This is the very-first image of the new Kia K9 interior. The all-new luxury car from Kia Motors will be launched in South Korea within a few months and will replace the aging Opirus luxury sedan. The Opirus was sold in the United States as Kia Amanti, but the carmaker discontinued it from its range about a year ago due to poor sales results.
There are no plans at this point to bring the new Kia K9 to the States, so the model will stay exclusive to the South Korean consumers. Some sources state that the carmaker will offer it in China, as well as in the Middle East, but not in the USA or Europe.
The K9 luxury sedan will share its platform with Hyundai Equus and Genesis sedans and will also adopt powertrain technology from its sibling models. Therefore you can expect the carmaker’s highly-advanced V6 and V8 engines to provide the power to the rear wheels. Yup, the all-new Kia K9 will be the very-first rear-wheel-drive Kia sedan… and hopefully not the last one.
You have probably heard that Kia is considering bringing the GT concept to real life and creating a number of variants of the stunning concept car, which made its official public premiere at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show.
Kia K9 interior image:
January 6th, 2012 at 1:54 am
So no Amanti for the US? Awwwww. Oh well I didn’t want it anyway after looking at the GT. No big loss as long as the GT was revealed in LA that means the Gt has a chance.
January 6th, 2012 at 11:25 am
Kia Amanti will be replaced by Kia Cadenza / K7, although we have no information about the official release date.
January 6th, 2012 at 4:08 pm
If this is just a move by Hyundai to keep Kia down then I guess this is a smart move. Cause it don’t make sense to keep FIGHTING over the same Market share.
Now if we lose K9 then there BETTER be the GT here in the States. As I have stated over and over I was waiting on the replacement Amanti. Now I got to wait on the GT. KIA BETTER NOT SCREW me on this one. I have half my down payment already.
January 6th, 2012 at 10:31 pm
Damn jtz I so want to know if this K9 will be called Opirus or not outside Korea. Here in Brazil we have Cadenza (we had Opirus before) so I don’t think we would get K9 or Kia GT. I guess you know but unfortunately we brazilians have the most expensive cars in the world. For example, Forte in USA starts from U$15,200, and here in Brazil it starts from U$32,310), so a more expensive car then Cadenza (which costs here U$70,000) would be impracticable facing Audis and BMWs and Mercedes.
And for instance I’m a dude…
January 7th, 2012 at 4:33 pm
I also think selling Optima, Cadenza, GT and K9 at the same time will be a problem for Seoul Korea. Something will have to give…. and it won’t be the Optima and GT that’s for sure. I really don’t care much for the K9 (Genesis clone) anymore since the unveiling of the better looking GT.Kia needs a sports sedan not a luxury sedan. Kia GT is on high demand. K9 is for grandmas and grandpas. GT is for men in their late 20s to early 40s. Oh yeah and the K9′s interior ain’t as nice as Cadenza’s. The Cadenza is one of Kia’s best interiors even after three years in production.
January 8th, 2012 at 8:16 am
There are no plans to bring the K9 over presently b/c it would be a mistake to bring over a RWD luxury sedan that is priced btwn the Genesis 5.0 and the Equus.
It’s the same reason why Kia delayed bringing over the Cadenza (1st needed the new Optima to bring Kia credibility within its segment).
Once the Cadenza has been in the US market for a couple of years, look for Kia to bring over the K9 (the GT should be ready around then as well); by that time, consumers would slowly be getting used to a $30k sedan from Kia, so a $50k sedan from Kia won’t seem as big of a stretch.
While I don’t particularly care for the dash designs on either the K9 or Cadenza, the materials used in the K9 blow away those used in the Cadenza.
It’s a good thing that Kia is refreshing the Cadenza before its US launch b/c with the new Azera and Avalon, it’s going to have to notch things up a bit (such as for the interior; and maybe sharpen up the front a bit).
I wouldn’t say the K9 is for “grandpas” and “grandmas”; plenty of 30 and 40 somethings, as well as some 20 somethings have gotten the Genesis sedan, esp. the 4.6 and 5.0.
