What's all this about?
It's Kia's C-segment SUV concept displayed at the Guangzhou Show over in China, an apt location to unveil it as the Korean company is only planning to sell it in that country.
A Chinese-only SUV? Why should I care?
Called the KX3 concept, it's not so much the model itself but the look of it that is of interest, as the styling could inform future Kia products destined for our shores. It still carries some current Kia memes, like the 'tiger-nose', but the flared wheelarches, smoother lights and bonnet treatment, plus the sportier look of it are all things we'd like to see on European Kias.
Any word on motive power?
Yes, it's powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. And that gearbox is due on Kia's production models in 2015, where it's badly needed, as the current six-speed automatic is one of the few things that disappoints about the Korean firm's road-car range.
Matt Robinson - 1 Dec 2014