Hyundai and Hyundai's sister company Kia have been setting their goals incredibly high by going after BMW, Lexus and Mercedes. Hyundai is going to go head to head with them with the new Genesis sedan and upcoming RWD coupe. Now Kia is looking at Audi with its new coupe concept.
Last week Kia released a teaser image of a new 2+2 sports coupe concept. From this photo it is apparent that there is a resemblance to Audi's new R8 supercar. The fact that the coupe bears some resemblance to an Audi is not by chance, since Kia tasked ex-Audi designer Peter Schreyer to design it.
The car was designed at Kia's Frankfurt studio and is the next step in Kia's plan to become a major competitor in Europe.
The cheaper R8 will most likely be front wheel drive, although Kia could use Hyundai's new rear wheel drive drivetrain from its upcoming Genesis sedan and the replacement for the Tiburon. The engine will be a new 2.0L turbocharged engine that is being developed with Hyundai.
Although the car shown here is only a concept, Kia officials expect the new coupe to create a big stir at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, so a production version could be released within 2 years.
Full Story: Auto Express
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Comments (20)
I'd rock it....even if it is a Kia....
Posted by jon | August 1, 2007 8:42 PM
Posted on August 1, 2007 20:42
I know Kia and Hyundai have a long history of copying designs, but it's pretty common place among all manufacturers now. There's rarely a car that comes out that someone doesn't say it looks just like a mix of A & B...
Either way I would drive it too if the price was right. The wifes been driving a 2006 Sonata V6 with no problems for 30K miles now. Kia and Hyundai lost the poor build quality a while ago and dumped it on VW.
Posted by Gary | August 1, 2007 9:10 PM
Posted on August 1, 2007 21:10
wow, that teaser pic shows potential. With modern production techniques, there's no reason why inexpensive cars cant also look cool. we'll see if it pans out
Posted by Andy | August 1, 2007 9:28 PM
Posted on August 1, 2007 21:28
Oh, you mean like infinity G35 copying the front facia to a T from the Mercedes CLS?
That's a death penalty offense. I hate companies with no originality or sense of aesthetics
Posted by John | August 2, 2007 1:02 AM
Posted on August 2, 2007 01:02
yeah, it looks exactly like an Audi. Headlights on both sides, wheels, logo or was it Aston Martin?
Posted by rene | August 2, 2007 8:29 AM
Posted on August 2, 2007 08:29
They need to replace the Kia logo with some sort of predatory animal hood ornament and it will look much better.
Posted by Darmok | August 2, 2007 8:47 AM
Posted on August 2, 2007 08:47
That does not look like an R8 at all, the front design is totally different, the side of the car is not at all similar to that of the R8, in any respect...It looks like an enlarged Hyundai coupe!..just more sporty..The lights do not look similar to those of the R8 at all...' R8 Lookalike' I think not...
Posted by Matthias | August 2, 2007 9:22 AM
Posted on August 2, 2007 09:22
Sad part is it will probably be as reliable if not more so for less. Hyundai/KIA have made huge strides in quality the last few years.
Posted by DaveM | August 2, 2007 10:56 AM
Posted on August 2, 2007 10:56
I wonder if I can make my Accent look like that. It's just a new body kit, right? :-)
Posted by josh | August 2, 2007 12:01 PM
Posted on August 2, 2007 12:01
I wonder if I can make my Accent look like that. It's just a new body kit, right? :-)
Posted by josh | August 2, 2007 12:01 PM
Posted on August 2, 2007 12:01
I have tryed the Audi R8 4,2. It is a supercar, so don't compare this great car with a plastic car from Hyundai! Please tell me when Hyundai, Kia ect. invent something by them self!
Posted by Kasper | August 2, 2007 12:58 PM
Posted on August 2, 2007 12:58
"The cheaper R8 will most likely be front wheel drive..."
I was just wondering, why dont I buy a cheap tubular chassi, put a ferrari like carbon fyber body on it. And.. bang! I would have a ALMOST ferrari...
Seriously now. Who would buy a car that looks like a super car (R8) but thats all they have in common. I mean. Its the same as if a soccer team hire a guy that looks exactly like beckham but doesnt know who to play soccer... Whats the point?
Posted by Rafael Fernandes | August 2, 2007 1:17 PM
Posted on August 2, 2007 13:17
Rafael Fernandes. You are so right!. my small BMW 130i can easy outrun that car. Even if the car has more power.
Posted by Kasper | August 2, 2007 1:28 PM
Posted on August 2, 2007 13:28
I think you all would be surprised how many people would buy the car. Why? Because 99% of the people in the market for a car CAN'T afford an R8, or a Ferrari...
If Kia makes this car, it'll sell - to hip soccer moms, to teenagers, to old guys. The ricer crowd wil end up putting nitrous on them and body kits, etc.
Just because the car is styled after the R8, doesn't mean it's trying to BE the R8...
Posted by jon | August 2, 2007 2:50 PM
Posted on August 2, 2007 14:50
The Fools! They've recreated the GRX Racecar!
(http://www.speedracer.com/episodes.htm 'The Fastest Car on Earth')
Posted by kw | August 2, 2007 5:53 PM
Posted on August 2, 2007 17:53
Wow. If it winds up RWD, 200+hp, and not ugly, I'd consider it.
The ONLY thing R8-esque on it is the headlight design. And in that, only the little wrap-around.
Give it a good powerplant, a six-speed, RWD, and a base stripper model with no A/C, radio, manual windows, etc. Or at least offer it with manual windows, A/C, and an AM/FM radio, nothing else, with A/C and radio delete options.
I'ma drop a Ford turbo 2.3 (Built for 450hp, thanks), G-Force T-5, and 8.8" rearend into a busted one that I picked up for 2K in 2012 if it ain't RWD. If it is, it gets the T-5 and 2.3, but I'd beef up the IRS.
Posted by Kyle | August 3, 2007 2:29 AM
Posted on August 3, 2007 02:29
how about NO
Posted by Makaveli | October 28, 2007 4:25 PM
Posted on October 28, 2007 16:25
wow, a decent looking korean car !!!. but guys they are really tempting as they are cheap and when new they look perfect, but the quality will easily deteriote really fast thats why i would stay away, unless you dont mind fixing it and swapping the engine for a japanese one.
enjoy life.,
Posted by Jamezzzz | November 5, 2007 6:25 AM
Posted on November 5, 2007 06:25
this car does not come close to the audi R8
Posted by wes ss | February 9, 2008 8:39 PM
Posted on February 9, 2008 20:39
If its cheap, light and rear wheel drive I'm in I don't care who makes it. This could be the next AE86
Posted by Rob | April 30, 2008 4:45 AM
Posted on April 30, 2008 04:45