The all-new Kia Cadenza luxury sporty sedan revealed in Korea today (where it is called the K7), will be a ‘big step into the future’ for Kia when it goes on worldwide sale next year. New Cadenza will make its overseas world premiere at next month’s Riyadh Motor Show in Saudi Arabia on 12 December, followed immediately by an appearance at the Dubai Motor Show on 15 December.
-‘Big step into the future’ for Kia’s masculine and luxurious sedan
-290 ps V6 gasoline engine, plus 6-speed automatic
-High-tech features such as ‘Welcome’ system, cabin mood lighting, keyless entry, engine ‘start’ button and RPAS reversing sensors
The Cadenza name is derived from an Italian musical term used to describe an elaborate, ornamental flourish for a concerto or aria. It perfectly symbolizes the dynamic sedan’s striking design philosophy and upscale image. The 4965 mm long Cadenza will take over the role of large luxury sedan for the Kia marque from the 10-year old Opirus (‘Amanti’ in some markets) and is destined to totally transform Kia’s sales performance in the D2 segment.
“With the Cadenza, we have created an all-new, large sedan that will revitalize Kia’s fortunes thanks to its exciting appearance, strong performance and luxurious cabin which will guarantee a much broader consumer appeal, attracting thousands of new customers to our brand,” commented Mr Hyoung-Keun Lee, President, Kia Motors Corporation.
Under the direction of Kia’s Chief Design Officer (CDO), Peter Schreyer, the large sedan design team in Korea was determined to transform every aspect of the brand’s range-topping model, to deliver sporty and sleek styling, agile and dynamic performance, exceptional comfort and refinement and competitive high-tech features.
A ‘big step into the future’ for Kia’s sophisticated design
The design team targeted ‘stand-out’ looks with modernity, while incorporating Kia’s evolving design DNA to ensure the new large sedan boasts an appearance that will humble potential rivals. Last April, the team’s KND-5 concept car at the Seoul Motor Show revealed just how revolutionary Kia’s new large sedan was going to be.
“Our new sedan looks masculine and luxurious,” comments Peter Schreyer. “Today, people recognize a Kia at first sight: well balanced proportions, flowing greenhouse and dynamic window graphic plus the big wheels, give this car its confident stance, dignity and elegant personality. The distinctive ‘tiger nose’ front with its signature grille and headlights are evidence of Kia’s new self-confidence. Kia Cadenza is a big step into the future – another quantum leap for Kia,” concludes Schreyer.
The traditional three-box sedan shape was retained, but was morphed into a more flowing design with an aerodynamic Cd of just 0.29. The innovative treatment of light is a constant design theme. At the front, second-generation LED position lights are used to define the width of the car and the shape of the headlamps. At the rear, the combination lamp clusters also feature LED position lights which, together with the dual mufflers integrated into the bumper, enhance the new Cadenza’s sporty appearance. As an option, a full-length three-part glass Panoramic Roof will be available.
Contemporary looks, premium quality and a unique ambience
Inside, the new Cadenza is every bit as stylish and sophisticated as the exterior promises. The interior is dominated by the treatment of the futuristic ‘floating’ dashboard that highlights Kia’s innovative design approach.
A ‘welcome’ system turns on the exterior puddle and interior lights to ‘greet’ the car owner, while the interior mood lighting strip, which runs across the two-tier dashboard and all around the door trims, creates a warm ambience within the vehicle. An additional large mood lamp, which runs down the center of the cabin ceiling, is available.
Dual-zone climate control air-conditioning is standard, and other high-tech ‘comfort & convenience’ features include keyless entry and an engine ‘start’ button, RPAS reversing sensors, a reversing safety camera with interior mirror display screen and a powered extension for the driver’s seat cushion.
Although New Cadenza is shorter than the Opirus, the extended wheelbase (up by 45 mm to 2845 mm), additional exterior width and more compact rear suspension, come together to ensure that the interior offers occupants more space than the old model.
Less weight, more performance and better fuel-economy for new sedan
Kia’s new front-wheel drive ‘Type-N’ platform makes its first appearance in Cadenza and will be utilized in other Kia models in the future. The lighter (and stronger) bodyshell, together with all-new suspension systems, helped Cadenza to achieve a weight loss of up to 130 kg, compared with the previous Opirus – even though the new model has numerous additional features.
As part of Kia’s drive to increase sales in the large sedan segment, the new Cadenza will be manufactured with a total of three gasoline engines – with different engines being available around the world to best suit local legal requirements. Power outputs will range from 165 ps to 290 ps and all models will feature front-wheel drive and Kia’s all-new six-speed automatic transmission.
Driving up sales and market share with an all-new product
“Despite the current global economic uncertainties, we are confident that the new Kia Cadenza will substantially increase Kia’s share of this segment in Korea and around the world,” concluded President Lee.
