Kia GT set to debut in 2017 – report

Sources have told Auto Express that the design of the production version of the GT has been signed off by Hyundai and Kia's design chief, Peter Schreyer.

While the production "four-door coupe" keeps the essence of the GT concept car, which debuted way back in 2011, the showroom-ready GT will not feature the concept's suicide door arrangement.

The British magazine understands that GT will be underpinned by a version of the rear- and all-wheel drive platform that's currently doing duty under the Hyundai Genesis. The car will feature a selection of four- and six-cylinder petrol and diesel motors. A top of the range model is expected to feature V8 motivation, at least in some markets, such as the United States.

This latest report puts a little bit more flesh on comments made earlier by Kia Australia's public relations chief, Kevin Hepworth. In July, he told Car Advice that although that had yet to be signed off, work was progressing.

"It’s still a four-door coupe, but it’s not identical to the concept", Hepworth said. "Like all concept cars that look sensational, you lose a little to practicality when you’ve got to build a car that meets all the crash regulations around the world."

Auto Express' sources indicate that a coupe variant, based on the GT4 Stinger concept (above), has yet to signed off, although Peter Schreyer is keen to see it happen. If approved, the GT4 Stinger would, at best, arrive one to two years after the GT sedan.

In order for its numbers to stack up, it will likely need to be paired with a successor to the Genesis coupe.