January 8th, 2012 at 6:16 pm
BD if Kia released the Cadenza when the LaCross arrived, advertised it right and showing the car can identify when the driver is about to change lanes, wake the driver when it senses the driver is about to dose off and even show off its bigger panaramic roof than the LaCrosses’ believe me people would pay $30,000 or more for it. They also could show off it can out accelerate the Lexus ES in a 0 to 60 test. But for some stupid reason these important things needed in Kia’s advertising is hardly shown. Heck Kia just started showing off Optima’s true performance. If Kia wants to sell more expensive cars, advertise like BMW, Audi and Mercedes and Kia won’t have that problem. The K9, GT series and roadster needs that type of advertising instead of “Its $5000 less than a BMW.”
January 8th, 2012 at 6:20 pm
To me that theory “Kia has to get people used to buying a $45,000 Kia” is BS. Change your advertising. The K9 is targeted to people earning at least $55k a year. You think money is their problem?
January 8th, 2012 at 6:35 pm
Also Kia’s next Forte needs to be advertised right. Its time for this C segment car to be treated like a true sports car and not “I got it because its cheap and I really wanted a Mazda 3.” Also the next Sedona needs to step up its advertising. I’m tired of telling people what surprising features are in these models since Kia lacks it on television. Kia still ain’t showed UVO. A feature that is not on many luxury cars. Also people don’t even know the Rio has available heated steering wheel rear view camera, heated seats or navigation. Why? Because it’s not on TV. Show people the Rio’s stop n’ go tech. If Kia did that the Rio would sell about 5000 more units a month.Kia also needs to display Sportage’s performance such as the Turbo, front and rear heated seats. Its so sad its Kias oldest model and still treated as an alternative to a Rave 4. That’s why it ain’t breached 5000 units yet. You know Mazda CX-5 is going to advertise performance. If Kia is sporty then it needs to be treated like it otherwise Kia should just Keep K7, K9 in Seoul.
January 9th, 2012 at 12:55 am
Kia’s reputation just 2 years ago was subpar and it still is clawing its way up.
Kia is just now starting to get some respect with the Sorento, Sportage, Soul, Rio and Optima.
Launching the Cadenza back in 2009/10 would have been a bad move, just like when VW tried to make the quantum leap from the Passat/CC to the Phaeton.
You can talk all you want about advertising, but TV advertising is expensive and not the best way to spend advertising $$ on what are LOW volume models.
The top sellers in the Cadenza’s segment sell about 5k a month (the Cadenza might do somewhere around 2k) and the K9 will likely sell a little better than the Equus.
The Sedona and current Forte are not anywhere near the top of their respective segments so spending $$ on expensive TV advertising wouldn’t have brought a good return on the investment.
Look for Kia to spend significantly more on TV advertising with the new Forte and Sedona.
January 9th, 2012 at 4:15 am
Right TV advertising is expensive and so was the stupid computer animation Super Bowl for the Optima. How the heck is a commercial like that supposed to take away Camry buyers? And I bet even more expensive using computer images. And I was talking about the next Forte and Sedona. Now debuting the Borrego 4 years after the Mesa concept was a stupid move. If it arrived in 2006 it would have made it easier to sell a premium midsize SUV or CUV today for Kia. And if Kia advertised the 2006.5 commercial and not using a stupid mime (clown) it wouldn’t have took the new Optima 6 months to break the 10,000 unit mark. Because of Kia’s immature commercials in the past the 2011 Optima isn’t top ten best selling cars in the states. And if you think the Cadenza went on sale three years ago would sell as much as the 2012 Rio it’s something wrong there. The Rio should have broken the 5000 unit mark. But that’s right advertising is expensive. Sometimes you gotta spend money to make money.
January 9th, 2012 at 4:20 am
Now start saving the next advertising for the Cadenza, K9 roadster and GT I’m sure using muppets, puppets, mimes or hamsters in the commercial will take away BMW and Audi customers.
January 9th, 2012 at 4:26 am
And you wonder why two years ago Mazda had better respect than Kia. One word “Advertising.”
