rival is too strog of a word to use against audi, im sure they can compete against the miata or kappas or even the demon, but audi? i guess we will wait and see.

The title should be: Kia to not rival Audi TT with 2009 model. Kia can fight Ford, Hyundai and Toyota, but not Audi. German cars are miles ahead of Korean cars. Kia will, I’m sure, put up a valiant effort, but it will still be a Kia. And that’s why it won’t work. Everyone will buy the TT because its tried and tested, and from an established German brand. However, if the Kia does have properly radical, concept car styling, it would steal quite a few sales.

This sounds like American car companies talking about Honda and Toyota back in the 70’s… they could never rival us, they’re so far behind…

Good point angelo.

the title made me laugh a little. try rivaling companies like Hyundai first before you step in with the big boys.

That story’s a laugh and a half!!!

brownfv kia and hyundai are partners or under the same subsidiary.

HAHAHA!! a Kia competing against an Audi? No chance!!! lol

The TT is overpriced. Audi doesn’t sell that many copies to begin with. An alternative at a low price will be a good option. Let’s see what Kia come up with. Kia’s latest styling efforts have been very good.

“Kia to rival Audi TT with 2009 model”. Is that a joke? Such a piece of **** brand should be compared to Toy Ota, not a German brand.

brownfv you’re blithering moron who doesnt know anything obviously about the automotive industry. Hyundai owns Kia. Kia is supposedly marketed towards the younger, trendier crowd vs hyundai, which is striving to be focused on the older, luxury oriented group.

as a rival to the TT? I think performance wise it wont rival the TT but in terms of looks and most importantly, SALES, it will. If any of you die hard german fans noticed, the TT doesnt sell well…

Unreal, Kia gunning for Audi is like a cave man trying to down an F-15 @ flying at 60,000 feet with a rock, and a small rock at that. What a laugh. Kia……ROFLMAO

gbb

RLX02,too true, toyota has borrowed a cup of sugar from everybody in the neighborhood for years.

RLX02 you have got to be kidding, if Toyota was trying to copy the Accord then why is the Camry always a boring car to look at and drive? The Camry looks nothing like an Accord and I can’t remember any generations that did. I am curious as to what designs or ideas that they copied from Honda.

I’d be interested to see what this rival model will be

Aim high or go home. I’d like to see what Kia can do.

Seriously, how often have you wondered if the Tiburon will make it to RWD. It will and most say it’ll go nose to nose with the 350Z. Let’s see what Kia can muster. I doubt it would beat a TT in a race but I beat you’d consider Kia’s offering more than that overpriced bauble from a girl’s charm bracelet. I know I would. Buy it? not the first generation product for sure, but I’d keep watching.

before you guys knock em down lets see what they’ve got…

give em a chance atleast

u never know these days what could be coming outta asia

If Kia’s recent Pro C’eed concept is any indication, I don’t doubt this new concept will garner lots of respect … especially when the company can offer a warranty and price that are nearly impossible to turn down.

Hmmm, a trifecta recipe for success. Good for you, Kia.

hahahahaa no frohn its going to be crap
the original TT was codenamed raindrop because it looks like one
so does that mean this kia will look like a snowflake, or are they that driven to connect the two cars by such trivial aspects?
It will be a joke.

“Aim high or go home.” – Blakkar

Amen.

I’d tend to side with Angelo… It wasn’t that long ago that Hyundai was only producing the cheapest of cheap cars. They received very little respect in the industry and their cars were really looked down upon.

But, as of late, they’ve been producing some really nice cars. Their styling may be a bit bland but that’s a matter of personal taste. The build quality is way up. The quality of the materials used in the interiors is much, much better than it used to be and competes very well with the Japanese brands… much better than some of the American models.

If Kia/Hyundai were just coming onto the scene today, without the negative reputation they’ve developed in the past, I think many of our opinions would be different. They build great cars, offer great prices with a great warranty package thrown in for good measure.

I agree that the name of the article is a bit off kilter; Audi and Kia have very different demographics that they market to. But companies can change their image over time. And Kia is doing it the right way: by building better and better cars.

Dang, Kia’s got some big cojones.
They’ve had a steady record of gains and improvements the last several years; they’re now viable challangers to Honda and Toyota. This is very feasable. I say build it, they have nothing to lose. Nothing like a hungry up-and-comer to shake things up…

Never undermind anyone. I believe the Hyundai Coupe is a best seller in the UK.

