Kia Motors has unveiled a funky concept car called the CUB.
The compact four-door coupe, created under the direction of president and chief design officer, Peter Schreyer, is less than four metres long, has rearward-opening rear doors and an ‘access-all-areas’ interior concept without traditional B-pillars.
Features created by Schreyer for the 2007 Kia Kee 2+2 concept are revisited in a new form; the CUB’s nose has a broad wrap-around ‘mouth’ and there is a ‘dip’ in the top of the windshield – a motif that is featured on Optima, Sportage and Cadenza models. The latest interpretation of the distinctive Kia grille is a shallower design incorporating the turbocharger’s air intake, highlighted in body color.
The headlamps feature two-point LED lights – similar to those which first appeared on the Kia Quoris large flagship sedan last year. Large 19-inch alloy wheels fill the wheel arches and the front doors have aerodynamic ‘turning-vanes’ at sill level to streamline and add definition the CUB’s flanks.
At the rear, LED tail lights complete the premium feel of the exterior and the nose treatment derived from Kia’s Kee concept car is replicated at the tail to accentuate the width of the vehicle.
The super-smooth exterior, with its flush glazing, minimum-drag wing mirrors and automatic touch-type door handles, promises ultra-low aerodynamic drag, finished off with a two tone paint job featuring a white racing stripe on mustard yellow.
The leather-trimmed cabin features an instrument cluster design inspired by the eyes of a wild animal. The centre-stack design is minimalist, with an air vent controlled by touch sensor. For extra safety, the steering wheel rim is capable of monitoring the driver`s biorhythms.
There’s also a DIS (Driving Information System) controller connected to a gesture camera that provides easier steering operation and allows drivers to set up each menu on the centre display.
The CUB powertrain features a new version of the company’s 1.6-litre GDI (gasoline direct injection) engine – recently confirmed as the power unit for the new Kia Cerato Koup GT.
Fitted with a twin-scroll turbocharger and strengthened internal components, the new engine generates 51 percent more power (201hp) and 60 percent more torque (265Nm) than the regular 1.6 unit.
At present there are no plans to put the Kia CUB concept into volume production.