LAST MONTH Kia unveiled the Cadenza, its new entry to the large luxury sedan segment and first revealed as the VG/KND-5 Concept earlier this year.
This week, the Korean carmaker has released a series of new promotional images along with a video of the Cadenza in action.
To be sold internationally as the Cadenza and in Korea as the K7, Kia Australia’s Jonathan Fletcher told TMR that the left-hand-drive-only layout of Kia’s new large sedan means it is unlikely to appear in Australia.
“Cadenza is not destined for right-hand-drive production at present,” Mr Fletcher said.
“We wouldn’t absolutely discount a right-hand-drive version if it was available, but there are plenty of well-established existing players in the (declining) large segment in Australia from whom we would need to grab market share if we wanted to succeed”.
The Cadenza joins a growing list of Korean models built exclusively for the larger left-hand-drive markets, including the smaller Venga, Hyundai’s Genesis sedan and coupe, and the larger Equus luxury sedan.
Powered by Hyundai-Kia’s 3.5 litre ‘Lambda II’ V6 on a front-wheel-drive platform mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, the Cadenza produces around 213kW and 338Nm of torque.
Kia’s design boss Peter Schreyer described the Cadenza as a “big step into the future” for the carmaker.
“Our new sedan looks masculine and luxurious. 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,” Mr Schreyer said.
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.”
The Cadenza’s features list includes a heated steering wheel, powered extendable seat cushions, automatic de-fogging of the windshield and and ventilated front seats.
The 2010 Kia Cadenza is expected to make its ‘in the flesh’ debut at motor shows in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Dubai later this year.
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typical, aus misses out again, holden, ford, toyota will welcome the news.
i wouldn’t cry over this. I would never buy a Kia (Killed In Action), not even if i was going broke. At least their design isn’t tooooo bad this time, bit boring though.
KIA = Killed In Action…nice one
I don’t mind the look of this. You have to admit that the Koreans are lifting their game with their cars.
Kia may not be on par with Toyota, Honda or Nissan with their quality but surely Kia’s don’t spend any more time in the workshop than Commodores or Falcons.
Why do we Australians always miss out on the great looking cars?
And most of the cars we get are watered down (cheapened).
Surely with our strong dollar, we can snag some really good cars.
Andy, a big part of the reason we don’t get a lot of overseas models comes down to Australia being a very very small market….unfortanetly!
Can I just add ADRs to the list of why cars don’t come here. We have some of the strictest design rules in the world, and its increasingly hard for designers to comply with worldwide rules. Its slack on two behalves, in that the Government should do more to change the million-year-old design rules, but also to the car companies who can’t be bothered to design a car fit for the whole world.
I’m glad the Cadenza isn’t coming here. Its awful-looking and over-the-top, especially for a Kia. It’d be way too expensive when it arrived as well.
Jake02, if strict rules are the reason for the lacklustre range of cars … why do we get absolute rubbish cars imported from China and Malaysia? Cars that will most likely leave you dead in a serious accident. Or really really ugly cars like Ssangyong Stavic or Actyon?
Cadenza is a MUCH better looker than these cars, and if Korean made cars as of late are any indication … they are reliable and well built. I don’t see what’s over the top or awful about it. They are much nicer than your average small sedan.
Hahahahahahha Andy,
At no point did I suggest that the Cadenza was a victim to the issue of ADRs. I said that is something that makes some carmakers turn away cars (like the no LHD cars under 35 years old. The Camaro would be in my driveway right now if LHD cars were allowed in the country) . And also, just because a car complies with ADRs doesn’t mean that it still won’t crash well does it, and ugliness is NOT something that ADRs can fix, and also, some people may like the look of these cars. Just because someone like you comes along and has a go at me for voicing my opinion does not make any of your ‘argument’ true.
As much I like Sorento this one not impressing me at all…not bad from outside but the interior looks tacky with all this silver plastics and where is the sat-nav? Another thing they should have looked at is the steering wheel…looks crap.
What a shame,great looking car. Agree that Kia are picking up their quality ,Im sure the Japs take them a little more seriously as a threat than others seem to on this thread.
It would be stupid to bring this car here. Aussie just don’t buy large FWD cars in big numbers. The Aurion, despite Toyota’s best efforts, has failed to gain ground on Commodore and Falcon.
If anything Hyundai/Kia should bring the Genesis here.
Wait a sec……’flowing greenhouse and dynamic window graphic….’
I’m seriously trying to picture this in my head…..ah, ok. I see what he’s getting at…… NO! Wait - give this man some more of whatever he’s taken and get him up on stage! lol @ ‘distinctive tiger nose’ too.
Wheel base length :
Kia Cadenza (2845 mm) > Toyota Avalon (2822 mm) > Lexus ES (2776 mm)
Lexus ES350 (US spec) : 3.5L V6 272 HP / fuel economy 9.8㎞/l
Toyota Avalon (US spec) : 3.5L V6 268 HP / fuel economy 9.8㎞/l
Kia K7 (Cadenza-Korean spec-) : 3.5L V6 290 HP / fuel economy 10.6㎞/l
haha it’s funny that people are talking bout KIA’s design
or sth else, I recommend them to look up who’s taking the KIA’s
design. Peter Schreyer who was the general manager of VW, AUDI. KIA go for it !!
Is Kia selling the K7 in South Korea as a left hand drive, when South Korea is Right Hand Drive ? ? ?…sounds strange to me
Oh come on, Will! South Korea is left hand drive… You might confused with Japan
Sorry ww, but traffic in both North and South Korea drive on the right. …get your facts right before you comment.
oops sorry ww you are correct apologies..Korea N and S changed from Right to Left after WW2 …a long time since I was there as you can tell.