Friday 19th August 2011

Is Kia About To Create A Car We Actually Want?

Rear-wheel-drive sports saloon concept set for Frankfurt show

---

For a car company that, back in 1991, was citing whitewall tyres on a recycled Mazda 121 as something to be proud of, Kia has come a long way.

These days, its offerings (along with those of sister company Hyundai) are right up there with the best mainstream manufacturers, but you would never describe them as exciting.

But that changes now with this dramatic four-door sports saloon concept, which is set to make its debut at the Frankfurt motor show.

Although not apparently intended as a preview of a specific future model (it's one of those 'statement of intent' concepts), the new car does sound tantalisingly possible to us, as it uses the Hyundai Genesis V8 motor and rear-drive platform.

So, will we see a Kia to take on the likes of BMW and Mercedes? If you'd asked us yesterday we might have laughed. Today we're not so sure...

[Gene Vincent]

Actually a good looking motor!

[Rawwr]

I'm getting a bouquet *sniffsniff* of R35 with a hint of DB9 and a touch of basil.

[thinfourth2]

No it will still be lardy and rolled in glitter

[Crusoe]

Skylineish front grafted onto Lamborghini Esotoque, rear is very similar.

[The Danimal]

Crusoe said:

Skylineish front grafted onto Lamborghini Esotoque, rear is very similar.

Just what I was thinking. It's almost embarrassingly close in it's 3/4 area and general proportions... They're a bit cheeky these Kia boys!

[Blangs]

Its about time they begin to develop their 'historic' cars like honda (nsx), nissan (skyline) & mazda (RX7) etc. Kia have huge potential and a decent range. Go Kia!

[SWoll]

And the front



crossed with



Any more "design cues" spotted

[AV12]

:shocked:

[neilpurves]

I particularly like the hockey stick on the sill. Street hockey anyone?!!

[Sivraj]

I think they should go with it and add the usual smaller petrol, diesel units to the line up,
It would make for interesting competition if the prices reflect the rest of the range!...

[Liquid Knight]

SWoll said:

Any more "design cues" spotted?

The wheels are round; just like every other car ever made.

[soad]

Gene Vincent said:

Actually a good looking motor!

Not that keen on the front, design clues taken from other manufactures too.
Will they actually build this?

[Philib1988]

It will never be made so its irrelevant really.

[TommyBuoy]

Is it me or is this almost identical to the baby jag -

http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyI...

[timewatch]

Just build it and stop this prevaricating about the bush!

TW>>>

[Froomee]

The Danimal said:

Crusoe said:

Skylineish front grafted onto Lamborghini Esotoque, rear is very similar.

Just what I was thinking. It's almost embarrassingly close in it's 3/4 area and general proportions... They're a bit cheeky these Kia boys!

I wonder who will actually build it first.......................

not a bad looking car IMO and at least its different. No doubt people will knock it 'cus it's a Kia' but every company has to start somewhere.

+1 for effort.

[SleeperCell]

So a relatively humble V8 powered rear wheel drive sedan that borrows it's almost coupe like lines and design cues from contemporary supercars.

Kia has just reinvented the Rover SD1.

[toppstuff]

Kia are already making some nice looking cars.

I was passing through the US last week and in the airport shopping mall in Chicago , they had one of these on show.

Much nicer than any other mainstream rep-mobile I can think of.

[dlockhart]

it looks like a poor mans Aston.

Since Im not rich enough to afford an Aston (well new one at least)

I Want Want Want

[The Danimal]

Froomee said:

I wonder who will actually build it first.......................

not a bad looking car IMO and at least its different. No doubt people will knock it 'cus it's a Kia' but every company has to start somewhere.

+1 for effort.

I know which manufacturer badge I'd rather have on the front if I was returning to the car and it was cold and/or raining and I wanted it to start.