Kia planning Volkswagen GTI rival for Europe

2010 Kia Cee'd
2010 Kia Cee'd

Kia is slowly moving upmarket and has plans to offer a performance hatchback in Europe to solidify its upgrading lineup. According to Soon-Nam Lee, Kia’s overseas marketing director, Kia is planning a rival to the Volkswagen GTI.

“We are preparing turbocharged engines,” said Soon-Nam Lee. “We are tuning suspension and we are preparing a Golf GTI rival.”

So what Kia model will become a hot-hatch? According to sources, the next-generation Kia Cee’d will be the GTI rival. The Kia Cee’d will be four years old next spring and is due for a replacement then. Power for the Kia Cee’d GTI rival will most likely come from a 2.0L turbocharged Theta II engine.

While the engine is good for making 247-hp with a peak torque of 269 lb-ft, Kia will detune the engine to make between 220 to 230-hp.

– By: Omar Rana

Source: AutoCar