Kia teases 2018 GT with new video ahead of Detroit debut
Kia has released a third teaser video for its upcoming GT, a rear-wheel-drive four-door saloon set for reveal at the 2017 Detroit Auto Show.
Kia has issued a third teaser video for its forthcoming 2018 GT, offering the clearest look yet at the four-door rear-wheel-drive saloon ahead of its official reveal at the 2017 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The new footage hints at performance ambitions not previously seen in the brand’s line-up.
The video reveals more of the GT’s styling, including pronounced hood scoops that suggest functional cooling for a high-output engine. While Kia has not confirmed technical details, the model is widely expected to use the Hyundai-Kia group’s 3.3-litre twin-turbocharged V6, an engine found in the Genesis G90 where it produces 365bhp and 376lb ft. If that output carries over, the GT would be the most powerful Kia production car to date.
Performance figures have not been officially released, but previous teasers have shown the GT reaching 244km/h (151mph) and accelerating from 0 to 100km/h (62mph) in around five seconds during testing at the Nürburgring. The car is also expected to feature an eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, further underlining its sporting intent.
Kia’s move into performance saloons
The GT marks a shift for Kia, which has previously focused on value and mainstream models. Its only recent sporting effort was the front-wheel-drive cee’d GT. The new rear-drive platform and likely powertrain place the GT in direct competition with established sports saloons, a segment Kia has not previously contested.
The official countdown on Kia’s GT website is set to end on 8 January 2017, just before the Detroit show’s media preview days. More details, including final specifications and pricing, are expected at the car’s full unveiling.
What the teaser video reveals
- Hood scoops visible, hinting at turbocharged power
- Rear-wheel-drive stance emphasised in dynamic shots
- Interior glimpses show paddle shifters behind the wheel
- Performance testing footage from the Nürburgring
Kia’s approach follows a trend among mainstream brands releasing teaser videos to build anticipation for major launches. The GT’s reveal is scheduled just ahead of the Detroit Auto Show, where it will compete for attention with other high-profile debuts. For more on how other marques have used teasers, seeAudi previews 2018 A8 with aluminium-intensive body teaser.
