Kia Opirus

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Kia Opirus
2007-Kia-Amanti.jpg
Overview
Manufacturer
Also called Kia Amanti
Production 2003–2010
Assembly
Body and chassis
Class Executive car
Body style 4-door sedan
Layout Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive
Related Hyundai Grandeur XG
Powertrain
Engine 3.5 L Sigma V6 (gasoline) 200 hp (203 PS) [2003-2006]
3.8 L Lambda V6 (gasoline) 263 hp (267 PS) [2007-2010]
Transmission 5-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,800 mm (110.2 in)
Length 4,980 mm (196.1 in) (2003-2006)
5,000 mm (196.9 in) (2006-2010)
Width 1,850 mm (72.8 in)
Height 1,485 mm (58.5 in)
Curb weight 1,864 kg (4,109 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor Kia Enterprise
Successor Kia Cadenza
Kia K9

The Kia Opirus was an executive car manufactured and marketed by Kia Motors that was launched in April 2003 and was marketed globally under various nameplates, prominently as the Amanti. It was considered to be Kia's flagship vehicle.

As Kia's largest entry into the executive car market, the Opirus/Amanti had been marketed in a single trim level and only as a sedan. It shared some components with its now-defunct corporate cousin, the Hyundai Grandeur XG, including its 3.5 L V6 engine. For 2007, the Kia Opirus received various upgrades, including suspension and styling revisions, and the addition of the same engine as the current Hyundai Grandeur (Azera), this time being a 3.8 L V6 engine.

In the U.S., the Amanti was recognized as the "Most Appealing Premium Midsize Car" by J.D. Power and Associates' 2005 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout Study.

The 2007 Amanti outscored several luxury cars in Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) side-impact crash testing, to earn the highest rating of Good.[2]

As of December 17, 2010, the Kia website no longer listed the Amanti as a production model.[3]

Successor[edit]

Kia Motors replaced the Oprius/Amanti with two vehicles. The Kia Cadenza was designed to fill the executive car classes, while the Kia Quoris was designed to fill the full-size luxury car class.

The Kia Cadenza, officially unveiled on October 18, 2009, is completely redesigned to reflect Kia's new design style. It is based on the platform of the next-generation Hyundai Azera (HG).[4] The Cadenza will replace the Kia Amanti, and features many features found on more expensive luxury cars, such as a heated steering wheel, power extendable seat cushions, automatic windshield defogger, and cooled front seats.[5] Like the Amanti, the Cadenza is only equipped with an automatic transmission.

The Kia K9 is an upscale full-size premium sedan from South Korean automaker Kia. It will replace the Opirus sedan in the Korean market, and will follow in the product line of the Kia K5 and Kia K7. The car is a derivative of the BH-L (VI) platform shared with the Hyundai Equus. The K9 is slightly shorter than the Equus, but has a more aggressive, sporty stance as well as a longer wheelbase with shorter front overhang dimensions. Kia's signature "Tiger nose" grill has been adopted in the front fascia design.

References[edit]

  1. Jump up ^ "Avtotor". Avtotor.ru. Archived from the original on 2009-04-04. Retrieved 2010-10-30. 
  2. Jump up ^ Money CNN "An expensive car may not always get you side-impact protection, according to a new report." http://money.cnn.com/2007/08/13/autos/iihs_luxury_sedan_impact/
  3. Jump up ^ Kia Amanti website
  4. Jump up ^ "Kia VG sedan rendering released". Kia-world.net. Retrieved 2010-10-30. 
  5. Jump up ^ "Kia Unveils Cadenza Luxury Sedan". Automoblog.net. 

External links[edit]