January 9th, 2012 at 11:20 pm
Don’t be insipid.
The hamsters (Soul) and kid puppets (Sorento) have made the 2 Kia models among the best sellers within their segments (with the Soul outselling the entire Scion lineup).
Kia won’t do the same for their higher-end/non-kid carrying models, just like as they have done with the Optima (which btw, has taken its share of luxury buyers).
As for the US sales of the Optima, it has been hampered by low availability.
Until US production started late in 2011, Optima production was limited to Ulsan and the US allotment was limited to around 7,500 (the rest going to Korea and Canada with Australia being limited to 1k for the ENTIRE year).
It was also the reason why the European launch was delayed twice.
Now with US production, supply of the Optima has slowly risen which is why we have seen a correlating rise in US sales – from around 7,500 to over 10k.
As supplies increase, I expect Optima sales to settle in at around the 12-13k mark.
Also, the high-priced SX trim has been in so much demand that Kia has had to reconfigure production so that more SX models are produced.
So before going off on Kia advertising about the Optima, it would help to know the FACTS.
As for Mazda, look where their advertising has left them – sales far behind Kia and much slower growth; not to mention the Mazda6 being such a sales failure that Mazda has abandoned US production of the 6.
January 9th, 2012 at 11:28 pm
Hey bd since you on here and all. Tell me, is that sketch Himi put up the real Forte or what? And if that is the Forte what the heck is that red sedan from the 17th of August?
January 10th, 2012 at 2:31 am
Just what I expected. BD failed for my bait. Did you notice BD replied about what I thought about Kia’s past advertising and yet like Himi, BD didn’t respond to the Forte sketch? Why? Because BD works for Kia. He knows something. I can tell. There has got to be a reason why no Kia has been unveiled at this auto show. Himi annd BD knows somthimg I tell you. Something big, mean, scary, surprising, something I won’t even know until that Kia has unveiled that Kia but I will find out or my name ain’t…….. I just love a brand with so many secrets. That’s a good thing. Saving the best for last. P.s. BD I just said all those things to try and get you to keep replyimg so that I could see you not respond to my last comment. It worked.
January 10th, 2012 at 3:23 am
Sorry, jtz for the late reply, but I don’t live on this site like you do.
As for the Forte sedan sketch that you speak of, it’s a rendering and not an accurate one at that.
We already know that the greenhouse of the new Forte is a bit diff. and not Elantra-esque as in the sketch.
And no, I do not work for Kia.
January 10th, 2012 at 4:02 pm
You right bd it does seem like I’m on here everyday doesn’t it? Anyway of topic. I just saw the all new Acura RDX. Nothing special. The Pillars are puchsed back to the rear at a slant like the Pacifica, MDX, 2nd generation RX, 2011 Sorento and 1st geneation Infinti FX and Suzuki XL7′s. But since it’s not Korean only the 2011 Sorento’s pillars were a copy. I’m glad the Sportage and Sorento have their own design details unlike the new RDX looking too much like the MDX. That’s hard to do. Also I just saw the new Fusion. So it’s ok for the Ford to copy the face of Aston Martin but not the Kia GT huh? Also I just saw the new LINOLN MKS. All the greenhouse is is a Maybach or 2005 Avalon’s. That’s easy to do. Is it just me or is Hyundai and Kia looking more orginal. After all look at the Naimo, Ray, Soul, Elantra, Rio, Veloster and last but not least the new Optima.
Oh yeah how could I forget the new Pathfinder designs is nothing but a blowned up Subaru. But since it’s not Korean it’s orginal. And to think Nissan SUVs were allways orginal. Fromt he Xterrer, Murando and the older Pathfinder. Including the FX, and Q. But now……… Ok ok so the Juke and Cube are orginal but damn their ugly. I’m glad the Soul and Naimo can be orignal and stylish at the same time. So bring it on Nissan!!! I love auto shows from Acuras to Volovoos.
