Kia having big dreams of rivaling Audi TT

Usually you would here that Mercedes-Benz or BMW is planning a Audi TT rival, but this year at the Frankfurt Motor Show, Japanese auto maker Kia will debut a concept that will go head-to-head with the Audi TT. Designed by, Peter Schreyer, the original designer of the TT for Audi, he plans to show Audi exactly what Kia is capable of.

The Audi TT, when it was in the works, was codenamed raindrop. Kia’s TT fighter carries the name Project Snowflake, signifying the direct comparison to the Audi TT. “The name shows the link between the cars, but hints that ours will be even cooler,” a Kia insider told AutoExpress. “It will shock the world when it’s unveiled this autumn.”

Kia’s TT fighter will have front-wheel drive and a 2.9 liter turbo-charged engine, which is being built in collaboration with Hyundai, another underdog of the Japanese market.
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IamEvilHomer - 3/17/2007 5:06:17 PM

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some people like Sizzler I prefer Ruth's

EL34 - 3/15/2007 1:52:36 PM

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Yeah right.

lol

Dave - 3/15/2007 1:55:24 PM

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this article states that both Kia and Hyundai are Japanese. We all know that they are both Korean. Need to correct this typo.

CBR2200 - 3/15/2007 2:00:07 PM

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Should read "Wannabe Japanese"

CBR2200 - 3/15/2007 1:58:50 PM

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I wanna put down a deposit right now!!! Finally a car with Audi style and performance and Kia's top notch interior and prestige.

jmrA480 - 3/15/2007 11:20:57 PM

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I HOPE THATS A JOKE!

Lexus - 3/15/2007 2:10:15 PM

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And the scary thing about it, they might be successful to. Just like when Lexus first came out 17 or 18 years ago, everyone make fun of them, but look at Lexus now.

Yes I do agree with most you here that Kia/Hyundai need to fixed the quality and realibility of their vechicles first.

But the only different between Toyota and the Kia brand is that Toyota has already has master the art of quality and realibility.

You're trying to do to many thing at the same time and not focusing enough on what customer need or want. If they don't fixed the quality/realibility of their vechicles it going to come back and bite them later on.

This I got to see, because apparently they hire the same designer that design the Audi TT. And it a 2.9 turbocharger too.

Will_ - 3/15/2007 2:13:51 PM

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That is a gorgeous TT convertible in the picture. I doubt Kia can make anything that looks that good, among other aspects...

Will_ - 3/15/2007 2:41:51 PM

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I've seen that. In my opinion, it does not look as good as the TT. I've always had a soft spot for the TT anyways, I guess. That photo looks like a ripoff of a Bugatti and a Peugeot.

Will_ - 3/15/2007 2:45:03 PM

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HMMmm... I guess this is why they want to make a TT rival?

http://jalopnik.com/cars/news/from-bauhaus-to-kias-house-audi-tt-designer-to-head-
automakers-european-studio-189991.php

jmrA480 - 3/15/2007 11:23:30 PM

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looks like a mix of a veyron and a beetle

S4cabriofoxone - 3/15/2007 3:51:56 PM

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It would be in their best interest to keep dreaming.

Lexus, one difference between this and Lexus's introduction is, KIA IS NOT A LUXURY BRAND. They never have been. Toyota created Lexus as their luxury brand exclusively- but a value-oriented company like Kia should not set foot in the luxury car industry. If anything, Hyundai is the "luxury" brand (although one step behind Toyota and three behind Lexus), and they should be the ones making this.

Realistically, neither of them should make this. It won't do wonders for their bottom line, and the last thing they need is a cheaply-made "halo car."

Neverfollow - 3/15/2007 4:19:41 PM

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I thought the original TT was credited to Freeman Thomas and J Mays of VW's CA design center.

Agent63 - 3/15/2007 5:51:47 PM

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KIA and Hyundai are growing companies. They may not be well respected right now for cars like a TT but they may be capable in years to come when we grow old.

Agent63 - 3/15/2007 7:47:12 PM

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Deboost me all you want. Just remember where Toyota, Nissan, and Honda have done in the auto industry. They've come a long ways themselves. What's to say a Korean company can't do the same?

DieselRules - 3/15/2007 11:28:59 PM

+2 Boost

Absolutely. If Hyundai can keep improving at the rate they have been, they will be the best car in the world in a few years. The Pony was a ghastly disaster. The Sonata is a Camry competitor. That's a long ways in 20 years!

AMGC55 - 3/15/2007 7:06:07 PM

+1 Boost

I can see it now...

really small 2 seater with manual soft top... no power anything... small wheels and weird colors...

.... but it will have some super long warranty....

the uglyness will shock the world

Lexus - 3/15/2007 7:14:51 PM

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I'm not "NO WAY Comaparing this to the Audi", all I'm saying is this I got to see. Because Hyundai is a cheap brand with baseline quality and realiability.

They need to make a luxury division if they want to join the bandwagon. But even if they make a luxury divisio, I still spend my money on a Lexus, BMW, Audi, MB, Acura or the Infiniti. Sorry that just the way life is sometime.

Agent63 - 3/15/2007 7:52:06 PM

+1 Boost

I agree with you.

The signs of Kia/Hyundai ever coming out with a luxury division seems slim but that's how Lexus started as well from Toyota. Lexus would be to KIA's luxury dvision like how the German's are to Lexus. Lexus would have a long history by then and KIA's luxury brand would be brand new.

If KIA had the marketing skills from Lexus they may have a chance. But we both know that the first thought of a KIA luxury brand isn't too appealing.

