cars news 10: New Kia Sports Car Hits 62 MPH in 5.1 Seconds

Kia is giving us a closer look at its upcoming sports car in the second installment of the video series “The Curve Ahead.” The new car is seen driving around the track, clocking a 0-62 mph run of 5.1 seconds.

The Korean automaker calls its new sports car “the fastest-accelerating Kia to date.” We believe the new model is the GT, which debuted as a concept at the 2011 Frankfurt auto show. The rear-drive sedan is likely to offer the same two V-6 engines found in the Genesis G80, including a 3.8-liter Lambda V-6 and twin-turbo 3.3-liter unit. We also spotted a prototype that sounded as if it was packing a V-8 engine, likely the 5.0-liter Tau engine that makes 420 hp in the Genesis G80 and G90. We’ve also heard the model could ride on a new platform shared with the smaller G70.

Reports suggest the Kia GT will start under $30,000, at least in some markets. Expect the sporty sedan to be sized similarly to the Audi A5 Sportback, which the automaker estimates hitting 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder. The V-6-powered S5 Sportback is said to do the deed in 4.5 seconds.

Kia’s new sports car will debut just ahead of the Detroit auto show on January 8 at 6 p.m. EST.

Source: Kia