Korean Cars

**ATYPIC** · 09-11-2011, 08:30 AM

Originally Posted by kleung

Strictly speaking though, the Koreans have 'cheated' to a certain extent by hiring European designers. So in part, their success is due to their leveraging of European knowhow. Nothing wrong with learning from the best though.

Interesting comment and I don't disagree but I wouldn't exactly tag it as cheating.

This is merely Korea as a nation attempting to break out of their patriotic bubble so to speak and venture into the world of globalisation, something which I feel they have historically struggled to grasp.

**brimway** · 09-11-2011, 08:38 AM

Drivers who are passionate about their choice to drive (and pay for choice) European cars are unlikely to be found in a Kia / Hyundai showrooms, but the Korean car manufacturers have certainly found their niche in the market and they don't seem to be wanting for customers

**Ideo** · 09-11-2011, 08:50 AM

Gotta love the staunch euro snobs.

Korean cars are in the same position as japan was in the early 70s. A few hero cars like the Datsun 240Z and the Toyota 2000GT and it will be a different story.

**ryana89** · 09-11-2011, 10:22 AM

As much as I dont particuarly won't to own a Korean car, I reckon its great for a nation like Korea.

They've been through political, civil and environmental turmoil, but have pulled through and like ATYPIC said, are venturing into "the world of globalisation"

We've all got to start from somwhere

**Buller_Scott** · 09-11-2011, 10:28 AM

legalese aside, it'd be interesting to see some of these cars put out as concepts, but with euro badges on them, e.g. the new kia rio "concept" being depicted (before anyone knows what it is) with a Seat badge, or the Kia Sportage with a Lexus badge...

i reckon opinions would differ.

i personally am more interested in euro cars, but one cant deny that the koreans are coming up DAMN fast.

that being said, i do prefer kia's designs much more than the hyundai designs (apart from the i20 - i'd rock that as a daily. you could probably drive it without servicing it for 100,000km's and still not have any issues, if the getz is anything to go by).

**elephino** · 09-11-2011, 11:44 AM

Originally Posted by jessv3

Kia are hardly nailing any designs. They have just copied a mix of European cars, to satisfy those people who are tight but don't want anyone to know it. The new Kia Rio is so obviously a clone of an Mk6 GTI and dont get me started on the Kia Sportage complete copy of an Audi Q5.

Lets play spot the difference:

The Audi designer working over at Kia has hardly done anything innovative there, just basically stenciled out the design.

With the exception of the i45 at least Hyundai are picking up sales on their own merit, i have a lot more respect for Hyundai then i do of Kia.

Apart from the outline of the car, they're quite different. The rear has many differences (boot opening is the most obvious). The side windows are quite different at the back, the bottom of the doors are different and there is more. They're the same in the same way as any two softroaders of that size are the same. The only other 'copy' is the lights in the rear bumper are very similar.

If you want to see what a copy looks like, check out the Great Wall X240 with its Golf Mk5 nose.

**hitoriko** · 09-11-2011, 05:48 PM

Originally Posted by clip

I'd probably hate to say it out loud too

Be nice - i got it for my wife, going to be a city car so small, easy to park and if it was on 15" BBS with stance i would be very happy

Originally Posted by jessv3

The koup is probably the only Kia of the new range which i think is the most original it doesn't look like a fake/ clone, and it actually looks pretty decent shame ive read it doesnt handle too good.

Actually it looks like a smaller version of the Audi A5 coupe

Originally Posted by Transporter

So, it is still a fake. A poor attempt for a car.

I'd hardly call it a poor attempt at a car just because of the handling... Caddy TDI isn't the best and i drive one everyday[COLOR="Silver"]

Originally Posted by elephino

Apart from the outline of the car, they're quite different. The rear has many differences (boot opening is the most obvious). The side windows are quite different at the back, the bottom of the doors are different and there is more. They're the same in the same way as any two softroaders of that size are the same. The only other 'copy' is the lights in the rear bumper are very similar.

If you want to see what a copy looks like, check out the Great Wall X240 with its Golf Mk5 nose.

imo the kia has better lines

**AdamD** · 09-11-2011, 06:05 PM

Originally Posted by hitoriko

i purchased a Kia Koup. Its fantastic, it ticked all the boxes for me and my wife and i've not looked back 5 year unlimited KM warranty.

I think it's a great looking car - nicely edgy, great proportions, and whilst it's not a classic design or anything ground-breaking, it really holds its own amongst a sea of vanilla-styled cars we see these days.

Sure, it's not a drivers' car (from what I've read the drivetrain is average to below-average for power, economy and NVH, and the handling is pure 3-box), and the interior styling isn't as well received as the exterior, but I'd reckon it'd suit plenty of people I know very well.

Maybe in a couple of generations Kia will be knocking out great looking cars that drive as well as the Euros too. At that point I'll definitely take some interest.