Currently reading: Kia previews future design with two new SUV concepts

Mohave Masterpiece and SP Signature show off Korean brand’s future design intentions and global product strategy

Kia has unveiled two new concept SUVs which, according to the brand, give an insight into “how Kia could develop its model line-up in future, in terms of design, layout and use of technology”. 

The SP Signature previews an upcoming production model from the Korean firm. 

Kia says the new car is production-ready and will be available globally following an unveiling later this year. 

The SP Signature’s design is said to influence that of future Kia models, with daytime running lights built in to the brand’s signature ‘tiger nose’ grille, a tapered roofline and a low, wide stance. 

The Mohave Masterpiece bears a resemblance to the brand’s new US-market Telluride SUV, with an emphasis on bold styling and a “true ‘go-anywhere’ capability”. 

Thought to preview a new version of the US-market Borrego (which is still sold as the Mohave in South Korea), the Mohave Masterpiece could make production as a seven-seater to rival the Ford Explorer and Land Rover Discovery

Raised suspension, short overhangs and large wheels hint at the models’s off-road potential, while chrome grille surrounds, roof bars, wing mirrors and running boards bring it into line with Kia’s other executive offerings. 

The two new models, unveiled at the Seoul motor show, were shown alongside the performance-inspired Imagine concept, which made its debut earlier this month at the Geneva motor show.

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Felix Page

Felix Page
Title: Deputy editor

Felix is Autocar's deputy editor, responsible for leading the brand's agenda-shaping coverage across all facets of the global automotive industry - both in print and online.

He has interviewed the most powerful and widely respected people in motoring, covered the reveals and launches of today's most important cars, and broken some of the biggest automotive stories of the last few years. 

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catnip 30 March 2019

I have a lot of respect for

I have a lot of respect for Kia (and Hyundai), but this isn't a new styling direction, surely?

The SP Signature is just more of the same, appearing to follow  various VW group and Ford design features in particular. But perhaps that's where we are with SUV design now.

JMax18 29 March 2019

Hang on, to rival the Ford

Hang on, to rival the Ford Explorer and Land Rover Discovery. Those two cars don't even come close to being rival to each other.

If this is the future of Kia styling..........

The world has officialy ended.

C'est degoutant

Also, it is a bit of a (If worsened) copy of the Kodiaq.