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Kia hopes to challenge Mondeo and Passat with new Magentis

It's interesting to listen to Kia personnel talking about the new Magentis in terms of being designed with the European market in mind. It may well be that the new car was a collaborative design across the company's engineering centres in Korea, the USA and Europe, and that there is the option of a modern diesel engine, but when you take into account the projected sales figures of 9,000 units per year in Europe against 75,000 in the States, you realise that the Magentis is bound to be biased towards the American market.

The styling of the new Magentis admittedly doesn't betray this fact, having the appearance of a bland Japanese car with an over-sized chromed grille. Kia describes it as understated, but we think it is just plain boring, though at least it isn't as offensive as the ugly duckling it replaces! Inside the new Magentis life is actually rather good. Though we don't know the exact specification of UK market cars as yet, they are likely to be well equipped, particularly with safety equipment. The new car is larger than the old car in most directions, with a noticeable increase in passenger and luggage space. Rear legroom is certainly impressive. The ambiance is improved in the leather-trimmed cars, though we don't think the Magentis will be on many VW Passat buyers' shortlists, no matter what the aspirations of the Korean company are.

Under the new skin, buyers can specify 2-litre petrol or diesel engines, the latter with a particulate trap as standard and variable geometry turbocharger helping to give impressive performance as well as good fuel economy. If you are less bothered about running costs, there is the option of a 2.7-litre V6 petrol engine, though as it is only available with a five-speed automatic gearbox you can be sure that it doesn't turn the Magentis into a sports saloon. All engines comply with Euro IV emissions limits. Prices will be announced closer to the car's spring 2006 on-sale date.

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