SPY PICS: Cold-weather testing for Kia's large car

The August 2008 report in CarPoint detailing plans and pictures of Kia's aspirant VG-Opirus model under test in Death Valley in the USA showed a cleanly-styled mule with the promise of 3.3-litre or 3.8-litre V6 powerplants (more here).

Now, Carparazzi has just forwarded a new set of photos depicting a left-hand drive VG testing in other extremes in snowy Scandinavia. Included in the photos is something we haven't sighted before: a detailed interior shot depicting a clean dash layout and what appear to be well-sculpted front seats – although we didn't think the trim detaching itself from the back of the driver's seat was a particularly good look...

Building on the platform from Hyundai's next-generation Grandeur model, the forthcoming Kia, according to local public relations manager Jonathan Fletcher, was "not on the radar right now" for Australia with numerous factors such as the notable shift away from larger cars, as well as Kia's introduction of what could be a car for the times in the new Soul model.

The VG-Opirus is expected to make its formal debut on other markets in the second half of this year.

-- with Carparazzi