Kia Opirus

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Kia Opirus

Manufacturer	Kia Motors
Parent company	Hyundai Kia Automotive Group
Also called	Kia Amanti (North America)
Production	2004–present
Assembly	Hwasung, South Korea
Class	Full-size car / Executive car
Engine	3497cc DOHC V6, 200bhp (149kW) @ 5500rpm (premium fuel) 3778cc DOHC CVVT V6, 264bhp @ 6000rpm (Canada)
Transmission	5-speed automatic
Wheelbase	2799 mm (110.2 in)
Length	4978 mm (196.0 in)
Width	1849 mm (72.8 in)
Height	1486 mm (58.5 in)
Related	Hyundai XG350
Similar	Chevrolet Impala Ford Taurus Nissan Maxima

The Kia Opirus (known as Amanti in North America) is a full-size car / executive car produced by Kia Motors of South Korea that was launched in April 2003 and is intended to compete with vehicles such as the Toyota Avalon, Nissan Maxima, Chevrolet Impala, as well as the higher trend lines of popular mainstream mid-size sedans like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry in the North American market. The Opirus/Amanti was Kia's first entry into the large-car market. It is sold in a single trim level and only as a sedan, and has an MSRP of US$26,875. It shares some components with its now-defunct corporate cousin, the Hyundai XG Grandeur, including its 3.5 L V6 engine.

2007 Kia Amanti

For 2007, the Kia Opirus received various upgrades, including suspension and styling revisions, and the addition the same engine as the current Hyundai Grandeur (Azera), this time being a 3.8L V6 engine. 2007 also brought minor suspension and styling revisions.

Kia markets its Opirus to budget-conscious individuals who desire some premium features at a comparatively lesser price. As usual, Kia also attracts customers to its dealerships by offering a 10 year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty that has become synonymous with the major Korean car brands.

In the U.S., the Amanti was recently recognized as the "Most Appealing Premium Midsize Car" by J.D. Power and Associates' 2005 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout Study, while the Kia Sportage received similar recognition. The awards mark the first time that any Kia model has received such an accolade. Although this car has received some accolades, it was once called by a Kia official as Kia's Edsel and recently summed up by Motor Trend Magazine as "Sells on price, not style, like Kias used to".^[1]