From Edmunds.com

Paris Preview: Kia Amanti Updated for U.S. Debut Next Year

Date posted: 08-05-2006

SEOUL, S. Korea — The 2007 version of the Kia Opirus (Amanti) is upgraded and refreshed in appearance to the point where Jean-Charles Lievens, senior vice president of Kia Motors Europe, calls it "virtually an all-new model." It will make its debut in Europe at the Paris Motor Show next month.

The exterior boasts a new grille, an extended rear overhang with new taillamps and slightly revised headlamp clusters. The reworked rear reduces the 1980s feeling a bit, while bigger 17-inch tires enhance the presence of the car.

Inside there's a new dashboard, including dial cluster, center stack and floor console. The seats are more versatile thanks to heating and cooling controls.

The previous 3.5-liter engine has been replaced with a new 3.8-liter all-aluminum 266-horsepower engine with a potential top speed of 143 mph.

Following its European debut at the Paris Motor Show, the new Opirus will arrive in North America as the Amanti early next year.

What this means to you: A visual and power upgrade to the Amanti is something U.S. buyers will appreciate.

Ready for this "virtually all-new model?" Old over new...

Looks like I can keep on laughing for another model cycle.

:rotflmao:

It's a 5/8ths Town Car with 8/8ths the weight.

WWWWWHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAA!

A top speed of 143 mph!!! DUDE!

The front resembles the E-Class even more now.

Wha...

Huh...

Duh...

Muh...

Buh, but it's the same almost... don't they want it to have a shot?

If I were Ford, I'd sue.

Wait, why did they take those horrendous taillamps off the old XG350's, and put it on this? I mean, the first set on the Amanti were hideous, but these are just sad.

I guess this is just until Hyundai gets its RWD flagship and gives Kia the Azera as the new Amanti. (I made that up, does it sound like it could happen?)

Why change a good thing?

Actually, when I saw the pics of the new car on TCC originally, I thought they had accidentally posted pics of the old model. The new car does look slightly more refined. It has a shorter grille, a cleaner C-pillar, and a more fashionable semi-Bangled rear. The styling is clearly not geared towards American tastes, and I'm surprised that anybody would want to be seen in this thing.

Well I hope you're happy, Fly. There is a "nose mark" on my monitor because I had to get in really close to see all the sweeping changes made to this grand automobile.

I think SixtyEight will be happy Kia chose the Town Car for design inspiration. I think it looks better but just about anything would. Good to hear that dreadful interior design is gone, too. The biggest upgrade has to be the engine. It's finally competitive powertrain-wise now.

The "original" Amanti looked like a cheap, ugly knockoff of an S-Type, right down to the interior. This looks slightly less so, but this "virtually-new" car is as ugly as ever.

I think SixtyEight will be happy Kia chose the Town Car for design inspiration.  I think it looks better but just about anything would.  Good to hear that dreadful interior design is gone, too.  The biggest upgrade has to be the engine.  It's finally competitive powertrain-wise now.

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keep in mind that this thing weighs more than a base DTS.... so it's it's powertrain really that competitive?

keep in mind that this thing weighs more than a base DTS.... so it's it's powertrain really that competitive?

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Considering what it had before, yes.

Wouldn't extending the rear overhang give it more of a 1980s feel?

This is really clever. I'm sure you can use the lights from an old E-class as spare. Why didn't any other car maker outside of China think of this?

What about the interior? The article said most of the changes were inside...

keep in mind that this thing weighs more than a base DTS.... so it's it's powertrain really that competitive?

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It's lighter than before, and does 0-62 mph in 7.5 seconds, down from 9.2, according to Kia.

It's lighter than before, and does 0-62 mph in 7.5 seconds, down from 9.2, according to Kia.

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Also according to Kia, the current Amanti has "exhilarating performance" and "contemporary styling."