-Agent63

Lexus - 3/15/2007 9:45:27 PM

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Agent63, I agree with on that thought for sure. Just the name itself "Kia" does not sound very passionate or luxury to me.

The other thing is that Toyota has been around for long time and has master the art of quality and realibility of their vechicle. After earning respect from other auto company, auto reviewer, and clients trust. It is than that Toyota lauches the luxury brand "Lexus". Toyota at that time is far more superior to Kia in marketing skills and the quality of their cars.

Secondly, I would rather spend my money on a Lexus, BMW, Audi, MB, Acura and Infiniti instead of a Kia.

I think that Kia/Hyundai will find out the hard way that people are not that easily fool. Look at VW, a much more respectable brand than Kia and been around longer to. When they try make the VW Phaeton as a Luxury brand or sell it for premium price, it did not work well.

Lexus - 3/15/2007 9:47:10 PM

-1 Boost

I don't think the U.S. customers or the worlds is ready to accept Kia as a premium price. No offend but you to be freaking kiddding right? ha..ha..ha. very funny "NOT".........

Why would any pay a premium price when you can get a Lexus, BMW, and an Audi etc.............

Lexus - 3/15/2007 9:55:37 PM

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The scary thing about it, is that they might make a premium division really soon. Reason why, China and India is bring their vechicles to the U.S. and Europe I think. The last time I read an article China supposely have vichicles that cost less than $7k and the India car less than $2K. So Kia/Hyundai might use this as stepping stone.

Right now Kia/Hyundai is conder my many including myself the bottom of the food chain. But once Chinese and India cars start selling, they be the bottom of the food chain.

Will_ - 3/15/2007 11:20:02 PM

+3 Boost

What I find truly amazing is that certain people here who NEVER respect Lexus for what it is and what the brand has accomplished has the nerve to sit here ad start praising Kia for this. It just proves to me that Toyota will always garner hate simply for their name.
Of course Kia can make their own luxury division. Will it have success? Depends on a few things, mainly the quality of the product and marketing. it's a formula that's worked wonders for Lexus. The only thing I doubt is that Kia can do either as of today...

DieselRules - 3/15/2007 11:37:29 PM

+1 Boost

It looks amazingly good for a frankenstein's monster of other cars. Photo:
http://jalopnik.com/assets/resources/2007/03/kia_kcv_iii_concept.jpg

Look at it again, and its a VW Beetle Cabrio with a Bugatti grill, the ubiquitous Japanese "Angry Eyes" head-lights, the waist-band of a Mitsubishi, and the fat arse of a Lexus SC.
I would not expect those pieces to some together so well!

DieselRules - 3/15/2007 11:43:35 PM

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NOTE: Photo is of the 2003 concept. I haven't seen a photo of the new beast. Does anyone have a link to one?

S4cabriofoxone - 3/15/2007 11:55:33 PM

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Lexus, there is one thing that you don't understand.

Although they were big already, when Toyota announced the first Lexus, they were not as respected as they are now.

They were about on Hyundai's current level, if my memory serves. The next-gen Camry (the one the second-gen ES was based on, the first ES300) was what propelled them into greatness, at least in the US.

One last thing, for everyone else... Kia shouldn't be the luxury division. If anything, their parent, Hyundai, should. Hyundai has been trying, to our laughter, to position itself as a luxury brand. That COULD eventually happen.

Wouldn't that also mark it as the first luxury brand that owned a mass-market brand before the parent went "premium?"

Lexus - 3/16/2007 12:47:04 AM

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S4, this question is for you, would trade in your S4 for the Kia/Hyundai?

Would I trade my Lexus IS350 for Kia? what kind of stupid question is that? Hell freaking no.........Lexus is on par with the like of BMW, MB and Audi.

But at least Hyundai already has a buyer mainly Caddyman.

S4cabriofoxone - 3/18/2007 10:14:55 PM

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When did I ask if you would trade in your Lexus for a Kia?

Lexus - 3/16/2007 12:51:21 AM

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If Kia/Hyundai decided to make a luxury division than I say good for them. The way Kia/Hyundai can become successful this segment, if all the German, Japanese and American fan buy Kia/Hyundai instead of them. I highly doubted if all the German fanboys buy Kia/Hyundai instead of BMW, Audi and MB. And I highly doubted if all the Lexus, Acura and Infiniti fan trade their car in for a Kia/Hyundai. I don't think so.

Lexus - 3/16/2007 12:53:57 AM

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And if anything, Audi is the one that need to be worry and nervous. Because Kia/Hyundai is aiming straight at them with their TT fighter.

And if they successful built a car that successful in beating the Audi TT, that would be really bad for Audi rep.

S4cabriofoxone - 3/18/2007 10:15:48 PM

+2 Boost

Why would Audi be nervous?

Do you think Lexus would be nervous if they said they were building an LS460 fighter?

Of course not!

Type707 - 3/16/2007 11:45:11 PM

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Well at least Kia has one of the best warranty than the Audi

moto - 7/12/2007 7:04:04 PM

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When you have nothing else going for you, you have to start with some gimmick to get people in the salesroom.

I'm not knocking Kia/Hyundai for what they do -- imitation is the sincerest form of flattery -- but i'm surprised at how many people buy a new piece of junk with 10-year warranty rather than a high-quality used car that is safer, better performing, higher in retail value, and also spends less time in the shop? If you're a bargain-basement car shopper and you don't care about performance, then buy Grandma's old Buick when she's done with it. A gently used Buick will never let you down, and it's ten times the car that any Hyundai is.

I don't think that comparing Lexus and Audi to Hyundai makes any sense at all ... you won't be able to find a quality used Audi or Lexus at a Hyundai price. If you do, it will be well-worn!