Rumored: Kia Planning To Show Production GT This Year

After being shown in concept form at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show and numerous reports saying a production model would be shown, we might actually get a chance to see the production version of the Kia GT.

Autocar reports that Kia will be showing off the production version of the four-door GT at October's Paris Motor Show.

A quick refresher on the GT Concept: It was a sharp looking four-door coupe with a turbocharged 3.3L V6 producing 389 horsepower and 394 pound-feet of torque. Power was routed through an eight-speed automatic to the rear-wheels. Since being shown at Frankfurt, there have been rumors flying around saying Kia would put this model into production as a U.S. only model.

The report says the model that will be shown will incorporate cues from the GT4 Stinger concept shown at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show. Production is expected to begin in 2017, most likely for a wider audience.

But wait, there's more!

The GT will herald a new range of performance oriented Kia vehicles wearing the GT vehicles. This will include a Rio GT that will take on the Fiesta ST. Autocar says the model will follow a year after the next-generation Rio is introduced. The new Rio will use a new platform that is said to cut weight and improving driving dynamics.

The Rio GT is being developed under the watchful of eye Albert Biermann, former head of BMW's M division and now the performance chief for Hyundai and Kia. Biermann's involvement in this project is seen as a way to establish some credibility into this new hot hatch. The Rio GT is expected to use a tuned version of a 1.6L four-cylinder with 180 horsepower. No word if this engine is turbocharged or not.

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Catch a Glimpse of Kia’s Telluride Concept in the Wild

The North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) was the site of many amazing debuts from car brands around the world. One of the most impressive debuts, though, was that of the Kia Telluride Concept. Designed to showcase Kia’s future design style, the Telluride is an SUV that offers consumers a sleek, modern silhouette with plenty of innovative technologies in the cabin.

But the Telluride isn’t just a hint at Kia’s design future—it also hints at a possible SUV being added to the brand’s American lineup in the future. We haven’t gotten any word on whether or not production is a go for the concept car, but we can only hope it happens sometime soon.

As a plug-in hybrid concept car, the Telluride combines a 3.5-liter V6 gasoline-powered engine with an electric motor, churning out a surprising 400 horsepower. Despite this power, the SUV gets an impressive 30 mpg highway, something that is typically unheard of for such a large vehicle.

To show us how great the Kia Telluride concept truly is, Kia has given us a glimpse of the SUV out on the open road—and we have to say, we’re quite impressed. Even the wheels look awesome! Watch the Telluride’s video debut below (the driving starts at the 0:57 mark).

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Kia Unveils Hybrid And Concept SUVs At Detroit

A couple of new concepts from Kia at the North American Auto Show, both interesting. First up is a teaser for the all-new Niro, what Kia is referring to as an ‘HUV’ or Hybrid Utility Vehicle.

Obviously the words ‘sporty’ and ‘versatile’ are used to describe the vehicle - pretty much standard vocabulary these days - and the design is supposed to be ‘sleek and aerodynamic’. Albeit as sleek and aerodynamic as an HUV can be, when it’s shaped like a swanky brick.

More interestingly, the Niro is aiming for sub 90g/km C02 efficiency, thanks to a new, downsized petrol-electric hybrid powertrain, and will be the first car on Kia’s new dedicated eco-car platform. We’ll see the final version at the Chicago Auto Show in February 2016.

Not half-hidden by moody lighting is Kia’s Telluride Concept, a full-sized, seven seat SUV. With more than a hint of Volvo XC90 in the bluff lines, the Telluride has three rows of seats, big, solid styling and potentially sits in an as-yet untapped - for Kia, at least - luxury SUV niche.

Based on a modified Sorento chassis, the Telluride would sit above the current Kia range-topper, but probably wouldn’t feature the concept’s suicide rear doors and 22-inch wheels. We’re also pretty certain that it won’t feature a massive, wing-shaped light in the back that deals with desynchronosis - jetlag, to you and me - via the Light Emitted Rejuvenation (LER) stystem. But we can’t guarantee it.

The Telluride also features zeitgeisty tech in terms of a rear-seat swipe command centre console and 3D printed trim - which are a bit more real-world.

Power comes courtesy of the usual PHEV powertrain, with a  3.5-litre V6 bolstered by an electric motor, and total power output weighs in at 400bhp combined, driven through all four wheels and capable of around 30mpg on the combined cycle.

It’s big, bold and interesting. Cut price XC90, then?

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