Kia Magentis replacement still nameless; new engine confirmed

Kia’s marketing department has yet to decide on what to call the Magentis replacement, due to debut at the Paris motor show in October.

The nameplate ‘Optima’, which is the U.S name, won’t be used in Europe, so an all-new name is likely. Company insiders were originally debating between ‘K5’, as it’s known in South Korea and ‘Optima’.

Name decision aside, well-placed Kia sources have revealed that a downsized 1.2 litre turbo petrol engine will be one of the engine choices, producing 150bhp.

The newcomer is longer, wider and lower and sits on a longer wheelbase than the Magentis. This has drastically increased both cabin and luggage space. Kia admits that the Magentis will never likely to be a major seller in Europe, but believes the mid-sized saloon segment is one in which it must compete in, as a volume manufacturer. However, the real demand for the car will come from the U.S and South Korea, where its enhanced styling and dynamics should hold appeal for buyers.

The same well-placed source also revealed that an estate version of the car will be built. When asked about this body style, chief designer Peter Schreyer said, “I would love to do station wagon and coupé versions of the car. The station wagon would only really work for Europe but the coupé would work in the U.S.”

When the car arrives in the UK mid-2011, it will arrive with a range of petrol and diesel engines and transmissions. Luxury amenities like heated steering wheel, bi-xenon headlamps, keyless entry and ventilated front & rear seats will unlikely be available in the UK, however, do expect a panoramic glass sunroof, heated front seats with leather interior, 18" alloy wheels, auto-dimming rear-view mirror to be standard on certain grades. Prices will increase to around £20,000 from the current £18,995.

Kia Magentis replacement still nameless; new engine confirmed (EU)

Kia’s marketing department has yet to decide on what to call the Magentis replacement, due to debut at the Paris motor show in October.

The nameplate ‘Optima’, which is the U.S name, won’t be used in Europe, so an all-new name is likely. Company insiders were originally debating between ‘K5’, as it’s known in South Korea and ‘Optima’.

Name decision aside, well-placed Kia sources have revealed that a downsized 1.2 litre turbo petrol engine will be one of the engine choices, producing 150bhp.

The newcomer is longer, wider and lower and sits on a longer wheelbase than the Magentis. This has drastically increased both cabin and luggage space. Kia admits that the Magentis will never likely to be a major seller in Europe, but believes the mid-sized saloon segment is one in which it must compete in, as a volume manufacturer. However, the real demand for the car will come from the U.S and South Korea, where its enhanced styling and dynamics should hold appeal for buyers.

The same well-placed source also revealed that an estate version of the car will be built. When asked about this body style, chief designer Peter Schreyer said, “I would love to do station wagon and coupé versions of the car. The station wagon would only really work for Europe but the coupé would work in the U.S.”

When the car arrives in the UK mid-2011, it will arrive with a range of petrol and diesel engines and transmissions. Luxury amenities like heated steering wheel, bi-xenon headlamps, keyless entry and ventilated front & rear seats will unlikely be available in the UK, however, do expect a panoramic glass sunroof, heated front seats with leather interior, 18" alloy wheels, auto-dimming rear-view mirror to be standard on certain grades. Prices will increase to around £20,000 from the current £18,995.

2010 New Kia Rondo News

That's the bulletin visitors accept aback they attack to apprentice about the 2010 Kia Rondo from the Korean automaker's U.S. website. Interestingly enough, aback we contacted Kia admiral for acceptance that the Rondo wouldn't be about for 2011, we accustomed the afterward response: "Kia has not yet absitively on a 2011 model, but the 2010 is still accessible in dealerships."

Yes, that sounds like a archetypal canned response, and our best assumption is that the Rondo is appealing abundant a goner. Taking a attending at sales abstracts from aftermost year, the Rondo was Kia's third slowest agent aloof abaft the full-size Borrego SUV and the faux-luxe Amanti sedan. Worse yet, the Rondo's 2009 sales absolute of 14,206 units was beneath than bisected of the 28,645 sales it managed in 2008.

Kia is artlessly acquisitive it doesn't lose out on barter that would contrarily accept advised a Rondo. In lieu of the micro-minivan, Kia's customer website is pointing buyers appear its new-for-2011 Sportage beautiful ute, which does accept a acceptable bit of amplitude for being but absolutely isn't absolutely as ancestors affable as the allegedly approachable seven-passenger Rondo.

Interestingly enough, Kia of Canada does not assume to accept the aforementioned bulletin on its site, so we wouldn't be afraid if the MPV soldiers on with our neighbors to the north. If you're still absorbed in accepting a Rondo of your actual own in these United States, there are massive incentives that abide alive on the 2009 model, including $2,000 banknote back, $1,000 for a aggressive agent turn-in, $1,000 for Kia buyer loyalty, and/or a $500 abatement for aggressive service.

2011 Kia Cerato Limited Edition Review and Photos

2011 Kia Cerato Limited Edition Front Photos

2011 Kia Cerato Limited Edition Dash Photos

2011 Kia Cerato Limited Edition of Back Photos

Kia Australia has launched the Cerato Limited, which is bound to “around 200 vehicles” Down Under. The Bound is based on the accomplished blueprint 2.0 SLi model, which pairs the 154 bhp/194 Nm Theta II agent to either a four-speed auto or five-speed chiral gearbox – the closing not accessible in our Forte. The 2.0 is the alone agent advantage for the Australian Cerato.

The SLi blueprint Cerato is somewhat agnate to our RM93,800 Forte 2.0 SX. 17-inch alloys, covering captivated steering/shift knob, aluminium attending birr trim, council caster controls for the MP3/USB/iPod stereo, six airbags, adherence control, altitude ascendancy and auto air con are all accepted in the SLi.

The Cerato Bound adds on kit such as covering seats, electric sunroof, anatomy kit and a rear spoiler. It is priced at $25,990 for the chiral and $27,990 for the auto (drive abroad prices). That’s $2,300 to $2,800 added than the accepted SLi but the Bound provides net accumulation of added than $3,000 for those options, according to Kia.