Kia's upmarket mid-sized sedan uncovered!

Kia is hot on its heels following the official pictures of the Forte sedan. This new mid-sized sedan was caught parked on the streets of South Korea. Codenamed "VG", the newcomer will be designed by Peter Schreyer, who also designed the Forte sedan, Soul crossover and the Cee'd.

Closely related to the Hyundai Grandeur/Azera in terms of class, the "VG" will be front-wheel drive, with power coming from either a petrol-fuelled 3.3 litre Lambda V6, a 3.8 litre Lambda V6 or a 4.6 litre Tau V8. To show that Kia means business, the new sedan will feature two bumper-integrated rectangular exhausts pipes like the Lexus LS, LED rear tail-lights and head-turning alloy wheels, with the vehicles overall styling being sporty and sleek.

Like the Grandeur/Azera, expect luxury amenities like climate control, electrically adjustable leather seats, electrically heated, adjustable and folding door mirrors, power door locks and windows etc.

The "VG" is expected to reach Korean showrooms in August 2009, with a U.S launch following closely behind in late 2009. Although European sales haven't been ruled out, don't expect this to come to Europe.

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