Kia has been targeting Scion for some time now, having built a better xD with the Soul, and taking on the tC with its Forte Koup. Now Kia seems to be going after Scion’s last (relatively) uncontested model, the xB, with this NAIAS-bound concept called KV7. And though there are clearly some concept elements to the design which won’t make production (hello Gullwing), Kia’s statement accompanying this teaser image notes
For the past several years Kia Motors’ design-led transformation has been delivering production vehicles – such as the Soul, Forte Koup and Sportage – that bear a very close resemblance to the original concept designs that preceded them. At the 2011 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Kia will make another dramatic design statement with the world debut of an all-new, convention-challenging concept vehicle named “KV7.”
14 Comments on “What’s Wrong With This Picture: Scion xB, KIA? Edition...”
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I fail to see a problem here. If Kia plays it’s cards right, they could have a huge winner on their hands.
If Toyota kept giving Scion more vehicles like the xB/bB and xA/ist, the brand might not be in the quagmire that it’s found itself in. The xD is, sadly, the bright spot in the Scion lineup now, and nobody cares. The xB2 is a Corolla Rumion with the crappy Camry 4-banger engine (in Japan, it has the 1.8L 1ZZ, which only makes a bit less power while being a good deal more efficient; the JDM version is also less ugly).
The 2nd gen JDM bB/Diahatsu Materia would have been a huge hit if the US got it.
Kia doesn’t have to target the xB; Scion already did that with the gen-2 xB, which killed the xB’s original mission – lightweight, roomy, economical, and cheap. Today’s xB is only roomy.
Maybe Kia should call this one the Soul Clubman.
Well if their TV commercial for the soul is any indication, they seem to be targeting the “toaster-era” xB. I find it comical that they feel threatened by a model sitting out on the pre-owned lots.
Kia hit the bullseye with the new Sportage
Looking at the scale of the seats, my first impression was Flex, Kia Edition.
To me it looks like a cross between the Kia Soul, Ford Explorer America, and Ford Airstream concept.
Gullwings pivoted close to the center line ought to be a boon when fiddling with child seats in tight parking lots. Doubly so in the rain. And triply so in cars too tall for roof racks to be easily accessible. The ultimate mommy commuter mobile accessory.
Articulated gull-wings would achieve the desired result, giving the vehicle unprecedented access.
This looks like what the Xb could have been.
I predicted two years ago or so that Hyundai/Kia were positioning Kia as the lower end sporty/budget model, and that Hyundai would move up the branding ladder. It appears as if this is indeed what’s happening. Kia has winners in the Soul, new Sportage and is improving the line-up at a blistering pace.
It’s fascinating to watch.
Monty, I agree, especially in regards to Kia. While Hyundai likes to grab the glory, its lineup has as many misses and languishers (Azera, Accent, Genesis Coupe + Sedan, Entourage, Veracruz) as it does hits (Sonata, Santa Fe). Kia’s lineup is pretty much golden – save the Sedona and now-dead Borrego.
Also, Hyundai’s pseudo-premium niche is already filled with established players with solid lineups(Buick, Audi, Infiniti, Acura) as well as high-line brands expanding downmarket (Lincoln, Lexus). Tough competition, especially with entrants with often awkward, embarassing design, questionable value for the money, and an overall design langauge that, to me, has a short shelf life (new Elantra is rather overwrought, IMO). Tell me a Tuscon finished in silver with wheelcovers and a gaping maw up front is in any way attractie vs Equinox, Escape, and especially the Sportage/Sorento.
Kia, on the other hand, has a rather cohesive full-line statement with designs ranging from attractive to eye-catching and plenty of markets to move into. Pontiac was without a doubt a volume player in the lower-priced-with-sporting-intentions segment, Dodge has little to offer anymore, Nissan’s entry lines are awkwardly-styled, etc.
2nd Generation Flex concept.
I thought Kia was going after the xB with the Soul. Who’s gunning for the xD’s sales numbers, SAAB?
Scion lost its way with the xB when it bloated it up to make it this terrible, overwrought joke that it currently is. Its crazy scary how Toyota completely dropped the ball on this one (and how the general media doesn’t recognize it). Obviously, the original xB had a limited shelf life because of its uniqueness, complete and utter foreign design and unavailability, and its inability to be refreshed and have the same impact, but the current iteration is terrible. The HHR Panel has more curb appeal.
I hardly see younger folks with xBs anymore. Like the Cube, I usually see older couples who found a suitable replacement for their Cutlass Cruisers, and Escort wagons – 4-cyl, cheap to operate, with roomy rear quarters. At least the Soul seems to appeal to all ages.
The shelf life of the 1st gen xB could have been saved with some minor cosmetic tweeks and powertrain options. A diesel would have been nice and the bB’s smaller turbo 4/AWD would have been even better. It seemed like taxi and delivery fleets were taking a liking to them right as it was killed too. It could have been viable to present day.
Nissan fell on it’s face with the Cube by not bringing over the much more versatile Cube3 extended version.
A cross between a Element and a Flex
I’d just be happy with a longer Element.