Manufacturing of the new Cadenza sedan will start at Kia’s Hwasung facility in this month for the domestic market and in January 2010 for export markets. Export sales in the General Markets* (excluding North America and Europe), will begin during March 2010 and in China in June 2010.
*General Markets for Kia include the regions of Central and South America, the Caribbean, Asia (excluding China), the Pacific, Middle East and Africa.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS [ EXPORT MARKETS ] – NOVEMBER 2009
New Kia Cadenza
Body & Chassis
Four-door, five-seater sedan, with all-steel unitary construction bodyshell. Powered by transversely-mounted V6 gasoline engine driving the front wheels.
Engine
3.5-litre / 290 ps [ Middle East & General Markets ]
Type ‘Lambda II’ Quad-OHC, six-cylinder in V, with dual CVVT
Max power 290 ps (213 kW) @ 6600 rpm
Max torque 338 Nm (34.5 kg.m) @ 5000 rpm
Transmission
Automatic 6-sp with fully auto & sequential manual modes
Suspension & Damping
Front Fully independent by MacPherson Struts.
Rear Fully independent by Multi-Link rear axle.
Steering
Type Hydraulic power-assisted rack and pinion
Gearing 2.94 turns lock-to-lock with 11.08 metres turning circle
Brakes
Front / Rear 300 x 28 mm ventilated discs / 284 x 10 mm solid discs
Wheels & Tyres
Standard LX Alloy 16 in x 6.5J 215/65 R16 tires
Standard EX* Alloy 17 in x 7.0J 225/55 R17 tires
*Optional on LX
DIMENSIONS
Exterior (mm)
Overall length 4965 Overall width* 1850
Overall height 1475 Wheelbase 2845
Capacities
Fuel tank 70 litres Luggage (SAE) 451 litres
Weights (kg)
Curb weight (min.) 1575 Gross weight 2065
Performance
Top speed / kph 230 0-to-100 kph (sec) 7.2
Fuel Economy
Combined cycle 9.36 (litres / 100 km)*
CO2 223 g/km*
*Manufacturer’s estimated figure
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This article will describe the steps needed for you to make your own spark plug wires for a Ferrari Testarossa. This will not only save you hundreds of dollars, but you will also get great satisfaction that you did the job yourself. So let's get started.
The tools you will need are plug wire cutters, needle-nose pliers, the special crimping tool, and silicon spray. You will need to buy spark plug wire in bulk from one of your local auto stores. Get about 50 feet of copper spiral core wire. You will also need to get some 45 degree angle terminal ends.
Now remove the old plug wires, and distributor caps from your Testarossa. Be careful when removing the wires from the looms along the cam covers, these are made of plastic and get brittle over time. They are difficult to remove and replace without removing the cam covers from the engine.
Clean up everything using a degreaser like Simple Green or similar. Now lay out the wires and caps on a large table or even the floor. Remove the wires from the distributor caps by loosening the peircing-screws inside the cap with a flat blade screwdriver. Be careful not to strip out the screw head. Now your ready to begin making your new wires. Pick whatever old wire you want to start with, take the needle-nose pliers and pull the spark plug terminal out of the rubber boot. Once you have pulled it complete out, remove it by uncrimping it from the wire or simply cut if off with wire cutters. Now spray some silicone lubricant onto the old plug wire that is sticking out of the rubber boot, and carefully pull the wire backwards (in the opposite direction you pulled it previously) out of the rubber boot.
Once the wire is out of the boot, you can slide off the red rubber outer sheathing. You will re-use the rubber boot and sheathing on your new wires. Once you have the old wire completely out, use it as a guide to cut a piece of new wire to the proper length. If you cut off the old spark plug terminal, be sure to add that length to the overall length of you new wire. It is better to have your wire longer rather than shorter, you can always trim it down later on. Once you have cut your new piece of wire, spray one end with silicone lubricant and push it through the rubber boot. Push it through far enough so you can crimp on a new spark plug terminal. Once the terminal is on, pull the wire back into the boot just enough so the terminal is in proper position inside the boot. Now spray silicone lubricant into the red rubber sheathing and slide it over the new wire and up onto the rubber boot. It will take a bit of prodding and pushing to get the red rubber sheathing over the boot end, but be patient and you'll get it. Once you have that done – you've made your first new wire!
The rest of the wires are simply a repeat of this procedure. Take your time and do a good, clean job, you do not want to rush this sort of work. Once you have made all new wires, install them into the distributor caps, and test continuity with an Ohm meter. You should have anywhere from 500 Ohms for the short wires up to maybe 2000 Ohms for the longer wires. It's not unusual to have an intermittent connection at the distributor cap, you may have to loosen and tighten the peircing screw several times to get a good connection. Once everything checks out you can be proud that you have just made new spark plug wires for you Testarossa for about $150 and an afternoon of your time. Way to Go!
Francis Cantrell