A few years ago, Kia introduced a concept for a sporty sedan, a key model that was missing from its lineup. There has been very little chatter about the concept since then — until now, that is.
Information was revealed this week that the GT could move from concept to reality at a Kia dealer near you “soon.” Industry insiders say that the GT could hit dealerships by next year, but no definitive timeline has been introduced.
Not very many details have been introduced about the Kia GT, which was officially introduced at the Frankfurt Auto Show in 2011, but here’s everything we know so far:
Exterior Styling
The Kia GT doesn’t look like anything else you’ll find at a Kia dealer — nor does it look like a Hyundai, with which Kia models often share platforms and design. The GT looks like a luxury vehicle, and it has been designed to compare with cars like the Maserati Ghibli.
The Kia GT looks like a silver bullet shooting down the highway. Its sleek body has one smooth, uninterrupted line from the start of the windshield to the start of the tail lights. The head lights raise up in a sharp arch, almost as if they are being pulled back by the speed of the car. Hub caps have a propeller design that is visually interesting and adds to the illusion of movement. Even when it’s parked, this car looks like it’s always speeding down the track.
Though the Kia GT is a four-door car that is designed to seat four people, it looks like a two-door vehicle. The back doors are suicide doors (meaning the handle is where the hinges are on most models and the doors open from the opposite side). The handle on the back door blends with the handle on the front door, making it appear as if they are one. The smaller back door contributes to this illusion.
Many more features are included on the concept GT that industry insiders don’t expect to remain for the production version. For example, the concept has copper accents on the front quarter window and roofline, as well as copper finishes on the brake calipers. Since copper is much more expensive than aluminum, it will probably be swapped in the production version of the vehicle. Ditto for the side view cameras, which will probably be traded for actual mirrors.
Interior Styling
The inside of the Kia GT concept is just as gorgeous as the outside. It has unique, floating one-piece seats in a setback cabin that will make you think you’re in the cockpit of a race car. (Unfortunately, some industry insiders speculate that these seats will be swapped out for more traditional adjustable seats with the production version of the car.)
The leather upholstery is treated with a metallic finish. Not only does it look beautiful now, but it is designed to develop a patina over time, giving it a unique look and interesting visual appeal. (Unfortunately, this is another feature that some say is destined to be traded out for production. We hope to see it stay.)
The back seat mimics the front, with bucket seats that will hug passengers and provide a comfortable ride. All four passengers will have plenty of legroom. The GT is expected to have a wheelbase of 112.6 inches.
The entire interior is stripped down in favor of smooth, continuous lines. You won’t find a lot of gauges and dials on the dash. Instead, you’ll find transparent organic LED technology displaying all the information you need. The controls have been consolidated to create fewer interruptions on the dash.
Copper accents are featured along the trim on the seats, console, door panels and more.
Automotive Technology
The Kia GT is the first Kia car to have rear-wheel drive. An all-wheel drive option is expected to be available, as well, and both models are expected to use the same platform as the Hyundai Genesis. Even if the GT isn’t designed to look anything like its Hyundai cousins, it is still likely to use some of the same automotive technology in order to cut down on production costs.
The GT is expected to come with a direct injection 3.3-liter turbocharged V6 engine that puts out 390 horsepower and 394 pounds per feet of torque. The engine will be paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, for a combination that provides both power and agility.
Little else is known about the technology powering the Kia GT, such as the suspension or exhaust systems. However, since we’ll likely be seeing this car at a Kia dealer next year, we’re sure that details will be forthcoming.
Production Plans
Though it has been several years since the Kia GT concept debuted, the car has remained a topic of interest. It was heavily rumored to be going into production in 2013, but those plans ultimately did not pan out. Now the head of product planning for Kia America Orth Hendrick tells an Australian news outlet that the GT and its counterpart, the GT Stinger, are both under production and that an official announcement would be made “soon.”
Hendrick says that the Stinger may take a back seat for awhile since the market is stronger for the four-door coupe. Hendrick says that interest for a two-door coupe like the Stinger may be strong for about 18 months or so, but the sales are not sustained long enough to make the line profitable.
Another concept in the line is the Cross GT, which is a full-size hybrid SUV. That concept is powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine and comes with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. With the engine and electric motor, the Cross GT puts out 400 horsepower. The Cross GT looks like the SUV version of the concept Kia GT, with many of the exterior and interior design elements the same.
There has been no word of when or if the Cross GT would be produced.
We are excited to hear more about the new Kia GT and will be reporting any details here as soon as they become available. In the meantime, you can visit Kia dealer Miami Lakes Kia to learn more about the Kia line and what it has to offer. We encourage you to visit us, get to know our staff, and learn more about our extended warranties and financing offers. By the time the Kia GT concept makes its way to our lot, you will have all the information you need to feel confident about your new purchase.
