Spied: 2011 Kia Amanti

After years of fighting for recognition, Kia has been on a roll over the past few months with several hit product introductions and appears poised to keep up the pace through 2009. Today, we've received a fresh batch of spy shots, this time of the Kia Amanti replacement.

Currently known only by its "VG" internal designation, our spy photographers tell us that the Amanti replacement you see here is both longer and wider than the current car. Word is that it will be a luxury sedan with a premium interior aimed at the Volkswagen Passat CC and other luxury and premium European sedans. The VG is reportedly built on Kia's new FWD platform that also underpins the Azera/Grandeur. Reports indicate that a prototype 3.5L V-6 mated to an automatic transmission is lurking under the heavily-camouflaged hood and that it may be paired to an all wheel-drive system. Rumor has it Haldex provided just such a system to Kia for study, and it may well have found its way into this prototype.
Not much can be seen under the camouflage, but the projector headlamps and LED taillights are easy to spot. The wide stance, tall hood line and low roofline give the VG an aggressive look, but much of that could be attributed to the disguise. The massive vent-shaped accoutrements on the hood obviously will not make it to production, so the finished car's look could be substantially different.The Amanti replacement is expected to debut in September, likely at the Frankfurt Motor Show in Germany. It will follow the expected debut of the Sorento replacement at the Seoul Motor Show and the debuts of the Forte at Chicago in February and the Soul at Paris last year.