Production Kia KOUP coming ’sooner than you might think’

During the reveal of the Spectra-based Kia KOUP concept car at the New York Auto Show, Tom Kearns, chief designer of Kia Motors America, was dropping a lot of hints that the concept car will hit production sooner than later.

“Sooner than you might think,” Kearns told Automotive News. “It’s an emotional design, for young people who are ready to make a move up.”

Power comes from a 2.0L direct injection turbocharged engine producing...
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Spectator - 3/21/2008 10:34:43 AM

+3 Boost

More nice things from our good friends the Koreans.

These guys are on a roll.

lankaat - 3/24/2008 1:18:50 AM

+1 Boost

KIA and the rest of the Koreans are moving fast. They are going to be the next Lexus in America. But only if they get the recipe right like lexus.

bambamsd - 3/21/2008 10:54:09 AM

+3 Boost

I like the look, but I can't help but see a lot of Honda Civic influence in this design.

Whelan - 3/21/2008 10:54:55 AM

+2 Boost

Looks like a Civic front, with a Lexus IS rear end. Nice looking car but it seems they like to copy others.

Whelan - 3/21/2008 10:55:25 AM

+1 Boost

PS anyone remember when Jeep sued them cause they had a 7 slotted grille on one of their concept SUVs

mini22 - 3/21/2008 11:55:46 AM

+1 Boost

Well the Japs were noted for many years copying the Europeans.EG Lexus LS 400 copying the Mercedes S class.As time went on and sales improved Toyota has put more of it's own signature on it's cars. This will eventually happen with Hyundai and Kia. However the this car looks like a Civic SI without that stupid 2 tiered dash board that Honda insisted the Civic line carried. The car looks nice.

EL34 - 3/21/2008 1:13:46 PM

0 Boost

It should be called the Kia HodgePodge :-(