"Wobbles the Mind" (wobblesthemind)
04/27/2016 at 06:53 • Filed to: Kia GT
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"Wobbles the Mind" (wobblesthemind)
04/27/2016 at 06:53 • Filed to: Kia GT | 0
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Picture from Motorgraph (which has incredible in-depth reviews. They’re in Korean, but sometimes they have English subtitles).
That’s right, you are looking at a RWD Kia that will be on the market within a year. The Concept was shown back in 2011, so don’t be too surprised when they reveal the pre-production car this Fall. It’s got the sloping roofline, quad exhaust ends, front vent, and bulging fenders we would expect in a sports sedan.
Keep in mind Im speculating as a decently hardcore GHK (Genesis-Hyundai-Kia) enthusiast from here.
*Edit: I mentioned the 3.3L but it would be the 3.8L V6 used for RWD vehicles that would in this sedan (just woke up, brah). Updated accordingly.
Photo from Kia
Do not expect this vehicle to get the 420 hp Tau V8 from the K900 since Hyundai discontinued that engine in the Genesis Sedan for this model year and may be reworking it for performance applications suited to the Genesis Brand’s lineup (think Lexus F and their 5.0L V8). Expect to see this upcoming Kia sports sedan with a 2.0T 4-cyl making around 245 hp and 260lb-ft. Also don’t be surprised when the ubiquitous 311hp 3.8L V6 shows up as well. The real questions is when will this vehicle get the new TTV6? Hopefully at launch that way the 3.8L isnt even considered. Im expecting to see it the new turbo V6 engine in the 330hp range while the N division may have a tune closer to 380hp for Genesis eventually.
My biggest question is what will the transmission be? Unfortunately, looking at the expected engines pretty much makes the new in-house developed 8-speed torque converter a given and the only transmission that will be available. Now that’s great in terms of acceleration, comfort, and fuel economy (that 3.8l V6 will likely average 23 mpg with that transmission if paired) but it isn’t going to be as responsive as anyone hopes. Good tuning and a manual mode that let’s you hold revs can go a long way though. Maybe in the future, the new DCT in the 1.6T equipped cars (Sonata Eco, Tucson Eco) will be beefed up to handle more torque and we’ll see a version that can handle 300lb-ft and another that can take on 400lb-ft.
The most important thing though is this should be Kia’s first AWD car! Between the entirety of GHK there is only ONE variant of ONE passenger car available with AWD in the US. Canada still has their Canada-Spec 2015 MY Genesis Sedan on sale right now, so the V8 w/ HTRAC is available to them. But seriously, even including the crossovers, AWD vehicles are rare!
I don’t expect much from the steering. For whatever reason, steering racks are the least important thing to the Hyundai Group. Theyll put in the work on chassis, drivetrain, and suspension but then just let the steering be the same as an Elantra, hoping all the other changes (and adjustable steering feel button) handle most complaints. Sad truth, but all brands have weaknesses.
I’m calling this now, the Kia GT is sized between a 3-series and a 5-series or rather between a 4-Series Gran Coupe and a 6-Series Gran Coupe if keeping to bodystyles.
Let’s figure out US pricing now.
Photo from Kia
A 240hp, 428i Gran Coupe starts at $41,650. For xDrive it will be $43,650.
A 300hp, 435i Gran Coupe starts at $47,950. For xDrive it will be $49,950.
The new V6 Kia Cadenza will start around $33,000 and the current V6 Genesis sedan starts at $38,750.
The easiest way to think of this vehicle’s character and performance (from a US standpoint) is as a Chrysler 300 S that feels smaller. That sport version model starts at $35,595 with the V6 and gets 31 mpg on the highway. It’s $38,095 for the AWD version with the same 300hp V6 and $38,595 for the RWD-only 5.7L V8 making 363 hp.
