| New Concept Car | Frankfurt Motor Show | Kia Kee |
Kia has hinted at its ambitious intentions to take on coupé rivals with its own Kee concept, shown in
Frankfurt last week. Under Design Chief, Peter Schreyer - who designed the original
Audi TT - the new Kia concept uses a 2+2 seater layout squeezed into its 4.3-metre long, two-door body. The car was designed to be an expensive-looking, but affordable alternative in the market segment lead much on looks alone.
Noting this, the Kia sits on bold 20-inch alloy wheels wrapped in hand-cut Continental rubber and features a new front grille design that is placed between two LED cluster headlights accenting the front corners of the car, with trailing shiny metal strips. The Kee is somewhat of a minimalist when it comes to gaping grilles and air intakes however, the rear all but affirming this with only one lower cut into its derriere, housing two close-knit tailpipes, whilst upper outer-edge lights broaden the car's appearance. The coupé-producing profile of the concept is managed by the C-pillars that sit slightly forward and meet the rear haunches early on, which would leave enough space for an adequately sized boot complete with clam-shell rear opening.
The show car features Kia's 'next generation' engine - a 2.0-litre V6 petrol producing 198bhp, mated to an also new sequential six-speed auto' transmission.
It's not known whether the car will get the go ahead, but Kia continues to go from strength to strength in car design. The latest concept coupé shows the company has big plans for its range, so watch this space...
Kyle Molyneux - 18 Sep 2007