KIA is targeting the European businessman with its new Opirus that aims to compete in the middle-high and near luxury segments.

The car, which will not go on sale in the UK, aims to attract drivers of models such as the Nissan Maxima, Renault Vel Satis and Peugeot 607 in other major European markets. It is powered by a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine mated to a five-speed automatic gearbox which offers a sequential manual mode.

A spokesman said: 'The target buyers for the Opirus are professionals in their mid-forties to late fifties for whom appearance and image are important but who are also sensitive to value.'