Paul Tan's Automotive Industry News

Kia VG Sedan Production Photos Leaked!

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A larger Forte with softer lines to match its more stately demeanor can’t be a bad thing. And Kia agrees – here’s the new Kia VG.

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That is just a codename. It’s official name is not known yet, but it’s large sedan that’s bigger than the Optima, with a wheelbase pegged at 2,845mm, which is shorter than the Hyundai Genesis’s 2,936mm but much longer than the Optima’s 2,700mm Euro D-segment wheelbase.

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For now all we have are these pre-announcement leaked production photos, but Kia previously unveiled a concept version of this new large sedan to us as the Kia KND-5 Concept so you can check out the previous post covering that for some extra details.

64 Comments »

  1. Ariff said,

    October 17, 2009 @ 8:25 pm

    somehow looks like Toyota Camry(Aurion)……

  2. Hemizan Bin Azman said,

    October 17, 2009 @ 8:27 pm

    Like TOYOTA CAMRY, I don’t like korean cars

  3. Wen said,

    October 17, 2009 @ 8:31 pm

    I hate KIA.
    No style.
    Nuf Said.

  4. Maddy said,

    October 17, 2009 @ 8:38 pm

    Seems like proton persona with longer hood and tail. Hehehehe

  5. nabill said,

    October 17, 2009 @ 8:50 pm

    looks like so many other cars..abit here,abit there….such a mess….no identity

  6. StarGhazzer said,

    October 17, 2009 @ 8:52 pm

    Beautiful.

    The side profile is reminiscent of the F01 7 series and some people may claim it to be a copycat (like how the Forte resembles US Civic), but there’s no wrong in imitating a good design.

    I’d still prefer the Kia emblem to be located in the middle of the Schryer grill rather than on top on the bonnet as to reduce the gaping-mouth look.

    Korean designs are on par with the Japs now, just look at this K7 and also the upcoming Hyundai Sonata.

  7. kimi_ said,

    October 17, 2009 @ 9:13 pm

    The side looks like Lexus

  8. mitlanevo said,

    October 17, 2009 @ 9:14 pm

    i thought it was new toy otak kamri…

  9. Proton News said,

    October 17, 2009 @ 9:36 pm

    http://www.ancap.com.au/results/342/

    How many Malaysian have been died due to this?

  10. tamaki said,

    October 17, 2009 @ 9:37 pm

    look promising, if price tag right tat would be good but as i know forte 2.0cc high spec gonna sell in malaysia about 9+k!! :P

  11. zhen said,

    October 17, 2009 @ 9:37 pm

    wow look resoundingly similar to a Toyota Camry form the side

  12. white said,

    October 17, 2009 @ 9:57 pm

    better than our so called national car POTONG!

  13. KS said,

    October 17, 2009 @ 10:27 pm

    Nice… Just the front grill wee bit too large for me. If cheap i dun see de prob.

  14. Naz said,

    October 17, 2009 @ 11:19 pm

    KIA..value for money????

    NOPE..nobody want to use KIA because it SUCK the OIL too MUCH!!!

  15. zaff1984 said,

    October 17, 2009 @ 11:22 pm

    i think i like it

  16. oricon666 said,

    October 17, 2009 @ 11:23 pm

    Careful ppl….

    dun simple say Korean car no good….
    Some ppl might get pissed off….
    u touch Korean car, they touch you… (in a bad way)

  17. American_born_ah_beng said,

    October 17, 2009 @ 11:59 pm

    headlights surely look like BMW X1

  18. Gajen said,

    October 18, 2009 @ 12:14 am

    copied from camry…kia/hyundai never had the word originality in their dictionary

  19. xzibit said,

    October 18, 2009 @ 12:15 am

    nice design … plz dont condemn the car … give some credit to the design .. korean ppl can be proud of their car … v …..cn v b proud of our malaysian car ????…

  20. csv said,

    October 18, 2009 @ 12:21 am

    the kia emblem should be moved to the grille la. much nicer looking.

