Kia has unveiled a new Volkswagen Golf-size SUV concept, which will preview a China-only production car. The KX3 has been designed and engineered through Dongfeng Yueda Kia, the Korean brand’s joint venture in China.
Some 4.25m long, the KX3 is described as being designed to appeal to “young Chinese consumers who high-value, high quality cars…in pursuit of an outgoing lifestyle”. The compact SUV is one of the fastest growing segments in Western car markets, a trend that’s expected to be repeated in China.
The KX3 concept is powered by a 1.6-litre T-GDI direct-injection turbocharged petrol engine hooked up to a seven-speed dual clutch transmission and all-wheel drive. The 2590mm-long wheelbase is said to underpin “plenty of cabin space” and boot space is a useful 400-litres.
Kia also claims that the KX3 concept is capable of achieving a five-star result in the European NCAP crash tests. Inside it gets connectivity systems for use with a smartphone. There’s no news yet on when the production version of the KX3 will be launched.
Unveiled at the Guangzhou Motor Show, the concept is described as an “athletic-looking compact SUV”. The sharply drawn front-end design – which has more than a hint of Porsche Macan about the LED headlamps – is an indication of the Kia’s new corporate design identity.
Kia calls this look ‘the tiger-nose’ grill and it will also be used on the company’s upcoming stand-alone Hybrid model. Sources suggest that the styling of this baby SUV will also hints strongly at the shape of the next-generation Kia Sportage.
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