Kia launches new luxury saloon

Kia has launched a new luxury saloon, the Cadenza, which hints at the styling of the new Magnetis.

The Cadenza replaces the Opirus model, which is sold in Korean, North American and European markets. It is set to appear at various Middle Eastern motor shows later this year, before going on sale in 2010.

Kia is currently working on its next-generation Magnetis saloon, which sits a class lower than the Cadenza. The styling of the Cadenza, which was previewed as the VG concept earlier this year, is set to heavily influence the Magentis as part of Kia’s new design language.

“It very clearly shows the deign direction we want to be going in and any new car we bring along now will conform to what our designer Peter Schreyer’s trying to achieve,” a Kia source told Autocar. “And that includes the Magentis.”

The source said it is likely to eventually be sold in mainland Europe, where the Opirus is currently sold, although a UK launch was unlikely.

“We’ve no plans at all at the moment to bring the Cadenza to the UK,” said the source. “It’s a segment we’re not in at the minute and it’s one dominated by German manufacturers in the UK. The product would have limited appeal here financially so a right-hand drive version is unlikely.”