RE: Kia GT and Provo production hinted

RE: Kia GT and Provo production hinted

Tuesday 12th March 2013

Kia GT and Provo production hinted

Cut-down Camaro alike Provo could become a reality



Production versions of Kia’s Provo and GT concepts could appear soon, if comments by Kia’s VP of Marketing & Product Planning are to be believed.

GT could aim as high as Merc's CLS
GT could aim as high as Merc's CLS
Although production for the GT Concept has always seemed likely after a positive reaction to its Frankfurt Motor Show debut in 2011, Benny Oeyen revealed in a recent interview that a showroom-ready version is “close to being approved and going into production” – but added the proviso that Kia would have to be certain it’d make financial sense before sign-off could be given.

Were that to happen, the large four-door coupe that’d result would be a fairly radical departure for Kia, pitching it either into the Passat CC market, or potentially even into the line of fire of the Mercedes CLS. Ambitious indeed. With the concept featuring a rear-drive platform and a 390hp 3.3-litre turbocharged V6, the production car could be one to get excited about, assuming Kia doesn't water things down. Its hope that the halo model would raise its brand’s profile, giving it a model to rival similar models from prestige manufacturers, would seem to suggest not, though.

Provo could target Mini JCW
Provo could target Mini JCW
It isn’t just the prestige end of the market Kia’s aiming at, though; hot on the heels of the new Pro_cee’d GT, Kia’s making noises about a production version of the Provo concept that was exhibited at this year's Geneva show, though whether it retains its mischievous-yet-friendly front end remains to be seen. A production version would aim to rival the Mini hatch, according to sources, giving Kia a design-led supermini or small coupe that, it hopes, would lift its brand image further down the field. Were it to be equipped with the same 1.6-litre turbo as the Pro_cee’d GT, it could turn into a potentially interesting rival for the Mini John Cooper Works. Of course, after the British media’s slight hysteria about the Provo’s name, any production version would probably benefit from being called something different.

Author
Discussion

Ex Boy Racer

Original Poster:

1,151 posts

191 months

Tuesday 12th March 2013
quotequote all
Lucky old Kia. They don't have to labour under all of this 'brand DNA' and heritage stuff because they don't have any. So they can just design cool stuff.

And doesn't it show.

Demonix

479 posts

211 months

Tuesday 12th March 2013
quotequote all
There are several established car manufacturers who should take a look at Kia's concepts and see if they can get their heads around the idea of something fresh and styled with flair.

The same old boring Teutonic boxes from the likes of VW / Audi or mundane souless euro designs from Peugeot or Fiat etc could do with taking a lesson from the new kid on the block.

The Provo as a hot hatch would sell if id had the poke to appeal to Gti / Hot Clio posses (Am sure Mcguinness and Adams would love one as a run around in between knee capping appointments, can't see an issue with the name in the North of Eire) and the GT is something of a beauty! - it's probably only badge snobbery that would prevent many from buying these if they were to go into production

Carnnoisseur

531 posts

153 months

Tuesday 12th March 2013
quotequote all
If the Provo's concept bears any resemblance to the actual released model, I think they'll establish a rapid following - that's a great looking car IMO

Johnny 89

824 posts

151 months

Tuesday 12th March 2013
quotequote all
If this car does arrive on British shores, what on earth will they call it? LaKia?

PascalBuyens

2,868 posts

281 months

Tuesday 12th March 2013
quotequote all
Carnnoisseur said:
If the Provo's concept bears any resemblance to the actual released model, I think they'll establish a rapid following - that's a great looking car IMO
Make it RWD and it could be a VERY interesting car...

