Kia has published stylish five-door coupe-esque wagon concept car that’s due to be unveiled fully at the upcoming 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show, which, incidentally, is a mere 500 metres or so from the Korean marque’s European design centre where the mystery car was conceived.
Despite not really looking like a potential follow up, Kia themselves say that this concept car’s cues could trickle down to the next (third-generation) Cee’d, bearing the now famous apostrophised nameplate. It also continues their love affair with the wagon or shooting brake body style.
Kia previously had a sporty and seriously pretty Optima-based load-lugger called the Sportspace Concept that they showed off at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, but they regard this one as more of an ‘extended hot hatch’, carrying over any leftover worthy genetics from the rather impressive (and even more clumsily named) Pro_Cee’d, introduced in 2013.
Judging by the tone being set by many automakers, we’d be surprised if Kia would skip introducing it without some kind of hybrid or electrified aspect to its powertrain, perhaps with some autonomous tech thrown in for good measure. Should they announce that they will be rolling out the production car as a faithful recreation of this upcoming concept, we’d be very excited indeed, and this could be hinted at based on what kind of motor powers those wheels.
It certainly is a bold direction for the company, though admittedly it has been taking brave steps toward a more design-first focus on desirability and performance. Same goes for Hyundai, exemplified by their N high performance division and the Genesis luxury sub-brand.
We’ll have more on this as it comes to light.
Check out our Showroom for more on Kia cars. Hyundai, too, while you’re at it.
