Kia K7/Cadenza: More Info and Images

Kia K7Kia Motors has been receiving a flurry of attention after it recently released the first images of the K7/Cadenza premium sedan. Soon after, Kia also pulled the camouflage off its running prototypes of the K7 (so, if you are located in South Korea now, be on the keen lookout) and a cascade of amateur images have since been posted on the web. In this post, we bring you a new set of images, this time rocking in high-resolution (and a white K7 too), as well as new information we received from our inside sources.

In a recent post, we informed you that the K7 will be powered by either the new 2.4L GDI (gasoline direct injection) 4-cylinder engine or a more potent 3.5L Lambda V6. Well, according to our sources, the 2.4L GDI engine, which is projected to produce over 200 horsepower, will not be available at launch, but in October of 2010 for the Korean market. The 3.5L Lambda II V6 will be available when the K7 goes on sale next month, and our sources now report that it will produce an impressive 290 horsepower. Other engines to be available are a 2.4L Theta II 4-cylinder that churns out 180 horsepower and a 200 horsepower 2.7L Mu V6, also found in the Hyundai Grandeur (Azera). Engine options for the export-market Cadenza have not been detailed, although the 3.5L V6 is a certainty for North America.

Other details we received include the delayed availability of the panoramic roof for the K7 (February 2010), and the availability of two navigation systems (6.5" screen and 8" screen). Pricing for the K7 will range from 28 million Won (US$23,805) to 40 million Won (US$34,000), which is similar to the Hyundai Grandeur's in Korea. In North America, we expect the Cadenza to be priced similar to the Amanti that it is replacing in that market.

Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.

[Source: K7Club.net]

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First Live Shots of Kia K7/Cadenza - Updated

Kia K7As Kia had officially unveiled the all-new K7 (Cadenza) sedan yesterday, the automaker has followed suit by uncloaking all test prototypes of the premium sedan and has set them loose in the streets of Seoul for public viewing. As a result, we have the first live shots of the K7, and these images give us a better look at the style and presence of the car. Continue to check by this post and TheCarBlogger for more shots as they come.

[Source: VGClub.net]

UPDATED with new live shots after the jump!

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USA: Hyundai to Spend Big on New Sonata Marketing

Hyundai YF SonataAccording to Automotive News, Hyundai Motor America is planning to spend about half its estimated $500 million to $550 million budget for 2010 on two redesigned vehicles: the Sonata and Tucson. Both are slated to go on sale in the first quarter of 2010. While the overall marketing budget is the same as that in 2009, Hyundai Motor America will spend more to introduce the redesigned Sonata than it has on any vehicle launch in the brand's history.

According to Joel Ewanick, vice president of marketing at HMA, Hyundai will spend about twice what it did for the Genesis luxury sedan in the summer of 2008 with the all-new Sonata mid-size sedan. Reports say Hyundai spent $80 million on the rear-wheel drive sedan. Hyundai Motor America is well aware of the success that comes with heavy marketing, as it especially realized this with the highly successful Assurance Program that allows buyers who lose their jobs to return cars within a year of purchase. Hyundai sales were up 1 percent last month in an overall market down 27 percent. The brand's 4.4 percent market share is a significant leap from the 3.1 percent last year.

With the completely redesigned Sonata, Hyundai plans to make a serious run at the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Chevrolet Malibu and Ford Fusion. The majority of the money will be spent on network broadcast and network cable TV, with a hefty share towards major sporting events like the Super Bowl. Hyundai will also spend big on the upcoming FIFA World Cup to be broadcast on ESPN, as well as continuing sponsorship of the Academy Awards. For the all-new Tucson, Hyundai will spend about the same as it did with the Genesis.

"The Genesis brought new, incremental customers, but the volume with Sonata and Tucson could be significant," Ewanick said.

[Source: Automotive News]


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