Kias Sorento & Amanti Get Third-Party Tuner Package

Bottrop Offers Luxo-Sport "Executive" Packages for Amanti Sedan and Sorento SUV

The words "executive" and "sport" arent normally associated with Kia and its products. For the most part Kia is known for reliable, back to basics A-to-B transportation, and so the automakers cars are designed to fill the demands of the majority of consumers. Sometimes, however, just a bit extra would be nice.

Kias top-line vehicles, the popular Sorento SUV and the new Amanti luxury sedan have just received a third-party makeover in the form of the "Executive Package." Third party? Thats right, while Kia offers its Sorento with leather seats and trim and delivers such niceties as standard equipment on the Amanti, Bottrop, a subsidiary of the Brabus tuning group famous for powerhouse transformations of Mercedes-Benz, Maybach and Smart products, has put together two even more enticing packages.

With a big dose of Southern California pop culture, Bottrop reworks the Amantis front and rear bumpers. The tuner doesnt work its magic on the grille or headlights, mind you, which is either good news or a shame depending on personal tastes. Included as a part of the rear fascia re-do are integrated tailpipes, adding a sporting flavor to the large sedan. New

The exterior of the Sorento has been treated in a similar fashion with new, tougher looking front and rear bumpers as well, the one in front sporting a unique contrasting-tone insert at center.

Both cars ride on unique multi-spoke 19-inch alloy wheels in either silver or pewter finish. On the Sorento the tire size is 255/50, whereas on the Amanti sedan the tires are slightly smaller with a lower profile of 245/40. Both cars sit slightly lower to the ground, and with their new outerwear and wheels look much trendier and stylish than from factory.

Much thought has been put into the interior of both cars as well. Modeled after an S-Class, or any high-end luxury car, Kia has attempted to imitate the furnishings with standard leather seats, although the Bottrop boys have added grippy Alcantara faux-suede inserts - the same as offered on top-line Audis and BMWs. Plush carpeting lines the floors and the trunk, while the kick plates on the door sills, plus the pedals are crafted from aluminum.

The Amanti boasts a high-end sound system comprised of DVD navigation and a Becker Monza multi-disc CD changer. It seems that Kias Amanti is the perfect vehicle for such a conversion because of its excellent build quality. Switchgear and equipment is much better than anything the brand has ever produced before, with most complaints stemming from its ultra-smooth yet dynamically sloppy suspension setup. The Sorento receives no such complaints, albeit those that want car-like ride and handling attributes dont always appreciate its truck-like body-on-frame construction - that incidentally yields commendable off-road capability. Both vehicles are quite roomy by the way, with plenty of space for five adults.

If your Kia Sorento isnt quite fancy enough for your personal tastes, or your Amanti doesnt pull strong enough Gs through the corners, be prepared to lay down some serious money. The package as seen here costs E6300 ($7,614 USD), which is almost as much as a base Kia Rio.

Still, both cars are so well equipped and well put together that even with Bottrops Executive package they under-price most competitors. In the Amantis case, however, the price would put it past that of a HEMI powered Chrysler 300C, making it a bit of a hard sell. Of course, youll need to get inline and wait for the 300C while you can have a brand new Amanti today.