With a year left before Kia VG goes on sale in South Korea, this near-luxury sedan has been spied again while undergoing testing sessions somewhere in South Korea.
Over the past few months, we have seen plenty of interesting Kia VG spy shots, unofficial renderings and spy videos. All of them revealed the VG sedan will feature a distinctive exterior design. Beneath the camouflage, on the VG’s front fascia, you can find a stylish H-shapped grille and projector beam headlights. At the back there are striking horizontal LEDs equipped rearlights and a pair of two bumper integrated exhaust pipes.
The VG is a brand new model and will mark Kia’s first entry into the near-luxury sedan market. Built on the same (but improved) platform as Hyundai Azera, the VG will be much more performance oriented car with suspension set-up providing comfort and agile driving.
Due to go on sale in August 2009, the VG will most likely be powered by a 280hp Lambda V6 and four-cylinder Theta engine both mated to the six-speed automatic transmission. [Source: Careview]
Click image to enlarge!
October 27th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
It really does look like the Amanti in the grille area. It looks like a Shreyer-grille Amanti without the circle headlights in the front, and it looks pretty generic in the back. I like it quite well!
October 27th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
I really like this car. If you haven’t seen it, here’s also the spy video: http://www.kia-world.net/index.php/2008/08/28/next-generation-kia-sorento-xm-and-vg-sedan-spy-videos/#more-2394
October 27th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Look for a New York debut, at least in the US.
October 27th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
nice chrome accent allong the window line and the badge is always circular in all spy shots but I hope its not the one seen on Korea’s sorento.
October 27th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
It is going to debut at NAIAS!
October 27th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
whoa! that awesome news!
October 27th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
Those are righteous looking wheels, man!
October 27th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
Nissan Maxima watch out looks like your about to get some serious compitition plus with the less expensive I4. Look for it in Detoit huh Greg? OK. I’ll be there.
October 27th, 2008 at 10:32 pm
It’s funny how this car looks strange at some spy shots, especially at these shots where it has those “small” wheels, while on other (if you click the link in the post), where equipped with Genesis-style alloys, much more aggressive with sportier appearance.
October 27th, 2008 at 11:08 pm
Greg, this will not be unveiled in Detroit; it’s a New York debut. The new Spectra (Forte) is set for a NAIAS debut.
October 27th, 2008 at 11:15 pm
Along with Forte/Spectra (or VG) what other model will be unveiled? Do you think Kia will debut any concept cars at NAIAS?
Besides this, I’m slo interested to know what will Kia bring to this year’s SEMA and LA auto shows, if anything. Is anyone familiar with the info on that?
October 28th, 2008 at 2:47 am
The Soul should be unveiled at the LA Auto Show. I hope they do show the Spectra and Soul at the NAIAS so that if they have a concept neither the Spectra or Soul can take away the attention from the concept because they already been shown. Where as the never unveiled VG and that concept would be too much for one auto show.
October 28th, 2008 at 2:48 am
That’s sorta why the Kee wasn’t really popular against the Borrego at the NAIAS.
October 28th, 2008 at 3:30 am
The VG is a brand new model and will mark Kia’s first entry into the near-luxury sedan market
then whats the opirus supposed to be?
October 28th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
did anyone else notice the two-tone exterior panels? I like the looks of that
October 28th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
The VG is being billed as a direct replacement for the Amanti. Also, new Sorento should be on track for Chicago.
October 28th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
colby: what two tone? the only contrast i noticed from the day this was posted is the chrome linned window frames.
October 28th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
Boris: the rocker panel is gray while the paint is black. look at the side profile. It could be from all the camo but its hard to tell.
October 28th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
hmm, I can see its a black paint but those grey rocker pannels might just be on this proto. it doesnt make sense to put a bright rocker pannel. matte black pannels add better contrast although not with black but thats the way it looks best.
October 28th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
the last sedan I have seen with two-tone are the old lexus from 98-02. So maybe they will be doing a throw-back to lexus
October 28th, 2008 at 8:54 pm
This will only be used on a prototype vehicle and is not expected to come to production. You can see many other automakers implying two-tone parts on their prototypes.
October 28th, 2008 at 8:55 pm
This VG has a very Jaguar-ish look. Especially the rear-window line that goes upward. It’s a very nice design element and makes the VG look more like a 4-door coupe than a sedan.
October 28th, 2008 at 10:28 pm
Thanks Brain for the info. Therefore, Kia has to bring some concept to Detroit. Usually they will show off a sketch like in December.
October 30th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
hey himi, you reckon it can make the XF look bland??? lol that jag sure is a nice piece of design~
October 30th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
I wish it woul!
You know, I have seen that car (Jag XF) in-person when on my summer vacation and almost fell of the roof. It’s such a beauty. It made me stop and stare at it for a few minutes.
I really want to see how this car turns out to be in its final form! Think it will rock.