  21. timber said,

    October 18, 2009 @ 12:24 am

    a lil bit of C class DNA in it? agree?

  22. Felix said,

    October 18, 2009 @ 12:30 am

    There goes the copycat again. First it was the Accord, and now copying Camry.
    Kia should get their own identity. Without an identity, Kia will always be a celup manufacturer.

  23. ago87 said,

    October 18, 2009 @ 12:50 am

    for my own opinion lah,if in this world that nobody copies each other than there will be no space to improve…

  24. loyalKOREAN said,

    October 18, 2009 @ 12:52 am

    to malaysian>DO NOT EVER GIVE ANY OF OUR PRODUCT a -VE CMMENT…..LEAVE UR -VE CMMENT TO UR PROTON…

  25. Elvis said,

    October 18, 2009 @ 1:07 am

    Looks like Camry only more Korean….

  26. zaff1984 said,

    October 18, 2009 @ 1:12 am

    honestly i dont really care if kia “copy”. It a way of learning… it just look fantastic.

  27. chuakz said,

    October 18, 2009 @ 1:49 am

    mix of toyota….saab at the grille….and a few other cars…=.=

  28. eddy said,

    October 18, 2009 @ 2:52 am

    nice car, better than potong car ! good job kia, but look like camry

  29. ricaza said,

    October 18, 2009 @ 4:07 am

    oww my gosh..why the ’shape’ of the tyres is same with camry?? it is round like the camry..owh no!!!!!

    wakakakaka..

    lol..

  30. ako said,

    October 18, 2009 @ 6:45 am

    im thinking that camry newfacelift in next couple years…just copy than nothing

  31. 4g63tdsm said,

    October 18, 2009 @ 8:02 am

    I’m quite dissapointed with the posters what keeps screaming copycat as if there is nothing better to comment, or more accurately know how to comment.

    Sad case of undrexposure.

    C’mon, copying design elements from something “popular” is nothing new. Everyone is guilty of it…even Toyota with its Lexus LS’. Frankly speaking I don’t see much Camry in it.

    I wonder what sort of price point will KIA position this. It seems that even with its own product range, there is very little room for it between the Sonata, Optima and the Azera and Genesis on the upper end. The Genesis itself isn’t a terribly expensive car to start from.

  32. bmpower said,

    October 18, 2009 @ 8:16 am

    side profile copy BMW.

    our proton is better coz their design mostly original.

  33. cmc80 said,

    October 18, 2009 @ 8:27 am

    Too many car shadow…
    In my opinion…
    korean car’s designer no creative…

    like kia forte… the front bumper looks weire…
    If I have to make a choice between VG & Camry…
    ???????!

  34. carslover said,

    October 18, 2009 @ 8:51 am

    Huhhh , seems like Toyota Camry as well as wht you all look ;D But it looks nice , maybe we can buy this than buy a camry HAHA :D

  35. kit said,

    October 18, 2009 @ 9:00 am

    the korean is good in coying n pasting n develop a new car.. shame on Proton!!

  36. helmi said,

    October 18, 2009 @ 10:59 am

    For me, I dont like the front look, its look like the car has a big eye bed. Agreed the design is like Camry. But in the end the Korean will always be Korean. The price also must be Korean. If they try to put at par as the Japs, like i30, Elantra etc. you can see very rare on the road despite all the positive comments around the world.

  37. ricaza said,

    October 18, 2009 @ 11:16 am

    bmpower said,

    October 18, 2009 @ 8:16 am

    side profile copy BMW.

    our proton is better coz their design mostly original.

    hrmmmmmm..original???
    how many design in proton is original??
    even the new waja might be using the lancer body??
    original ka spicy??
    wakakaka..

