DETROIT AUTO SHOW: Does Kia's GT4 Stinger Concept Look A Little TOO SIMILAR To The 2005 VW EcoRacer?

Since we first got a good look at Kia's all-new concept it debuted at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show, the GT4 Stinger, we've been noticing a lot of VWAG influence in its design. In fact, one of the first things Agent 001 pointed out to me was that its fastback roof design looked eerily similar to the Quattro Concept. Then there's the wide mouth grille that doesn't make it look too dissimilar from the Audi, either.

But our friends at VWVortext scored a dead-on hit with what it recently pointed out in a post.

The Kia showcar actually looks VERY close to a 2005 concept that Volkswagen put out called the EcoRacer. In fact, if you actually click over to post and see the comparison images, it's scary how some panel gaps are actually located in the same spot and how the rear taillights are literally the same shape.

Is this simply competition at its finest or is this a bit overkill?

Kia seems to like Volkswagen – a LOT. It would appear in a number of ways that Kia sees itself as a natural competitor to Volkswagen and that in and of itself, makes sense. However back in 2006, Peter Schreyer (then with VW design) went to Kia and took with him a fair number of other VW and Audi designers and engineers. This type of thing happens in this industry all the time. However it seems that Kia has been doing few things that mimic Volkswagen a bit rather than forging their own path.

Over the last few years Kia has been asking auto show organizers at various shows to put their booth near or next to VW if possible.

Lexus is the exclusive sponsor of the 2014 Detroit Auto Show Photo Galleries.

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cidflekken - 1/20/2014 2:12:29 AM

+2 Boost

Come on, it's a Korean make. The resemblance to another product shouldn't surprise anyone.

HoustonMidtown - 1/20/2014 6:30:03 AM

+2 Boost

It looks more like the Saab Aero X

MorePower - 1/20/2014 8:01:25 AM

+1 Boost

It looks like the rear of Audi's R4 concept, with a GT-R styled greenhouse and a weird version of the R8's front end and an old Corvette's hood.

MattDarringer - 1/20/2014 9:55:49 AM

-3 Boost

To ask: "Does Kia's GT4 Stinger Concept Look A Little TOO SIMILAR To The 2005 VW EcoRacer?" Implies that Kia is incapable of creating its own designs and borders on cultural bigotry.

The two cars are vaguely similar sort of, kind of, but the Kia is FAR better looking. The only real commonality--aside from the color--is slight resemblance in the nose. The DLO is nothing in common and the tail of the Kia has NOTHING in common. If anything there are hints Audi Quattro Concepts. The tail of the Kia is very Volvo in some ways.

The article casts Kia's desire to be positioned next to Volkswagen and them wanting to be VW. Utterly ignorant analysis. When Hyundai-Kia got serious about marketing, they aimed Hyundai at Toyota and Kia was to be the Korean Mercury. Kia isn't trying to be like VW they are trying to run VW out of the American market. People buy VWs because they think they are upscale. Kia has upscale looking cars with better build quality, better reliability, and better durability all backed better than VW backs its cars. Kia next to VW is pure intimidation. Piech has to be burning that Peter Schreyer got away and is designing beautiful cars that Piech would never permit at VW.

randy3023 - 1/20/2014 10:21:29 AM

+2 Boost

Unless somebody at VW sold this to KIA, something is SERIOUSLY WRONG here.

The KIA is a near DUPE.

ptonyboy - 1/20/2014 12:55:37 PM

0 Boost

Very nicely put Matt. Oh it gets boring to here some one say yeah if you kind'uve stand on your head squint your eyes and hold your nose this vehicle looks just like that one.

HughJass - 1/20/2014 1:15:30 PM

+1 Boost

It gets boring to hear people trying to claim Korean companies are original. Mr. Audi knew what designs VW and Audi had in the works so its easy for him to use it at KIA.

What's culturally wrong is that its rare to find a Korean who will buy a Korean product. Asians don't drive Korean cars because they generally see them as inferior to Japanese, American and European cars.
It's a truth that Korean products are specifically made for white people because we value price above all things, including our dignity.