Kia's Chief Designer Schreyer Confirms Roadster in Plans

A veritable avalanche of rumours has beaten down on the net these last few weeks about Kia’s plans for marketing a roadster shortly. Today, Peter Schreyer, the Korean manufacturers chief designer and man behind the Audi TT, confirmed his desire to develop such a model – but not for another year.

He says he wants to create “some sort of roadster or convertible” but “a car like that needs to make money, and this is not so easy,” hinting at the monumental task ahead of him.

Before embarking on this adventure, Schreyer says he needs to “do his homework” and revamp the Sedona and Rondo, the only two models that haven’t undergone his brand of shock therapy that is in part responsible for the company’s recent success.

[Source: Automotive News (Image: Auto Express)]

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Kia Considering Rio Hot-Hatch to Spice Up Brand Image

Kia‘s new designs are helping brand the Korean automaker in a more positive light, particularly here in North America with the stylish new Optima. But in other parts of the world mid-size sedan’s don’t hold the same cache, nor do they sell all that well, so Kia is looking at alternative ways to create a boost in brand image.

In a recent interview, Kia product boss Benny Oeyen commented on three such methods, including a hot hatch, convertible or coupe. While the coupe idea, along the lines of the Hyundai Genesis Coupe, may seem like the obvious choice, it’s the hot hatch the is the most likely. The reason for this is the importance of small hatchbacks in other parts of the world, like in Europe were sub-compact models, like Kia’s new 2012 Rio, make up the majority of sales for automakers.

A Rio hot-hatch is also the easiest to bring to market, as it would be based on the existing new car. Plus, it helps put the brand focus exactly where Kia wants it to be.

Exactly what a juiced-up Rio might bring to the table is unclear, with standard models in Europe getting 1.4-liter gasoline and diesel engines as well as a tiny 1.25-liter gas engine. One possibility is the 138-hp 1.6-liter 4-cylinder that’s expected to come standard in the North American model, although for a ‘hot hatch’ we’d like to see more.

[Source: Autocar]

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2012 Hyundai Genesis Coupe to Get More Power

Hyundai shocked the world when it first announced it would build the rear-drive 300-hp Genesis Coupe, and now it appears the automaker is looking to add more oomph to its sports coupe lineup.

Since the Genesis Coupe debuted back in 2008, the horsepower wars have raged on with cars like the Ford Mustang going from 210-hp to 305-hp. Once seen as a bargain, the Genesis Coupe is a slightly less enticing package than it once was. To combat this, Hyundai will look to add more power to the Genesis two-door in 2012, along with a slight facelift.

Both the 4-cylinder and V6 engines are slated to get upgrades, although exactly how extensive they will be is not yet clear. It’s not hard to speculate that the 2.0T model could gain the Sonata Turbo’s new engine, prompting a significant increase in power from 210-hp to 274-hp. That would come very close to the 3.8-liter V6′s 306-hp number, suggesting it would also have to receive a major update, be it through naturally aspirated means, forced induction, or a switch to a V8. Past reports have already indicated the company’s new 5.0-liter V8 will replace the current 3.8L V6, producing a rather significant 429-hp.

[Source: AutoGuide.com]

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REPORT: Kia Soul'ster Concept considered for production

Reports have begun to trickle in from South Korea that Kia's Soul'ster Concept will be heading for production in 2010. Based on the Soul hatchback, the Soul'ster Concept debuted at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The rugged open-top has been hinted for production numerous times, including on a blog post at Kia's corporate blog, Kia BUZZ, where the automaker stated that its production depends solely on media and public feedback.

According to Tom Kearns, lead designer of the Soul'ster Concept, building the car would not be a huge investment. Kia's plan to bring the Soul'ster into production became apparent as it recently began the tedious legal procedures of registering the Soul'ster name with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

[Source: TheCarConnection]

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