Rendered Speculation: Kia's big VG
So the Kia VG mule that has kept spy photographers busy the last few weeks has now been given a computer animated face and body. It's a nice looking ride, though has a surprising amount in common with the Hyundai Genesis... which means we also see, well, a lot of other cars in it. But that's not a bad thing, really, because the result is a tasty little creation, especially coming from Kia. The lines are a touch more forceful than those on the Genesis, which goes along with Kia being the sporting brand, or so they say. If the final version looks even close to this rendering, and they give it performance to match... well, then Kia will have taken a giant leap forward. Thanks for the tip, miha![Source: Kia World]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
SPG 6:07PM (9/02/2008)
Very nice, I like the lines.
My first reaction was "could this have the success of the first few years of the Acura Legend?"
Of course I reminded myself that Honda already had a great reputation in North America.
However I wish Kia the best with this car and would not mind it for myself with these lines and all year usability of the Genisis platform.
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Jim Bagelman 6:32PM (9/02/2008)
Why is it so hard for these Korean automakers to develop and stick to a recognizable look? They are all chronic rip-offs, picking and choosing from other successful designs. I know that Daewoo didn't have enormous success with their originality, but come on those were hideous filth. Every time I see a new Hyundai or Kia it's a joke, like they can't make up their minds.
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Brian 7:29PM (9/02/2008)
I would heavily disagree with your comments. While it may take bits and pieces from other vehicles, which doesn't? I look at the most recent Kia's as having about the best non-luxury styling cues out there. Even compared to the Genesis this car carries a much more sporting presence with soem nice curves and more exaggerated features such as those headlights and the lower air intakes.
Now Kia has to prove me and others wrong by actually making the car look like this. At least I respect their effort in spreading a corperate grille or "trademark".
Big Rocket 7:32PM (9/02/2008)
@Jim Bagelman: Umm, this rendering was pure speculation on the part of some artist completely unaffiliated with Kia. Are you really accusing all Korean automakers of rip-offs based on this? I can understand if you got on your soapbox with some of the other vehicles from Hyundai/Kia, but this unofficial speculation is not the right place.
ConceptVBS 2:45AM (9/06/2008)
It seems like you really arent an auto enthusiast or much knowledgable about the auto industry. By the way, the lead designer of Kia now used to work at VW/Audi, Peter Shryer(sp?)
jsjs 3:31PM (9/03/2008)
Uhh, how original are/were the Japanese designs?
The initial LS and Q45 were hardly original designs, much less anything by Acura.
Infiniti/Nissan has long ripped off the c-pillar "kink" from BMW and now Honda and Toyota have gotten in on the action.
Otoh, the original Santa Fe, Tiburon and Elantra, for example, were quite original (for better or worse).
Even the Europeans are now getting in on the action w/ VW ripping off the CLS w/ the Passat variation and Mercedes going for the eyebrow signal changer that BMW started.
And oh, most of the recent/upcoming Hyundai/Kia designs for the US market are designed in California by American designers.
Tom Kearns is the head designer for Kia and he is responsible for the Koup and Soul (he also, btw, oversaw the development of the CTS when he was at GM).
So if you are going to blast anyone, shouldn't you be blasting the American designers?
As for Daewoo, many of its designs were penned by Italdesign Giugiaro (so shouldn't you be blasting Giugiaro?) as was the Lexus GS (which is why they shared similar styling elements).
Jim Bagelman 6:41PM (9/02/2008)
Honestly tell me that if that illustration wasn't associated with this article, you'd see it and exclaim "That's gotta be the big new Kia"
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wef 11:44PM (9/02/2008)
what?
ConceptVBS 2:46AM (9/06/2008)
Okay, it says "SPECULATION". Do you even know what that means? The illustration is purely strategic guessing on the part of the illustrator based on what what revealed on the camo spy shots. Come on man, you cant be that naive.
Torrent 7:07PM (9/02/2008)
Nice. the design is clean.
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tekdemon 7:42PM (9/02/2008)
KIA is now their sporting brand???
Because yeah, when I think KIA I think sporting. Especially since car brands without sports cars are the most sporting ones of all.
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ZetoSanNi 8:50PM (9/02/2008)
Ahh.. So, the Genesis is the Mercedes, and the Kia is the BMW.
Can't go wrong by copying those companies, looks great. Let's hope it's as dependable.
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philrocka 9:23PM (9/02/2008)
Looks good. Should be good competition for the Maxima, Avalon, new Taurus, and TL.
This is not based on the same platform as the Genesis.
And for those claiming this is a rip-off design, you need to look at what other car companies are putting out. This is no more of a rip-off than any other average car on the road. The Accord looks like a budget 5-series, the Flex looks like a Land Rover stationwagon, and the list goes on..
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Speedtrap 11:59PM (9/07/2008)
Jim Bagelman, you are a MORON. All automakers copy one another, just like any other industry. Whatever sells!
Get a clue!
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