Test drive Kia Opirus (AMANTI) 2003 - 2007 sedan

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Ring. On the clock is about noon, the flow rate per hundred. Seeing the point in the mirrors, which quickly takes the shape of a black glazed sedan, the cars are fussily taken to the right, forgetting to click the turnover with a turning switch.

But the car of the representative appearance was not an E-class Mercedes, as the traffic participants might think. Was it Kia Opirus was worth giving way?

In the appearance of the Korean, even a person who is remotely familiar with the automobile world, the features of something strict, solid and expensive, definitely inspireing respect. But four oval headlights, a relief, repeating their contours of the hood, a trapezoid chrome radiator grille with large rectangular cells, these recognizable elements of the front-line decor are definitely inspired by Mercedes E-Klass and, as it seemed to me, partly Jaguar S-Type. Moreover, the similarity with the latter is also manifested in the outline of the back where the roof line passes into the trunk with a sharp slope. But the origin of the view is less suspicion of plagiarism. It seems to be painted from scratch.

The similarity with more expensive and recognized businessmen is not at the Opirus hand. The reputation of Korean products, albeit growing from year to year, but when you see the Asian sedan of this class for the first time, arousing suspicions of complete or partial borrowing of ideas and forms, the opinion of the car does not become better. Saving on design is made in Korea, comparative cheapness is not the most optimal set of components for building a favorable image of a car of this segment. And sales statistics (or rather its absence) indicate the same: less than 300 cars per year is not a figure.

And the interior is stylish and comfortable not at all in Korean. I did not like any Kia or Hyundai Salon like in Opirus. And if there is a resemblance to more venerable competitors, now it is a plus, observing the rules of good tone.

The backs of the driver and passengers do not get tired thanks to the moderately hard (almost German) seats, and the hands and eyes will appreciate the ergonomic layout of improvised devices and devices. Although not without flaws. It seems that a strip of polished aluminum passes along the contour of the salon. So I would like, but not this is his plastic imitation, interesting in appearance, but fake-plastic to the touch. I did not like the content of the central console: here, against the general background, a standard radio and climate control control looks rather archaic. But there are no complaints about each of the devices. As well as to the design of the same console: unlike Magentis's younger brother, she planned to go to the central tunnel and continues until the armrest-box between the front seats. As in E-class. Similarity again? Well, no, this is definitely not a reason for criticism, rather for approval. Again, the general with Mercedes located on the steering wheel buttons of the control buttons and cruise control. It is convenient to press them, but for this you will have to change the grip from the right (as the instructors of contracoming training teach) for ten hours for eight four. And I liked the side mirrors with its area, which provided an excellent rear review.

And again about the e-class. This time, the similarity with Mercedes was manifested in the location of the seat adjustment remote control. They are located in the upper front of the door, which is convenient for the passenger and not very for the driver: it is easier to configure the chair with his left hand, and most are used to doing it right. I find fault, of course, but nothing more than

A powerful 3.5-liter V6 with an automatic box did not make a sports car out of the opyrus, and in his driver the athlete athlete does not awaken. At the same time, you can move around the city on it quite quickly and not without pleasant emotions.

Prices
You can purchase a three-liter 187-horsepower Opirus for $ 32,500. This amount includes climate control, parking sensors, a route computer, 14 monitor, TCS, ESP, ECS, Brake Assist, rain sensor, driver’s seats electric drive, leather salon, adjustment of the steering column, gur, electric steel, CD, audio system with a cd-screen, amplifier, subwoofer, ABS, immobilizer, driver safety pillow, passenger. A version with a 3.5-liter engine costs about $ 38,000. This package will also include xenon, an electric hatch and side airbags.

In addition, a rare motorist recognizes in the mirror the rear view of the Korean, and not Mercedes and not Jaguar. Therefore, the left row for the most representative in the Kia line is quickly released. The accelerated dynamics of an almost two -ton sedan pleasantly surprises: according to the passport, acceleration from a place to hundreds requires about 9 seconds. The traffic lights are still not his entertainment, but getting next to the traveling 60 km/h and stomping on the gas pedal properly, you bypass it like a standing one. Switching upwards occur without failures and are made at the first request: it is worth briefly detained by zero gas and the automatic box will immediately realize that it is time to change the transmission. The decrease passes more slowly than this would like this, but it is time to go down to the ground: a sufficiently powerful engine and a well -balanced box is not intended for extreme modes. Their lot is quickly, but comfortable to move the Opirus on smooth and mainly direct public roads. With the thought of comfort, KIA engineers also worked on handling. A fairly large steering wheel can be rotated even by a little finger. At the same time, it gives a minimum of information about the adhesion of the wheels with the road and the degree of loading. But reactions with minimal delay, and this adds excitement with quick maneuvers and restructuring. The brakes are good: as the pressure on the pedal increases, the slowdown becomes more intense. After a little habit to this system, braking is smooth.

How to relate to the mimicry of opirus is the work of everyone separately. And personally it seems to me that in the partial similarity of the Kia sedan with more expensive representatives of the segment there is nothing shameful. Moreover, he adopted the best and at the same time retained individuality. How did one composer replied, who was reproached with plagiarism: what did you want, because there are only seven notes?

The car was provided for the test company SPM Auto, the official dealer Kia Motors
During the test, the car is insured by Rosno.

Text: Alexander Korobchenko
Photo: Roman Ostanin