| Kia Opirus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Kia Motors |
| Also called | Kia Amanti |
| Production | 2003–2011 |
| Model years | 2003–2012 |
| Assembly |
|
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Executive car/Full-size car (E) |
| Body style | 4-door sedan |
| Layout | Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive |
| Related | |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Transmission |
|
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,800 mm (110.2 in) |
| Length |
|
| Width | 1,850 mm (72.8 in) |
| Height | 1,485 mm (58.5 in) |
| Curb weight | 1,665–1,864 kg (3,671–4,109 lb) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Kia Enterprise |
| Successor | Kia K7/Cadenza |
The Kia Opirus is an executive car/full-size sedan, manufactured by Kia Motors and marketed over a single generation for model years 2003–2012 globally and 2004-2009 in North America. Having debuted internationally at the 2003 Geneva Motor Show,[2] the four-door, five-passenger, front-engine, front-drive sedan was launched to the North American market at the New York International Auto Show and in San Diego,[3] bearing the Amanti nameplate — and prioritizing luxury content and comfort over dynamic performance and agility.
Intended to give Kia upward access to global premium markets, the Opirus represented a departure for the brand in both styling and market positioning. Developed over 22 months at a cost US$167 million (€143 million), 18% of the overall development cost went to R&D investment and 41% to development of production technologies.[4]
As Kia's first premium vehicle, the Opirus replaced the Mazda 929-derived Enterprise in the South Korean domestic market.[4] The Opirus was also the first Kia vehicle sharing a platform with sister company Hyundai,[4] using a variation of the third generation Hyundai Grandeur/XG Y4 platform. For the Opirus, the platform was lengthened 1.9 inches, overall length increased 4.1 inches and height increased 2.6 inches.[3] As Kia's largest sedan, the Opirus was marketed in a single trim level, sharing components with the Grandeur/XG, and a range of engines including its 3.5 L V6 engine (North America). All models were manufactured in Kia's Hwaseong Plant near Incheon.[3]
A 2007 facelift, introduced at the 2006 Paris Auto Show, included upgraded specifications, a curb weight reduction of 250 pounds,[5] revised suspension and a 3.8 L V6 engine (North America) with a 32-percent increase in power over its predecessor.[6] Styling revisions included a shorter and wider grill, revised hood, headlamps, front and rear bumper fascias, alloy wheels, trunk deck lid, tail lamps, dual exhaust outlets and rear quarter panels.[6] The interior featured a revised instrument panel design.
The name Opirus referred to the ancient city of Ophir, noted for its wealth[2][7] — and was selected via an online survey from the choices of Opirus, Regent and Conzern.[7] In 2004, the New York Times described the name Amanti as an untranslatable latinate construction, intended to connote luxury.[8]
- ^ "Avtotor". Avtotor.ru. Archived from the original on 2009-04-04. Retrieved 2010-10-30.
- ^ a b "Kia Opirus". Autotalz.
- ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference
seatswas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference
acronymswas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "2008 Kia Amanti Review". Newcartestdrive.com. July 8, 2008.
- ^ a b "2007 Kia Amanti". conceptcarz.com.
- ^ a b "New Kia luxury model will be called Opirus". Just-Auto.com.
- ^ Jeff Sabatini (April 18, 2004). "BEHIND THE WHEEL/2004 Kia Amanti; Translating 'LeSabre' Into Korean". New York Times.