On Tuesday, November 24, 2009, Kia unveiled its new model, the Cadenza, as a replacement to its Amanti sedan. The new five-seat luxury sedan will begin sales in North America in 2011.

Although shorter than the Amanti, the Cadenza features more interior space and has a longer wheelbase. The current version on sale in Korea uses a 3.5-liter V6, but no details have been released on engine specification for sales in North America.

Production has now ceased on the Amanti, so when stocks have run out, American dealerships will lack a large sedan to offer to consumers. Dealers are expected to shift their sales emphasis to the mid-sized Optima.

The world will get a chance to check out the new Cadenza when it debuts at the Riyadh Motor Show in Saudia Arabia on December 12.

Kia President Lee Hyoung-keun said, in a statement, that the Cadenza is expected to "revitalize Kia's fortunes" and "guarantee a much broader consumer appeal," adding, "despite the current global economic uncertainties, we are confident that the new Kia Cadenza will substantially increase Kia's share of this segment [large sedans] in Korea and around the world."

Kia projects sales of 40,000 Cadenza units globally in 2010 with a target of 65,000 in 2011. In South Korea, the car is selling for $24,500.