Feann Torr•8 Feb 2013
NEWS
CHICAGO MOTOR SHOW: Kia Cross GT Concept
Daring design study previews high performance large luxury crossover vehicleThe Kia Cross GT Concept has broken cover at the Chicago motor show overnight, a heavyweight luxury crossover vehicle that previews the Korean company's new design direction and could lead to "a larger premium CUV than the current Sorento," asserts the company.
Understood to be a preview of a new large crossover aimed at the North American market and part of the same "bloodline" as the Sorento, the Cross GT Concept's large size and audacious design are matched by a thumping V6 hybrid powertrain that produces 298kW/678Nm – just 2Nm shy of BMW's insane twin turbo X6 M crossover vehicle.
Kia has not released performance details on the 3.8-litre V6 parallel hybrid system, but says the "pancake-shaped" electric motor squeezed between the V6 engine and its eight-speed automatic transmission delivers storming performance and excellent fuel economy, able to run solely on electricity for up to 32 kilometres.
Ensuring rapid acceleration is an all-wheel drive system complete with torque-vectoring that splits drive between right and left wheels, and although the Korean company admits the powertrain is purely conceptual, it says the various technologies won't be left to gather dust in a dark corner and "may one day find their way into a production vehicle".
The four-seat luxury crossover vehicle is big, and to provide perspective it rolls on a 3090mm wheelbase and measures 4890 from nose to tail. In contrast with the Sorento SUV, those dimensions amount to roughly 400mm extra wheelbase and 210mm added length.
It's also 120mm broader than the Sorento, at an imposing 2000mm wide, but has a 40mm lower height than its cousin, thanks to a lower roof line. Imagined at Kia's US design studio in Irving California, the Cross GT Concept represents "the future of the brand's premium aesthetic in a larger package" and rides on the same large car platform that underpinned the GT sports car concept, which made its debut at the 2011 Frankfurt motor show.
Kia will gauge the response to the new "fusion copper"-coloured Cross GT in Chicago to get an initial idea of whether a large, sporty crossover vehicle would appeal to US motorists, a design that incorporates several eye-catching styling cues. As well as rear hinged or "suicide" passenger doors, the concept features a gently sloped roofline, a special 'sky light' roof with hexagonal glass inserts and more cutting edge illumination than you can shake a light-emitting diode at.
It sports a progressive interpretation of Kia's 'tiger nose' grille, while the dynamic shoulder line, aggressive front end, sleek headlights and a stubby rear end hint at a bolder, more daring Kia. Short overhangs and an ultra-wide stance also suggest we could see much sportier SUVs in Kia's future.
The styling of the Kia Cross GT was overseen by design boss and Kia President Peter Schreyer and provides clues as to how future Kia models - many of which will be destined for Australia - should look.
Kia's design chief and President, Peter Schreyer, said the new Cross GT Concept, making its debut alongside the new Cerato hatchback in Chicago, backs up the GT Concept's intent – that is to develop more premium vehicles.
"The debut of the GT in 2011 heralded a new frontier for Kia, both from a design and a business perspective. It beautifully illustrated to the world that the brand was ready to explore the possibility of perhaps one day offering a full-size rear-drive luxury saloon. The Cross GT, with its raised stance and large cargo area allows us to envision the GT in the form of a full-size luxury crossover," said Mr Schreyer.
If the new Cross GT Concept does get the green light for production in the future, it's likely to be a left-hand drive vehicle only, focussing on the US market.
As Kia Australia's National Public Relations Manager Kevin Hepworth told Australian journalists in Chicago at the vehicle's global premiere, "It's not a car that would have any real priority in Australia."
"Trying to place it against something in the market now... It's almost a Rangie (Range Rover) competitor if they juice it up properly. It's bigger than Sorento, it's a big car," stated Mr Hepworth.
"It's obviously been born and bred in the design studio in America. It may be a possibility for them to get an extra model down the line at the Alabama factory," said Mr Hepworth of the car's production future, but cautioned that it would be unlikely to make its way to Australia.
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Written byFeann Torr
Our team of independent expert car reviewers and journalists
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