2010 Kia “VG” luxury concept leaked
March 30, 2009 by George Skentzos
Following recent spy shots, an official rendering of Kia’s upcoming luxury “VG” sedan concept has been leaked onto the web ahead of its scheduled unveiling at the upcoming Seoul International Motor Show.
The production “VG” sedan will premiere alongside the all-new Sorento SUV as well as Kia’s first production Forte LPI hybrid model from next week.
Based on the Hyundai Grandeur, the front-driven “VG” will be powered by a 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine in the Korean market, while overseas buyers will be treated to a 3.5-litre Lambda V6 engine.
The “VG” won’t be Kia’s only venture into the premium market with a more luxurious model code-named “CH” also in development as replacement for the current Amanti.
Source: TheCarBlogger
Print it: 
Very Euro…………..Nice one !
Koreanised 7 series?
SuperCujo, NO.
A little Cujo,but also a Mondeo on Steriods. Is that a Carbon Fibre Roof……………. ???????
Hmmm, looks good. I still wouldn’t buy one because I’m a badge snob but it’s nice to see that even affordable cars can look this good. I was just showing three friends the picture and asked what they thought it was, two said Mercedes and one thought Lexus and I personally think it looks better proportioned than almost any Japanese competition. Lets wait and see but I think this could be another winner from Korea.
I think that if Kia launched a luxury brand like Lexus, it could be a winner.
Pretty Good – but for Europe if it gets here it will need to substantially cheaper than the large premium brands and even Mondies and Insignias. And will def need a diesel otherwise don’t bother Hyundai
No Bavarian..
Thats a panorama-style roof. Glass/resin reinforced. Just like the Renault vehicle (forgot the name lol).
Looks okay, but again. A luxury Kia, people who buy Kia are looking for bargain/cheaper alternates to others.
If its priced at 80K…. wouldnt you rather an entry base Beamer…? or a Lexus..
Im sure this car is stacked but again…. Kia luxury.. maybe in 5 years.
Salesman, where are you?
That looks good, better than Lexus IMO. Needs to be RWD though i think, if its going to be taken seriously in the luxury segment.
Wheres the Salesman to give us all the info?
I don’t think this will necessarily compete with BMW/Lexus/Merc…this looks like an upmarket mid sizer. So something like a Liberty 3.0R-B or top shels Euro etc. My guess is that this will sit above the Sonata, but below a Merc C-Class.
Looks good anyway, especially with the sun roof. Oh, how about a Passat rival, perfect!
Most Australians just can not see beyond our shores when it comes to cars. Every one here knows i have worked for Kia for more than 10 years so my knowledge of the company is very firm. On a recent trip to Korea i was apart of a global seminar on the future of Kia. Let me tell you they are very aggressive. And extremely focused on global growth. Just two years ago they were ninth highest car manufacturer in the world. Now they are fifth. If Toyota is the new GM. Hyundai and Kia are with out doubt the new Toyota. Even in the current climate they are still posting growth year on year. Who else can say that? Now I am not bias, there are many products I have respect for. But I wouldn’t want to be working anywhere else except maybe Hyundai.
Lol what Salesman? Toyota is the new GM…? The GM thats about to shut down its doors? You are not biased, you sure?
But I agree with you on the force that is Kia/Hyundai, they are making some great products atm…Hyundai especially. Do you have any concrete info on this thing though? Will it come to Australia even, seeing as the Hyundai Genesis is North America only. My guess is the transmission will be a 6 speed.
Here is hoping for a AWD version or RWD.
Now that you’ve given us your little spiel on Hyundai/Kia (you ARE a salesman :)) can you give us some info on this car please, salesman?
I was trying to cover the fact that i know nothing about this cars final specifications, price or possible Australian debut.
But i did find out this from Kia World.com
The official information on Kia’s latest concept car are slim, but we have learned that this beautiful near-luxury sedan rides on 20-inch tires and that it’s headlamps and tail-lamps are featuring latest LED technology. In addition, LED technology has also been applied to the outside door mirrors, while the sporty slopping roof benefits from this huge panoramic glass roof.
The Kia KND-5 concept is roughly the same size as the current Kia Amanti, measuring 4945mm long, 1850mm wide and 1475mm high. The concept car is built on a newly developed front-wheel-drive platform with a wheelbase of 2845mm.
Perhaps the most interesting information about this near-production concept vehicle is the engine unit displaced under it’s hood. According to Kia’s official Korean press release, the KND-5 concept features a 3.5L V6 Lambda engine!
Designed under the guidance of Peter Schreyer, the KND-5 concept previews Kia’s upcoming near-luxury sedan, code-named VG, which spy pics have been seen quite oftenly on the web lately. The 2010 Kia VG will share it’s FWD platform with the next gen Hyundai Azera (codenamed HG) and is scheduled to make it’s official Korean debut in September this year.
Tim
Toyota over took GM a few years ago to take the global number on spot. My statement just means that Hyundai – Kia are following a similar pattern to Toyota in climbing the global ladder.
