Posted on Thursday 20 March 2008
Kia has taken the wraps off a new two-door concept at this week’s New York Auto Show that previews the shape and evolution of the carmaker’s future models. Designed by Kia’s America Design Center in California, the Koup concept showcases a new fluid design theme as well as an aggressive look for the Korean carmaker.
The concept features a classic wedge profile and is adorned with carbon fiber, black chrome and LED head and taillamps. Alluding to its sporty intentions, the concept also gets a carbon fiber chin spoiler, lamp lenses, cowl panel, side-view mirrors, rear bumper insert and rear diffuser. Completing the performance theme are flashy twin-spoke wheels and Brembo brake callipers biting cross-drilled rotors.
Under the hood sits a 2.0L Theta II turbocharged engine producing 290hp and 289lb-ft of torque between 2,000 and 4,000rpm. The engine also debuts Kia’s new GDI direct-injection technology. Drive is sent to the front wheels and the whole thing sits on a unibody frame with coil springs and stabilizer bars for improved handling. These complement an independent front suspension featuring MacPherson struts and an independent dual link rear suspension set-up. Other technical highlights include an engine-speed-sensitive steering system and a set of active dampers.
The cabin continues the sports theme with carbon fiber trim, race-inspired steering wheel, engine starter button and six-speed automatic transmission with steering column-mounted paddle shifters.
First decently styled car from KIA. Not that it means that I would actually buy one.
mlevere…. seeing what they did with the genesis coupe… i can look at this concept right now and say when it hits production it will look exactly like the VW scirroco. mark my words.
its really amazing.. it looks like an original design in concept form.. but once it hits the roads… BAM.. all of a sudden, its “oh look… its actually supposed to be a copy of that car… interesting”
front end: honda civic (europian)
wow, its an Si
Chris, I forgot about the VW scirroco (sp) concept. It does look a lot like it. And it does kind of look like the current Civic Si coupe. And at least it has a decent interior. You can make a car look good in pictures but just wait until you can drive it.
Remember Gung Ho, with Michael Keaton and the cars that they built would fall apart when driving them off the lot……..
lol i dont think ive seen that movie. yeah u guys nailed it.,.. its more Si coupe than anything else. i still see scirocco (good call on the (sp?)).
oh hyundai, forever the No Name Brand car maker.
RSX/Civic Si body + Civic Si head lights + IS350 tail lights = Kia KOUP
My goodness it’s a Korean sports coupe invasion!
Hurry, hide all the copy machines!
blame the copy designs on the Americans, not koreans! it was designed in CALIFORNIA!
By Koreans.
Great design although lots of cues from honda/acura especially the civic coupe. Still production worthy. Kia and Hundai are doing a good job climbing up the ladder. Who wouldn’t go for a 290hp coupe thats probably going to be under 20K.
Can you say…Lancer
Not a bad design by Kia’s standards. When I look at the rear of the car I’m reminded of the Ac RSX. Good try though on Kia’s part.
Looking at this car even more, Kia took a civic front and added it to an RSX rear. It works, not too original but it works.
Before I read the headline I was assuming this was a new replacement for the Acura Integra. Ooops!
To me, it looks a hell lot like the new Mitsubishi Lancer Evo (I might be mistaken)
it looks like a civic si!
Gus
Joel Piaskowski, who is the Chief Designer at the Hyundai Kia Design and Technical Center in California doesnt sound too korean. The korean design center is in Korea…they have the americans at California…..