He didn’t go into detail, but he added that the newcomer will be a model in its own right rather than based on another Kia – and chances are it’s likely be influenced by the four-door, rear-drive GT coupé and Toyota GT86-rivalling GT4 Stinger.
Global availability will be necessary for the project’s viability – but Philpott has confirmed that the newcomer’s UK sales figures will make an important contribution to the company’s target of 100,000 annual sales here across the entire model line-up by 2020.
That’s 20,000 more than for this year.
A Kia rival to Nissan’s Juke has also been promised within two years. “We’ll do it right and be a force to be reckoned with,” Philpott asserted.
