A sleek, sporty four-seat coupe that signals a whole new design direction for Kia, the KOUP concept possesses the looks of a car that could be ready for production very soon.

Boasting bright-red paint and 19-inch chrome and carbon-fiber split-spoke wheels, the KOUP doesn’t look like anything else from Kia. Since establishing a reputation for building reliable cars that are a good value but with conservative designs at best, Kia claims the KOUP is illustrative of the shape and evolution of future Kia vehicles.

“The Kia KOUP concept represents the future of the Kia brand and its dynamic vehicles that speak to our core philosophies,” said Tom Kearns, chief designer of Kia Motors America.  “Kia strives to appeal to the emotional side of car enthusiasts who seek adventure . . . and the KOUP effectively delivers.”

Evincing a simple yet bold exterior design complemented by a sleek, sporty interior that includes ample rear-seat headroom, the KOUP was designed at the Kia Motors America Design Center in Irvine, Calif.

The roof features two parallel panoramic glass panels that run from the windshield to the rear glass. The exterior incorporates carbon-fiber elements and accents on the chin spoiler, light lenses, mirrors, rear bumper insert, rear diffuser and wheels.

Powered by a 290-horsepower version of Kia’s 2.0-liter Theta II engine with GDI (Gasoline Direct Injection) and a twin-scroll turbocharger, the KOUP has a 6-speed automatic transmission and steering-wheel paddle shifters. Built on a front-wheel-drive platform, the concept has sport-tuned four-wheel independent suspension along with Continuous Damping Control and Electronic Stability Control. The brakes have cross-drilled rotors and Brembo calipers.

The interior features black and gray materials, with the front and rear seats finished in opposing colors. There also are padded silicone bars in the seatbacks for driver and passenger comfort. Carbon fiber accents on the shifter plate and seat tilt-adjust mechanism reinforce sporty performance.

Redesigned 2009 Optima

Nearly lost in the excitement created by the KOUP concept, the redesigned 2009 Kia Optima midsize sedan also debuted at the New York International Auto Show. With a new design from the front fenders forward, the new Optima receives a mid-cycle styling update to show Kia’s new emphasis on design dynamics.

Set to go on sale in the fall, updates to the Optima include a new 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine rated at 175 horsepower and 169 lb-ft of torque, new interior materials and standard SIRIUS satellite radio capability.