Kia Magentis - the first fruit of the joint efforts of the two Korean companies Hyundai and Kia. The debut of the car took place at the Paris Motor Show in 2001. The novelty received a promising name, which was made up of two English words "magnificent" and "noble." By the way, in some markets this car is known as Kia Optima. Magentis is built on the same platform with the fourth-generation Hyundai Sonata, made exclusively in the sedan. Stylish design and remarkable performance create an image of a business-class aristocratic car. Engines are aggregated with a 5-speed manual gearbox or 4-speed Tiptronic automatic gearbox .
Basic equipment includes: airbag for the driver, air conditioning, electric windows and electric mirrors, ABS, fog lights, rear-view mirrors with heating. Among the options listed: air quality control system, leather interior. Thanks to the TCS traction control system, the car remains steady, even when maneuvering in emergency situations. In the event of a collision, safety will be ensured by frontal airbags, and four-channel ABS, which tracks the movement of each wheel, supplemented by an EBD brake-spreading system, will help prevent this to shorten the braking distance. In 2003, Magentis acquired an updated design.
The harmonious, easily recognizable appearance of the first Magentis was distinguished by a pleasant pro-European restraint - nothing particularly fanciful. But in the design of Magentis II, Kia's stylists have moved away from their previous brevity, with an emphasis on aggression. Strict rectangular headlights divided into two sectors, changed the shape of the grille, bumper, hood and fog lights. The basic package now includes, in addition to the previous set, two airbags and traction control. However, the standard equipment added the next useful things like an internal mirror with anti-reflective coating and gas stops that support the hood and trunk lid.
The dashboard is unpretentious in appearance, in fact, very practical. Everything here is in sight: a tachometer with a speedometer is spaced at the edges, between them there is a square in which the lights sometimes light up. In addition, the backlight looks thoughtfully - the red arrow moves around the rounds, not one, but with a shadow, which looks quite impressive at night. The Kia designers have succeeded well in the second row space: quite a lot of legroom, plus an armrest equipped with two cup holders. In short, the two of them can sit quite comfortably. In 2005, at the International Automobile Exhibition in Frankfurt, Kia introduced the new Magentis.
Innovation centers in Korea, USA and Europe took part in the development of the new car. In the Russian market, the serial model appeared in 2007. The updated sedan has grown a bit in size: the length of the new items is 4.74 meters, and the wheelbase of the car is now 2.72 meters. The width has grown to 1.80 meters.
Due to this, the space in the rear seats has become much larger, the luggage compartment volume has increased by 15 liters. Thus, Magentis now falls into the same segment as the new VW Passat, Opel Vectra. By the way, this model is built on the same platform as the new Hyndai Sonata. This business-class sedan confidently claims the title of a car that is not only distinguished by optimal dimensions for its class, but also by a new level of safety, as well as a modern, fairly strict, and at the same time, sporty design from a part. Outside, the new Kia Magentis has become completely different, fit and restrained-classic.
New optics radically changed its appearance in front. Now this is not a passionate business sedan with a “toothed” grille, but a classic strict limousine, with fashionable sports notes. Oblong body, chrome moldings on the windows, chrome grille with a huge emblem «KIA».
Everything is concise, but with taste. Solid, business and modern car. The decoration of the spacious cabin is made in the style of High-tech, the so-called “comfort options” most closely correspond to the latest trends in the automotive industry. Optitronnye devices are easy to read, the climate control and trip-computer displays are beautifully highlighted. Cheap plastic “under the tree” disappeared from the finish, and silver lines appeared that framed or finished the design of the devices, perfectly in harmony with the dark interior and correspond to the latest global trends in interior decoration. Plastic parts have aesthetic appearance and are pleasant to the touch.
Adjustments of the seat and steering wheel are enough to get comfortable. Controls and controls are conveniently located. On the center console are three liquid crystal display. The topmost displays the current time and information about the unfastened passengers.
Special attention requires a warning system about an unfastened driver. In the center of the console - the display of the CD player. Just below is a screen with indication of climate control settings. LCD displays are also used to display current information, including engine temperature and fuel quantity. All of these scales, numbers, and icons glow with a pleasant blue light. In comparison with the predecessor, the maneuverability and stability of the car improved not only on comfortable roads, but also on rather difficult sections of the road.
If we talk about security, in addition to strengthening the whole body with steel panels, the base also includes the necessary ABS + EBD, disc brakes, two airbags (+ a system for disabling the front passenger airbag), active head restraints, belts with pretensioners. The new 2.0-liter Theta engine produces 145 liters. from. Acceleration to 100 km / h takes 10-11 seconds. Maximum speed threshold - 208 km / h. By the way, the timing drive in the new engine is a chain drive, and the pistons and rings are made of a new high-strength alloy, which increased their service life.
The power unit will please the owners with a modest "appetite" - 6.2 liters on the highway and 10.5 liters per 100 km in the city. A choice of: a manual 5-speed gearbox or 4-speed "automatic". The technical data of the model has become more modernized. Due to the use of new materials and the introduction of new technologies in the work of the engine, decreased rates of emissions, noise and vibration. Version 2.7 will be on sale soon.
Perhaps in Russia debuts and 2-liter diesel, but when this happens is not yet known. Basic Magentis is equipped with ABS and EBD systems (electronic brake force distribution). As an option, a Traction Control System (TCS) is supplied.
The car provides driver and passenger airbags, three-point seat belts for all passengers.
