[FoxtrotOscar]

...Look at the Car!

This is an as-yet unnamed RWD concept to be shown at next months' Frankfurt Auto Show. A bit of Aston Martin in the design, maybe? Nothing wrong with that - I like Astons, but I'm unlikely to ever be able to afford one, whereas this, if it ever made it into production, would be attainable. And I really would seriously consider it, as I think it looks fantastic, despite some typical concept-car details (such as the camera "mirrors"). And it's rear wheel drive, did I mention that?

 

[Scudetto]

it's a Kia, right?

i have no problem with this; but it's production reality would trouble me more than its badge

i think it will be just another 'this is what we can do in 2030' design study. Can you put your hand on a desirable Kia today? Me neither. I can't even name a current one. Kia - stop faffing; start doing!

 

[Squadrone Rosso]

Kia's are very good cars

 

[A-team]

copy of the Aston Martin one 77 front.
http://www.wired.com/images_blogs/autopia/images/2009/03/03/one77_01_sized.jpg

Yeah it looks pretty good. Would get different wheels though.

 

[Guest]

Kia are definitely upping their game... :thumbs:

 

[Joss]

. I can't even name a current one. Kia - stop faffing; start doing!

But what about the CEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE apostrophe D:tut::lol:

 

[V6Alfisti]

You will be very surprised by the current crop of Kia's.

I drove a Ceed in Denmark and was amazed by the little car, steering response the same as the 156/GT, interior design borrowed from VAG group (well the door handle/supports e.t.c). Spacious/well built and even quite a euro design.

Largely impressed and I think all the big brands should be very scared of what Kia are going to produce next, as they are definitely picking up the best features from most brands, sticking them together and coming up with winners.

 

[SENNA1]

Yeah!It looks nice!

 

[FoxtrotOscar]

A little follow-up:

This concept car is known simply as the KIA GT, and is still doing the rounds in the North American auto shows. This is slightly unusual, as concepts with no chance of production rarely make more than one or two motor show appearances before disappearing off to wherever it is that old concept cars go (where do they all go?!). KIA seem to be using th GT as a research tool, and the response the car is getting is "overwhelmingly positive" according to official KIA sources. People keep asking: "when are you going to build it?"

Well, the GT will never make production (shame!), but KIA will this year release a large saloon known internally at KIA as "KH" (also known as K9 or OPIRUS). This saloon uses sister company Hyundais' Genesis platform, meaning that it will at least share one important feature with the GT: it will be RWD. Add to this the available engines, which include direct-injection turbo fours, 3.8 V6, 4.6 and 5.0 V8s, and things are starting to sound interesting. Hyundais' in-house 8-speed auto gearbox is bound to feature, and a 10-speed is currently rumoured to be in development.
Additionally, official KIA sources have stated that the KH takes a number of cues from the GT concept, and have recently released some teaser concept renders:

 

[Squadrone Rosso]

The only thing I dislike about Kia is the badge!

I don't mean the name Kia, I mean the thoughtless deign of the actual badge.

Surely they could be more adventurous?

 

[cue2]

It's be named the K9 apparently

 

[Tirreni]

It's be named the K9 apparently

:cheese: :cheese:

 

[MalcQV]

Looks nice but if it's a concept of some sort then the real thing will be a let down, they nearly always are

 

[MariusGTV]

KIA are certainly upping their game. The renderings look like someones take on the outgoing BMW 5 series. Not too bad either IMO. The new 5 series looks too much like the new 3 series and that 'GT' model is just plain ugly!

My dad drives a KIA. He says its the best car he has had in years. Comfortable, reliable and with a huge warranty. He bought it when I bought my MiTo. My car has been back to the dealers more times than his has been to the petrol station!

 

[FoxtrotOscar]

As I said, the GT concept won't be making it to production, sadly. The "KH" RWD saloon is a much more conventionally-styled car; a bit of a "BMW-Mercedes-Lexus-a-like" if you will. The "k9" designation would fit with KIAs domestic alfa-numeric badging, but the car is more likely to carry the "Opirus" badge used by their previous flagship car. "K9" is obviously a no-no for english-speaking markets! The KH launches in Korea in July, and will make it to other world markets, which apparently do not include mainland Europe or the UK.

The thing that I find remakable about KIA at the moment is their rapid and relentless product development. And they're seemingly unfazed by the European debt crisis; in fact they see it as an opportunity and are talking about increasing sales and market share. Unlike certain car companies I could mention, they are not delaying or cancelling models or generally faffing about; for example, an all-new Ceed launches at the Geneva show next month, barely six years after the original shook up the european C-segment. This time around, the 3-door ("Pro-Ceed") version looks like it might even get a "hot" version, as it's widely expected to receive the 200bhp engine from the Hyundai Veloster Turbo. The award-winning Optima saloon has just become available in the UK too; shame that they are clearly targeting the fleet/company buyer by only offering a diesel version though, as it's quite a good-looking car.

That's enough... I'm starting to sound like a freakin' KIA enthusiast...

 

[cue2]

Kia design boss is ex Audi VW Peter Schreyer who was made to feel uncomforable there and got a better offer.

 

[FoxtrotOscar]

KIA have released some official pictures of the K9 (as it will be known in its' home market, though they've not said what it will be called elsewhere). Looks like my BMW-Merc-Lexus-a-like prediction was about right, especially the "BMW" part...

There are some videos around of the car caught on the road, uncamouflaged (presumably in Korea) in which I think it actually looks better than the official pictures suggest.

Finally KIA K9 has been revealed 2 - YouTube

 

[MalcQV]

That ^ looks quite good but I do feel they are styling for the American market.

 

[cue2]

That ^ looks quite good but I do feel they are styling for the American market.

Styling? That's blatant copying.The front is 7 series with 5GT lamp shape but the kidneys are a bit changed.the bar between them at least .

 

[howell811]

I had a Kia, had to climb in the boot to open the door when it was frosty