CHICAGO MOTOR SHOW: Kia ponders Cross GT Concept future

Kia's brazen Cross GT Concept crossover vehicle would be marketed primarily to North American motorists if it reaches production, but right-hand drive versions are not out of question says the company's President and design boss, Peter Schreyer.

Speaking to motoring.com.au at the global launch of the new 298kW Cross GT Concept at the Chicago motor show, Mr Schreyer explained: "I think definitely the American market would be the main market".

Mr Schreyer, recently appointed Chief Design Officer for Hyundai as well as Kia, said the upmarket SUV concept could also find favour in other parts of the world if green-lit for production.

"I can easily imagine it in other countries like maybe Europe. But it could be on the upper end size-wise maybe," he said.

The former Volkswagen and Audi designer also hinted the concept car's production progeny, a potentially Range Rover-sized vehicle, could evolve into a global model and in left- and right-hand drive markets, perhaps even for Australia.

"It's a concept only but I could imagine the steering wheel on the other side of the dash as well maybe, why not?"

Motive force for the concept car is provided by a brand-new 3.8-litre V6 hybrid powertrain, with an electric motor to boost power levels to 298kW/678Nm, giving the all-wheel drive crossover vehicle serious stomp.

At this stage it's unclear if the ultra-torquey engine is destined for production.

The Kia Cross GT's significant size, measuring almost five metres long, ensures that it's comfortably bigger than the company's Sorento SUV, and though the concept car features four sports seats, a production version would almost certainly have a seven-seat option.

The concept vehicle could easily evolve into an upmarket seven seat vehicle if required, suggested Mr Schreyer, who mentioned that its dimensions were ripe for a production follow-up.

"Well it's realistic so far as the measurement, and the way it is laid out [is] not unrealistic..."

If Kia did push ahead with a production vehicle sized similarly to the GT, it would undoubtedly be a technology and design showcase for the company, rather than a cash cow like the new Cerato.

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