Kia fires a warning shot at MINI with provo concept

Kia_provo_10

Kia is coming up with another crowd-pleaser soon, as previewed by its Geneva-bound provo concept car. A small hatchback with coupe-style sloping profile, the Kia provo looks to be aimed right dead centre at the MINI, Citroën DS3 and Fiat 500 premium supermini market.

The Korean carmaker claims that the provo has been designed for fun – to delight and entrance its owner and bring a smile to the driver’s face. The concept was pictured at a racetrack to highlight that point. If proven right, it will be the first Kia to do so as dynamic prowess has never been part of the brand’s wide-ranging repertoire.

It sure looks the part, though. Designed by Gregory Guillaume at Kia’s European styling base in Frankfurt, the provo is a sleek and muscular representation of Kia’s latest design direction with plenty of unique touches to make it special.

Kia_provo_05_1

The aggressive front splitter, single-piece LED headlights within the long bonnet and sculpted flanks, wraparound glasshouse and finely detailed rear end all add up to form a purposeful, dynamically able-looking sports hatch contender. Measuring 3.88 metres long, 1.77 metres wide and 1.35 metres tall, the provo concept is slightly larger but lower than the MINI.

Housed under a single piece of glass is the latest take on the Kia ‘tiger nose’ grille, flanked by tiny programmable LED headlamps. The light clusters are made up of more than 850 LEDs and can be used as daytime running lights, dipped/main beam or even race-style illuminations and various humorous and decorative displays to add an extra dimension of customisation and fun.

A unique colour combination is used to good effect here, the contrasting blood orange elements enhancing the provo’s masculine stance. Generous use of carbonfibre panels and high-gloss aluminium add a touch of raciness too, as do the gorgeous 19-inch milled-alloy wheels with racecar-style single centre nuts.

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The Kia Europe Design team was able to let imaginations run free on the inside too, with a one-piece carbonfibre dash housing two customisable digital displays, each with a variety of screen displays (normal, cruise, track and entertainment modes available). The front seats are made of a single wave-like panel, lavishly covered in black quilted leather.

It’s not just a styling exercise either. There’s a working turbocharged 1.6 litre GDI engine with 204 hp under the hood driving the front wheels through Kia’s first seven-speed DCT gearbox. It’s also helped along by an electric motor capable of sending a maximum of 45 hp to the rear wheels, achieving on-demand all-wheel drive traction and performance.

There’s no word on any specific production schedule yet, but the provo does show a lot of promise. Hot on the heels of the pro_cee’d GT, perhaps Kia could excite us dynamically after all.

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Hafriz Shah

Preferring to drive cars rather than desks, Hafriz Shah ditched his suit and tie to join the ranks of Malaysia’s motoring hacks. A car’s technical brilliance is completely lost on him, appreciating character-making quirks more. When not writing this ego trip of a bio, he’s usually off driving about aimlessly, preferably in a car with the right combination of three foot pedals and six gears.

 

Comments

  • ntah pa2 on Mar 04, 2013 at 5:09 pm

    tinggal proton ja yang tak pandai design..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 57 Thumb down 13
    • prtonise on Mar 04, 2013 at 9:34 pm

      kalau proton design macam ni sure kena bash kaw kaw

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 20
      • Sam Loo on Mar 05, 2013 at 9:58 am

        You will vomit blood when you see the RV after 1 year. Then you will thank me for telling you to buy Toyota.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 64
        • kereta lembu on Mar 05, 2013 at 10:48 am

          No need to wait till we see the RV after 1 year. See your comments here is enough to make us vomit blood. BTW, how much is toyota paying to trash talk here?

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
    • kotak manchis on Mar 26, 2013 at 7:16 pm

      lov the design~ proton bukan x pandai design, tapi decision maker ‘orang lama’ yang xleh terima idea baru new engineer~

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • KIA should redesign their logo to match it’s car outstanding looks

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 47 Thumb down 2
    • Alpha on Mar 04, 2013 at 9:15 pm

      Rather than that, I believe Kia should make another brand for them to sell this kind of cars. It’s very difficult for the “Kia” brand to fight other famous slightly-upscale brands like Mini,Citroen’s DS, and such.

      Even Merc,BMW and Audi have cars in this segment. Why not be like Toyota by having Lexus and Scion to cater to different market.

      Even if it’s 10 times better than a Mini, the mass market won’t believe it if you said your Kia is better than a Mini.

      I’m not being shallow, but branding is everything in the business world nowadays.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 25 Thumb down 2
      • It takes time for brand building. Kia and Hyundai used to have the image of “Cheap & Ugly design”. Look at Hyundai now, comparable to Toyota and Honda in terms of price (Sonata vs Camry vs Accord, Elantra vs Vios vs City).

        Kia is doing fine. They are changing their image, just like Hyundai. New Optima K5, Forte, Sonata…etc. all are of very nice design.

        Hyundai and Kia share the same designer now, so we are going to see lots of nice design from these two companies.

