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Kia plans to make a Rio GT to compete against the Fiesta ST for 2018

MKVIIST

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http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/kia-gt-sports-car-be-joined-fiesta-st-rival

Kia will expand its GT-badged range to include a Fiesta ST rival based on the Rio hatchback, as well as the firm's long-awaited sports car.

Although details remain scarce, the GT is mooted for a Paris motor show reveal this year. Its styling is said to be a combination of the four-door GT coupé concept and the Stinger compact coupé concept. It is intended to be a halo model for a wider range of GT-branded vehicles being developed by Kia.

These include the Procee’d GT and Optima GT, which have been revealed, but Autocar understands a Rio GT will also be launched around 2018 to challenge the Fiesta ST.

Developed under the leadership of ex-BMW M boss Albert Biermann, the Rio GT is seen as crucial to establishing the reputation of the GT brand as a credible hot hatch maker. No technical details have been revealed, but the car is expected to get around 180bhp from a tuned 1.6-litre engine.

The Rio GT will sit on a fresh platform that will underpin the all-new standard car when it is launched in 2017. The new architecture is said to save weight and offer improved dynamic possibilities, and the interior and infotainment take what one insider described as “a quantum leap”. A range of new engines will also be used, including Kia’s ultra-frugal 1.0-litre petrol triple.

A new Picanto is also expected in 2017, but advances over today’s model are said to be more modest.
 


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#3
I have to admit these Korean auto makers are trying hard, it shows in who they hire and that they are trying to break in to luxury and performance segments.

On the other hand, a standard Kia Rio is a very sad car, it makes a base model Fiesta feel sporty.

The pictured car looks boring but it's not as ugly as a Velositer.

Some day the Koreans will be near the same level but probably not before 2020.
 


JasonHaven

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#6
More entries into the hot hatch market, tuned, turbo'd, whatever, is always good for us hot hatch fans. Not for me, but glad they're entering. ??????
 


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#7
Kia should have made a 1.6T or 2.0T Soul with some performance/styling updates, that might be cool. [smoking]
 


OP
MKVIIST

MKVIIST

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Thread Starter #8
I don't think the yellow Kia pictured is the Rio GT, is it? Is that just a regular Rio?
That's just a standard Kia picture. Hopefully we'll see something towards the end of this year.
 


airjor13

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#9
Felt like the Hyundai 1.6T could have great potential but not enough tuning support outside of korea.
 


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#11
That car is ugly as sin! No, thank you. I dont think ford has anything to worry about this one.
 


RAAMaudio

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#12
Already said new platform so it will not look the same at all, they have lots of money as pay low wages, hire very talented people, etc....I would not be surprised to see a very well done car from them launch in 2018 but I will still have my FiST and it will still stomp whatever they do:)
 


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#14
I test drove a Kia Pro'ceed GT before I ended up with the FIST and it was a genuinely great car. 200hp 1.6 turbo, two door, six speed manual, Recaro seats, and it looked great. Build quality inside was much, much better than the Fiesta. Handling was also very good, and this was Kia's very first attempt at a hot hatch. It was ultimately too heavy for the power it had, and couldn't match the FiST's handling, and the engine sounded terrible. Still, it left me with the impression that Kia/Hyundai could make something genuinely amazing in a few years with the progress they've been making lately.
 


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#15
The veloster turbo is surprisingly nice. My brother just got one and the interior and tech is much better than whats available in the fiesta. Their 1.6 turbo isn't bad, its just not as easy to tune as ours. This Rio GT will probably use the same 1.6 Turbo engine. They need to make a Forte GT with the 2.0 turbo from the optima.
 


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#16
I test drove a Kia Pro'ceed GT before I ended up with the FIST and it was a genuinely great car. 200hp 1.6 turbo, two door, six speed manual, Recaro seats, and it looked great. Build quality inside was much, much better than the Fiesta. Handling was also very good, and this was Kia's very first attempt at a hot hatch. It was ultimately too heavy for the power it had, and couldn't match the FiST's handling, and the engine sounded terrible. Still, it left me with the impression that Kia/Hyundai could make something genuinely amazing in a few years with the progress they've been making lately.
thats because this guy is kia's chief design guy now.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Schreyer

i really like the pro'ceed as well. shame they dont sell it in north america
 


RAAMaudio

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#17
As mentioned, they have the funds to compete against anyone, low wages is the key but in the end it will force the rest to get better for less, I hope at least being as optimistic as I usually am:)
 


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#18
they are also the only auto manufacturer with their own aluminum foundry.

pretty much everyone buys theirs from hyundai, including ford. also why you've probably never seen a shipping container without a hyundai logo on it
 




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