Kia concept revealed

It’s the stunning four-door coupe that could wear an Aston Martin or Maserati badge. Instead, this sensational luxury car is a Kia – and the Mercedes CLS rival will be the star of the company’s Frankfurt Motor Show stand in September.

The Korean firm won’t reveal the name of the V8-engined rear-wheel drive machine until its debut at the German expo, but we know that the concept hints at how a new flagship large car will look. Likely to be tagged K9, it will borrow its rear-drive platform and V8 engine from sister firm Hyundai’s Genesis.

While the K9 will only go on sale in Korea and other markets outside the UK such as China and the US, there’s another side to its story.

The concept’s design points the way towards the face of the new Cee’d hatchback, which is due to make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2012 before going on sale later that year.

It’s certainly a very good looking car. With its ‘tiger snout’ and deep air intakes below the rakish headlights, the front has shades of the Aston Martin One-77, while the kicked-up C-pillar, high tail and steeply sloping roofline also bring to mind some of Aston’s shapes and themes. But details like the chrome strip which runs over the top of the windows and the suicide-style doors – just look at the handle which shows the rear door is rear hinged – really mark it out.

The four-door coupe is the work Peter Schreyer, Kia Motors chief design officer who said: “No matter from which perspective you look at it – this concept car is roaring with energy and ready for take-off. I believe the car is a strong statement from Kia: we are ready to fast forward to an all new chapter.”

While no interior pictures have so far been released, look closely and you can get a glimpse inside, where you’ll see a luxurious cabin with tan leather seats and twin bold dials on the dashboard. Inside there is ample seating for four occupants.

Kia will reveal its three-door Picanto and a facelifted Soul alongside the luxury car in Frankfurt. Next year, the Cee’d and Cee’d SW estate debut at March’s Geneva Motor Show, while the Pro-cee’d three-door hatch will be shown at September’s Paris Motor Show.

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