cars news 10: We Hear: Kia Rio GT on the Way

Several years after debuting the GT sports car concept, Kia will likely introduce a final production model at the Paris motor show this year before the car heads to production in 2017. But that’s not the only new car in store for the GT lineup, which will also include a high-performance Rio GT, according to a report from Autocar.

The Kia Rio GT will reportedly launch around 2018 and will compete squarely against the Ford Fiesta ST hot hatch. The model will sit on a new platform that saves weight and offers improved driving dynamics. It’s likely that the car will receive a 1.6-liter engine with output of around 180 hp.

In comparison, the U.S.-spec 2016 Fiesta ST achieves 197 hp from its standard 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine. As of now, the Fiesta ST has relatively few competitors here, including the Mini Cooper S.

As for the rest of the Kia GT lineup? The automaker has already unleashed the Procee’d GT and Optima GT. The Kia GT, however, will remain the halo car in the lineup and should blend design elements from the GT four-door concept and the Stinger compact coupe concept when it goes to production. With these new models, Kia is aggressively pushing its sporting image, while Hyundai moves towards the luxury end of the spectrum with its new Genesis brand for global markets.

Source: Autocar

Pictured above is the Kia GT Concept.