Geneva show: Kia plots hot coupe

KIA is set to keep the design innovation ball rolling via a mysterious small concept coupe at the Geneva motor show in March.

The unnamed two-door small car will feature the latest take on Kia Motors design chief Peter Schreyer’s signature ‘tiger nose’ grille, described by Kia as “mischievous yet friendly”.

No details of the car’s powertrain or prospects for production have been revealed, but the coupe could be the rear-drive GT that Mr Schreyer has always said he would like to add to the Kia line-up.

Mr Schreyer told GoAuto at the Paris motor show last year that the GT was getting close to production approval, saying: “The chance that it will probably get the green light is there.” However, most pundits believe the GT to be larger than the coupe revealed in images overnight, which seems to be an urban boulevard burner.

Kia showed a BMW 5 Series-sized four-door “coupe” GT concept at the 2011 Frankfurt motor show, indicating it was considering a flagship model.

European reports speculate that the concept will be joined on the Kia stand at Geneva by GT versions of the Cee’d and Pro_Cee’d hatchbacks, probably powered by the same 150kW four-cylinder turbo engine as sister company Hyundai’s Veloster Turbo.

The Pro_Cee’d GT is believed to be under consideration for Australia, joining the all-new Cerato that is due to be launched locally in April and in Koup form later in the year.

In its brief media release accompanying drawings of the Geneva concept, Kia describes it as “a provocative and racy new urban concept car”.

It says the car has strong styling lines “that exude speed and energy from every angle”.

A former Volkswagen and Audi designer, Mr Schreyer has revolutionised Kia design over the past few years, turning it into one of the pace-setters of the industry and lifting Kia sales.

Mr Schreyer is now also responsible for Hyundai design, and has been promoted to president of the joint company.