  38. Elvis said,

    October 18, 2009 @ 11:17 am

    Well, frankly, i dont fancy Kia at all. Hyundai in other case getting much better in term of designing their cars. But then again, i may be having a change of heart. As long as Kia design getting better, good engine and parts afforable, i dont see why not to have second look. No doubt Toyota, Honda or any japanese cars are our preferred choice but Koreans are fast catching up too. For Proton or Perodua, the outcome is very obvious, come 2010 will be the judgement day. G will have to follow free trade rules or be left out or worse, G going backrupt is subsidise oil once oil price moving upward again. If i were you guys, i would not buy any new cars until 2010. VERY ATTRACTIVE PRICE AND MODELS OH! BUT OIL PRICE VERY EXPENSIVE ONE! If price of oil start to move pass USD100. This is the very reason Perodua is holding their launch of new MPV…

  39. rodimus said,

    October 18, 2009 @ 11:47 am

    Everytime I look at the Korean design, they r keep improving in every angle though many people still saying they r copying this n that. Can our P1 copy something which they always claim that is a good design? The fact is they r really improved!!!

  40. DirkTooth said,

    October 18, 2009 @ 12:03 pm

    Its copy all over..
    it isnt wrong 2 copy other successful designs..
    but when the resemblance is 2 much..
    its just shameful..

  41. Wolfsburg said,

    October 18, 2009 @ 12:11 pm

    All Japanese car copy European so what’s wrong with Korean copying them?
    Many people are simply bias towards Korean and most of them are envious with their success… Don’t forget that the whole world are looking at Korean car now so please be fair and look at how the Korean car progress… If you always look at the same thing that will be your loss so please wake up!

  42. informalaysia said,

    October 18, 2009 @ 2:24 pm

    to me this car looks like it’s inpired by toyota camry…

    what a shame..

    i thought KIA has stopped their copy-cat attitude and wanted to be more original nowadays but it seems like they’re nothing different than china car-makers…

    i am disappointed..

  43. ppls said,

    October 18, 2009 @ 2:58 pm

    if you dunno how design car dun talk bout how alike this car to the others think from another view..

  44. tokmoh said,

    October 18, 2009 @ 3:35 pm

    Funny how most of u criticise like mad when got lecturers from local U found guilty of plagiarism…

    And now just because Koreans ‘plagiarise’, you all endorse it like God?!?!

  45. Felix said,

    October 18, 2009 @ 5:05 pm

    Copying lacks originality

  46. ricaza said,

    October 18, 2009 @ 5:09 pm

    car design = academics

    wooo..that’s a new equations..

    wakakaka..

    lol..

  47. anonymous said,

    October 18, 2009 @ 5:45 pm

    As i’ve said in my previous comments about korean cars are that they always have design cues from other cars and its really worrying because they don’t seem to have originality, someone gave me a detailed explanation about how kia probably had the idea first but isn’t it only right if they did have the designs first then they should get it into production asap because doesnt issues like this only spoil their brand image?

  48. hyperX said,

    October 18, 2009 @ 6:57 pm

    dear Wolfsburg,

    to be fair enough,korean cars really lacks quality/mechanical reliability compared to our beloved proton..Dont believe it????my 10years old waja auto(yes until now the 10years-old gearbox still in perfect condition) much better condition than my friends’s Kia 2004(i dont what name is it,,all i know naza citra is based on it)……..oh by the way,,,countless of naza ria had to be full-overhauled(yes not just top overhauled) scattered around my living area in recent 2 years during several frequents visits to many ah-beng workshops…..I can say Im good at observing this FUNNY TREND(yes its funny when moron always bashing proton without any comparison with other brands)

    PROTON much better than korean cars that for sure–not like many of you guys(which most of time just sitting in front of PC)

  49. zaff1984 said,

    October 18, 2009 @ 6:57 pm

    ricaza said,
    hrmmmmmm..original???
    how many design in proton is original??
    even the new waja might be using the lancer body??
    original ka spicy??
    wakakaka..

    at least proton design the car by their own… how about perodua? i dont think so it have any original design… y many ppl hate proton?

