Rumormill: Kia Amanti making switch to Genesis RWD platform?
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/sedans/" rel="tag">Sedans/Saloons</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/kia/" rel="tag">Kia</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/rumormill/" rel="tag">Rumormill</a></p><a href="http://www.motortrend.com/features/auto_news/2009/112_0907_kia_future_car_p lans/index.html"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/amantirear34_opt.jpg" /></a><br /><br />From its divisive baroque styling to its status as the court jester of the rental car circuit, the Kia Amanti has so far lived a less than charmed life. The Amanti's tough luck story could change in a big hurry, however, if a new story from <em>Motor Trend </em>is true. MT is reporting that the Amanti is will be going rear-wheel drive as soon as late 2011 on a smaller version of the Hyundai Genesis Sedan platform. <br /><br />Since Kia is more value-oriented as a brand than Hyundai, most expect the new Amanti to be a few thousand dollars cheaper than the Genesis Sedan. The current Amanti has a lofty starting price of $26,045, but boatloads of incentives are needed to move them off dealer lots. <br /><br /><em>Motor Trend </em>speculates that the 375-hp Tau V8 engine probably won't make its way under the hood of the next Amanti, with the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and the 3.8-liter V6 being the more likely powertrains. We're thinking that a range of four- and six-cylinder engines would be sufficient, especially when considering tough new fuel economy laws scheduled for 2011 and beyond.<br /><br />We do have one question, however. With such a radical rethink apparently in store and not having a great deal of brand equity tied up in the Amanti brand, wouldn't Kia be better off finding a new name? They haven't seemed too reluctant to change model names in recent years when bringing out new models, so perhaps they'll consider a change in designations.<br /><br />Either way, with its hip and stylish <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/10/review-2010-kia-soul/">Soul</a>, the surprisingly competent Optima, along with the pretty new <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/16/first-drive-2010-kia-forte-a-compelling-new-compact-sedan-optio/">Forte</a> and Koup models, Kia's lineup has gotten a radical overhaul for the better. If the next-gen Amanti is anywhere near as good as Hyundai's Genesis Sedan, the competition should keep a very close eye on boys from South Korea.<br /><br />[Source: <a href="http://www.motortrend.com/features/auto_news/2009/112_0907_kia_future_car_p lans/index.html">Motor Trend</a>]<p style="padding:5px;backgr ound:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/10/kia-amanti-making-switch-to-genesis-rwd-platform/">Rumormill: Kia Amanti making switch to Genesis RWD platform?</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblo g</a> on Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:28:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.motortrend.com/features/auto_news/2009/112_0907_kia_future_car_p lans/index.html>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/10/kia-amanti-making-switch-to-genesis-rwd-platform/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19094483/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/10/kia-amanti-making-switch-to-genesis-rwd-platform/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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