Kia’s stylish GT concept, due to appear in production form in 2013, could be joined by a two-door coupe and a wagon, say insiders. Kia believes that the GT could provide another family of cars for the brand rather than a single halo model.
As shown at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show, the rear-wheel-drive GT is equipped with a 390hp turbocharged 3.3-liter gasoline direct injection (T-GDi) V6 engine that drives an eight-speed automatic, placing it firmly in premium brand territory by price if not reputation.
Kia sees the GT as a more affordable alternative to Audi’s A5 Sportback and A7, bringing the Korean brand closer than it’s ever been to competing with premium European brands.
Chief Designer Peter Schreyer, who joined Kia in 2006 from Volkswagen/Audi, says he is also keen to develop a budget sports car to compete with the Mazda MX-5, although this is definitely not part of the product plan.
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