    I hate my 2003 iswara, but i dont hate proton mainly because i cant afford yet to change for a new car and I see proton im proving.

  50. reuben how said,

    October 18, 2009 @ 7:06 pm

    When I was in korea, even the cheap minicars like i10 and Elantra comes with ESP. (Electronic Stability Program or Vehicle stability system) Even though the technology comes from Europe and Japan originally, at least they have the brains and tenacity to benchmark advanced countries. Malaysian cars? The last thing i remembered they came up with an idea of designing some space to keep some prayer items in the dashboard. I feel sorry that Proton can be this stupid. They are lucky enough to have LG CNS as a technical partner to keep them from making more stupid cars

  51. ladygagap said,

    October 18, 2009 @ 7:08 pm

    dear Wolfsburg,
    korean cars sucks

    my 10years-old waja much better condition compare to my fren’s Kia 2004(forget its model-naza citra is based on it)……in the recent 2 years i make frequent visits to many ah-beng workshops around my living area….so many naza citra are being full-overhauled(now got 2 units at the same time got same issue)…i couldnt see the same trend for proton manufactured above year 2000…this sows me 1 thing…Proton much better in-term of engine reliability

    do wandering & see yourself this trend(rather than just sitting in front of your PC making rubbish comment such as loyalKOREAN)

  52. korekorea said,

    October 18, 2009 @ 7:16 pm

    BMW 5 photocopy !

  53. ladyGAGAP said,

    October 18, 2009 @ 7:16 pm

    dear Wolfsburg,
    korean cars sucks

    reuben how,
    high-tech thign such “Electronic Stability Program” is realy reliable?how long it will functioning before screwed-up??

    my 10years-old waja much better condition compare to my fren’s Kia 2004(forget its model-naza citra is based on it)……in the recent 2 years i make frequent visits to many ah-beng workshops around my living area….so many naza citra are being full-overhauled(now got 2 units at the same time got same issue)…i couldnt see the same trend for proton manufactured above year 2000…this shows me 1 thing…Proton much better in-term of engine reliability

    do pay some frequent visits to several workshops(should also record this precious data) around KL & see yourself this trend(rather than just sitting in front of your PC making rubbish comment)

  54. ladyGAGAP said,

    October 18, 2009 @ 7:19 pm

    dear Wolfsburg,
    korean cars sucks

    reuben how,
    high-tech thign such “Electronic Stability Program” is realy reliable?how long it will functioning before screwed-up??

    my 10years-old waja much better condition compare to my fren’s Kia 2004(forget its model-naza citra is based on it-looks like really old car with bad paint job & bad interior)……in the recent 2 years i make frequent visits to many ah-beng workshops around my living area….so many naza citra are being full-overhauled-YES the engine already brought down(now got 2 units at the same time got same issue)…i couldnt see the same trend for proton manufactured above year 2000…this shows me 1 thing…Proton much better in-term of engine reliability

    do pay some frequent visits to several workshops(should also record this precious data) around KL & see yourself this trend(rather than just sitting in front of your PC making rubbish comment)

  55. lady said,

    October 18, 2009 @ 7:27 pm

    dear Wolfsburg,
    korean cars sucks

    reuben how,
    high-tech thign such “Electronic Stability Program” is realy reliable?how long it will functioning before screwed-up??

    my 10years-old waja much better condition compare to my fren’s Kia 2004(forget its model-naza citra is based on it-looks like really old car with bad paint job & bad interior)……in the recent 2 years i make frequent visits to many ah-beng workshops around my living area….so many naza citra are being full-overhauled-YES the engine already brought down(now got 2 units at the same time got same issue)…i couldnt see the same trend for proton manufactured above year 2000…this shows me 1 thing…Proton much better in-term of engine reliability

    to all stupid proton bashers,
    do pay some frequent visits to several workshops(should also record this precious data) around KL & see yourself this trend(rather than just sitting in front of your PC making rubbish comment)

  56. comarezzi said,

    October 18, 2009 @ 7:44 pm

    in will called Naza VeGan in Malaysia….

