Kia to Debut a Midsize Concept in Geneva

Kia Midsize Concept (Credit: © Kia)

Kia is one of the faster growing companies in the auto realm, thanks in large part to the huge value it offers, but also thanks to increased brand recognition as it treks into segments that it once avoided. Cars like the K900 and the Cadenza may not be hot sellers, but they put Kia’s name in front of luxury car buyers and give them a thing or two to think about. As we approach the 2015 Geneva Auto Show, Kia has teased us with an image and short blurb about a midsize concept that it’ll debut at the show.

The model, which was designed by Kia’s European studio, features the signature “Tiger Nose” grille, but it is more upright than most Kia models, giving the car a more upscale look. Enhancing its elegant looks are smooth and clean lines that keep the body free of distractions. The only real distinguishing characteristic is the vent on the rearmost section of the front fender. This type of clean, timeless look is what has made BMW and Audi so successful for many years.

What lies under the hood remains a bit of a mystery, but Kia has left a few breadcrumbs for me to follow. In the very short press release, Kia used the word “energy” twice and “energetic” once, which leads me to believe that this concept will also preview some sort of advanced hybrid system or possibly even a full-electric powertrain. I could be reading too much into it, but the usage just seems a little too manufactured in some spots.

The Geneva show kicks off on March 2, 2015, so we’ll learn all about this new concept soon.