Kia VG Flagship (now updated with new pics)
03-30-09 | 09:27 PM
#16
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: il
it's because Kia's new head designer is the guy who designed Audi for 20 years. he is turning things around. all it takes is a good design and quality.
03-30-09 | 09:58 PM
#17
Lead Lap
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: NYC
I don't know if that is a fair statement to make. Hyundai-Kia has been on the rise as of only a half-decade or so ago, but Toyota/Honda have had maintained reputation for reliability for far longer than that. A more accurate trial would be to compare late-model representative cars from Hyundai-Kia, Toyota-Lexus, and Honda-Acura and take those 10 years subject to as similar conditions as possible.
03-30-09 | 10:41 PM
#18
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 22,608
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From: Waiting for next track day
I think its good for us as consumers that the korean comoanies have Lexus in the cross ahirs. It will keep Lexus on its toes and will only benefit the consumer. Lexus will nee to give us more for our money. The prestige isnt worth 20K
03-30-09 | 11:51 PM
#19
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Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: californication
it's more about design than quality.
you could take the best looking crappiest german car, and it would still sell millions.
they always say, the design is what sells the car.
with that in mind, i don't know why these car companies aren't doing more radical crap with the sheet metal.....
i didn't know the audi guy was at kia. so that's why the rear end of this kia looks so much like an audi in the spy pics. even the LED pattern is similar
Last edited by dunnojack; 03-30-09 at 11:55 PM.
03-31-09 | 07:53 AM
#20
mercedes made 'tank-like' cars before the mid 90s, then they built the ML junk in Alabama and seemingly all their models went down hill FAST. NOW their quality is apparently MUCH better, but if you buy a 10 year old mercedes now... good luck with that!
on reliability, at best one can only use data around the age of the vehicle being considered AND if it's the same model.
and i would never buy any vehicle model in its first year of production.
03-31-09 | 08:16 AM
#21
Pole Position
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 272
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From: NY
Back on topic, though, Kia's design, even if it has copycat elements, is still very noteworthy. I think it's safe to say we all used to equate Hyundai-Kia design to a lot of plastic paneling and vinyl interior. If it can maintain its rising build quality with its new direction in design, then this is a vehicle that should outsell a lot of today's incumbents.
I actually want to try out a Kia Soul. Seems like a great commuter car.
04-02-09 | 10:09 AM
#22
Loves Snickerdoodles!
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: San Diego, California
The Kia VG Concept has been unveiled at the Seoul Auto Show and it looks... good. Nice for a concept? No, it's a veiled version of a V6-powered FWD flagship replacement for the Amanti.
The Kia VG will be going on sale later this year in Korea with international distribution following thereafter, including the US. The possibility of production is revealed in its believable powertrain. The VG starts off with a 194.6 inch overall length over a front-wheel-drive platform motivated by a 3.5-liter V6 good for 277 HP, which is backed up by a manumatic six speed transmission. The car wears the now-familiar Kia grille flanked by some slightly surprised-looking headlights and and surprisingly sleek bodywork. Inside, there's a mix of concept car doo-dads and actual hardware. We're expecting the general layout to be the same in the production version, but the high tech center console and gauge cluster are not likely. Kia needs to start being more careful or they'll become a respectable car maker.
The Kia VG will be going on sale later this year in Korea with international distribution following thereafter, including the US. The possibility of production is revealed in its believable powertrain. The VG starts off with a 194.6 inch overall length over a front-wheel-drive platform motivated by a 3.5-liter V6 good for 277 HP, which is backed up by a manumatic six speed transmission. The car wears the now-familiar Kia grille flanked by some slightly surprised-looking headlights and and surprisingly sleek bodywork. Inside, there's a mix of concept car doo-dads and actual hardware. We're expecting the general layout to be the same in the production version, but the high tech center console and gauge cluster are not likely. Kia needs to start being more careful or they'll become a respectable car maker.
http://jalopnik.com/5195399/kia-vg-c...flagship-sedan
04-02-09 | 10:57 AM
#24
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Lexus Fanatic
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From: californication
and some mixed TT+A# headlights:
sheet metal doesn't cost anything.
They should build the production exactly like this concept.
a slap in audi's face
Last edited by dunnojack; 04-02-09 at 11:02 AM.
04-02-09 | 07:07 PM
#25
Driver
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From: NY
04-02-09 | 08:23 PM
#30
Loves Snickerdoodles!
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: San Diego, California