While the majority of journalists are focusing on the New York Auto Show, on the other side of the planet in Seoul, Korea, another motor show is going on, and on the evidence of what we are seeing here it deserves a closer look. This is Kia Novo Concept, a stylish fastback with which Kia is exploring new territories in design.
The name Novo was chosen to emphasize the designer’s intention to experiment with new ideas in Kia Novo Concept. It is taken from the Latin ‘novatus’ and also provides the origin of the English word, ‘innovation’. That is probably enough explanation as to what this concept is all about.
Right now Kia Novo Concept is an obscure Korean design study. But in the near future the design features you see here, such as minimal front overhangs, longer rear overhangs and fastback roofline, as well as a slim, long glass area, could be used on the firm’s production models. The fact that they based this concept on Kia’s C-segment global platform indicates that there is more to it than just exercising the designers’ pens.
Other highlights of Novo’s design include aluminium wing vents, rear-hinged doors, triangular exhausts, diamond-cut alloy wheels, and a minimalist cabin featuring leather and aluminium, a compact three-dimensional hologram display, ‘blind control’ touch pad and fingerprint scanner.
The engine powering Kia Novo Concept is a 1.6-litre ‘Kappa’ turbo gasoline unit paired with the brand’s seven-speed DCT transmission. So it is the same setup used in the 2016 Kia Optima 1.6 turbo.