        However, trying to compete with Mini or Beetle will be quite challenging, as Kia lacks the history / classic factor.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 23 Thumb down 2
  • comrade on Mar 04, 2013 at 5:49 pm

    cool concept…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 1
  • KarthikM on Mar 04, 2013 at 5:59 pm

    KIA in premium supermini market is good.. But wanna go head to head wif Mini, owh please..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 26 Thumb down 23
  • Abg Long on Mar 04, 2013 at 6:12 pm

    come on proton! catch up!!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 18 Thumb down 5
  • KIAsu No KIAsi on Mar 04, 2013 at 6:18 pm

    Mini, Fiat 500, is all about legend re borned, It this aspect KIA have nothing, unless KIA intend to bring back their failed past, eg Sephia, Elan, which bring laughter rather than legend.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 41 Thumb down 47
    • U sound like u had a sad up bringing….no offence ah..

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 28 Thumb down 22
    • Dr Cooper on Mar 05, 2013 at 7:00 am

      I don’t any legendary thingy in MINI..it won’t survived if not because of the German..

      at least KIA is bringing up an new fresh alternative to those boring old so called ‘legend’

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 1
      • Hyundai De La Junk on Mar 05, 2013 at 10:41 am

        Then you better change your nick to Dr. Sephia ….LOL

        Legend ! Something korean manufacturer never have.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 22
  • What happen to our compact, PROTON “EMAS” project?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 21 Thumb down 1
  • Thou the wheels and front splinter is a bit overkill ( thou not as bad as the Lamborghini Veneno) but hey it’s a concept, and it looks great. But the greatest thing is that slightly- steam punk inspired black interior, damn I wish all cars had that interior.

    But it looks a bit tall to compete with Mini, and I thought its supposed to compete with the Nissan Juke.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 2
    • Kalun on Mar 05, 2013 at 8:22 am

      I think Kia should follow our Proton R3 design functionality.

      Wait. Why do I say Proton?
      It’s because Proton R3 bumper design is “always” has functionality which is to give downforce to a car. Proton Satria Neo R3 do have a front splitter which is fuctional but still looks nice.

      Using Lotus philosophy of functionality which is any holes direct onto the car is design to use as downforce to prevent the front of the car lifted at high speed and corners better.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 1
  • provo…prava…privi….pruvu…preve

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 3
  • Sam Loo on Mar 04, 2013 at 10:12 pm

    This car will not make it to Bolehland.

    If it does, RV will be only 20% within a year

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 38
    • Stupid.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 25 Thumb down 1
    • i_swear on Mar 05, 2013 at 7:00 am

      Huh? This is concept car, whether they make it to market or not is other matter. Even they make it is totally different than the concept.
      Somehow study some more on automotive industries except RV. But you can forget it as your RV (Reputation Value) is drop by 200% on every of your comment.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
    • Vader on Mar 05, 2013 at 8:19 am

      Well done, you had slightly modify your daily repeating joke that Korean car RV is 20% < 1 year!!!
      Now can you tell us where can buy 1 year old second hand all new Kia Sportage at RM28k that still having 4 years unlimited millage warranty???
      Many of us willing to pay you extra commission RM10k, and you may not only limited your sale by your lovely Hilux anymore!!!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 27 Thumb down 1
  • amigos on Mar 04, 2013 at 10:42 pm

    Rear light look like mini version of new porsche carrera.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 1
  • Joe Radzif on Mar 05, 2013 at 8:05 am

    Fierce in front but…
    tame at the back

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • This is one cool design. Its a concept so stop all the crap coming to bolehlah, RV and legend thingy. Its telling the market that KIA is able to do this, full stop. Why cant our local boys hire foreign talent to boost the image? I’ve been cracking my head for that..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 2
    • kereta lembu on Mar 05, 2013 at 1:17 pm

      I couldn’t agree with you more. At least KIA is trying to come up with something good. No doubt MINI & the FIAT 500 are icons from the past but they had to start somewhere also initially. No offence but I think the Koreans are doing it right.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Fiat_Lover on Mar 05, 2013 at 11:36 pm

    Impressive concept. The interior look fabulous.

    I used to laugh at KIA car (used to own kia spectra) but i have to retract it when i first saw sportage, optima and even tucson.

    Now i am driving a RIO and the gap difference between yesteryear kia and the current generation, it is like a leapfrog. It’s like totally 2 different worlds. I can’t share the same sentinment as for proton or perodua.

    My take if KIA can realise this prototype, it might create an alternative segment for buyer who don’t mind trying a value for money with korean reliability instead of crappy italian reliability.

    Yes, italian quality is still crap. Although they have lovely lasting design, but quality wise, i must says, the current koreans are much better fit and finish. They are more reliable workhorse than the flimsy italians but somehow, when you look at your italians ride, it still gives you a smile albeit the love and hate relationship. :)

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • mentari-o-korea on Mar 06, 2013 at 1:49 pm

    Keep it up KIA, ur follower is increasingly day by day, keep the originality, reliability & value for money!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
 

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