Carscoop Reader Spots New Kia Cadenza Filling up in California

It's been a little over a year since Kia lifted the wraps off its stylish replacement for the Amanti, called the K7 in South Korea and Cadenza in other countries, but we're still waiting for the firm's flagship sedan to show up in the USA. However if these (fuzzy) photos are anything to go by, Kia may be getting ready to launch the Cadenza onto the U.S. market.

The silver-colored mid-size sedan was scooped by Carscoop reader Nick K., who you might remember from the first ever Prius MPV spy shots we posted last September, while filling up at a gas station in California.

"The other day I was sitting at a restaurant in Corona Del Mar, California and spotted a Kia Cadenza (K7). Here are the VERY zoomed in pictures I took with my phone," Nick told Carscoop.

The Cadenza, which sits above the Optima in Kia's range, is available in its home country with a choice of three gasoline engines ranging in output from 165HP for the four-cylinder model to 295HP for the 3.5 liter V6. All variants feature front-wheel drive and a new six-speed automatic transmission.

Kudos to Nick K. for the Kia spotting!

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SCOOP: 2012 Kia Rio Spotted out on the Road

Like sister company Hyundai, Kia is in the midst of a new-product blitz that started a little over a year ago. Since the second half of 2009, the South Korean automaker has refreshed its lineup with a slew of new models such as the Forte Koup, Cadenza sedan, Venga mini MPV, Sorento, Sportage and Optima sedan.

Now, following the announcement on the completely redesigned Picanto city car that will break cover at the Geneva Show, our spy photographers snapped the next new model to be added to Kia's range, the 2012 Rio subcompact, while testing in Germany.

The prototype seen in these scoop photos is the five-door hatchback model, but the range will also include a four-door sedan. Although disguised, it's not hard to see that the new Rio 5d will be a more stylish proposal than the current model. From what's visible, the roofline looks more sloped while the front-end appears to feature a similar styling to the European market Picanto and Venga.

Underneath the skin, the new Rio will most likely share its platform with the latest Hyundai Accent, while powertrain options will depend on the market. In Europe, buyers should expect a similar engine lineup to the Kia Venga and Hyundai ix20, including a choice of 1.4-liter and 1.6-liter diesel and gasoline units.

Look out for an auto show debut later in the year, with sales kicking off in most markets before the end of 2011.

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2011 Kia Pro_cee'd Facelift Leaked Ahead of Geneva Salon Debut

Photos of the mildly refreshed Kia Pro_cee'd are making the internet rounds before the car's scheduled world premiere at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show in early March. The most obvious visual changes concern the restyled front end that brings the three-door version of the European market Cee'd more in line with Kia's latest offerings.

Along with the new H-shaped front grille finished in black, the 2011 Pro_cee'd also gains restyled headlamps and a reworked bumper. It is also possible that Kia may have upgraded the three-door model's interior as well as its engine line-up, but we won't know for sure until we get the official press release in our hands. Until then, follow the break to check out the rest of the pictures.

Via: Kia-world

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