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Kia Concord

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Kia Concord
Overview
ManufacturerKia Motors
Also calledKia Capital (SWB Version)
ProductionOctober 1987 – June 1995 (Concord)
March 1989 – December 1996 (Capital)
AssemblySouth Korea: Hwasung Plant, Hwasung
Body and chassis
ClassCompact Sedan (Capital)
Mid-size Sedan (Concord)
LayoutFR layout
Doors4
RelatedMazda Capella (GC)
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission5-speed manual
3/4-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,520 mm (99.2 in)
Length4,550-4,570 mm (179.1-179.9 in) (Concord)
4,430-4,480 mm (174.4-176.3 in) (Capital)
Width1,705-1,720 mm (67.1-67.7 in) (Concord)
1,705 (67.1 in) (Capital)
Height1,405 mm (55.3 in)
Curb weight1,140-1,180 kg (2,513-2,601 lb) (Concord)
990-1,100 kg (2,183-2,426 lb) (Capital)
Chronology
SuccessorKia Credos (Concord)
Kia Sephia (Capital)

The Kia Concord is a four-door sedan produced by South Korea's Kia from 1987.[2] It is a license-built version of the 1982 Mazda Capella, and all versions accordingly used Mazda four-cylinder engines.[3] The Capital/Concord lineup underwent a series of facelifts, eventually becoming the "New Capital" and "New Concord" in marketing material. Production of the Concord ended in 1995, while the cheaper Capital continued until late 1996. In 1996, Kia replaced the car with the Kia Credos, which they based on the Mazda GE Platform.[4]

History

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1991-1995 Kia New Concord 1.8i GTX
1989 Kia Concord 2.0i DGT rear
1991-1995 Kia New Concord 1.8i GTX rear

First introduced in April 1987, the Concord received the carburetted 99 PS (73 kW) 2-litre petrol FE engine.[5] During 1988, the engine programme was expanded considerably, with the 72 PS (53 kW) 2-litre diesel "RF" added in April, a 95 PS (70 kW) 1.8-litre (F8) in May, a 110 PS (81 kW) fuel-injected version (called the 2.0i DGT)[6] added in July, and finally an LPG powered 1.8 for taxi usage added in August.[7] This expansion allowed the Concord to better compete with the Hyundai Sonata. The DGT's name was a reference to the digital dashboard with which it was fitted.[8]

After the 1991 facelift the engine programme was somewhat restricted, but in March 1992 a comparatively powerful DOHC version of the 2.0 was added, with 139 PS (102 kW) at 6000 rpm.[9]

With the 1995 introduction of the Kia Credos, production of the Concord came to an end. The smaller and simpler Capital continued a little while longer as a low-priced alternative.[10]

Kia Capital

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Pre-facelift Kia Capital DOHC 16V
Kia "New Capital" LS Di
Pre-facelift Kia Capital DOHC 16V
Kia "New Capital" LS Di

The lower end Capital (K930-series) was added in February 1989 with a carburetted two-valve SOHC version of the Mazda 1.5-litre B5 engine.[11] Power was 80 PS (59 kW) at 6000 rpm.[6] There was also a 1.5 MPFi version with a claimed 95 PS (70 kW), the same output as that of the fuel-injected 1.8-litre GLX version available until the facelift.[12]

After a change in legislation meaning that cars were now taxed based on displacement, with a major threshold at 1.5 litres, the Capital was available with a Twin Cam, 16-valve B5 engine in May 1990.[6] This surprising development had 115 PS (85 kW) on tap at 6,500 rpm. Top speed was 170 km/h (106 mph), the same as for the fuel-injected 1.5, but 0–100 km/h acceleration time dropped from 13.5 to 10.0 seconds. After the 1990 introductions of stronger competitors such as the Daewoo Espero and Hyundai Elantra, the Capital received a facelift in November 1991.[13] The facelift was not very deep, the most obvious difference being the relocation of the rear license plate to the bumper rather than between the taillights. The facelift version offered the 1.5 engine as well as a downgraded version of the 1.8, now to carburetted specifications and producing a mere 82 PS (60 kW) at 5000 rpm. This was mainly intended for taxi usage. There was also an export version with the carburetted two-valve 1.5 for Kia's very few export markets, with 73 PS (54 kW).[14]

