Kia unveils KOUP concept and 2009 Magentis at New York Auto ShowDestined for the young and exuberant, the KOUP is a sporty two-door coupe that looks almost production-ready.
With the look that reminds us a Honda Civic Si from the front and an Acura RSX from the rear, the KOUP features a panoramic glass roof and sweeping lines that flow from the A-pillar right down to the decklid. The front and rear bumpers are highlighted by carbon fiber and the dual exhaust tip are integrated in the car's rear apron.
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| Kia KOUP Concept |
Inside, a modern 4-passenger interior hosts an 8-speaker audio system that includes Bluetooth connectivity and a navigation system, and the two-tone, black and grey seats are heavily bolstered.
Power comes from a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 that features direct injection and produces 290 horsepower and 289 lb-ft of torque; the latter peaking from 2,000 to 4,000 rpm. Transmission is a 6-speed automatic with wheel-mounted paddle shifters. The KOUP is front-wheel drive and rides in 19-inch wheels.
The 2009 Optima, which is called the Magentis in Canada, gets a host of improvements including a styling update for the front and rear ends, and a new SX version will provide the mid-size sedan line-up with a sportier variant.
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| 2009 Kia Optima |
Mechanically, the Optima/Magentis gets power increases to both engines. The revised 2.4-liter inline-4 now produces 175 horsepower and 169 lb-ft of torque (up from 162 hp), while the 2.7-liter V6 now generates 190 horses and 184 lb-ft (up from 185 hp).
The cockpit is also freshened, with a redesigned instrument panel and an audio system that offers standard-equipment MP3 file playback and a USB port.
Photo Credit : Kia
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