Remember the Kia GT Concept that put the South Korean company on the four-door coupe map back in 2011? Together with sister brand Hyundai, Kia has become the world's fourth-largest automaker meanwhile and, among others, this means the carmaker can now afford to introduce the production model. And drop white knuckle teasers for it.
After the 2018 Kia GT (European customers should make that 2017) leaked out a few days ago, this seems to be the topic of a teaser video that shows a sustained Kia effort on the Nurburgring.
The teaser does its job well, as it manages to keep us on our toes, clipped apexes and all, but doesn't reveal too much about the four-door.
Even so, we know that, underneath the pretty exterior, which seems to have lost quite a bit of the concept car's flair, we'll find a rear-wheel-drive platform.
Since nothing is official yet, we have to rely on the rumor mill when it comes to the powertrain department of the GT. The sporty model could be powered by the South Korean automaker's new twin-turbo 3.3-liter V6, which we've met on its Genesis models, which means the GT should deliver at least 365 hp.
However, another likely candidate for the GT's engine bay is the company's 2.0-liter turbo-four, in which case the power should sit at around 315 hp. It's difficult to tell which unit provides the motivation seen in the teaser video, even though the kind of acceleration displayed in the clip does seem to point out to the latter version.
It's worth noting that the forced-fed four-banger is also rumored to become the heart of another prototype that has been flying on the Green Hell this year, namely the Hyundai RM16 N mid-engined hot hatch.
Returning to the 2018 Kia GT, Old Continent buyers will also get at least one diesel option, with the oil-burning incarnation of the model expected to be powered by the Sorento's 2.2-liter CRDi, which should deliver 197 hp (200 PS).
While the GT will be offered with an eight-speed automatic, a six-speed manual should also make its way into the four-door coup.
Given the timing for this video, we'll probably get to meet the 2018 Kia GT at next month's Detroit Auto Show. Until then, here's what the teaser wants us to chew on: "The curve ahead is all about potential. The potential to clip every apex, and consume every straight. To take on each twist and turn with agility, speed and progressive design. With a new paradigm of performance on the horizon, Kia’s newest vehicle takes to the grueling Nürburgring to realize its full potential,"
In his quest to bring you the most impressive automotive creations, Andrei relies on learning as a superpower. There's quite a bit of room in the garage that is this aficionado's heart, so factory-condition classics and widebody contraptions with turbos poking through the hood can peacefully coexist. Full profile
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