A couple of weeks ago, Kia showed its revamped K7 mid-size sedan, also known as the Cadenza in overseas markets, to a select few in South Korea with a handful of pictures making their way online to afford us our first look at the car, which is related to the Hyundai Azera.
On Monday, Kia officially revealed the 2013 model K7 in its home market of Korea where it also announced that the mid-size model will go on sale in different regions around the world during the first half of 2013 as the Cadenza.
Even though Kia didn’t mention North America specifically, it has been reported that the Cadenza will go on sale in the U.S. sometime next year where it will sit above the Optima in the carmaker’s range, and below the flagship Quoris when it enters the market.
The visual updates bring the K7 / Cadenza closer in looks to the newer K9 / Quoris flagship or as some of you may point out, BMWs latest design language […], with newly designed hood, headlamps, rear light clusters, and front and rear bumpers, plus the addition of fender air vents and a new interpretation of Kia’s so-called ‘tiger nose’ grille.
Kia’s not-so-informative press release also mentions the addition of “a host of new comfort, convenience and safety technologies”, but does not elaborate further.
In South Korea, the front-wheel drive K7 is available with three gasoline powerplants, a 198hp (201PS) 2.4-liter inline-four, a 266hp (270PS) 3.0-liter V6 and a 290hp (294PS) 3.3-liter V6.
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