Magentis interior first pictures

By Tom Phillips

22nd March 2010

Here’s the inside story on Kia’s replacement for the Magentis. Hot on the heels of images of the newcomer’s striking new exterior, this is the first sketch of what lurks inside.

The Mondeo rival gets a driver-oriented cockpit, with dials which glow in Kia’s signature red hiding behind a leather-trimmed steering wheel. Other highlights include stitched leather on the dashboard and centre console climate controls shaped to mimic the trademark tiger’s snout front grille. A high-specification satnav and multimedia system is also set to feature.

The car is longer, lower and wider than its predecessor, so expect improved interior space, while interior quality will be at least of the same standard as the new Sportage SUV, which debuted at Geneva.

Kia is so confident of the leap forward that the new car will represent that the Magentis name is likely to die when the newcomer is launched, with the car’s global name, Opirus, or K5 currently being evaluated as potential successors.

The Magentis replacement will make its debut at the New York Motor Show on April 1st and will arrive in the UK in around 12 month’s time. A Kia spokesman confirmed that the new car would set completely new standards for the firm in the D-segment, especially in terms of dynamics, where “a range of surprisingly powerful engines” is set to feature.

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