Skip advert
Advertisement

Kia Novo fastback concept - details from the Seoul motor show

Kia debuts another striking concept at an international motor show

Kia has revealed a bold new coupe concept at the Seoul motor show, which hints at a future Kia styling direction, whilst promising a driver-centric interior and sporty performance.

The concept’s exterior is low-slung and raked, with a fresh, more aggressive interpretation of the familiar ‘tiger nose’ grille apparent on the nose, hinting at the Novo’s sporty aspirations. The addition of large triangular exhausts at the rear further emphasises this, as do the diamond-cut alloy wheels.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Kia is keen to highlight the Novo’s driver-oriented cabin design, with the long, wide dashboard angled towards the driver, and the new ‘Blind Control’ feature is designed so that the driver can operate the car's infotainment system via a touchpad next to the steering wheel, thus negating the need to take their eyes off the road.

The touchpad incorporates a fingerprint scanner, which automatically tunes elements of the car to the driver’s preference, such as audio volume, music selection and the type of information display, whilst a large touchscreen in the centre console displays the Novo’s infotainment system to occupants.

Kia has aimed to reduce ‘cabin clutter’, with a minimalist design throughout the interior. For instance, all four seats are equipped with built-in inertia reel seatbelts in order to save space - also necessitated by the B-pillarless cabin and rear-hinged rear doors.

The front-wheel drive Novo is propelled by a direct injection 1.6-litre turbo petrol (T-GDI) engine - a similar unit to that of Kia and Hyundai's current road vehicles - which is connected to Kia’s seven speed dual-clutch transmission. The firm promises ‘sporty performance and impressive fuel economy’.

Interestingly, the concept is fitted with innovative 20in concave profile tyres, featuring a sunken section between two contact points. The aim is to cool the rubber and prevent aquaplaning by channeling excess road water away from the wheels. This also reduces rolling resistance and road noise, without sacrificing grip.

Although there are currently no plans to bring the Novo to production, Kia stresses that the brand has a history of carrying over design features from concept to production cars, and subsequently the Novo, along with the Sportspace Concept unveiled at Geneva - offers a clue as to where Kia’s styling and future models are heading.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Bentley EXP 15 looks deep into Crewe's electric future
Bentley EXP15 Concept front
News

Bentley EXP 15 looks deep into Crewe's electric future

British brand reveals latest concept designed to reinvent the traditional saloon car
8 Jul 2025
Mercedes Concept AMG GT XX previews a Porsche Taycan rival with a British heart
Mercedes-AMG Concept GT XX – front
News

Mercedes Concept AMG GT XX previews a Porsche Taycan rival with a British heart

Innovative British motor tech and advanced high-performance batteries are at the heart of this 1341bhp concept and the production car it'll inspire
25 Jun 2025
Lotus Theory 1 concept is a three-seat, 986bhp hypercar
Lotus Theory 1
News

Lotus Theory 1 concept is a three-seat, 986bhp hypercar

With Veyron power, a carbon tub and EV underpinnings, the Lotus Theory 1 is more junior Evija than Emira successor
17 Sep 2024
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

£15k off Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio super SUV
Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio
News

£15k off Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio super SUV

If you have to have an SUV, a Stelvio QV is acceptable. Now it's being heavily discounted.
8 Jul 2025
New Aston Martin Vantage S revealed – Ferrari Amalfi rival is more powerful and focused
Aston Martin Vantage S front
News

New Aston Martin Vantage S revealed – Ferrari Amalfi rival is more powerful and focused

With a bump in power output among myriad detail changes, the Vantage S could be the ultimate driver’s Aston
8 Jul 2025
MST Mk1 Sports is a more affordable less extreme Ford Escort recreation
MST Ford Escort front
News

MST Mk1 Sports is a more affordable less extreme Ford Escort recreation

Costing a tenth of most made-new classics, the MST Mk1 Sports is comparatively accessible
8 Jul 2025