Comments on: Kia Amanti to go rear-wheel drive?

By: Need more oil for GM

Need more oil for GM — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 13:52:56 +0000

laughable. Everyone knows if you want RWD, you go to GM or maybe Chrysler. THis will be an epic fail to try and convince Americans that the Asians can actually build a proper RWD that won’t break. For example, look at how flawless the Camaro has been and how sh1tty the Genesis has been. Or the POC Infinitis that don’t last 40k before major drivline problems rendering the car to the junkyard. There is a reason why Honda and Toyota don’t bother with RWD, because they don’t have the engineeering talents to build a competitive RWD’er. Only America can do that and do it well.

Laughable.

Buy American. Buy GM. It is our patriotic duty

By: F50

F50 — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 12:10:07 +0000

Chrysler made the LX but they used Mercedes Parts for that, they could have built it without Benz if they never merged, remember the ’99 Charger which used a RWD version of the LH? and the LX is a decent platform and was developed in USA.

By: Blakkarr

Blakkarr — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 03:45:25 +0000

You paying attention DETROIT?

If you don’t build it someone else will. We all know you can and we all want you to do so.

By: jayjc08

jayjc08 — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 02:49:54 +0000

RWD does not mean being more upscale than a FWD platform.

I frown at the idea that Americans, with our former prowess with RWD cars, can’t even make a decent RWD sedan anymore. We have to import it from the Aussies.

By: JoshyLofty

JoshyLofty — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 18:23:00 +0000

RE: Kia Koup— AudiRS…. Koup WILL come with the high output engine. it will be offered with a 2.0 base engine, 2.4 for the SX, and a 2.0turbo for the SXR – supposedly the SXR is getting a Haldex AWD system to go with it & compete with Acura’s “SH-AWD” system.

By: zoomzoomer

zoomzoomer — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 16:00:29 +0000

Haven’t we already seen the Amanti replacement testing? It looks almost identical to the Lexus ES.. and is obviously FWD from the spy pics.

By: sharpie

sharpie — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 03:20:43 +0000

Hyundai IS more upscale than Kia. The Genesis is more luxurious than the Amanti. I expect the new Amanti to have less luxury options than Genesis but with a great sound system. Given its smaller size and lighter weight and now RWD, it will be more attractive to younger buyers. The target audience between the Genesis and Amanti are quite different. Instead of cannibalizing Genesis’s sales, this should fill the gap for those who wants a sportier RWD in the mid-20k range.

Just like what Kia has been doing with the rest of the lineup, the new Amanti is an attempt to produce a sportier model than the comparable cars in the segment. I think Kia is following Mazda’s footsteps.

By: AudiRSpower

AudiRSpower — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 00:27:46 +0000

This is a very good move in the right direction. Too long has Kia been a regular, rent-a-car type product.

This new Amanti (VG) along with the others including the new 200 bhp Sorento R 2.2 diesel. are going to put a new face on Kia.

In this time when the economy is bad and slowly picking up Kia could be the main choice for a lot of customers that have now lost hope of purchasing the Hondas, Toyotas and Nissans in each catagory.

As for fuel economy, the Kia technology is a direct copy of the European engine and transmission layout together with lighter vehicles and new technology aid in making these vehicles far more fuel efficient than one would expect.

The new Koup should also have been offered as a 290bhp 2.0L turbo as they planed with 4WD to compete with the Subaru WRX and the Mitsubishi Evolutions. While the purist who own one of these will scuff at the idea consider this, if they make it, it will be significantly cheaper and lighter and be fitted with a european styled gearbox as is the custom now for the Koreans. Also it will be a coupe. Think about it?

By: DrFill

DrFill — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 00:09:28 +0000

I thought the Amanti died years ago
Never thought it would outlive Michael Jackson
DrFill

By: tripleonefive

tripleonefive — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 22:46:07 +0000

Kia has the Optima to compete with the Accord and Camry. Hyundai already has the next Sonata to do battle.

Ford Taurus doesnt have a 4 cylinder and starts at an overpriced 25k therefore the Fusion is their “attempt” at comp for the Accord and Camry

Hyundai would get volume out of the platform by making a Four door version of the Genesis coupe or making one of those “sportback” or 4 door coupe sedans that are so popular now. It has to slot under the Genesis sedan but be equal in size to the Genesis coupe

By: Thunder Chicken

Thunder Chicken — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 22:37:00 +0000

It’s actually an excellent idea, because it allows Hyundai to get the most volume out of its RWD platform, thus bringing production costs down significantly, allowing for higher profit margins. Hyundai is not known for making bad decisions, and I’m sure they’ll do plenty to differentiate between the Genesis and the Amanti. Just like the $32k Genesis is equipped like a $40k Lexus, the $26k Kia will likely be equipped like a $32k Accord/Camry/Taurus/etc. Outfitting it with the turbo four and 300-horse V6 are excellent ideas as well, as 300 horses are more than enough to compete with (and in virtually every case, beat) everything else in the segment.

As for CAFE: RWD does not necessarily mean poor fuel economy. If they keep the weight down (and being decontented, it should certainly be lighter than the Genesis) they’ll be competitive.

By: tripleonefive

tripleonefive — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 22:05:44 +0000

This is a bad Idea. Hyundai needs to be more upscale than Kia. If Kia has a rear drive car it will only cannibalize the Genesis, not to mention this looks better
I don’t think that Hyundai has any plans to make another Azera being that the Sonata has increased in size therefore Kia should use the VG/Amanti as a premium front drive (w/ AWD optional) to take that spot in the family lineup.
Hyundai should use the Genesis platform to make a smaller 4 door sedan to take on the 3 Series, IS, G37, TL crowd.

By: johnnycanuck

johnnycanuck — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 21:57:47 +0000

Payton, I’m glad you mentioned the 200C and I hope Chrysler is paying attention.

By: cereal

cereal — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 21:22:27 +0000

huh…

interesting. I like the words “seriously delectable” and “Kia” in the same sentence. Interesting word choice indeed.

but yeah… how’s this gonna do with the CAFE regulations? i wanna see this one….

-eat your cereal

By: CP1

CP1 — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 21:19:21 +0000

The image is of the upcoming Kia VG sedan (to be offered w/ a Haldex AWD system) which will be larger than the CH Amanti replacement.

The Amanti replacement – while being more “premium” than the already upscale VG, will be a smaller model.

By: Payton Byrd

Payton Byrd — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 21:19:11 +0000

I wonder if they’ll call it the Kia Exodus?

By: JakeK66

JakeK66 — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 20:28:54 +0000

Look for a drop in the name “Amanti”. I can assure you it’s not going to be used again.

By: Payton Byrd

Payton Byrd — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 20:28:13 +0000

Looks like the Chrysler 200C will have some competition. The Genesis platform is fantastic and will server Kia well.

By: iluvamcars

iluvamcars — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 20:23:42 +0000

WOW!

By: Kid Icarus

Kid Icarus — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 20:18:11 +0000

The Hyundai/Kia juggernaut just keeps on rolling!