Kia goes baiting BMW's M5

In response to BMW’s M5, Kia will be unveiling a new sports saloon concept at the next month’s Frankfurt motor show. “Wait, In response..?” I hear you say, “I didn’t know there was a question that the Korean manufacturer needed to respond to..”

Quite right, but you’d be mistaken if you thought Kia’s ambitions were limited to making Picantos. Whilst this concept is unlikely to ever reach production it does show Kia’s aspiration to join the premium sector and mix it with the Germans.

“No matter from which perspective you look at it – this concept car is roaring with energy and ready for take-off,” says Peter Schreyer, Kia Motors Chief Design Officer, proudly.

“I believe the car is a strong statement from Kia: we are ready to fast forward to an all new chapter.”

Kia describe their new concept as a ‘statement of intent’ that signals the company’s distinctive new design direction. The rear-wheel drive four-door sports sedan marries sleek and muscular proportions with a sophisticated and elegant four-seater cockpit, in which performance and dynamics sit centre stage.

So quit your sniggering about Kia’s lofty ambitions and remember how far the Korean car maker has come in such a short period of time – it might not be that far away before a sports saloon group test features a BMW, Audi, Mercedes, Volvo and…a Kia.

Look out for more news leading up to the Frankfurt show on September 13th.

Gallery