As for it being called "Provo"... it IS somehow provocative, so don't see why they shouldn't name it aptly smile

stephen300o

15,464 posts

227 months

Tuesday 12th March 2013
quotequote all
Johnny 89 said:
If this car does arrive on British shores, what on earth will they call it? LaKia?
Provo?

tbc

3,017 posts

174 months

Tuesday 12th March 2013
quotequote all
stephen300o said:
Johnny 89 said:
If this car does arrive on British shores, what on earth will they call it? LaKia?
Provo?
not sure what part of the UK your in, isolated shetland by the sound of it

Calling a car in the UK or Ireland PROVO short for Provisional IRA aka Terrorist murdering bds

it is the same as naming a new underground station al-Qaeda and getting Abu Qatada to open it

although by all accounts some people in South Armagh already had their deposits down on a lime green one with orange roof, on the DLA of course

rofl



Edited by tbc on Tuesday 12th March 13:18

dandarez

13,246 posts

282 months

Tuesday 12th March 2013
quotequote all
Demonix said:
There are several established car manufacturers who should take a look at Kia's concepts and see if they can get their heads around the idea of something fresh and styled with flair.

The same old boring Teutonic boxes from the likes of VW / Audi or mundane souless euro designs from Peugeot or Fiat etc could do with taking a lesson from the new kid on the block.

The Provo as a hot hatch would sell if id had the poke to appeal to Gti / Hot Clio posses (Am sure Mcguinness and Adams would love one as a run around in between knee capping appointments, can't see an issue with the name in the North of Eire) and the GT is something of a beauty! - it's probably only badge snobbery that would prevent many from buying these if they were to go into production
Surely 'ADAM's would prefer to drive around in a Vauxhall? getmecoat

stephen300o

15,464 posts

227 months

Tuesday 12th March 2013
quotequote all
tbc said:
stephen300o said:
Johnny 89 said:
If this car does arrive on British shores, what on earth will they call it? LaKia?
Provo?
not sure what part of the UK your in, isolated shetland by the sound of it

Calling a car in the UK or Ireland PROVO short for Provisional IRA aka Terrorist murdering bds

it is the same as naming a new underground station al-Qaeda and getting Abu Qatada to open it

although by all accounts some people in South Armagh already had their deposits down on a lime green one with orange roof, on the DLA of course

rofl



Edited by tbc on Tuesday 12th March 13:18
That group still together? I thought they disbanded in the seventies due to artistic differences.
Provo is a perfectly adequate name for a little car.

Kong

1,503 posts

170 months

Tuesday 12th March 2013
quotequote all
I think both cars look really cool. Not sure the GT will sell many in the UK though because it doesn't have the premium badge, how many high-end Lexus/Infinitis/(even Jag XJ) do you see compared to the German equivelant?

Odhran

579 posts

182 months

Tuesday 12th March 2013
quotequote all
stephen300o said:
tbc said:
stephen300o said:
Johnny 89 said:
If this car does arrive on British shores, what on earth will they call it? LaKia?
Provo?
not sure what part of the UK your in, isolated shetland by the sound of it

Calling a car in the UK or Ireland PROVO short for Provisional IRA aka Terrorist murdering bds

it is the same as naming a new underground station al-Qaeda and getting Abu Qatada to open it

although by all accounts some people in South Armagh already had their deposits down on a lime green one with orange roof, on the DLA of course

rofl



Edited by tbc on Tuesday 12th March 13:18
That group still together? I thought they disbanded in the seventies due to artistic differences.
Provo is a perfectly adequate name for a little car.
2005

jezuk

17 posts

146 months

Tuesday 12th March 2013
quotequote all
About as 'cool and funky' as middle aged men in skinny jeans and architect spectacles.

People were frothing at the bit to unleash their hatred towards the bimmer GT's, but seem to be quite fine about these ugly brutes. Different strokes.

ciscodisco

50 posts

235 months

Tuesday 12th March 2013
quotequote all
Just have a go at parking one in East Belfast !!

stephen300o

15,464 posts

227 months

Tuesday 12th March 2013
quotequote all
ciscodisco said:
Just have a go at parking one in East Belfast !!
Oh don't you worry, it will probably have parking censors as an option.

kambites

67,462 posts

220 months

Tuesday 12th March 2013
quotequote all
Not keen on the styling of that GT thing - looks horribly unbalanced, much like the various BMW GT and Audi Sportback things. Quite like the other one, though, and it's nice to see Kia being vaguely adventurous.

