We are approaching the three-year mark since Kia released the K7 sedan in its home market of South Korea and in other regions as the Cadenza, and even though the mid-size saloon was slated for a North American launch at the end of 2011, it has yet to reach U.S. and Canadian showrooms.
Last year, two eagle-eyed CarScoop readers each spotted a completely undisguised version of the Cadenza on U.S. highways. While Kia officially remains silent about the car’s North American debut, Autonews recently reported that the Cadenza will go on sale next summer as a 2014 model.
This brings us to these photos of a disguised Cadenza prototype nabbed on camera by CarScoop reader Sach M. in Colorado.
At a quick glance, nothing seems different from the current South Korean-market K7, however, upon a closer look, we can see that the car features a completely new set of headlamps with two round light fixtures.
The strategically positioned camouflage suggests that there may be styling changes to the entire front end and the rear of the car, which wouldn’t be out of the question since the Cadenza/K7 will have entered its fourth year when it goes on sale in the States.
The Cadenza is a replacement to the Amanti and it slots between the Optima and the rear-wheel drive Quoris (called K9 in Korea), which will also make its way to America within the next year or so.
Since it shares its mechanical and platform hardware with the new Hyundai Azera, it is likely to be offered in the States with the same 3.3-liter V6 delivering 293-horses coupled to a 6-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels.
Kudos to Sach M. for the scoop!
PHOTO GALLERY
