Kia is planning a new compact sports car that could rival the Toyobaru

In an article from the magazine Autocar with Kia Motor’s head of design, Peter Schreyer, the latter said that a new design based on the Kia Kee would be used, with technology from the Hyundai Genesis coupé, to design a rival to the Toyota-Subaru FT86, the Toyobaru, the sports car unveiled jointly by Subaru and Toyota. Another rival it would target would be the Mazda MX5.

As for the Kia Kee, there are no plans to introduce the model in Europe for about two years. However, it is thought that the project could be the boost that Kia needs to strengthen its image in Europe. Adopting a design in the style of the Toyobaru, a compact rear-wheel-drive sports car with a front-mounted engine, not very powerful but fun to drive.

Although the new model might not be based on the Kee (nor have a nice V6 engine like the concept), other platforms from the Korean brand would more likely be used. Schreyer himself announced that the Cee’d or the Magentis could serve as a base, but the most important thing of all seems to be that it has rear-wheel drive.

Finally, the Kee was a concept car unveiled more than two years ago and which we had somewhat forgotten. A bold design (and I would almost say even more attractive than the Toyobaru in its concept form), which we hope we can see in Europe soon.

Via | Autocar