KIA GT Line-up
Kia has revealed that it will soon begin
offering performance-focused variants of many of its staple models, all set to
be adorned with a 'GT' badge.
The automaker current offers the punchy
Pro_Cee'd GT across Europe but Kia's performance development boss Albert
Biermann revealed to Autocar that future GT models will be offered globally,
giving a larger number of Kia buyers the opportunity to get behind the wheel of
a model with a little bit more pizazz.
Launching first will be the Optima GT.
It is set to be powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine
pumping out 242 hp and will also adopt some chassis and visual changes to
separate it from the standard model. Soon after the Optima GT launches, the
next-generation Kia Rio will receive a GT variant helping it take the fight to
the Ford Fiesta GT.
While these two models have already been
signed off for production, Kia is still undecided on whether to launch a
Sportage GT. Biermann said that the company could create such a model but first
needs to make a business case for it.
Although Kia's forthcoming GT models
could draw on technology developed by Hyundai's N-division, Kia's models won't
be anywhere near as track focused, instead focusing on adding thrills to
regular street use.