As you can see, this is a tight spot to try and park inside while still being able to open the doors and get outside the box! Well, the new Cadenza should be getting a turbo 4-cyl variant which will bring the starting price down into the $28k range. That allows the Kia GT to start around $34k without appearing to be the obvious choice. Hopefully the use of the GT’s styling and layout will appeal over the similar feature content of a Buick Lacrosse, and the warranty and modernity will appeal over the similar performance content of a Chrysler 300.
So let’s say all together the Kia GT line up looks something like this:
GT 2.0T (245 hp) - $34,000
GT 2.0T AWD (245 hp) - $36,000
GT 3.8L (311hp) - $36,500 *Hopefully they won’t offer this EVER*
GT 3.0T (330hp) - $38,000
GT 3.0T AWD (330hp) - $40,000
This is all just me speculating, so don’t take this stuff to heart. Pretty much, they are making a 4-Series Gran Coupe LWB for the price of a Volkswagen CC. Thus, just like the first generation Genesis Sedan, the Chrysler 300 is its biggest competitor but few will place these in a head-to-head comparison.
While looking at this, the rebranded Genesis G80 will probably be right on that 4-series GC’s $41k to $50k price points all day. Meaning the new Genesis brand carries a $4,000 badge premium. Neat! Once again though, all this is me just goofing around because I just woke up and BOOM! RWD Kia and it’s not even my birthday.
SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
> Wobbles the Mind
04/27/2016 at 07:22 |
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Kia will soon have two full sized V8 RWD luxury cars. Whatchu doin, Lincoln?
Dru
> Wobbles the Mind
04/27/2016 at 08:19 |
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I’ve always said if Kia made a RWD car that was reasonably engaging to drive it would be a serious contender for my next vehicle. I honestly thought they would never do it.
valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option
> Wobbles the Mind
04/27/2016 at 08:29 |
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Kia GT Spie'd?
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Wobbles the Mind
> valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option
04/27/2016 at 08:57 |
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Ha! I can’t wait for a Pro Spie’d GT.
My bird IS the word
> Wobbles the Mind
04/27/2016 at 11:16 |
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This car makes my brain hurt. Kudos to Kia for building this, If it is good they may finally earn some enthusiast credits. more excitingly, those Kia warranties though. If it looks like that concept (doubtful) they will be seriously competitive. where I am doubtful is that people want the badge, but you gotta build your brand somewhere before people respect it. I just hope they don’t get scared off.
BahamaTodd
> Wobbles the Mind
04/27/2016 at 13:39 |
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You are “ decently hardcore”. Heard anything about the Santa Cruz?
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Wobbles the Mind
> BahamaTodd
04/27/2016 at 14:36 |
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Nope, nothing. The biggest key to this model was the 2.0T Diesel engine (190hp and 300lb-ft) being available since the sales between Euro and North American Markets could cover the cost with that engine. But Dieselgate happened, and a petrol-powered 4-cyl isn’t going to impress anyone. However I think the biggest snag right now is how to make room for building it?
It would need to be built (or assembled) in the US in order to avoid the 25% tax for importing a light truck. Problem here being that Hyundai’s Alabama Plant makes Sonata and Elantra (no longer Santa Fe) and Kia’s Georgia plant makes the Sorento, Santa Fe, and Optima. These plants can put out about 300,000 vehicles annually which is of course not enough to meet market demands. Now, Kia just got a plant in Mexico that will make 300,000 small cars but that plant should have just started producing Kia Fortes, Souls, Rios, and such. Thus, they would need to figure out how to produce enough cars to meet market demand while finding a spot where they can build 20,000 to 60,000 niche compact pickup trucks (that must be built in one of the two US plants) without harming production numbers on all these best selling cars that they can’t build enough of!
I’m speculating, but I just consider the project on hold for now.
sn4cktimes
> Wobbles the Mind
04/27/2016 at 15:01 |
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NOOOOOOOOOO. If Hyundai would pump out the Santa Cruz (also, get a better name) I would buy one on the spot. On. The. Spot. I basically need a car 97% of my time, but could occasionally use a bed to go to the hardware store, and throw my dirt bike in the back. Oh well, back to shopping for AMC Eagles for me.