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Kia's new minivan will be named the Kia Sedona

8 December 1998

Kia Motors America Names Upcoming Minivan KIAVAN IRVINE, Calif., Dec. 7 -- Kia's new minivan will be named the Kia Sedona. [PH] IRVINE, CA USA 12/07/1998    

    IRVINE, Calif., Dec. 7 -- Sedona will be the name of the
first Korean-built minivan intended for the U.S. market, when the versatile
vehicle goes on sale in 2000 as a 2001 model-year vehicle.
    (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19981207/LAM075 )
    Built on a front-wheel-drive car platform, the Kia Sedona delivers
car-like ride and handling.  Its all-independent suspension uses MacPherson
struts in the front and a five-link arrangement with coil springs in the rear
to give passengers a sumptuous ride.
    The new Kia is no mini minivan.  It rides on a 114-inch wheelbase, and its
192.5-inch overall length provides plenty of room for passengers and cargo.
The lengthy wheelbase assures good tracking and superior ride quality as well.
    The Kia-designed and engineered minivan offers a wide variety of seating
and cargo-carrying options.  With front bucket seats, it features easy
pass-through to the rear rows of seats.  Depending upon configuration, the new
minivan can accommodate as many as seven passengers.
    On the safety front, the new Sedona offers dual airbags, antilock brakes
and a structure designed with integral crush zones to absorb the impact of a
collision.  The vehicle is designed to meet or exceed all applicable federal
safety standards.
    The Sedona is powered by a 2.5-liter dual overhead cam V6 engine,
developed jointly by Kia and Rover Group.  U.S. specifications have yet to be
finalized, but in Korean trim the state-of-the-art V6 uses four valves per
cylinder to deliver 173 horsepower at 6500 rpm.  Maximum torque of 164 lb.-ft.
is produced at 4000 rpm.  The engine is backed up by a sophisticated
four-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission, guaranteeing
smooth, sure shifts and economical operation.  The engine's extremely rigid,
yet lightweight construction makes it perfect for installation in the new Kia
vehicle.
    The attractive exterior of the Kia Sedona features upscale touches such as
a roof rack and built-in bumper guards.  Its two front swing-out doors and two
rear sliding doors provide excellent access to the commodious interior, as
does the lightweight, swing-up rear hatch.
    Kia Motors America is the U.S. sales, marketing and service operation of
Kia Motors Corp. in Seoul, S. Korea.

                    Kia Sedona
            Preliminary Specifications

      Dimensions
    Overall length              192.5 in.
    Overall width                74.4 in.
    Overall height               67.7 in.
    Wheelbase                   114.6 in.
    Front track                  64.4 in.
    Rear track                   63.0 in.

    Standard seating capacity           7

      Engine
    Configuration      Dual overhead cam,
                              24-valve V6
    Displacement               2.5 liters
    Horsepower          173 @ 6500 rpm(*)
    Torque      164 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm(*)

    (*)  Korean specifications.  U.S. specifications not yet finalized.