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2004 Kia Amanti Preview

2004 Kia Amanti - A Bold Move Upmarket

Stylish round quad headlamps, a bold chrome eggcrate grille, sumptuous leather seats, resplendent woodgrain trim, decadent creature comforts, what car company comes to mind? Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Jaguar? No, Kia of course.

In an aggressive move upmarket Koreas perky little car company is following directly in the tire treads of its larger parent Hyundai. But the tires arent the only borrowed components. Kias 2004 Amanti, dubbed Opirus in other markets, rides on Hyundai XG350 architecture, which is no bad thing. Hyundai has refined its flagship sedan into what many consider a direct threat to Japanese entry luxury models such as the Toyota Avalon and Mitsubishi Diamante. Will Kias new top-tier 4-door do likewise?

Theres no reason why not. Its an imposing design up close and personal,

The Kia Opirus, shown here, offers European customers a slightly modified grille and some different features. (Photo: Kia)

as experienced first hand at the New York Auto Show last month. While not unfriendly, the Amanti will trick many an unwitting onlooker into the belief youve arrived financially. Its sheer dimensions, on the larger side of midsize, traditionally upright stance and aforementioned luxury appointments will cause many to raise a passing eye.

Similarly to the XG350 Kia has chosen not to compliment the new models grille with its red oval badge, preferring to leave its admirers guessing. This has its advantages and disadvantages

Kia Amanti being shown to the media at the New York Auto Show (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

mind you. For those in the know they can show off their presumed wealth with none the wiser, but it makes getting the word out to the non-initiated an uphill battle.

When driving the Hyundai around town shortly after its introduction I was often asked what it was. Some thought it a Lexus while others were sure it was a new Lincoln. Im sure there are many who still havent figured it out. The Kia also pulls styling cues from a variety of premium products, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Europes Lancia Thesis being the most obvious. But all said it combines them into a unique design, focusing in on its distinctive grille.

Behind

The gorgeous Lancia Thesis, only available in Europe, has similar design characteristics to Kias Amanti. (Photo: Fiat)

that chromed edifice is the same dual overhead cam, 24-valve 195-hp 3.5-L V6 that delivers such solid performance in the XG350, as well as the new Kia Sorento SUV and Sedona minivan. The brands 5-speed automatic transmission is an appropriately upmarket mate to the engine, shifting either in full automatic or manually actuated sequential modes. The engines 217 lb-ft of torque should be ample to pull the front-wheel drive sedan to highway speeds in reasonable time - the 3,651 pound XG takes less than 9.0 seconds to 60 mph.

And what about handling? If its anything like the Hyundai, Kias Amanti should prove worthy of its alloy rims and 225/60R16 tires. While it will no doubt be biased toward luxury rather than all out performance,

With woodgrain trim covering the dash, the Amanti looks more Rolls-Royce than Rio. (Photo: Kia)

the new sedans independent, double-wishbone front suspension should balance out well with its independent multi-link rear geometry. Coil springs and a stabilizer bar can be found at each end, while gas shocks smooth out the ride.

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