Comments on: Kia Debuts “Koup” Concept Car

By: Orian

Orian — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 22:52:27 +0000

I think this is pretty close to production like the Soul is. Change the headlights and the engine and you have it. I’d guess this could very easily be the next version of the Spectra in coupe form.

The Spectra is built off the Elantra platform and the first/second gen Tiburon were built off the same platform so it’s not a stretch to think they are doing the same thing here.

The engine won’t make it in a forced induction mode, or if it did it would be detuned from the 290. Hyundai corp has a history of putting much higher hp engines into their concepts than actually make it to production.

By: TriShield

TriShield — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 22:44:41 +0000

More like Korean Civic knock-off concept car.

By: Facebook User

Facebook User — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 20:46:15 +0000

Nice photo of the, er, car.

290 hp through the front wheels? What gymnastics have they gone through to eliminate torque steer? Mazda de-tuned the turbo4 for use in the Mazdaspeed3 versus the Mazdaspeed6 to keep torque steer under control. Is Kia going to electronically limit hp in 1st gear? Some new magical front suspension set up? Or, just expect the drivers to muscle the car into a straight line when they floor it?

By: Glenn Swanson

Glenn Swanson — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 18:26:14 +0000

Hot looking!

Oh, and the car looks okay too…

By: Justin Berkowitz

Justin Berkowitz — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 18:07:57 +0000

@argentla:

Jackpot. You said it.

By: argentla

argentla — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 17:55:57 +0000

Beating the Scion tC at its own game stylistically wouldn’t be difficult. Its problem is that it’s basically a two-door version of the Avensis sedan, and its hardpoints seem to be dictated by that relationship, which is probably why it’s so pudgy. It looks like a last-gen Celica with a serious thyroid problem.

By: Bancho

Bancho — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 17:32:34 +0000

So, what nice new compact concepts did the big 2.5 show in NY?

*crickets*

Oh, yeah, I forgot they’ve already conceded that market…

I actually like that concept. It may not be very adventurous but it looks producible. Scion better take notice and do something about the tC.

By: BabyM

BabyM — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 17:24:02 +0000

A Kia Koup koncept kar? Krimminy!

By: foolish

foolish — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 16:37:52 +0000

That’s pretty nice looking, actually. I hate to say it, but it’s kind of too bad it isn’t a re-skin of the RWD Hyundai coupe. I like RWD, and I want more low-buck 4-seat RWD options.

By: carguy

carguy — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 16:25:57 +0000

Nicely chosen photo – the booth babes neatly block out most of the view this rather unadventerous vehicle.
C’mon Kia concepts are for having fun!