Filed under: Concept Cars, New York Auto Show, Coupes, Kia
New York 2008: Late Night in NYC with the Kia KOUP concept
by Damon Lavrinc on Mar 19th 2008 at 8:51PM 
Click the image above for a high-res, albeit very red, gallery of the Kia KOUP.
Kia was kind enough to invite us (and the rest of the media types braving a monsoon in NYC) down to an art gallery this evening to check out this newest concept before its official unveiling tomorrow morning. The KOUP (we're unsure if it's pronounced "coupe" or "coup") is the next major step for Kia to evolve its current design language into something more palatable than what we've been endured in recent months (ahem, Kee Coupe Concept). From the details we saw in the awkwardly lit gallery, it looks like the designers could be on the right track, but we'll have to wait for the official reveal at 9:40 AM EST tomorrow to be sure.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Torrent 9:10PM (3/19/2008)
Make it!!!
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Tinu 10:36PM (3/19/2008)
So Kia is building a souped up Civic based upon the Hyundai Genesis platform?
ArchAngel 9:12PM (3/19/2008)
That, sir, is a glorified Civic coupe.
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SPF 10:33PM (3/19/2008)
+1
Ted 9:12PM (3/19/2008)
Looks hot!
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Turbofrog 9:30PM (3/19/2008)
I expect it will a be a competently executed traditional design, with maybe some fresh detailing. I think the Kee was more interesting, though this may be more conventionally attractive.
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Eric Biran 10:05PM (3/19/2008)
Agreed. The Kee was much more innovative. This one looks very traditional--and owes its nose to the Acura TSX/Euro Accord. I suspect it will look good, but the most conceptual thing about it will be the optics behind those lights. Good-to-great for a production car, not so interesting as a concept. I guess we'll know for sure tomorrow.
zoom_x2 9:30PM (3/19/2008)
Terrific!
Now make it FR and then we'll have a winner on our hands.
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mk 9:46PM (3/19/2008)
Considering the Maxima and Scion Coupe preview shots we've seen, and then seeing the actual vehicles completely...
Not going to pass judgement either way until I see the whole thing.
Even with those photos, it could end up very ugly. Or not.
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PJ 10:26PM (3/19/2008)
Psst. Scion. This is kinda what we had in mind for the Hako Coupe. Not, y'know, an orange barf bucket.
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Jason 1:16AM (3/20/2008)
Kia Spectra. Coupe and sedan versions. Hatchback presumably to be replaced by Soul.
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Nes 1:41AM (3/20/2008)
this thing is hot! i say if hyundai has the genesis coupe...i say to kia build this one! this will be their hallow car! ^_^
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PhilP10 2:22AM (3/20/2008)
This is looking really good so far.
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JaysonAych 2:50AM (3/20/2008)
Please make a Hyundai version and call it the SKOUP :p
Seriously, I'm intrigued...looks pretty sharp so far...
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cars1982 4:31AM (3/20/2008)
Hey fellas, keep in mind that this is a preview of the next gen Spectra that is due out for 2010 model year. Check out spy shots at http://www.kia-world.net/ for the sedan version. Looks promising so far, hopefully as dynamic as the Euro Kia Cee'd cars.
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noah 8:13AM (3/20/2008)
looks great. from the headlights it looks like a sedan version of a land rover LRX. looks like it should have a saab badge on it also. but if kia is serious to put this in production, there definantly pointing in the right direction
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dildomassive 8:21AM (3/20/2008)
Looks like a SAAB.
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tech9 2:38PM (3/20/2008)
looks suprisingly good. we shall see its specs and build quality though..
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