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Kia putting GT Concept into production, roadster concept due in Detroit

If you were enamored of the GT concept that Kia unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show two years ago, we've got good news for you. According to the latest reports, Kia is planning on putting it into production.
The big question at this point is how closely the production model will shadow the four-door coupe concept. The svelte shape will undoubtedly have to make some concessions toward roadworthiness and production feasibility, but just what platform Kia will use to underpin it remains unknown. It could base it off the large, rear-drive K9 or borrow the platform from sister-company Hyundai's Genesis Coupe. Either of those options would enable the production Kia GT to keep the concept's rear-drive orientation, but other routes would make it either front-drive or potentially all-wheel drive.
Word has it also that Kia is planning to reveal a small roadster concept in the mold of the Mazda MX-5 at the upcoming Detroit Auto Show in January. If public feedback is positive enough, that could see production before the end of next year as well.

Next-generation Kia K900 teased

Introduced for the 2015 model year, the current Kia K900 hasn't been around especially long, but Kia is already on the cusp of launching a second-generation of the full-size flagship sedan. An official reveal date wasn't provided by Kia, but we won't have to wait long to see the fully revealed car. The company said the sedan will go on sale in select markets during the second quarter of 2018. So expect to see it in a few months. In the meantime, Kia released the above teaser image. From what we can tell, the new K900, which was developed by both the Korean and U.S. branches of Kia, will look much leaner and better emphasize the car's rear-drive layout. A major contributor to this is how the base of the A-pillar is much farther away from the front wheels, providing a long nose that highlights the longitudinal engine up front. The trunk is more pronounced than on the current model, further making the car look longer and lower. The headlights should be distinctive with unique LED accents, and they don't sweep back along the fender like the current model, either, making the front look more blunt and tough. We expect the K900 to share its platform with the Genesis G90, just as the current one did with the old Hyundai Equus. That also means it will probably be available with both the twin-turbocharged 3.3-liter V6 and the naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 in rear- and all-wheel-drive configurations. Related Video:

Kia Stonic not coming to America

Related: We obsessively covered the Frankfurt Motor Show — here's our complete coverage FRANKFURT, Germany — At this year's Frankfurt auto show, Kia showed off its new Stonic subcompact crossover, the Stonic. It features all of the hallmarks of the typical affordable little crossover. It has lots of customizability in the form of many two-tone paint options. It has chunky, lifted looks with plastic cladding. It also comes with class-competitive engines making 147 and 175 horsepower. It's also based on the same platform as the compelling little Kia Rio. It seems like a shoo-in for the American market, but when it goes on sale in Europe this year, it won't be doing the same on our shores. This was confirmed by a Kia representative. His official statement was that there are no current plans for selling it in the U.S. Considering how hot the crossover market is right now, even attracting corporate cousin Hyundai with its Kona, it seems surprising Kia wouldn't be interested in fielding its own take on the segment. Perhaps Kia has concerns about it cannibalizing sales of the highly successful Soul and the all-new Rio. We wouldn't count on the Stonic staying away from the States forever, though. All that was said was the Stonic isn't planned for the U.S. That's not an outright "no, it will not come here, period." It could just be that Kia isn't ready to announce the car's introduction here, or perhaps it's still gauging interest. Maybe Kia has other small crossover-esque plans, after all, as successful and competitive as the Soul has been, it's starting to age a bit. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.