Kia to show KV7 concept at Detroit

Kia has provided this first look at the KV7 concept car which it will unveil at the North American International Motor Show in Detroit next month.

The company has released very few details of the KV7, which appears to be a mid-sized MPV, but reminds us that its recently launched Soul, Sportage and Sorento models were all foreshadowed by concept cars that were very similar to the eventual production vehicles. That, presumably, is a hint that the KV7 tells us something about what the next Carens or Sedona people-carrier might look like, although it will interesting to see whether the KV7's dramatic top-hinged, or “gull-wing” rear side doors end up making it into the cars that customers can buy.

Kia's products previously appealed mainly to value-conscious buyers but took a big leap forward a few years ago with the Golf-sized cee'd; now there is an increased emphasis on the cars' dynamic abilities and their looks, and the company's design function has been greatly strengthened under the leadership of ex-Audi man Peter Schreyer.