They say imitation is the greatest form of flattery, but even we were blown away when we saw the new Kia No.3 concept car. Kia’s new MPV show car bears an uncanny resemblance to the new Ford Fiesta and these are the first full official images.
The Kia No.3 (yes, it’s a strange name too!) was designed in Europe under the watch of ex-Audi styling chief Peter Schreyer – and he’s revealed that this is the new face of Kia. So check that front grille, headlamps and brand logo ‘in new constellation format’, as this is bound for every future Kia model.
At the Geneva show 2008, Schreyer told us that he was working on a new family face, even revealing that it was to be inspired by the facial features of a tiger. Which might explain the ruched, tiger-stripe interior seating. Grrr.
Kia No.3: the basics
The No.3 measures 4045mm long, placing it in the mini-MPV segment. See this as Kia’s answer to the C3 Picasso and Renault Modus, and we hear that this is one concept car bound for showroom almost totally unchanged.
One thing that is likely to be watered down, however, is that complex glass roof. No.3 sports an extended glass windscreen/panoramic glass top, with a diagonal supporting bar and an automatic sun visor. Expect the real thing to stick with a good, old-fashioned metal lid.
>> Click here for CAR’s guide to all the new cars at the 2009 Geneva motor show