Kia Sets Sights on Audi, Porsche with New Car

YAHOO AUTOS

 

 

                    

By Keith Griffin            

 

 

 

The concept has become reality. Kia will actually produce the GT concept as a production car. At least that’s what some execs are telling us.

What’s most surprising is the intended benchmark of the four-door coupe: the Audi A7 and Porsche Panamera. It’s a further signal of the Korean automaker’s intent to be a sporty, upscale alternative to its benevolent overlord Hyundai.

 

According to Edmunds.com, the Kia GT is the production version of the Kia GT Concept, a 390-horsepower, rear-wheel-drive vehicle that was unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show. It’s slated to arrive at U.S. Kia dealerships by the end of 2016.

The GT is aimed at the American market, which is nice to hear we’re finally getting something sporty from an OEM. It will be sold in Europe with an available diesel engine but we can live without that.

The rear-wheel-drive Kia GT is expected to be powered by a turbocharged 3.3-liter V6 engine linked to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The V6 in the Cadenza would be a candidate if a supercharger or turbo were added

However, it makes more sense to put the powerful V8 from the K900 inside the GT to make it an instant powerhouse. Probably not going to happen but it would be a kick ass car if it did.

Truth be told, the concept we would really like to see come to market is the GT4 Stinger Concept (seen here). That 2×2 was introduced at the Detroit Auto Show.

Maybe it has a life with the introduction of the Kia GT. Lets hope it doesn’t take as long to come to market as the GT.