Blurring the line between Kia’s GT concept and a luxury crossover vehicle, Kia Motors America today unveiled the Cross GT concept at the 2013 Chicago Auto Show.

Purely conceptual, the Cross GT reveals Kia’s intentions to potentially offer a larger premium SUV than the current Sorento in certain markets.

Commenting on Kia’s latest concept car, Peter Schreyer, Kia Motors Corporation President and Global Chief of Design, said: “The debut of the GT in 2011 heralded a new frontier for Kia, both from a design and a business perspective. It beautifully illustrated to the world that the brand was ready to explore the possibility of perhaps one day offering a full-size rear-wheel-drive luxury saloon. The Cross GT, with its raised stance and large cargo area, allows us to envision the GT in the form of a full-size luxury crossover.”

While the GT’s lines were penned in Frankfurt, Germany, the Cross GT hails from Kia Design Center America (KDCA) in Irvine, California, the house that breathed life into the Track’ster, KV7 and Soul’ster concepts, and most recently the all-new production 2014 Forte saloon – Kia’s C-segment model outside of Europe.

Based on the GT chassis, the Cross GT’s proportions are similar to its rear-wheel-drive stable mate with short overhangs, a long wheelbase and an aggressively wide posture. But the Cross GT offers even greater visibility thanks to its taller stature and features all-wheel drive for improved driving capability.

Bathed in Fusion Copper, the Cross GT incorporates a 3.8-litre V6 hybrid, 8-speed automatic and torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive. Supplementing the V6 is an evolution of Kia’s parallel hybrid system, a pancake-shaped electric motor positioned between the V6 and transmission.

Combined, the V6 and electric motor produce 500 lb/ft of torque and 400 horsepower, with an all-electric range of 20 miles.

Although clearly a member of the same bloodline as the Sorento, the Cross GT cuts an even more imposing figure. At 122.0 inches (3099mm), the Cross GT’s wheelbase is longer than Sorento’s by 15.7 inches (399mm), and its overall length of 192.8 inches (4897mm) is 8.4 inches (213mm) greater than Sorento. The 79.1-inch (2009mm) width is 4.9 inches (124mm) wider than Sorento, but the Cross GT’s overall height of 65.3 inches (1659mm) is actually 1.6 inches (41mm) shorter, giving the concept a lower roofline than most large CUVs.

The Cross GT is designed to easily accommodate four passengers and their cargo, and the large greenhouse, airy cabin and gently sloping bonnet are all meant to give the Cross GT a nimble feel that is at home in crowded urban environments.

Other design features include dual rear-hinged doors, more commonly referred to as “suicide” doors. The cargo compartment is accessed through a “clam shell” design that incorporates a traditional glass hatch and a tailgate.

Use of LED technology creates an identity that highlights Kia’s signature grille. Letting light into the cabin is a multi-panelled sky light with hexagonal glass inserts that enhance the Cross GT’s design aesthetic.

Source: Kia

Tags: 2013 Chicago Auto Show, car design, concept car, Cross GT, Fusion Copper, Kia, Kia Design Center America, Peter Schreyer