Kia may use this car to vault themselves into the Toyota/Honda arena, but offer cars that have more style and value…

Kia should have unveiled the car first, see if it got respect, then advertised that it designed by the same designer of the Audi TT. Kia should change its name b/c it sounds cheap and unsexy. Also, their symbol should change to something that looks more upscale. I think Skia sounds cool.

jonstew. The only time the camry was innovative was when they released their first “curvy” model; i dont remember what year exactly, but that was when the 4th gen accord was on sale. When the 5th gen accord came out and was NOT curvy, the camry ditched the curvy shape and went back to a more angular shape AFTER the 5th gen accord came out. The 6th gen accord smoothened its lines and so did the camry. Especially when the 7th gen accord came out, the C pillar got fatter and the trunk, shorter. Thus, the “all new” camry did exactly the same thing and fattened its proportions.

The camry is ALWAYS boring to look at and drive because its a safe-bet, watered-down version of the accord. The camry is built for the masses and would not want anything offensive i.e innovative on their car. They want complete safety for middle aged women to drive it so they dont make it sporty. Sure they could, but they dont. Sorry man, face it, the camry has always been a watered down rip off of the accord.

Furthermore, look at the toyota sienna and its obvious how it rips off the odyssey.

Whats funny though is that it looks like the current hyundai sonata stole the accord’s tailights…but the new accord coupe concept looks like it stole the sonata’s headlights headlights…

its how the auto industry works man…trends unfortunately.

I can easily see it being done. just i think the kia name from a marketing perspective is going to hurt sales. at least in the beginning. This would either be a very smart move or very stupid move depending on how they pull it off. This one car would be under so much scrutiny that it would either make or break their reputation. Every thing from interior quality, performance, to reliability. this is a great move from a strategic stand point if they can pull the car off right.

Yeah, Audi must be shaking in fear with this story! LOL.
The guys at Audi must be like, “Oh, no! Kia’s going to get us!!! We’re screwed!!!”
There is just no way Audi (nor any car company) needs to worry. Now, when the “Hyundai” version comes out 6 months later…LOL

RLX02, you are talking about design trends and there is no way of telling who penned them first, being first to market does not make you first with the idea. The Carmy had a V6 first then came the Accord with it’s V6. There has been an AWD Camry but never an AWD Accord so Toyota has had some of their own ideas and Toyota had a Camry wagon before Honda had the Accord wagon, Toyota had Lexus and then Honda follows with Acura. The only thing that makes the Accord not watered down like the Camry is a V6 with a manual, as both cars are basically vanilla beans on wheels.

Here is the years for you:

angulal model Camry 1987-1991 2nd gen
angular model Accord 1990-1993 4th gen

The Curvy model Camry 1992-1996 3rd gen
The Curvy model Accord 1994-1997 5th gen

angular model Camry 1997-2001 4th gen
angular model Accord 1998-2002 6th gen

Jon, there never was a “curvy accord”. The 5th gen, the most popular out of all accords, was angular compared to the camry. Which is why in 97, the camry went back to the accord’s styling. Even launching the camry originally was to take the accord’s marketshare of a economical, fwd 4cyl family sedan. Before that they had the toyota corona, which was rwd. Sure toyota had the first wagon and v6 and awd option but those ideas failed when they launched. How popular were the awd and v6 camries when they came out? Not very. Toyota likes to play it safe. Only now are the v6 sedans popular and toyota still doesnt have a awd camry again.

Hey, big words from Kia but thats ok. Someone else made a comment about aiming high, well, that is exactly what they should do. This motivates employees, makes shareholders optimistic and is in general a good thing IMHO. While this car may fall short of their lofty goal, with this attitude I have no reason to not believe that they will not be able to compete directly at some point in the future.

Actually, Acura came in 1987, Lexus didn’t come around until 1989. Checking facts is rather important.

Also speaking of facts, what about the fact the previous generation Audi TT had much worse qualities ratings than most of the Kia lineup? I don’t think the German cars are that far ahead at all…

brownfv….dude what are you talkin about kia should try and rival Hyundia, thats like nissan rivaling infiniti. They make the same cars. But if the man who designed the first TT is working with Kia, im sure this will be a nice car, for a fraction of the cost as a TT

I agree with cknoff, German cars are only ahead in performance and style.

