Next-generation Kia Amanti sedan is in the works, folks.
It is expected to be built on the new RWD platform and hit the market in 2011.
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According to latest news, the South Korean second largest carmaker is going to switch the platform of its next generation Amanti flagship sedan from front-wheel-drive to rear wheel drive!
The replacement for the current KiaAmanti is not expected to reach the US shores before 2010, though.
We expect the new Amanti to be slightly smaller in size compared to Hyundai Equus sedan and will also miss the V8 power.
Instead, Kia is likely going to use an updated 3.8L Lambda V6 engine. Some sources also state Kia may use a 2.0L turbo engine in the future Amanti luxury sedan.
This is, in my humble opinion, very unlikely.
The 2.0L four-cylinder engines are not appropriate for large sized cars.
Not only do they lack the power and torque, but also the refinement of V6 and V8 engines. Have you ever seen a BMW 7-series with the 2.0L four banger?
It is possible, however that we are going to see some engine downsizing.
As you know automakers have been replacing large V8 engines with smaller V6 turbo engines or even smaller engines with bi-turbo technology.
Kia Amanti redesign release date
The fully redesigned Kia Amanti is expected to hit the market in 2011 and will for sure be one of the Kia vehicle line-up highlights.
As every latest Kia model, the new luxury sedan will sport a very dynamic and sophisticated exterior look, while its new rear-wheel-drive platform should provide sporty and agile handling characteristics.
Before we see the next generation Amanti at the dealers, Kia has plans to bring a plethora of new models to the US soil.
There is an Optima midsize sedan in the works, scheduled to go on sale in summer of 2016.
The all-new Optima sedan will share its platform with next Hyundai Sonata and will also be available with a hybrid powertrain from late 2016.
There’s also a VG sedan scheduled to make its official South Korean premiere sometime by the end of the year and we should not forget to mention the all-new Sorento crossover.
New Sorento SUV is coming to the US market early next year and will be the first Kia model to be built at its first US manufacturing plant. The US manufacturing plant is expected to begin operating by the end of November.
During the summer (of this year), Kia will introduce the exciting Forte Koup, a two door variant of the Forte compact sedan which has gone on sale in the US market last month.