January 11th, 2012 at 5:29 am
Hey BD will the K9 turn heads and look better than the Equus or will it not get noticed. The greenhouse looks like a bore. I can list 8 to 10 cars with greenhouses like that. 3 series, 2012 GS, Legacy, Genesis, Accord, Lucerne, Infiniti G sedan, and K9. So with these 8 cars how on earth can the K9 really turn heads and stand out?
January 12th, 2012 at 9:17 pm
Methinks you need to recheck your eyes b/c the greenhouse/C-pillar of the K9 doesn’t look much like that on the 3 Series/Genesis – not quite the Hofmeister “kink.”
When it debuts, it should be the best looking car in its segments (altho, it is supposed to be a “tweener” between the Genesis and Equus); it’s not like the E/S Class, 5/7 Series, GS/LS, etc. are exactly great designs.
The front and rear of the K9 should be particularly good; where the K9 fails a bit in design is in the dash – way too conservative and “old style” for something that is going to look the way it does on the outside.
January 13th, 2012 at 7:10 am
Yeah well I still think this car exterior is a bore. Besides those C pillars are off the Buick Lucern’s. If you ask me I hope Kia never brings K9 or Cadenza over here. Just bring the groundbreaking GT instead. Luxury cars ain’t Kia’s Forte. And you think kia can sell more K9s than Genesis? I doubt it. It just looks so plain. I cant see buying a high priced car that cant turn heads. And I agree….. K9′s interior sucks. I give it two and a half stars for the dash. That dash won’t help the K9′s resale value.
January 13th, 2012 at 7:28 am
Hey bd if you don’t work for Kia, how you know that the boring looking k9 is gonna be the best looker in class? I say you are wrong. I think it’s going to be boring. Kia should have put the Optima’s C pillar on there not this boring pillar. They also should have made it a sports car. I don’t care for this car anymore. Like the Volt it’s just a hyped up car with no groundbreaking interior or sportiness. Bring the GT!!! Sometimes I don’t understand Hyundai and Kia. Hyundai having a rwd sports coupe a three door Veloster and Kia has just one outdated koup that is less sporty than the Veloster. Hyundai was always the selfish brand. You know Hyundai is bringing out it’s version of the rondo and they plan on bringing a XB and Cube rival. It seems that whenever Kia has a car that is top seller in the segment, Hyundai wants to butt in. Hyundai is probably jealous that Kias look better. And what does Hyundai need an Elantra coupe for? That’s why Hyundai gave the Forte the old Elantra platform to make it better for the Elantra. Too much conflict between the two. And a Sonata coupe is arriving right so why can’t the Optima get a coupe? And let me guess Hyundai wanted the new Genesis coupe to get all the attention at NAIAS that’s why the GT coupe version wasn’t unveiled. Hyundai is so selfish. They didn’t even let Kia release the Naimo in Detroit which is more popular than the electronic show.
January 13th, 2012 at 4:16 pm
I saw nothing really “groundbreaking” in the GT. Personally, I thought it looked over-done. Nothing really special.
January 13th, 2012 at 4:21 pm
It looks better than the K9. If I get one I want it in black or dark blue to really make the chrome on the side really stand out.
January 15th, 2012 at 2:52 pm
BD: I agree with you and think in general that all Kias have a similar “issue”. They look gorgeous on the outside, but not so attractive inside. Kia has still lots of room to improve interiors, hopefully they realize that and do it quickly.
January 15th, 2012 at 4:41 pm
Yeah interiors is not Scheryer’s Forte. I really think K7 had the best interior. I loved that blue strip In the ceiling. I was disappointed it wasn’t in the Optima’s cabin. But Kia just don’t make good interiors. GT, K9 and Sportage I think have the worst interiors. The Rio has the best but that hole in the dash needs to go. It’s for a cell phone? What if you are going 35mph and have to make a sudden stop because of what ever conditions are in the way should you really have to search between the seats or the floor to find your Smart phone?
January 15th, 2012 at 5:09 pm
Schreyer doesn’t do interiors. Some guy that came from Cadillac pens the interiors. I really like the simplicity of the Sportage interior. Also, a sudden stop from any speed wouldn’t make the phone go flying…unless you suddenly stopped in reverse. Think about inertia.