Wow… got a good laugh out of that one…

in way out of their depth…..

no comments…looking forward though

anyone ever owned a german car too? The wiring in bimmers wont last more than 6 years before crapping out and my friend had a golf 1.8t that was rattling loose its interior parts in less than a year of being brand new.

GROSS, front-wheel drive…..

maybe they’ll soon learn what rear-wheel drive and QUATTRO are.
I guess thats the difference…people who want a decent-looking cheap (quality and price) car, OR the people who actually enjoy driving/performance and don’t mind dishing out a few extra dollars.

PS: my bimmer is on year 7

Another car site has mentioned this car will have an all-wheel drive version too.

Screw the image of prestige when reliability ratings for the TT don’t cut it … this KIA with a great design, great price and great warranty will make it a winner.

Wait, I thought the TT was frontrack or quattro. I wouldn’t doubt that this thing will have an AWD option added later.

I think Impulsive is right. Besides, whether you’re doubtful or not, doesn’t Kia claiming they’re going to “shock the world” intrigue anyone but me? I’m excited to see how it’ll turn out either way. A car with the TT’s looks and the price of a golf sounds real good.

I think half the blind hate for Asian manufacturers on this site comes down to the fact that they aren’t “white people” like American and European brands are perceived.

It’s just an opinion, no point arguing with me. The racists would deny it anyways.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

The FF drivetrain is a bit disappointing, but it does make sense if they are looking to make this into an affordable TT lookalike. I’m intrigued.

Go look up C’eed, Pro-C’eed, Ex’C'eed… those may give you an idea of what to expect.
I read on a hyundai/kia fan site that they will have 2 sporty cars(supposedly):
1 will be a 4 door, with 220HP turbo( the “cheap model”), and a 3 door TT comparison( been hearing rumors of 300HP I-4 turboed! AWD or FWD).
Sounds good to me.
220HP car, say 2,800 lbs= pretty fast.
The Scion tC, similar size and weight of the C’eed cars, 160HP, 0-60 in 7.7-7.8 with manual, and 8.2 with automatic.Well under 18K fairly loaded, too.
Another 60 HP than this, on a similar sized car? Are we perhaps talking of 6-7 seconds, 0 to 60?
20K msrp?
If gas is not 5 dollars a gallon by 2009, I may have to check this out.
Nissan is bragging of 200HP turboed (new) SE-R.. barely under 20K msrp.
It looks like a bore!
And please, how many people buy Turboed Cobalts, for 21-22K?
Please, gimme a break!

I wish Suzuki would get into the sporty car act( IIRC, read they will have a car, maybe around the size of the current Elantra, in length, the SX4, FWD only, and 2 concepts, a sporty sedan and “other” car, maybe all based off of this SX4 sedan, in NY , either April 4th or 5th. Suzuki = solidly built. The old Tracker-suzuki rebadged for GM? Inlaw has had one for 9 years, 227,000. He repalced the muffler! That’s all the “Extras’. I do not care for the old trackers NVH, etc, but their new SX4 is great, up to date).
Anyhow, who knows?
We got psychics here, who know i fthis car will fail or succeed, even before it’s 100% ready for production?
If so, lemme know the lotto numbers, for tomorrow, then, ok?

“LJ”, what bragging is Nissan doing about their 200hp SE-R? It’s 177 hp. The SpecV is 200hp. Where’s the turbo?

Kia may eventually compete against Audi, you never really know.. the way Hyundai (their partner company) is going, they could soon be rivaling the big names, and already their sales are damn near what Honda is selling.

I’ll be honest; I’d buy a Kia before I bought an Audi. Audis are nicer on the inside, no doubt; but I’m not a big fan of Volkswagen and their shaky reliability record.

Hunh? I did not get my last message posted.
Yes, Impulsive, Sorry… I was wrong.
Spec V is not turboed. SE-R is CVT, correct?

And, no, I did not hear Nissan bragging.

Ihad a 90 sentra( stalled at 13 weeks of ownership, 7K miles, problem was timing was not set before purchase, not properly, and the plugs were fried, i was told).

Saem thing happened to our 1997 200sx( 2 door sentra) in nov of 2000. 66K miles, timing gear tooth chipped, chain slipped,but car kept running. Timing was off, so the igntion coil needed work, starter rebuilt, and plugs fried, brown, on one side of the plugs-due to timing being off, I had been told- and was over 1K to be fixed, at the local garage.

