| New concept car | 2008 New York Auto Show | Kia Koup concept |
Kia showed off its Koup concept at the
New York International Auto Show, but insiders at the Korean company have confirmed this two-door coupé will become a production reality.
The Koup is said to be very close to the final version, though Kia will not say what the production model will be called. Aggressive styling marks out the Koup and gives a strong indication of the direction Kia is heading in.
Chief stylist Tom Kearns says: "The Koup represents the future of the Kia brand. We're designing cars to appeal to driving enthusiasts who want stylish looks and advanced technology. We believe the Koup delivers that."
A key feature of the concept car that is likely to make it into production is the panoramic glass roof panel that Kia says gives the interior the feel of a jet fighter's cockpit. The interior of the Koup also has carbon fibre trim to emphasise the sporty nature of the car.
Power comes from a 290bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged engine and drives the front wheels through a six-speed automatic gearbox with manual override. The suspension will feature Continuous Damping Control, which is aimed at providing agile handling without compromising comfort. For the concept car, Kia has fitted 19-inch alloy wheels, but production models are likely to come with 17-inch alloys as standard with the option of 18-inch wheels.
The Koup is based on the
cee'd platform and aimed primarily at the USA market, but Kia says there's a very good chance the Koup will come to Europe soon after it goes on sale in America in 18 months' time.
Alisdair Suttie - 21 Mar 2008