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Kia to get a sports car "sooner or later," says designer

Noah Joseph — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 18:20:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Kia

2007 Kia Kee concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Kia has come a long way since arriving on these shores over fifteen years ago. Looking ahead, the Korean automaker still has plenty of tricks up its sleeve, says Automotive News after an interview with the company's design chief, Peter Schreyer.

Having landed at Kia in 2006 after a 26-year stint at Volkswagen, Schreyer knows a thing or two about design. He's credited with styling the groundbreaking original Audi TT, and would like to do something similar for Kia... in time.

For the moment, Kia is focusing on its core products. But "sooner or later," says Schreyer, the Korean automaker will be ready for a sportier model to serve as a halo and help define the brand. When that time comes, we could see something along the lines of the Kee concept from 2007 (pictured) take form, and given Schreyer's experience, we don't doubt it'll be a looker. Just when that time will be, however, remains a big question mark.

Gallery: Kia Kee Coupe Concept

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

Kia to get a sports car "sooner or later," says designer originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Nov 2010 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Kia considering production Kee to compete with Toyobaru coupe

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 16:57:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Budget, Performance, Kia

Kia Kee Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

In an interview with the blokes from Autocar, Kia head designer Peter Schreyer had plenty of interesting things to say about the possibility of a new rear-wheel drive sportscar from the Korean automaker based on the KEE concept from the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show.

If it ever sees the light of day, Schreyer sees the coupe as a possible competitor for the Mazda MX-5 Miata and the upcoming inexpensive sportscar from Toyota and Subaru. Not to mention a possible Nissan 240SX revival. Just don't expect to see such a machine any time soon:

Assuming Kia's European fortunes continue to improve at the rate they are now, we could be ready in, say, five years for a car like Kee... [I]t would be important for the Kee to be rear-wheel drive. And there is, of course, already a rear-driven platform within the Hyundai-Kia group that we could look to use, if our timing was good... Personally, I have to say that I'm very excited by the idea, and very enthusiastic to make it happen.

So, not only may the Genesis platform be expanded to include a top-level Kia sedan, it may spawn a small sporty machine as well. According to Schreyer, the production Kee wouldn't need a ton of power; rather Kia would focus on making the car "compact, affordable and fun." Sounds good to us - really, can we ever have too much of those three adjectives in the automotive world?

Gallery: Kia Kee Coupe Concept

[Source: Autocar]

REPORT: Kia considering production Kee to compete with Toyobaru coupe originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Dec 2009 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Frankfurt 2007: Kia Kee Coupe Concept

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 09:28:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Motor Show, Coupe, Kia

Click the image above for a host of high-res images of the Kia Kee.

Kia unwrapped what it contends will be the future of its design language in the form of the Kee Sports Coupe Concept here in Frankfurt, and, depending on your perspective, that could be a good or bad thing. The low-profile two-door seems more of an amalgamation of design philosophies, rather than a coherent whole. Peter Schreyer, the ex-Audi designer and current Chief Design Officer of Kia Europe, pegs the Kee as a significant step towards Kia's sporting potential, and its new, forgettable fascia will be expanded across the Kia lineup.

Under the bonnet, you'll find what the company is calling a "next generation" two-liter V6 that sends 200 HP through a six-speed automatic to the 20-inch front wheels. The LED head- and tail lamps were a nice touch, as is the multi-level hatch. But beyond the Kee's bright yellow hue, we've deemed this concept a Korean-sized speed bump at an otherwise awe-inspiring show.

Gallery: Kia Kee Coupe Concept

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Frankfurt 2007: Kia Kee Coupe Concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Sep 2007 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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