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Kia GT Four-Door Coupe Confirmed for 2016 Debut

Kia has been on and off about its GT Concept's production prospects ever since this was revealed three years ago. It's a stunning thing to look at, but one that could be beyond the Korean brand's selling possibilities.
2011 Kia GT Concept 1 photo
Photo: Kia
But as Kia is moving upstream towards the premium side of the market, a flagship is once again needed to attract posh new buyers, a flagship that will come in the form of this four-door coupe.

Citing insider information, US publication Edmunds claims Kia has approved the GT Concept for full production. The model will take the form of a four-door coupe with a fastback rear, a bit like Audi's A7 model.

Design changes

The Kia GT will arrive in US showroom by the end of 2016. We remind you that it was first shown back in September 2011 at the Frankfurt Auto Show, meaning there's a six year gap between concept and factory coupe.

Kia will have to do a major redesign in order for the GT to match the latest models that are coming out, like the 2015 Sedona.

Kia's first cool diesel?

Not much is known about the engine range of the GT at the moment. However, the aforementioned source says it should come with a turbo 3.3-liter V6. That's the same displacement as the new V6 offered on the Sedona and we should expect significantly more than the 276 horsepower (US spec) that you get on the minivan.

European Kia GTs should get a new type of diesel engine, a large one that can compete with Audi's 3.0 TDI mills. At the ongoing Paris Motor Show, both Kia and Hyundai are displaying a new 1.7-liter hybrid diesel unit (on the Optima and i40) that uses both a conventional turbocharger and an electrically driven compressor , providing improved power and torque at all engine speeds. The electric supercharger in particular helps to boost torque and engine response at low engine speeds.

We expect the European GT model to have a similar 3-liter diesel hybrid setup. Audi has also recently previewed such a TDI mill on the A6 sedan and it should be ready by 2016.

Whether you're looking for a sporty-looking four-door coupe that's cheaper to buy than an Audi or cutting-edge Korean engine technology, Kia will have the answer two years from now. Here's hoping it's a good one!
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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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