GT concept previews Kia's design future (photos)

Kia's latest design concept takes the automaker's Tiger Nose design language to the next level.

Antuan Goodwin

Sept. 14, 2011 10:24 a.m. PT

1 of 11

Josh Miller/CNET

Kia GT concept

Kia's latest design concept takes the automaker's Tiger Nose to the next level and previews potential design direction for future vehicles.

2 of 11

Josh Miller/CNET

Tiger nosed

The GT starts with Kia's tiger nose grill shape and adds LED headlamps that are bisected by sculptural winglets.

3 of 11

Josh Miller/CNET

Turbo V-6

Under the GT's hood is a turbocharged and direct injected V-6 (presumably based on the 3.8-liter mill that powers Hyundai's Genesis Coupe and Sedan) that outputs 395 horsepower and 394 pound feet of torque.

4 of 11

Josh Miller/CNET

Low slung sedan

Designed as a grand tourer (hence the "GT" moniker), the Kia concept is a low slung sedan with a coupe-like profile. The L-shaped carbon fiber element at the base of the doors doesn't appear to have a function other than add visual interest to the slab-sided sedan.

5 of 11

Josh Miller/CNET

Rear view

LED tail lamps and a carbon fiber diffuser round out a simple rear end. The general shape of these lights and the headlamps will likely be echoed on future vehicles at the top end of Kia's lineup.

6 of 11

Josh Miller/CNET

Open interior

The Kia's back doors open on a rear hinge, giving full access to the cabin without the obstruction of a B-pillar.

7 of 11

Josh Miller/CNET

Holographic display

The GT uses 3D holographic instrumentation, steers with a chrome wheel, and features small cameras where the wing mirrors would be that output to small monitors at the base of the A-pillars.

8 of 11

Josh Miller/CNET

I love gold!

You don't see gold used much on new cars these days, but the Kia GT features gold trim around the windows and gold-colored buffed leather.

9 of 11

Josh Miller/CNET

Propeller wheels

The wheels appear to be inspired by propellers and feature carbon fiber design elements.

10 of 11

Josh Miller/CNET

Derivative design

It's got propellers clashing with winglets, gold clashing with silver, and nonstructural carbon fiber bits all over. The nose apes the GTbyCitroen concept from a few years ago. The GT's design just feels very non-cohesive and derivative.