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2003 Kia KCV-3 Concept

Is Kia Moving Upmarket?

Whats going on Kia? First you launch a seriously competitive minivan against the biggest players in the business, and then you turn the 4x4 world on its tail end with the award winning Sorento.

Now the Korean brand seems to have decided its practical image needs some spicing up, in the form of a perky little 4-seat convertible hardtop. Kias KCV-3 concept follows in the footsteps of the brands KCV I fusion-type minivan concept and KCV II crossover pickup/SUV, but only in name.

Where the previous KCVs were all about flexibility and functionality in the dirt, the third generation concept is more about fun on the street. This is evident at first sight, its low slung roadster profile, aggressively raked bodywork and large diameter performance wheel and tire package.

Vertical headlamp clusters, some of the most dominating Ive ever laid eyes on, span more than half of the hood, their triangular shapes tapering to a point over the front wheel arch. A deep rectangular grille protrudes forward at center stage, framing

After suprising the automotive industry with its seriously competitive minivan and SUV, Kia has something new up its sleeve. (Photo: Kia)

a floating Kia insignia.

From its profile view, a clear Italian influence is present. Starting from the A-pillars rearward, the front fenders swoop downward pulling the side window cutout along for the ride, similar in execution to Lamborghinis Diablo supercar, now out of production. The KCV-3s shoulder lines curve inward when approaching the rear decklid, much like Alfa Romeos current Spyder.

While a massive rear wing initially steals the limelight, a set of twin orange boomerang-style taillights also offer distinctiveness, mirrored by identically shaped red lamps that span the entire width of the KCV-3s rounded derriere to join the two sides together. A thin horizontal LED strip performs backup lighting duties, complicating what would otherwise be an extremely clean design. The lower fascia

With a rear decklid similar to Alfa Romeos Spyder, and Diablo inspired swooping front fenders, there is a clear Italian influence in the KCV-3. (Photo: Kia)

incorporates rectangular tailpipes, visually connected by a separator line that creates the illusion of a rear diffuser panel.

What might be most interesting about the KCV-3 is that, despite its styling influences, it wasnt designed in Italy like so many of its Korean counterparts, but rather was penned in the Asian country of its origin. This makes its final assembly in France even more interesting, Kia deciding to go with custom coach builder Huliez for this one off concept, due to its experience with retractable hardtops.

The collapsing roof is just one of the prototype roadsters standout features, another being its 2+2 practicality. Personally, I couldnt even consider a sports car that only offered driver and front passenger seats, what with two kids and another on the way. I always appreciate spending a week with Porsches 911 because it fills my needs for fun and functionality; something that has also recently been addressed by Mazdas enticing RX-8, Infinitis

Unlike many of its Korean relatives, the KCV-3 wasnt designed in Italy, but in its native country. (Photo: Kia)

G35 Coupe, plus a raft of new sports coupe alternatives.

The retractable hardtop, a 1922 technology developed by Ben Ellerbeck and applied to an early Hudson, improved upon by French designer and engineer Georges Paulin who put them into limited production on early 30s Hotchkiss and Lancia cars and later on the more popular Peugeot, has been recently perfected by Mercedes-Benz and others. It offers the best of both convertible and coupe worlds, letting the sunshine in when the opportunity arises and then sheltering occupants from more inclement weather at the touch a button. Like the Mercedes-Benz retractable tops, the rear decklid lifts backwards clamshell-like, while the glass roof folds into the trunk.

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