Kia Opirus
Kia Opirus (2003-2007)
The Kia Opirus ( Hangul: 기아 오피러스 ) is a sedan from the Korean car brand Kia, which is attributed to the segment of the upper middle class. The model name is derived from the Mesopotamian city of Ophir, and is intended to provide associations with luxury and style, according to Kia. In North America, however, it is sold under the name Amanti.
Model history
Was presented the Kia Opirus at the Geneva Motor Show in the spring of 2003, starting in October 2003, he was available on the German market.
Within the passenger car model program of the Kia Opirus takes on the role of the biggest model of the brand. With entry prices from 39.900 € (May 2007), he is also the most expensive model of the brand.
However, it is not the first model of Kia in this segment, as early as 1992 with the Kia Potentia, or 1997 vehicles of the upper middle class were available with the Kia Enterprise.
Both models, however, were mainly intended for the (South ) Korean market and not used in export to Europe.
Facelift:
Beginning of 2007 Kia revised its flagship. In this Rahme facelifts including the large grille was different proportioned, the four- eyed face (two xenon headlights on each side), however, was only slightly changed. The rear was a little chubby and got vertical taillights, the interior instead of the root wood piano lacquer look. The center console has also been rounded up, instead of the " roof " of the original model. Simultaneously, the curb weight of 1897 kg was reduced to 1850 kg.
Rear view
Security side, the passive safety has been improved so that the facelifted Opirus achieved the best result of his side crash class in the American IIHS test. In addition, the Mitsubishi -based 3.5 -liter V6 engine with 149 kW ( 203 hp ) was replaced by a 3.8 -liter V6 engine with 196 kW ( 266 hp) replaced its own development. With this engine, the vehicle reached the Euro4 standard also.
In the spring of 2010 ended the production of the Opirus.
Special
It was produced in the Opirus Kia plant Hwasung. He is considered the first model in the Kia, which was developed after the acquisition of Kia by Hyundai on a common platform. Thus, the development time (22 months) were shortened and development costs ( 167 million euros ) to be reduced.
Optical bonds to European models such as the Mercedes -Benz E- Class and the Jaguar S-Type can not deny the car especially at the front. It is also characteristic that also in previous Kia models available, optional two -tone paint. In some markets the model was equipped from 2007 with cameras at the rear and front for both sides to make more manageable dimensions for the driver especially on house corners. Technically, the available exclusively as a four-door sedan Opirus components tells the not available in Germany Model centennial of the sister company Hyundai, since the facelift with the Grandeur. The combined fuel consumption of 10.9 liters of regular gasoline (91 octane ) per 100 km is below the average. In addition, this standard consumption is also in real terms. 2009 Opirus was the rarest, newly registered in Germany the car, in North America the rarest newly registered Kia model.