Kia Planning on Launching GT Concept as Four-Door Coupe

The KiaKiaRepublic of Korea, 1944 > present52 models
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GT ConceptKia GTRepublic of Korea, 2011 > 201150 photos
won the Automotive Brand Contest 2012 award for Best Concept on August 1. The car was first shown last year at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. Kia is considering putting the four-door coupe with high end materials and taking on established luxury automakers like BMWBMWGermany, 1918 > present87 models
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and MercedesMercedes-BenzGermany, 1924 > present197 models
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. 

Chief Designer Peter Schreyer has wanted a halo car for the Kia brand, and it appears that the GT Concept may evolve into that car. 

“Every company needs a halo car. The coupe market is dominated by German brands, and the GT is Kia’s first step – it’s like putting a foot in the door of the club. This car is aimed at a niche that Kia could fill. It could find a lot of customers," said Schreyer. 

The idea behind the car is to offer the high style of a car like the Mercedes CLSMercedes-Benz CLS-Class Gen.2Germany, 2010 > present50 versions
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at a fraction of the price. Part of the way to keep prices down is a range of four-cylinder engines including a turbo and hybrid. It would go on sale in 2016 at the earliest. The platform will probably be shared with the Hyundai GenesisHyundai Genesis 4.6LRepublic of Korea, 2011 > present4 photos
, which starts at $34,200 in the US, less than half of the starting price of a CLS. 

Kia has been doing a great job on injecting style into its lineup over the past few years. The new OptimaKia Optima Gen.3Republic of Korea, 2011 > present39 versions
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sedan looks like a car that costs significantly more and offers powerful and efficient four-cylinder engines. 

Source: Auto Express