According to a report, Kia will be unveiling its own rear-wheel drive coupe. Unlike the 2011 Hyundai Genesis Coupe, it will have V-8 power.
It's been two years since Hyundai's rear-wheel-drive Genesis sedan and coupe launched, and now it appears sister company Kia might be following Hyundai's lead.
According to What Car?, a British car magazine, Kia chief Hank Lee has said that the company needs a flagship car, and to that end, will be showing a rear-wheel-drive sports coupe concept with V-8 power at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.
The concept will be based on the same platform that will underpin a new U.S.-market luxury sedan that's expected to debut in 2012. Another concept on the same platform will be shown at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit next January. Kia will likely choose the best concept of the two for production and launch it around 2015.
Astute observers will note that while Hyundai offers V-8 power in the Genesis sedan, it does not in the coupe, meaning Kia would the only one of the two brands offer such a layout (unless, of course, Hyundai drops either the 4.6-liter or 5.0-liter V-8s available in the Genesis sedan into the coupe).
Another Kia source suggested that Kia might also be looking into a coupe to pull duty as a MX-5 Miata fighter as well, confirming previous reports, although that car, if it comes to fruition, might be a front-driver based on the next Cee'd hatchback, which should bow next year.
Kia might also be mulling sporty, hotter hatchbacks based on the Rio and the Cee'd, and a sporty sub-brand (think Mazdaspeed or Ford RS) could be in the works. Finally, the report states that Kia might be looking to expand its presence in motorsports.
We're all for more sporty choices around here, and it could be interesting to watch Kia transform from a value brand to a mainstream brand with a sporty streak.