1. Toyota
2. GM
3. VW
4. Ford
5. Hyundai – Kia
6. Renault – Nissan
7. Honda
8. Peugeot – Citroen
9. Chrysler
10.Fiat
Thanks for that Salesman. Think this this thing needs to be RWD for that size. Its a shame its not cause its a good looking car, based on that pic anyway.
It isn’t a ‘Luxury’ vehicle, it is a ‘near-luxury’ model. It’s what I have read other places, and considering Hyundai’s luxury ventures, I doubt that they would do the same for KIA, it would be conflicting.
Don’t think of this as a BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, etc. rival.
I think this would be more of a Passat rival. To an extent.
Hello Martian,
Don’t forget the Gneisses was given the best in class prize over the Lexus. I don’t know if that is good or bad though. Dose anyone aspire to own a Lexus?
If this is sold in Australia it should be sold and priced as a premium large car like the Nissan Maxima, Mazda 6 and Accord Euro.
Hello Salesman,
I believe this list is production number per year.
If Hyundai/Kia produce cheap cars as usual, they will be No. 1 spot soon or later. But if they try to sale luxury segment cars world wide… And I doubt their success.
So their position will be drop soon.
Meanwhile, Yes, Genesis got few COTY at oversea. But they are all politics. Do you remember Mitsu 380 got Australian COTY several years ago?
Hyundai needed COTY in North America desperately.
In fact in actual driving review, Genesis Sedan/coupe are not good as rival.
And Salesman, most important thing is Hyndai/Kia has production plan of right hand drive these Genesis and VG?
Do you have any info?
If not whatever you said, people think Hyndai/Kia is cheap car company in Australian market.
Looking a lot like an IS250 i reckon
Just reading in Wheels this is a Mazda6 rival, so i guess it doesnt need RWD.
Not sure that Kia could make it drive as good as the 6 though. But seeing the way Kia have been going lately it will more than likely be better than a Camry Grande, not that thats hard to do :)
It doesn’t look too bad. Another question is whether the concept will become a reality.
Salesman…
LED technology isnt new, actually its “cheaper” than the usualy globes. But implementing it is tricky that it needs to change a lot of design within a rear lamp. Regulation items and such. But its “easy” to implement with new vehicles just not with current cars who undergo facelifts.
Also, the statement about Kia/Hyundai posting growth year after year even at this crisis?… its only been over a year of crisis.. officially, and the decline was exponential and couldn’t have been forecasted hence the many many unsold cars around the world… so why not mention Toyota, Honda, Subaru, VW etc in terms of “posting” growth year after year, since those companies only posted red the last 12-18 months and the negative profits are majorily “forecasted”.
And Falcodore…. you like this car and say its better than Lexus on ONE photo? a side view…. wow.
And for everyone… Scion (Toyota’s cheap youngish car company) has panoramic roof on their Scion coupe… its not that special in the end. But most cars dont include them because they simply aren’t heavy enough factors for sales….
Wow, LED lights… Year 2000 has called Kia, they want their LEDs back :)
FWD? They should put more effort and make it RWD.
Would anyone actually aspire to own a Kia?? Maybe in 20 years time lol! At the moment, they’re just wannabes. Still churning out cheapest cars for the masses. I went past a Kia dealership yesterday for the heck of it, they’re all cheap econoboxes. Speaking to the salesman, he was trying to sell me their cars based on lowest price rather than on their merits. That wasn’t even their focus. It was basically:
Salesman “you won’t buy a cheaper car anywhere”.
Me “Yeah mate, but is it better than the competition?”
Salesman “Ummm… you’ll save heaps of money”
Seriously, with that attitude they will never sell a luxury car. Why do you think BMW, Audi, Lexus and Merc have been successful? Because people actually aspire to own them! You go to any of their dealership, the last thing the salesman will tell you is the price. They will keep talking about the product itself, and how good it is and so on. But nope, not at Kia. Price is the main selling point there. They need to change more than the attitude though, but also brand perception. With $13,990 drive away specials, no one will want to drive a luxury car which has a little $13,990 brother. Luxury cars are meant to give you a certain level of badge exclusivity. I can see a big KiaFail the way this is going lol!
Ha, Dan you crack me up. You seriously think, someone like yourself would really have a better business sense than a global company such as Hyundai-KIA. (regarding you last sentence). Get real. This won’t fail, it will do anything but.
Dan stop stirring again. Be Warned.
Oh and BTW folks: “Dan” IS “Good Read”
Martin, would you really pay $100K+ for a car with a Kia badge? Seriously, would you?
Global company or not, so far their main business objective was/is to be the cheapest there is, in the econobox market. As that’s how they make their many sales. Luxury market is a totally different ball game. Obvious isn’t it?
