Thoughts From Frankfurt: What Else Caught Our Eye

Other stuff we liked and didn’t like

By Adam towler / Friday, 14 September 2007 / Loading comments

Kia Kee Coupe

Korean firm Kia impressed us with their new Kee coupe and the three-door version of the cee’d hatchback.

Designed under ex-Audi design director Peter Schreyer the Kee was a finely proportioned little coupe although there was no word on what mechanicals might lurk beneath the concept body. Kia needs this car to move forward and the signs look encouraging – production was said to be ‘more than a possibility’.

Take a close look too at the three-door hatch below and imagine it with a suitable body kit and mechanicals.

Renault Laguna Concept

Although for now the strongest engine will be a two-litre turbo diesel, with the right motor and those sharp good looks this is a car that could win the brand many new fans, especially if a hot hatch version keeps the firm’s remarkable seven year warranty.

Although the new Renault Laguna didn’t exactly blow us away, the Laguna Coupe Concept is something altogether different. Forget the scissor doors and you’re looking at the production car of late next year – complete with four wheel steering and available with the firm’s new 3.0 V6 diesel engine producing 406lb ft of torque.

Subaru Impreza WRC

The Honda Accord concept previewed the next model in 2008 and was a definite improvement, while the R36 VW Passat looked like being an excellent cheap fast used buy in years to come. And what of the new Evo? Not bad, but something was missing for us, and the bluff front end grated a bit.

However, the office was united in the booby prize award: it has to be the new Subaru Impreza. We’ve tried to be positive in the past, but even the new rally car couldn’t hide the misery of the regular model. Rumour has it that a restyle is being rushed through as you read this. No wonder…