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

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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. View Local Inventory

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Tiger nosed

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

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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. View Local Inventory

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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. View Local Inventory

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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. View Local Inventory

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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. View Local Inventory

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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. View Local Inventory

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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. View Local Inventory

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Propeller wheels

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

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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. View Local Inventory