Kia Magentis Wagon to Be Built for Europe

Launched at this year’s New York International Auto Show, the Magentis mid-size saloon will spawn wagon and coupe versions as well, Autocar reveals. The Korean automaker plans to bring the car to Europe, where it would compete with established names such as the Ford Mondeo or the new Skoda Superb.

For a medium sized car to have success in Europe, a wagon variant is absolutely necessary. According to a Kia source quoted by Autocar, the carmaker wants to develop a large budget wagon derived from the Magentis sedan, that might attract European buyers. Here’s what chief designer Peter Schreyer had to say when Autocar asked him about this particular body style: “I would love to do station wagon and coupe versions of the car. The station wagon would only really work for Europe, but the coupe would work in the U.S.”

What is certain is that Kia will bring the Magentis sedan to Europe. However, company officials are still looking for a name for the car, since Magentis has been ruled out because of the poor results the first generation Magentis recorded on the old continent. It could be named K5, as it is marketed in Korea, or Optima, as U.S. customers know it.

The new Magentis is longer, wider and lower than the outgoing model and sits on a longer wheelbase. This fact leads to a significantly increased cabin and luggage space. When it goes on sale in Europe, in 2011, it will feature Kia’s next generation of petrol and diesel engines. Autocar estimates the starting price for the UK to be in the area of GBP17,000.