Kia is reportedly mulling over making a GT performance version of its popular Sportage crossover.
Nowadays, Kia offers range-topping GT versions of its Cee’d and Pro_cee’d, which turns the five-door and three-door hatchbacks into performance-boosted warm hatches. Kia are keen to expand its product range with more GT-branded performance cars.
A GT version of the Kia Optima saloon is already believed to be in development and a separate, all-new saloon plus the Rio supermini will both reportedly add GT derivatives too. Now it’s emerged that Kia are interested in giving its Sportage family car a GT performance makeover too. Kia has also recently introduced a range of GT-Line models, with the looks of its performance models, but lower power and running costs.
Sportage GT could follow Optima GT
According to a report from evo magazine, a chief member of Kia expressed strong interest in making a Sportage GT in the future. While there are no solid plans for such a car in place yet, it could become next on the agenda when the Optima GT is finished.
A performance GT version of the Sportage would likely use the same engine as the Optima GT, which is set to feature a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol unit producing 242bhp. A Sportage GT would also likely feature a dual-clutch automatic gearbox. Although the Cee’d GT and Pro_cee’d GT feature a manual ‘box, Kia is reportedly keen to use dual-clutch gearboxes for future GT performance models.
The Kia Sportage, the current best-selling new car in Britain, is currently on sale from £18,000. The most powerful engine offered at present in the Sportage range is a 2.0-litre diesel with 182bhp.
Check out our video review of the latest Kia Sportage:
