Detroit show: More Kia GT details emerge

KIA has released a second instalment in the protracted month-long hype campaign that will eventually culminate in the debut of its performance-focused GT sedan in Detroit next month, with the confirmation that the new car will hit the zero to 100km/h acceleration benchmark in 5.1 seconds.

The information was released in a short film added to the South Korean car-maker’s dedicated The Curve Ahead website alongside “Episode 01” which was uploaded on December 1, kicking off the publicity campaign.

According to the site, Episode 03 is ‘coming soon’ and a faint image of a designer sculpting clay appears to suggest the next instalment will reveal some of the forthcoming car’s styling.

No other information was revealed in the video, but simply mentioning performance figures is a break from the norm for the brand, which has previously shied away from top speed and acceleration milestones. The publication of the figure is another signal of Kia’s new performance intent.

Episode 01 portrayed the enigmatic model tearing up the tarmac at the esteemed Nurburgring and nudging 245km/h, which would make it the company’s fastest model as well as the most potent in acceleration.

A disclaimer in the most recent video confirms that the 5.1s dash has not yet been achieved by a homologated sedan and is still a “pre-homolgation development target” at this stage.

Until the GT arrives Down Under at a point in 2017, the company’s Koup Turbo will hold the performance car title within Kia ranks with a 0-100km/h time of 7.4s.

Spy shots that have emerged from the model’s Nurburgring test laps where the company shares a development centre with Hyundai, reveal little of the styling, and the motoring community remains divided as to whether the production version will closely resemble the five-year-old GT Concept.

It is known however, that the GT will have four doors leaving the possibility for another sports model based on the company’s more recent GT Stinger coupe concept that broke cover in Detroit two years ago.

Kia is yet to confirm the name for the production model but GT and Stinger appear to be the two most likely options.

Other speculative reports suggest the four door will be powered by a turbo V6 – most likely a version of the 3.3-litre unit that will power the Genesis G90 with 272kW and 510Nm.

When powering the G90, the 3.3-litre cracks 97km/h in 5.3 seconds and has the advantage of four-wheel-drive traction so it is almost certain Kia will turn up the taps to achieve the now public 5.1-second acceleration time with rear-drive only.

The hype will come to an end on January 8 when Kia pulls the covers from the car at the Detroit motor show.