Kia Names New Luxury Sedan K-7 in Korea, Cadenza in Other Markets

Kia Motors Corp. will market its new, top-of-the-line luxury sedan as the K-7 in Korea and Cadenza in all other markets, including the U.S., a spokesman tells Ward’s.

The K-7, formerly known by the internal codename VG, goes on sale in South Korea in December.

The Cadenza export version will make its debut on a rolling basis at auto shows in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Dubai during November and December. It will go on sale in Middle Eastern markets in early 2010 and arrive in the U.S. sometime in 2011, the spokesman says.

“The U.S. is our second market in terms of potential volume outside of Korea,” he says, declining to comment on sales targets. There are no plans to introduce the Cadenza in the European Union.

Kia plans to release further technical details on the vehicle soon. When the KND-5 concept version was shown at the 2009 Seoul Motor Show in April, it was equipped with a 3.5L Lambda V-6 engine.

The production model essentially stays true to the show car but without the panoramic sunroof.

Both the K-7 and Cadenza will be available with a heated steering wheel for cold-weather driving comfort, power adjustable seat cushions for thigh support, ventilated front seats and automatic windshield defogging.

Kia targeting U.S. as Cadenza’s second-largest market outside of Korea.

The new entry will be produced at Kia’s Hwasong plant, southwest of Seoul.