South Korea’s second-largest automaker Kia Motors Corp. on Wednesday unveiled its latest K7 sedan and began receiving preorders for the high-end model before official release later this month.

K7 Premier is the facelift model of Kia Motors’ second-generation K7 sedan. It is the first facelift in three years since previous release in January, 2016.

In a media presentation on Wednesday, Kia Motors said both exterior and interior design has changed of the upgraded K7 sedan that also comes with a new powertrain. The automaker applied its next-generation “Smart Stream” powertrain technology, the first in a full-size sedan.

K7 Premier is loaded with the brand’s first Smart Stream G2.5 gasoline direct injection (GDi) engine, which is equal to 8-speed automatic transmission. The new engine replaces previous 2.4-liter GDi engine and 6-speed automatic transmission.

The sedan’s Smart Stream G2.5 GDi engine enhances fuel efficiency, power performance, and noise cancellation capability, the automaker said. The engine has two types of fuel injectors per cylinder, which optimizes fuel injection as multipoint fuel injection injector is used in low and medium-speed driving while GDi injector in high-speed driving condition.

Kia Motors said that same specifications and powertrain of the K7 Premier sedan will be applied to the facelift version of Hyundai Motor Co.’s Grandeur sedan scheduled to be released later this year.

K7 Premier, meanwhile, has maximum output of 190 horsepower with 25.3 kg.m torque. The previous 2.4 GDi engine had the same output of 190 horsepower but with lower 24.6 kg.m torque.

The upgraded K7 sedan has total five engine lineups – new G2.5 GDi, 3.0 gasoline, 2.4 hybrid, 2.2 diesel, and 3.0 liquefied petroleum injected (LPI) engines.

Kia Motors also gave the facelift model a bolder and modern look on the outside. K7 Premier is 4,995 millimeters long – which is 25 millimeters longer than the previous model – and features a bigger Intaglio radiator grille in front.

By Lee Jong-hyuk and Lee Eun-joo

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