The Best-looking Car at the Frankfurt Motor Show Might Be Kia's Concept Wagon
Kia Motors plans to reveal a sporty wagon concept at Germany’s International Motor Show in September. Calling the model an “extended hot hatch,” the automaker is following the popular trend of whetting the automotive press’ appetite with a shooting brake bodystyle that will probably never reach production.
Designed in Kia’s European design studio in Frankfurt, less than a mile from where it will be unveiled, the wagon is said to be representative of what the next-generation of Europe’s Kia Cee’d might look like. If there is any truth to that, we’d like to see it imported into North America. However, as this is just a concept car, we know the odds of its real-world counterpart not changing into an amorphous collection of painted steel panels are slim.
Still, the concept looks to be a genuine stunner. Assuming the front looks anything like the back, Kia’s design department deserves a bit of praise.
There may still be hope, though. Kia’s current Cee’d, while conventional, is not a homely utilitarian mess. It’s a decent-looking car and I doubt most of America would have minded if the manufacturer wanted to tempt them with the Pro_Cee’d hot hatchback.
Kia could easily slot in a performance model below the Stinger sedan. And, since that model isn’t likely to appear as a wagon anytime soon, what could be better than a quick little car with an odd number of doors to compete with the likes of Volkswagen’s GTI?
Maybe it’s best to wait and see how the updated Hyundai Elantra GT Sport fares with its slick new 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine before Kia does anything too drastic with its own lineup. But we think enthusiasts would eat up a Kia-ized equivalent of the sporty and practical i30 N compact — especially if it possessed the sculpted haunches of the above prototype.
“We don’t make concept cars for no good reason,” a Kia source told Automotive News Europe. “It’s up for very serious consideration as a standalone model.”
The concept will go on display September 12th at Kia’s booth in the Frankfurt Messe exhibition center.
[Image: Kia Motors]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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The Elantra (GT and sedan) Sport both come with the 1.6L turbo - same as in the Kia Forte5 SX. Given the choice many would probably pick the Hyundai turbo hatch over the Kia, myself included. I think Kia would need to step up the engine option if they're going to slot something below the Stinger but above the Hyundai EGTS.
I've given up hope for a wagon and would just be happy with a 2 door compact hatch nowadays. Something where the B pillar isn't in my field of vision at all times.