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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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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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April Foolery: Kia introduces the KEE_wii sans steering wheel

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 06:59:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Etc., Kia, Toys/Games, Lifestyle

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

When we initially laid our eyes on the Kia KEE concept last year at the Frankfurt Motor Show, we were a bit underwhelmed, referring to the sporty coupe as "a Korean-sized speed bump at an otherwise awe-inspiring show." We would not say such things if Kia were to reintroduce the concept as the KEE_wii, which is rumored to be as powerful as two Gamecubes duct-taped together. Be sure to read the press release, pasted after the break, which not only informs us that Kia demands driving entitlement for children as young as eight, but it also introduces us to a few future driving technologies, such as Dynamic On-Road Kinetics (DORK), Full Orthopedic Operating Logic (FOOL) and, of course, Independent Driver Input Operating Technique (IDIOT).

According to Franz Josef-Hicks, head of the Advanced Propulsion Research Institute and Laboratory (APRIL) in New Zealand, the radical new technology allows the ability to drive the vehicle from either side of the car as well as the back seat using a hand-held controller sourced from the Nintendo Wii, hence the car's name. Citing the fact that many people don't pay attention when they are driving anyway, Hicks suggests that the lack of visibility from the back seat should not be a problem. With logic like that, how could we disagree? Kia expects that the first production application of this new technology should be ready on April 1, 2009. We can hardly wait.

Gallery: April Fools: KIA KEE_wii

Gallery: Kia Kee Coupe Concept

[Source: Kia]

Continue reading April Foolery: Kia introduces the KEE_wii sans steering wheel

April Foolery: Kia introduces the KEE_wii sans steering wheel originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Apr 2008 06:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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