The all-new Kia Magentis has been unveiled at the New York motor show - although it won't be called the Magentis when it arrives in the UK this time next year.
Kia is currently debating what to call the car, but has ruled out keeping the Magentis name. Company insiders are debating between calling it the K5, as it is known in Korea, and the Optima, as it is known as in the US.
A Kia source has also said an estate version of the car will be built. Asked about this, chief designer chief designer Peter Schreyer said: "I would love to do a station wagon and coupe version of the car. The station wagon would only really work for Europe but the coupe would work in the US. There are no firm plans though."
The Kia source also told Autocar that the car encompasses everything it wanted to achieve with its future design under Schreyer and all new Kias were likely to feature styling cues taken from the Magentis.
The Magentis is longer, wider and lower than the model it replaces and sits on a longer wheelbase than the outgoing car. This has significantly increased both cabin and luggage space.
Autocar understands that the car will feature Kia’s next generation of petrol and diesel engines. The big-seller should be the 2.0-litre diesel taken from the Sportage.
A 2.0-litre petrol engine will be the staple of the petrol range, although Kia could introduce smaller-capacity petrol engines, should there be sufficient demand.
Kia concedes that the Magentis is never likely to be a major seller in Europe, but believes the large saloon segment is one in which it must compete, as a volume manufacturer.
But the real demand for the car will come from the US and domestic markets, where its much improved styling and dynamics should hold appeal for buyers.
Schreyer also revealed that styling differences between Kia and Hyundai models competing in the same markets will begin to be more marked.
"They're already there but will will see more and more differences between Hyundai and Kia in the future as we develop Kia as a design led and sporty brand," he said. "Designing a sports car is still an ambition of mine, but we'll have to wait and see what happens."
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Re: Kia Magentis to get new name
Kia have certainly turned themselves around astonishingly quickly, but I think they've got a bit to go before they reach Skoda quality. I still find the latest Superb to be an epically impressive motor... I don't see what an Audi A4 or A6 offers apart from the badge and possibly better drive. But cars like the Soul - a genuinely interesting car, to be coming from Kia, shows they're really catching up with everyone else. Same goes for Hyundai.
Only thing is, they need to get a steadier dealer network; their current dealers seem to be on tiny premises, which might hold them back.
Re: Kia Magentis to get new name
Re: Kia Magentis to get new name
Those Wing Mirrors look like they came from a Scirroco or New Golf very similar design