Skip advert
Advertisement

Kia mulls Sportage GT performance crossover

Sporty crossover and compact hot hatch on the way as Kia expands GT performance brand

Kia’s product expansion is now in full swing, and alongside its ever-improving volume models and a new wave of eco-friendly plug-ins and hybrids, performance cars are also on the agenda.

One model the company is considering is a performance version of its Sportage compact SUV, wearing the Sportage GT tag.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Albert Biermann, Kia’s vehicle testing and high performance development chief, told evo that he ‘would love’ to do a Sportage GT in future.

‘It would perfectly match with the brand’ he added, at an event demonstrating Kia and Hyundai’s new vehicle testing facilities in Namyang, South Korea.

While the firm has no solid plans for a Sportage GT just yet – Kia’s first priority is the Optima GT, followed by a performance car to be announced next year – Biermann’s enthusiasm for such a project comes as no surprise: in his previous role at BMW M, the company launched both the X5 M and X6 M performance SUVs.

It’s likely a Sportage GT would share its powertrain with the sporty Optima – a turbocharged, 2-litre petrol unit producing 242bhp and 260lb ft of torque.

It should emit a suitably rorty sound – in his role in charge of Kia and Hyundai’s performance models, Biermann is directly working with powertrain engineers, and places great importance on a car's aural appeal – though this will likely be achieved using sound generators, due to the environmental and social implications of the more traditional loud exhausts.

A Sportage GT is also likely to use the Optima GT’s dual-clutch transmission – while Kia will continue to offer manual gearboxes on cars like the Proceed GT hot hatch, Biermann is a big fan of dual-clutch ‘boxes. The company is working on a new DCT at the moment – ‘they can offer an emotional experience’, he says.

All-wheel drive is also a possibility. The company is currently working on a ‘high power’ all-wheel drive car, but Biermann stresses it’s currently ‘only a research project’.

At the other end of the scale, Kia and Hyundai’s performance chief is also considering a lighter, smaller GT model, probably based around the firm’s 1-litre, three-cylinder turbocharged engine. ‘We would love to use it in a fun model’ Biermann told evo.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

VW Golf GTI Clubsport for £6k off – Akrapovic exhaust effectively thrown in free
Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport deal
News

VW Golf GTI Clubsport for £6k off – Akrapovic exhaust effectively thrown in free

The Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport in Mk8.5 guise makes for a tempting prospect at the right price
3 Jul 2025
New Alpine A290 Rallye is an electric car we actually want, but there's a catch
Alpine A290 Rallye
News

New Alpine A290 Rallye is an electric car we actually want, but there's a catch

The A290 has proven to be one of the best performance EVs yet, and now Alpine's taking it one step further with a rally variant
3 Jul 2025
Best used sports cars – proper performance cars for less than a new Golf GTI
Cheap sports cars
Best cars

Best used sports cars – proper performance cars for less than a new Golf GTI

With the sun shining and fuel prices palatable, now is the time to indulge your used sports car desires
1 Jul 2025