  57. ricaza said,

    October 18, 2009 @ 7:47 pm

    aff1984 said,

    October 18, 2009 @ 6:57 pm

    ricaza said,
    hrmmmmmm..original???
    how many design in proton is original??
    even the new waja might be using the lancer body??
    original ka spicy??
    wakakaka..

    at least proton design the car by their own… how about perodua? i dont think so it have any original design… y many ppl hate proton?

    I hate my 2003 iswara, but i dont hate proton mainly because i cant afford yet to change for a new car and I see proton im proving.
    ——————————–
    1st thing, i don’t hate PROTON, 2nd i know every perodua car is copycat @ rebadged, 3rd.. i do hate my 2001 iswara aeroback..

    just i really don’t understand why people are so bias to koreans..it’s not that i love them..but imo car design is an abstract..we cannot said it is copycat.. and it is only in pictures..if it is on the real roads..maybe it looks so different..

    for proton, i think most people don’t hate proton..but they hate proton cars! 1st they are not really2 cheap if we compared the tech and safety features in proton cars with another car in same category..2nd quality,but they are some improvement lately..n many2 more..so people want a car that they can be proud of, they feel safe driving it, they feel comfortable.. with reasonably price! that’s proton should do! and i really2 like if proton just redesign their old cars such as saga and waja to a new stage..but still keeping the identity so that it will have generations like honda, toyota n so on..not just by copying the lancer body for the waja like the old times.. that’s all..

    it’s my own opinion..

  58. torque said,

    October 18, 2009 @ 7:57 pm

    From the side view, it does have the BMW’s reminiscent to it not to mention the BMW trend of putting their badge on top the hood style but I can’t really say that it’s 100% copycat since design and craft in this 21st century are tend to be more universal. Overall, it does look neat and subtle…can’t blame the Korean to follow the German recipe if the recipe tends to work…

  59. mitlanevo said,

    October 18, 2009 @ 8:45 pm

    some ppl very off topic…

  60. OpenMind said,

    October 18, 2009 @ 10:30 pm

    I dont think it is wrong in copying firstly. They already know the risk of being condemned if the car is too similar to another, and worst, they are taking risk of being legistratively responsible (if someone taking an action)…..BUT the reality is Sonata (with the peanut shape front light design) in the past was heavily labeled as an copy version of Merz in the early 2000. But, during that time, it was the best selling 2.0 car in Malaysia, winning against Toyota camry2.2, Nissan Cefiro and Honda Accord.

    I personally like the outlook of this car, looks premium and impressive components (engine, transmission)…compare with camry especially….by the way, the number of camry being stolen or robbed is getting more serious.

    FYI…I am driving a camry 2.4

  61. OpenMind said,

    October 18, 2009 @ 10:38 pm

    We can condemn as much as we like and it could be personally or individual opinion which is totally fine…otherwise it is kind of scary if everyone share the same preference…the more the choices the better it would be for us, imo.

    for Kia, just visit the following, no matter, how much it has been condemned, the result is there as they started slightly later than proton but now is about 10 times more successful than proton (comparing the number of car sold in 2008)….

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automotive_industry

  62. kancilrider said,

    October 18, 2009 @ 11:02 pm

    Best of luck for those who bought Korean cars!!
    Those who bought it are people with safety in mind.
    Other features.. You can make our own mind

  63. lazyf said,

    October 19, 2009 @ 8:45 am

    nice car overall…

  64. kei9 said,

    October 19, 2009 @ 4:32 pm

    You guys are so childish.

    All in all, what is best is the car to run good.
    Even so, Korean cars have been going at it lately. they should’ve given kudos.

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