Outside these shores Kia is considered a luxury brand. China, India and Korea all would pay more to own a luxury Korean car. I would happily pay a premium to buy a car that has everything a German or Japanese car has for thousands less. So would most Australians it seems. Example, Lexus is just a Toyota. Mercedes is just a Chrysler. Renault is just a Nissan. And so on. I applaud any company that is willing to offer me better quality and more bang for my buck.
Of course you’d say that Salesman, you sell them!
And of course any Kia would be considered a ‘luxury’ car in India! Crikey, they drive scooters there, and enter lottery to win the right to buy a Tata Nano! I’m sorry Salesman, but I don’t buy that argument. What some consider ‘luxury’, others consider as basic. Standards vary across the globe. Let’s speak in terms of highly developed western countries shall we? Kia isn’t a luxury car mate :)
Dan,
So you really think that KIA are going to charge “$100k+” for a near-luxury bit larger than a mid-size sedan, that is this car?
Theres no word of pricing at all, yet. Where is the “$100k+” coming from exactly?
It was just a figure. Wasn’t there an article about Hyundai thinking of selling some car for 100K+ the other week?
Ok, yeah, but I think that Hyundai was going to be put above the Genesis though and only sold in Korea?
If this were sold in Australia, I don’t really expect it to go higher than AU$40,000
Yes Lukaas, based on that photo i think it looks better than Lexus. When i see other pics then i’ll make up my mind for sure.
And Scion, those things are butt ugly! Thank christ we cant get them here.
I wouldn’t either mate. It’s based on the Hyundai Grandeur after all… don’t see many of those on the street. Doubt will see much of the VG either.
I just noticed they copied the door’s from the IS250… Espcially the rear door part where it curves up towards the back, and the rear quarter window is the same shape. I guess they gotta be inspired from something decent…
The front headlights look like they came from the FG…
You know Dan people used to say the same thing 40 years ago when Toyota started importing to Australia. I remember an ad on TV that sunk a Toyota into the ground that was then driven over the top of by a Valliant. Any analyst will tell you if you want to know the future you should look to the past. Hyundai – Kia are following the same path carved out by Toyota. Will they succeed? If history has anything to tell us then the answer is yes.
looks OK to me, though my experience with a korean car was short lived and relatively tragic (for my wallet). From my vast knowledge of korea (I watch a lot of korean movies, which are really good, BTW) (said tongue in cheek, tongue in cheek for god’s sake!), the roads seem to be full of Korean cars, you see very few japanese or european cars (far less in proportion that you might see foreign cars in Oz), so I’d guess this thing will sell in high numbers.
Yeah, in Korea of course. Does the Grandeur (which this car is based on) sell in high numbers? I can’t even remember last one I saw one.
Wouldnt know – seemed to be more sonatas and whatever the 4wd hyundai things are, than anything. It might be that Hyundai have product placement in korean movies. But the street scenes themselves generally are absolutely full of korean cars, so much so that if you see a corolla, it sticks out. BTW, South Korea has the highest incidence of traffic related deaths and injuries in the developed world, I believe. I hope that isnt a reflection on the brakes in these things!
Beautiful clothes cannot hide the emptiness inside.
Never know Pious, they could have the same brake hose supplier as Ford :)
Hey Dan, I did the what car do you want at my nephews 10th b/day party last month, and guess what? I got the standard answers of HSV, Falcon GT /Typhoon, BMW, Porsche Ferrari Lambo. I even got a couple of GTR’s and a Rolls. Funny thing that you might like to know was that there was not one “ASPIRATIONAL” Lexus!! Funny when I ask around a few Bbq’s and offices etc, I never get one!
You state that no one will buy an entry level luxury car (or did you say $100,000 car) from a manufacturer that builds a $13,990 car, yet even the Americans aren’t silly enough to think that LExus Toyota and Scion are different companies. Mecedes Benz has no trouble selling poverty pack A class along side their Ubber Luxury S series. What about those people buying Yaris next to the person buying a Landcruiser Sahara at $110,000?? Doesn’t seem to have any adverse effect on them. IF this comes here and is marketed around the $40k area it will do it’s 10000/ month and I reckon that’d be all they are asking of it.
Frontman, it’s based on the Grendeur, so very much same car other than sunroof and LEDs lol! I can’t see 10000 Grandeurs sold a month, hence can’t see 10000 VG’s sold per month. Keep dreaming though…
Oh, and since when do 10 year olds buy cars hahaha. Or are educated in cars? I wanted a space shuttle and a tank when I was ten, and I still haven’t got one :(
My appologies, that was meant to read 1000. I agree that 10k is laughable but Kia will aim at 1000/mth and thye will get that number. This if you want to compare to the big T is Kia’s Cressida. Something to prove they can make a good car, before embarking on a toitally new direction.
Yeah when I think luxury I think Kia.
Puke!
Dan,
What is your problem?…If you do not like the Kia brand then why comment?….I have two luxury Euro cars and a Kia…and I find the Kia is a very sound product. At least give the product a go before you knock it! I feel this VG will do very well…Dan you are a snob…