Kia Opirus
The Kia Opirus is an executive car/full-size sedan, manufactured by Kia Motors and marketed over a single generation for model years 2003–2012 globally and 2004-2009 in North America. Having debuted internationally at the 2003 Geneva Motor Show, the four-door, five-passenger, front-engine, front-drive sedan was launched to the North American market at the New York International Auto Show and in San Diego, bearing the Amanti nameplate — and prioritizing luxury content and comfort over dynamic performance and agility.
| Kia Opirus | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Kia Motors |
| Also called | Kia Amanti |
| Production | 2003–2011 |
| Model years | 2003–2012 |
| Assembly |
|
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Executive car/Full-size car (E) |
| Body style | 4-door sedan |
| Layout | Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive |
| Related | Hyundai Grandeur XG/TG |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 2.7 L Delta V6 (gasoline) 2.7 L Mu V6 (gasoline) 3.0 L Sigma V6 (gasoline) 3.3 L Lambda V6 (gasoline) 3.5 L Sigma V6 (gasoline) 3.8 L Lambda V6 (gasoline) 2.7 L Mu LPi V6 (LPG) |
| Transmission | 5-speed automatic 6-speed automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,800 mm (110.2 in) |
| Length | 4,980 mm (196.1 in) (2003–2006) 5,000 mm (196.9 in) (2006–2010) |
| Width | 1,850 mm (72.8 in) |
| Height | 1,485 mm (58.5 in) |
| Curb weight | 1,665–1,864 kg (3,671–4,109 lb) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Kia Enterprise |
| Successor | Kia K7/Cadenza |
Intended to give Kia upward access to global premium markets, the Opirus represented a departure for the brand in both styling and market positioning. Developed over 22 months at a cost US$167 million (€143 million), 18% of the overall development cost went to R&D investment and 41% to development of production technologies.
As Kia's first premium vehicle, the Opirus replaced the Mazda 929-derived Enterprise in the South Korean domestic market. The Opirus was also the first Kia vehicle sharing a platform with sister company Hyundai, using a variation of the third generation Hyundai Grandeur/XG Y4 platform. For the Opirus, the platform was lengthened 1.9 inches, overall length increased 4.1 inches and height increased 2.6 inches. As Kia's largest sedan, the Opirus was marketed in a single trim level, sharing components with the Grandeur/XG, and a range of engines including its 3.5 L V6 engine (North America). All models were manufactured in Kia's Hwaseong Plant near Incheon.
A 2007 facelift, introduced at the 2006 Paris Auto Show, included upgraded specifications, a curb weight reduction of 250 pounds, revised suspension and a 3.8 L V6 engine (North America) with a 32-percent increase in power over its predecessor. Styling revisions included a shorter and wider grill, revised hood, headlamps, front and rear bumper fascias, alloy wheels, trunk deck lid, tail lamps, dual exhaust outlets and rear quarter panels. The interior featured a revised instrument panel design.
The name Opirus referred to the ancient city of Ophir, noted for its wealth — and was selected via an online survey from the choices of Opirus, Regent and Conzern. In 2004, the New York Times described the name Amanti as an untranslatable latinate construction, intended to connote luxury.