Kia Koup concept

By Liz Turner

Motor Shows

20 March 2008 20:58

Kia’s Koup. If you saw this compact coupe concept without its badges and had to guess who made it, there’s no way your first guess would be Kia. Its lines are simple and sporty, not a million miles from a Ford Puma. But it actually looks like our long-term Honda Civic Type-R from the front, and has hints of VW Eos along the flanks.

But however it looks the Kia Koup should be fun. It’s powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre direct-injection engine producing 290bhp and has a tasty torque curve delivering 289lb ft from 2000rpm all the way to 4000rpm.

The interior is deliberately futuristic. Tom Kearns, chief designer of KMA says: ‘Kia strives to appeal to the emotional side of car enthusiasts who seek adventure and want to take a leap into the future with style and advanced technology. The Koup effectively delivers (that).’

Some US commentators thought the exterior design too understated. We’re told it’s close to production (the interior architecture certainly looks it), so go on Kia, make it happen –and bring it to the UK!

By Liz Turner