In June 1994 the Capital received another facelift, featuring more rounded headlights and a new grille with new Kia logo, replacing the old one with chimney-based design.[15] This was called the "New Capital" in the marketing, although the badging on the car remained plain "Capital". The New Capital was only sold with the 16-valve B5 engine, in GS or higher LS equipment levels. Production of the Capital finally ended in December 1996, overlapping a few years with the Sephia that would eventually replace it.[16]

Kia continued its line of mid-size sedans with Credos (1995), Optima (2000), Lotze (2005) and K5 (2010).[17]

References

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  1. ^ "기아 1992년식 콩코드, 캐피탈 택시" [Kia 1992 Concord, Capital Taxi]. blog.naver.com. South Korea: Naver Blog. 2020-04-28.
  2. ^ "Graduate Information Brochure". Kia Motors (UK). 2010. p. 5. Archived from the original on 2012-07-17. Retrieved 2011-06-26.
  3. ^ "앞바퀴굴림 中型(중형) 起亞(기아) 콩코드 市販(시판)".
  4. ^ "起亞(기아)승용차「캐피탈」내달 3일부터 시판".
  5. ^ "기아산업 콩코드 - ('87) 카탈로그" [Kia Concord ('87) Catalog]. blog.naver.com. South Korea: Naver Blog. 2023-01-04.
  6. ^ a b c Quattroruote: Tutte le Auto del Mondo 1992 (in Italian). Milano: Editoriale Domus S.p.A. 1992. p. 416.
  7. ^ "콩코드LPG 開発(개발) 起亞(기아),택시市場(시장)참여".
  8. ^ "[김 기자의 모터키즈] 우리가 몰랐던 한국 디젤세단" [[Reporter Kim's Motor Kids] Korean Diesel Sedan We Didn't Know About]. South Korea: EToday.co.kr. 9 May 2014. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  9. ^ "기아 92년형 콩코드_ 카탈로그 (리플렛)" [Kia 1992 Concord_ catalog (leaflet)]. blog.naver.com. South Korea: Naver Blog. 2012-03-12.
  10. ^ "기아자동차 - 콩코드 카탈로그 ('94)" [Kia Motors Concord Catalog ('94)]. blog.naver.com. South Korea: Naver Blog. 2016-07-23.
  11. ^ "起亞(기아) 캐피탈 출하".
  12. ^ "기아자동차 캐피탈 - ('90) 카탈로그" [Kia Motors Capital - ('90) Catalog]. blog.naver.com. South Korea: Naver Blog. 2021-08-04.
  13. ^ "기아 92년형 캐피탈 탄생!_ 카탈로그 (리플렛)" [Kia 92 Capital is born!_ catalog (leaflet)]. blog.naver.com. South Korea: Naver Blog. 2012-03-10.
  14. ^ "[서상범의 아! 車!] 마이카 시대 선봉장, 기아차 캐피탈 이야기" [[Seo Sang-beom's Ah! Car!] The story of Kia Capital, the pioneer of the MyCar era]. South Korea: Korea Herald. 4 March 2015. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  15. ^ "기아자동차 뉴 캐피탈 ('95) - 기아 승용차 종합 및 가격 안내('96) 카탈로그" [Kia Motors New Capital ('95) - Kia Passenger Car Comprehensive and Price Guide ('96) Catalog]. blog.naver.com. South Korea: Naver Blog. 2021-08-18.
  16. ^ "기아 94년형 캐피탈_ 카탈로그 (리플렛)" [Kia 94 Capital_ Catalog (leaflet)]. blog.naver.com. South Korea: Naver Blog. 2012-02-16.
  17. ^ "한국 자동차 흑역사" [The dark history of Korean automobiles]. imagazinekorea.com. South Korea: Imagazine Korea. 2018-01-02.
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