Kia unveils four-door KOUP concept
The Kia KOUP concept - a mish-mash of European styles
Author: Robin Brown
Published: 25 March 2008
Kia has unveiled the two-door, four-seater KOUP concept at the New York Motor Show.
The KOUP is, rather unsurprisingly, a coupe concept that Kia maintains is a practical, technologically-advnaced and dynamic 2+2.
The Korean manufacturer stresses the KOUP's 'purposeful' upper grille, high-tech headlamps and wedge-shaped profile using carbon fibre and black-chrome LED headlamps. MotorTorque sees something half-way between a Ford Puma and Toyota Prius, with a dash of the new Honda Civic.
Nevertheless there are a number of never-see-the-light of-day features on the KOUP which do catch the eye. A panoramic glass roof redolent of a jet cockpit and separated by an interior mood light running the full length of the roof is not your common-or-garden coupe feature, nor is the amount of carbon fibre detailing throughout the concept.
The chin spoiler, headlamp cowling, door mirrors, rear bumper insert and rear diffuser all feature the lightweight material, while the 19-inch chrome wheels also feature carbon fibre inserts alongside Brembo brake callipers and cross-drilled brake discs.
Inside the KOUP features four seats finished in Ultrasuede, whilst the floor is trimmed completely in Neoprene.
A smart key with push button start and a six-speed sequential transmission with steering column-mounted gear-shift paddles continues the hi-tech theme, while an in-car infotainment system features an eight-speaker system andbuilt-in Bluetooth-enabled navigation system with Map On Demand (MOD).
Power is supplied to the front-wheel drive chassis by a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine producing 290bhp by way of a twin scroll turbocharger.
Kia's Gas Direct Injection technology injects fuel directly into the cylinders under high pressure to cool the intake charge, providing improved fuel economy and low emissions whilst providing 289lb-ft of torque from 2000rpm.
A fully-independent suspension combined with Continuous Damping Control (CDC) is designed to provide an outlet for 'spirited driving', as is speed-sensitive power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering adds.
The KOUP concept features six airbags, a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), traction control and CDC. Adaptive front lighting and cruise control add further to the KOUP’s advanced safety technology.
There's no official word from Kia on a production model, but the KOUP is expected to make it to Europe - one way or another - some time in 2009.
Kia will debut the Soul 'urban crossover' at the Paris Motor Show 2 October 2008, prior to its debut in mainland Europe in February 2009 and its UK debut later next year.
The new Volkswagen Scirocco coupe goes on sale from 1 September, with prices starting from £20,940 and cheaper models available from January 2009.
New Fiat 500 supermini answers Nokia’s call to help spread its new mobile phone handset and philosophy message to the nation. Securing a new fleet deal opportunity down the line.
New 2009 Kia Sorento to up SUV Crossover bar by going all Volvo XC60, Ford Kuga and Nissan Qashqai, and less orthodox 4X4. Remember though, premium Kia products, equals premium Kia prices.
The new BMW Alpina D3 Bi-Turbo Coupe is available to buy from £32,950, boasting high power output and high fuel economy.
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