Not good.

Anyhow….
no offense meant.
Anyhow… I’d be glad to consider this Kia… even if it had same issues as the 97 200 sx, at least it would be covered longer than 60,000 miles, like our 200sx was(same warranty today, IIRC, from many makers, Exceptions being: 100K for the Ford Focus, Most GM’s, but only for 5 years,Mitsubishi and Hyundai).
There’s always the 3 door Saturn Astra( 140HP?) coming out, for people who like sporty, but not care about 0-60 in 6 seconds, etc..

Have A Good One.
Go Cobalt SS(… who buys these? I know a lot of Cobalt owners, but not 1 who owns the “SS”

Same for SE-R’s(or any Nissan). I know of No Owners!
Seen a Xterra not too long ago, and a 350Z in someone’s driveway, but that’s it( compared to about a dozen Mazda 3’s, a few tC’s,and some old -last gen Mitsu Elcipses-6 so far that I have counted- and so on).
Again,no offense meant… just observations.

from my last reply…..(or any Nissan). I know of No Owners
(then I corrected myself with 1 350z, and 1 xterra I have seen)… hey,. itis going on 4am… tired, gimme a break, lol
.
Buy what ya like!

I like this Kia,but MPG may not be enough for me to consider it. if gas were 1-1.50 a gallon again… many vehicles would sound good!
2.50-3.50? Ummmm, I would really have to think about any vehicle purchase that got under 30 MPG!
Drive too many miles.
Take care.not offense

i hope it shocks me.

An Audi TT is just a dressed up Golf. Kia can kick Audi’s ass in this arena if it tries, and those of you who think germans are somehow inherently better than koreans are retarded.

Is it just me, or does deantj spend way too much time talking about sucking ****s and inbreeding?

Glad to see that deantj has a little keyboard time during his work release.
Actually, I agree with his point. Kia is much farther in this stage of their corporate life than either Honda or Toyota were. If the trend continues they will not only be competetion for Audi, but being the volume manufacturer they aspire to be, will probably eclipse them in total sales/profit in the segment.

“deantj” … funny stuff.

gitcypher,

What I would love to see is Hyundai to keep moving its own cars more upscale, and allow the Kia badge to represent more middle-of-the-road offerings. It seems to be a prevailing argument in this discussion that car companies are not allowed to improve, to compete, to change, to grow… but over and over again, those same companies prove us wrong. Hyundai/Kia keep getting better. I visited the Atlanta car show last night… The H/K area wasn’t getting much traffic, but I was duly impressed by the apparent build quality of their new line-up.

My parents’ generation loved their American cars… for good reason. They were well built, nicely designed and nothing else seemed to compete. When Japanese cars came on the market, they were laughed at as cheap little go-carts. Everyone my parents’ age now drives Toyotas and Hondas. Cars change; companies change; markets change.

What’s sad about all this Kia bashing is that it misses the point… more great cars on the market mean more choices for us consumers. So maybe Audi won’t worry about this particular car taking sales away… but I’ll have one more choice when I head out to buy my next car.

Aim high?… the Audi TT isn’t exactly a huge aspiration. It sucks. It’s for homos. And like all other Audis, it has no soul. Solstice GXP is the best small roadster.

The all new TT is much more than a Golf in a smart suit. It is a proper sports car loaded with modern technology such as magnetic dampers. Of course, I still wouldn’t buy one, as the Alfa Romeo Brera is fifty times better looking, and is a proper, soulful car. Audi have made a decent effort with the TT, its just let down by the old one’s reputation.

I’m all for automakers trying to make more exciting cars. There’s too many Avalons, Elantras, Malibus, and other boring cars on the road.

oh, I forgot
Impulsive = deantj.
get a life, get an education, and most importantly, get a soul.

oh my, all this over a Kia

no, YOU tried to establish the obviouse lie that you have an education that you did not purchase off of ebay and that you are some kind of physician. Hey, it’s the internet and I can say I am Donald Trump if I want to.
Just take your tired 13 year old rhetoric and language and keep it in your cell where it belongs. Hope the parole board doesnt read your posts or you will never breathe free air again.

Deantj,
I wanna be a patient in your expensive hospital, I bet you have revolutionary bedside manners