New Kia Magentis to premiere in Frankfurt

New Kia Magentis to premiere in Frankfurt



- All-new four-door D-segment sedan to be revealed at the IAA Motor Show in September
- Latest model in the complete regeneration of Kia's product range

(SEOUL) August 10, 2005 - Kia Motors Corporation today released initial details and photos of its all-new Kia Magentis four-door sedan (also known as Optima in some markets), which will make its world premiere at the Frankfurt International Motor Show on September 13, 2005. Designed at Kia facilities in Korea, the USA and Europe, the new Magentis marks the latest step in the complete regeneration of the Kia product line-up over the last four years.

Longer, wider and higher than the previous model, with an extended 2,720 mm wheelbase, more spacious interior and larger trunk, the stylish new Magentis is a thoroughly modern design, engineered to give Kia a strong challenger for D-segment sales around the world. The new Magentis measures 4,735 mm long, 1,805 mm wide and 1,480 mm tall.

For North America and the general market, the new Magentis will be available in 2.4-liter in-line four cylinder and 2.7-liter V6 gasoline engines, but a new 2.0-liter diesel engine will be introduced in Europe along with 2.0-liter in-line four cylinder and 2.7-liter V6 gasoline engines.

As well as attracting customers with its stylish exterior and comfortable interior, the new Magentis will come with a generous level of active and passive safety equipment, including ABS and ESP stability control, rear parking sensors, front, side and curtain airbags, and active (anti-whiplash) front seat head restraints - depending on model.

According to Yong-Hwan Kim, Senior Executive Vice President and COO of Kia Motors Corporation, "Through hard work and dedication, we have totally transformed our product range in recent years. Starting with the Sorento SUV, followed by the A-segment Picanto, the C-segment Cerato, the Sportage compact SUV and most recently the all new B-segment Rio, we have demonstrated Kia's determination to deliver a modern, highly competitive range of cars with immense customer appeal in Europe and throughout the globe.

"With the Magentis launch, we will have competitive models in the A, B, C and D-segments as well as the MPV and SUV sectors, maintaining the momentum of our rapid growth and our ability to attract more and more new customers.¡± Mr. Kim added, "With every new Kia model we have also demonstrated the growing '®Power to Surprise' of our developing global brand."

Kia Motors Corporation - one of the fastest growing automakers in the world -- was founded in 1944 and is Korea's oldest manufacturer of motor vehicles. As part of the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group, Kia aims to become one of the world's premier automotive brands. Kia's 16 manufacturing and assembly operations in 12 countries produce more than 1.1 million vehicles a year that are sold and serviced through a network of distributors and dealers covering 155 countries.

Kia today has over 32,000 employees and annual revenues of $14 billion. It is the major sponsor of the Australian Tennis Open and an official worldwide sponsor of the Davis Cup. Kia Motors Corporation's brand slogan -- 'The Power to Surprise' -- represents the company's global commitment to surpassing customer expectations through continuous automotive innovation.

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