Get this; Kia Motors plans to produce a roadster to rival the globally popular MX5. Many have tried and are still trying in vain. Kia first hinted at an MX-5 rival with its 2007 Kee concept but hasn’t said much on the subject since. However, the Kia brand has blossomed since that 2007 reveal, with the Hyundai division now looking to move into more niche markets.
“I’d like to have a Kia MX-5 (the MX5 from Mazda pictured above which is a far sexier looking roadster over the Kia Kee),” Paul Philpott, Kia’s European CEO, said. “2011 and 2012 are about establishing the brand. But for 2013 and 2014, we’re thinking about halo models that stretch the company forward.” The Kia Kee concept stretched 169.3 inches, making it about a foot longer than the MX-5. However, unlike the MX-5, the Kee featured a 2+2 layout, which could help to differentiate it from the long-established Miata. Pricing should certainly be on Kia’s side, with the sports car likely to undercut the MX-5’s selling price.