ikarl

3,730 posts

198 months

Tuesday 12th March 2013
quotequote all
tbc said:
stephen300o said:
Johnny 89 said:
If this car does arrive on British shores, what on earth will they call it? LaKia?
Provo?
not sure what part of the UK your in, isolated shetland by the sound of it

Calling a car in the UK or Ireland PROVO short for Provisional IRA aka Terrorist murdering bds

it is the same as naming a new underground station al-Qaeda and getting Abu Qatada to open it

although by all accounts some people in South Armagh already had their deposits down on a lime green one with orange roof, on the DLA of course

rofl



Edited by tbc on Tuesday 12th March 13:18
My thoughts exactly!!

Little Lofty

3,275 posts

150 months

Tuesday 12th March 2013
quotequote all
I think its safe to say it won't be named Provo if released:


Korean car maker Kia has now said they will not launch a car in the United Kingdom under the name “Provo” and have apologised for any offence caused.

Unionist MPs said the Kia Provo should be renamed and given a title which is “not associated with terror and mayhem”.

The Democratic Unionist Party’s Gregory Campbell (East Londonderry) and William McCrea (South Antrim) claimed the name had caused “deep offence”.

The Provo concept car was unveiled at the Geneva motor show, with Kia claiming the “sleek, low, yet muscular coupe-style” design was “meant to be cheeky and cheerful in its compactness and to hint at the fun awaiting on the open road”.

But in a Commons motion the MPs said: “This name has caused deep offence given that the Provisional IRA were known as the Provos when they were murdering and bombing in Northern Ireland, the rest of the UK, as well as in Germany, where the name is supposed to have been chosen.”

The motion “calls on Kia to reconsider, and bring forward a new name which is not associated with terror and mayhem”.

Last night Mr Campbell welcomed the statement from car manufacturer Kia that they will not launch a car in the United Kingdom under the name “Provo”.

Speaking after the announcement the DUP MP said, “The swift action by Kia is to be welcomed. Obviously a large multi-national company may not be aware of all the connotations surrounding a particular name. However, in such circumstances it is important that they act quickly when they are made aware that the name is actually linked to a terrorist campaign.

“I accept that this was a mistake made by the company and I know that their decisive action will be welcomed by many people, in Northern Ireland and beyond, whose lives have been affected by the murderous actions of the Provisional IRA over a 30 year period.”

A Kia spokesman said the company would not sell a car called Provo in the UK.

He said the firm had written to the DUP MPs about the car and was sorry if any offence was caused.

The spokesman said: “The name came from a merge of provoke - because we wanted to excite motoring enthusiasts with a car designed to deliver fun and performance - with a reference to Italian prova plates to signify a prototype.

“This car is a design concept and no production car is yet planned.

“We will not be selling a car in the UK named Provo, not now, not ever.

“We regret any misunderstanding of a motor show name and we are sorry if anyone was offended - this was a genuine creative naming process and no offence was intended.”

marcosgt

11,011 posts

175 months

Tuesday 12th March 2013
quotequote all
So that'll be the Kia Paisley then?

What could be nicer than naming a car after a funky floral pattern? biggrin

M.

Tartan Pixie

2,207 posts

146 months

Tuesday 12th March 2013
quotequote all
Ex Boy Racer said:
Lucky old Kia. They don't have to labour under all of this 'brand DNA' and heritage stuff because they don't have any. So they can just design cool stuff.

And doesn't it show.
+1

Good to see a car with a different front end instead of doing a copy/paste job across the entire range, it would be nice if manufacturers could do this more often.

Given that Kia have already proved with the soul that they can make and sell funky cars, I hope they do a good job on the provo (naming issues aside).

Fire99

9,844 posts

228 months

Tuesday 12th March 2013
quotequote all
If Kia can produce a car that looks close to this, then they will have pulled a bit of a master-stroke in this sector. (IMO of course)