Cross GT concept gives glimpse of future premium CUV

KIA is looking to bolster its premium-car lineup beyond newly conceived products like the Cadenza and Quoris. Perhaps the best evidence of this initiative, to date, is the Cross GT Concept that has just been unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show. Showing a larger, more premium crossover to slot in above the Sorento, the Cross GT Concept hints at a future product that could be what the ill-fated, body-on-frame Borrego never had a chance to be.

The Cross GT Concept is 3.09 metres-long, the Cross GT’s wheelbase is longer than the Sorento’s by 40 cm, and its overall length of 4.89 metres is 21 cm more. It’s also wider by 12 cm, but sits lower, and it shows a new possible styling direction for KIA as the automaker continues to attempt to venture up market.

The KIA's latest luxury CUV concept, Cross GT at the 2013 Chicago Auto Show. (Picture from: http://www.autoblog.com/)

Some of the upscale styling cues include the clamshell hood. upright front end with signature KIA tiger nose grille and the multi-panel panoramic roof and equipped with the exclusive suicide doors style. The true luxury of the Cross GT is apparent inside where KIA has used real wood trim and rich leather on the seats, and there's also the buttonless, touch-screen infotainment system; rear occupants will have flat screen monitors with Internet access.

The dashboard of the Kia Cross GT Concept. (Picture from: http://www.zercustoms.com/)

The Cross GT is designed to seat five, with two bucket seats in the rear. Kia used recycled American walnut and renewable wool felt throughout the interior. It also tanned the leather seats with chemical-free vegetable oil. A touch screen in the dashboard controls entertainment and climate. Rear passengers can access the Internet through flat panels mounted in the front seat headrests.

The KIA Cross GT Concept with its exclusive suicide doors style. (Picture from: http://www.mysanantonio.com/)

The interior of the KIA Cross GT Concept. (Picture from: http://www.greencarreports.com/)

Based on a chassis shared with the rear-wheel drive GT Concept, which we first saw at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, the fullsize Cross GT crossover is powered by a 3.8-liter V6 paired to KIA's hybrid system that gives the luxury crossover a combined output of 400 hp and 678 Nm of torque, as well as an all-electric driving range of 32 km (20 miles). The engine is paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission, which helps send power to the wheels through an advanced, torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system.

KIA Cross GT concept rear view. (Picture from: http://www.motortrend.com/)

Although the Cross GT is just a concept for now, we could easily see some of these features and technologies appear on future KIA production cars. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | AUTOBLOG]
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