Kia has unveiled the Cross GT Concept in Chicago, which signals Kia’s intentions to release a larger premium crossover than the current Kia Sorento.
Kia has unveiled the Cross GT Concept in Chicago, which signals Kia’s intentions to release a larger premium crossover than the current Kia Sorento. “The debut of the GT in 2011 heralded a new frontier for Kia, both from a design and a business perspective,” noted Peter Schreyer, Kia Motors Corporation president and global chief of design. “It beautifully illustrated to the world that the brand was ready to explore the possibility of perhaps one day offering a full-size rear-drive luxury saloon. The Cross GT, with its raised stance and large cargo area, allows us to envision the GT in the form of a full-size luxury crossover.”
Kia says that the Cross GT Concept blurs the lines between its GT concept and a luxury crossover. It’s based on the GT chassis and even has similar proportions to the rear-wheel-drive GT concept. Drawing inspiration from nature, driven by technology and bathed in gorgeous Fusion Copper, the Cross GT is powered by an efficient hybrid powertrain that looks to reduce the vehicle’s carbon footprint while providing the uncompromising performance that’s expected of a large, luxury crossover.
The Cross GT concept is powered by a 3.8-liter V6 hybrid, 8-speed automatic and torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive. Backing the V6 is an evolution of Kia’s parallel hybrid system, a pancake-shaped electric motor sandwiched between the V6 and transmission. The electric motor is neatly packaged under the rear floor. Combined, the V6 and electric motor produce 500 lb.-ft. of torque and 400 horsepower, with an all-electric range of 20-miles.
“The Cross GT is the next logical step in that evolution. And while only a concept today, it signals one possible design direction we may explore for the future,” stated Michael Sprague, executive vice president of marketing and communications, KMA.