Virtuoso Performance

 Instead, this new flagship of the brand is aimed at a younger, more sporting driver in a package that combines innovation, technology and sophisticated European styling.

In fact, the Cadenza is the third new car to be introduced under the direction of Kia's chief design officer, Peter Schreyer. It carries the increasingly familiar family face that was first seen in the new Soul and Cerato/Forte models, and is now being introduced across the range. And they are ambitious — Kia intends to capture 40 per cent of their home market for mid/large saloons (the D2 segment), expecting to sell around 40,000 new cars next year. In the domestic market it's badged as the K7, a name designed to be young and funky, as far away from the old Opirus as possible.

So what is it? Basically, a standard three-box, four door, front-wheel drive saloon. Kia itself suggests that the Camry and Accord are rivals, but expect the Cadenza to compete in the top end of the class, against the likes of the Maxima, Avalon, Caprice and even European rivals. Such is the company's belief in the car it's hard not to see it succeeding. All of the people we met during the preview were unfailingly polite, and clearly passionate about their job. But there is a steely determination that runs through the entire organisation, a burning desire to take on the best, and beat them. The Cadenza is their way of saying so.

Enough of the marketing speak, what about the car? First impressions are that it's a handsome thing, very European in shape and detail, not derivative, but fresh and original. Perhaps the lights front and rear are more reminiscent of Audi than they should be, and the wheels seem to have been borrowed from a Jaguar. But hang on, isn't this a Kia we're describing? The game has definitely changed.

Inside it's the same story, well executed design and quality materials — the leather on our test car perhaps not as sumptuous as some, but it was still leather — and there, on the dash, the by now obligatory Engine Start button. And that engine is a peach, a reworked version of the Lambda unit found in the new Sorento SUV.

Here it appears as a 3.5-litre V6, pushing out 286bhp at 6,600rpm, and a healthy 338Nm of torque. This version of the engine features dual CVVT (continuously variable valve timing for both inlet and exhaust), four valves per cylinder and a three stage VIS (Variable Inlet System). All this trickery is enough to whisk the Cadenza to 100kph in just 7.2 seconds and on to a top speed of 230kph.

Drive is through Kia's own six-speed automatic, making it only the fourth manufacturer in the world (after Toyota, GM and Ford) to offer such a unit. Power is carried to the front wheels through equal-length driveshafts to minimise torque steer, and suspension is Macpherson strut (front) and a compact new multi-link set-up at the rear.

Our first chance to get behind the wheel came at the company's proving ground, a short circuit with some quick lane-changes, a slalom, a high speed back straight and braking zone, then back to the start line. The first impression was that the engine is extraordinarily smooth and quiet — so much so I didn't realise it was even running when I got in the car. It does get a bit more vocal when you stretch it — apparently, there's a valve in the exhaust that cuts 3dB at idle.

So, smartly off the line and into the slaloms. It turns in well, feeling better balanced than the 61:39 weight distribution would suggest. I don't like the tyres, but it turns out they're hard compound fuel-savers for the domestic market. We should get softer, stickier rubber. Braking, too, is fuss-free and straight, as it should be, and the various electronic aids (ESC, ABD, ASD and Brake Assist) all do their bit unobtrusively.

Next up was a chance to lap the high-speed, banked oval (as a passenger, thanks Mr Pang!). Not much wind noise, and the car tracked straight and true. We later watched them hammering Carens people-carriers around the same loop…

After that, a chance to do an 80km trek on the local roads, mostly smooth but busy dual carriageways. The steering is quick, making the Cadenza easy to place and thread through heavy traffic, it picks up smartly enough to take advantage of small gaps, and the sat-nav works, if you understand Korean. Mind you, even I could tell she was nagging "you missed your turning, now go back and try again!" Yes, Miss.

Truth be told, I really rather enjoyed the Cadenza. It's a fine example of current state-of-the-art car design and manufacture, comes complete with a fine assortment of toys, and looks good into the bargain. If you're in the market for a four door, it may be a wild card, but it should definitely be on your shopping list. Go and drive one — you may well surprise yourself.

Specs & Rating

Model Kia Cadenza
Engine 3.5-litre V6
Transmission Six-speed automatic
Max power 286bhp @ 6,600rpm
Max torque 338Nm @ 5,000rpm
Top speed 230kph
0-100kph 7.2sec

Plus Styling, smooth and refined ride

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