, exceptional comfort and refinement and competitive
high-tech features.
A 'big step into the future' for Kia's
sophisticated design
The design team targeted 'stand-out' looks
with modernity, while incorporating Kia's evolving design DNA to ensure the
new large sedan boasts an appearance that will humble potential rivals. Last
April, the team's KND-5 concept car at the Seoul Motor Show revealed that
Kia's new large sedan was going to be revolutionary.
"Our new sedan
looks masculine and luxurious," comments Peter Schreyer. "Today, people
recognize a Kia at first sight: well balanced proportions, flowing
greenhouse and dynamic window graphic plus the big wheels, give this car its
confident stance, dignity and elegant personality. The distinctive 'tiger
nose' front with its signature grille and headlights are evidence of Kia's
new self-confidence. Kia Cadenza is a big step into the future - another
quantum leap for Kia," concludes Schreyer.
 The
traditional three-box sedan shape was retained, but was morphed into a more
flowing design with an aerodynamic Cd of just 0.29. The innovative treatment
of light is a constant design theme. At the front, second-generation LED
position lights are used to define the width of the car and the shape of the
headlamps. At the rear, the combination lamp clusters also feature LED
position lights which, together with the dual mufflers integrated into the
bumper, enhance the new Cadenza's sporty appearance. As an option, a
full-length three-part glass Panoramic Roof will be available.
Contemporary looks, premium quality and a unique ambience
Inside, the new Cadenza is every bit as stylish and sophisticated as the
exterior promises. The interior is dominated by the treatment of the
futuristic 'floating' dashboard that highlights Kia's innovative design
approach.
A 'welcome' system turns on the exterior puddle and
interior lights to 'greet' the car owner, while the interior mood lighting
strip, which runs across the two-tier dashboard and all around the door
trims, creates a warm ambience within the vehicle. An additional large mood
lamp, which runs down the center of the cabin ceiling, is available.
Dual-zone climate control air-conditioning is standard, and other high-tech
'comfort & convenience' features include keyless entry and an engine 'start'
button, RPAS reversing sensors, a reversing safety camera with interior
mirror display screen and a powered extension for the driver's seat cushion.
Although New Cadenza is shorter than the Opirus, the extended wheelbase
(up by 45 mm to 2845 mm), additional exterior width and more compact rear
suspension, come together to ensure that the interior offers occupants more
space than the old model.
 Less
weight, more performance and better fuel-economy for new sedan
Kia's new front-wheel drive 'Type-N' platform makes its first appearance in
Cadenza and will be utilized in other Kia models in the future. The lighter
(and stronger) bodyshell, together with all-new suspension systems, helped
Cadenza to achieve a weight loss of up to 130 kg, compared with the previous
Opirus - even though the new model has numerous additional features.
As part of Kia's drive to increase sales in the large sedan segment, the new
Cadenza will be manufactured with a total of three gasoline engines - with
different engines being available around the world to best suit local legal
requirements. Power outputs will range from 165 ps to 290 ps and all models
will feature front-wheel drive and Kia's all-new six-speed automatic
transmission.
Driving up sales and market share with an
all-new product
"Despite the current global economic
uncertainties, we are confident that the new Kia Cadenza will substantially
increase Kia's share of this segment in Korea and around the world,"
concluded President Lee.
Manufacturing of the new Cadenza sedan will
start at Kia's Hwasung facility this month for the domestic market and
January 2010 for export markets. Export sales in the General Markets
(excluding North America and Europe), will begin during March 2010 and in
China in June 2010.
General Markets for Kia include the regions of
Central and South America, the Caribbean, Asia (excluding China), the
Pacific, Middle East and Africa.
 TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS EXPORT MARKETS - NOVEMBER 2009
Body &
Chassis
Four-door, five-seater sedan, with all-steel unitary
construction bodyshell. Powered by transversely-mounted V6 petrol engine
driving the front wheels.
Engine
3.5-litre [
Middle East & General Markets ]
Type ‘Lambda II' Quad-OHC, six-cylinder
in V, with dual CVVT
Max power 213 kW @ 6600 rpm
Max torque 338 Nm @
5000 rpm
Transmission
Automatic 6-speed with
fully auto & sequential manual modes
Suspension & Damping
Front Fully independent by MacPherson Struts.
Rear Fully
independent by Multi-Link rear axle.
Steering
Type Hydraulic power-assisted rack and pinion
Gearing 2.94 turns
lock-to-lock with 11.08 metres turning circle
Brakes
Front / Rear 300 x 28 mm ventilated discs / 284 x 10 mm solid
discs
Wheels & Tyres
Standard LX Alloy 16 in x
6.5J 215/65 R16 tyres
Standard EX* Alloy 17 in x 7.0J 225/55 R17 tyres
*Optional on LX
DIMENSIONS
Exterior (mm)
Overall length 4965 Overall width* 1850
Overall height 1475 Wheelbase 2845
Capacities
Fuel tank 70 litres
Luggage (SAE) 451 litres
Weights
(kg)
Curb weight (min.) 1575 Gross weight 2065
Performance
Top speed / kph 230 0-to-100 kph (sec) 7.2
Fuel Economy
Combined cycle 9.36 (litres / 100 km)*
CO2 223 g/km*
*Manufacturer's estimated figure
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