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Kia to show rear-drive V8 coupe concepts in Frankfurt, Detroit

Chris Shunk — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Frankfurt Motor Show, Coupe, Kia

Hyundai and Kia may have separate product lineups, but the two Korean automakers are owned by the same company. But while the two companies have shared platforms and engines on most occasions, for some reason, Hyundai received a rear-drive platform and the impressive Tau V8 engines for its Genesis range while Kia was left out of the fun.

That could change with the introduction of the K9 sedan, which has been rumored to arrive in 2012, but does Kia have more plans for rear-wheel-drive and maybe even a V8 engine? The UK's What Car? is reporting that Kia is looking to get quite a bit sportier in the future, suggesting that the automaker will release a pair of rear-drive coupe concepts to gauge interest. The first eight-pot coupe will reportedly show up for duty at the Frankfurt Motor Show, followed by a second concept car at the Detroit Auto Show in January. If public opinion of the rumored concepts is strong, What Car? claims a production model could ensue for 2015.

What Car? also renews speculation that Kia is eying a competitor to the Mazda MX-5 Miata. The would-be roadster would be small and light, but importantly, it may not be rear-drive. Word is that the drop-top could utilize the platform of the next generation Cee'd. While we're all for another compact roadster, we'd add that in order to truly compete with the Mazda, rear-drive should definitely be part of the equation. Those with really long memories will recall that Kia has already experimented with small front-drive roadsters designed to take on the Miata - it briefly retained the rights to build its own version of the second-generation Lotus Elan (M100) back in the late 1990s.

Kia to show rear-drive V8 coupe concepts in Frankfurt, Detroit originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Jul 2011 13:30:00 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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Kia Sports Coupe concept pegged for Frankfurt

Siddharth Raja — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 10:27:00 EST

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

Click image to enlarge

The Frankfurt Motor Show is still a couple of months away, but the trickle of pre-show teasers and announcements has already begun. The latest release is from Kia, which will be presenting a new 2+2 sports coupe concept at the September show designed and constructed at its Frankfurt design studio. Similar in size to the Audi TT, the unnamed concept is expected to hit production as a relatively cheap RWD sports car.

The new concept was penned by Chief Design Officer Peter Schreyer as a follow up to his attractive ex_cee'd cabrio concept from March's Geneva show. Schreyer, in fact, is in charge of reshaping Kia's whole new brand identity and character and admits that he's been given a rare opportunity to design a car with a clean sheet to work from.

There's a lot riding on this latest concept because it'll reveal the new face for Kia and is one of the first steps in its new product strategy of focusing on design. If the ex_cee'd cabrio is anything to go by, Kia's new offerings are shaping up to be very exciting.

[Source: Kia]

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Kia Sports Coupe concept pegged for Frankfurt originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Jul 2007 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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