Kia unveils Cadenza full-size sedan, but no specifications yet

October 18, 6:40 AMDC Car ExaminerBrady Holt

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The 2011 Kia Cadenza, named after an Italian term for a musical flourish, will replace the slow-selling Amanti. See more photos of the Cadenza, earlier renderings and concept versions of the car, and a photo of its predecessor in today's slideshow. (photos by Kia)

Kia today released the first four photos and the first introductory information about the 2011-model full-size sedan that will replace the aging Amanti as the Korean brand's flagship car. 

But while the car was demonstrably faithful to a concept car unveiled over the summer (see photo comparison in today's slideshow) and while its name -- Cadenza -- has now been publicized, a discussion of this new car's specifications was notably absent from the pre-release material. 

Debate has been swirling around the internet about whether this product would remain a moderately priced front-wheel-drive car -- simply a more modern and freshly styled version of the Amanti -- or move to the pricier rear-wheel-drive platform used by Kia's Hyundai parent on the Genesis luxury sedan, which starts north of $30,000 and moves past $40,000. 

Kia also did not release photos of the interior, but promises a "futuristic 'floating' dashboard" and a strip of "mood lights" on the dash and door panels that sounds similar to that on the new 2010 Buick LaCrosse (photo).

Kia has shown photos of the interior of its KDN-5 concept car (see slideshow) but they do not appear to show a design that will make it into a production car.  

New features promised for the car include a heated steering wheel, LED headlights (visible in photos), extendable seat cushions, ventilated seats, and an automatic-defogging windshield.

In its press release, Kia says:

Kia Cadenza’s dynamic design and driving performance, allied with a raft of competitive passenger-friendly high-tech features, will make it a leader in the large, luxury sedan market segment. 

That will depend on the car's engines, platform, and price. But the fresh looks alone should be enough to improve over the Amanti's slow sales. 

The car will start making its auto show rounds later this fall, and is expected to appear in the U.S. within a year. See more photos of the Cadenza in today's slideshow.

For more information: Kia press release