2017 Kia CK rumors: Kia targeting younger generation with upcoming sports sedan rumored to arrive in 2017

(Kia)

South Korean automaker Kia is reportedly working on developing a new sports sedan set to launch in 2017. Sources have told Reuters that Kia is working on developing a younger and more hip image, at the same time that Hyundai is building a more premium and luxurious brand.

"As Kia has no luxury brand, it is trying to position itself as a sporty brand," a source told Reuters.

Kia and Hyundai are linked together, as the Hyundai Motor Group currently holds 34 percent ownership of Kia. Hyundai and the recently separated Genesis brand are said to be working on their own upcoming luxury vehicles.

While Kia has not revealed its official plans, two knowledgeable sources have confirmed that the sports sedan, code-named CK, will begin production in May 2017. Production is likely to be at a facility in South Korea. The same sources also revealed that Kia is targeting annual sales of 60,000 for its upcoming sports sedan.

The sports sedan is said to feature an array of powertrain options including 2.0-liter, 2.2-liter and 3.0-liter engines. Rumors also suggest that the sports sedan will be built with a rear-wheel drive system. In terms of size, the sports sedan will be smaller than the Hyundai Genesis coupe which will put it in the compact sports car segment.

As with the Kia Soul crossover, Kia hopes to attain the same success with its upcoming sports sedan. When released, it plans to compete with the BMW 4 Series vehicles and the Audi A5.

Over the past few years, Kia has been successfully revamping its image. The automaker initially known for its cheap and bland vehicles has been successfully releasing impressive its next-generation vehicles, including the Kia Optima. Kia's previously released two sports sedan concepts, the GT and the Novo, have both been met with critical praise.

It is possible that the upcoming sports sedan may feature design cues from the GT and Novo, however, Kia has declined to comment on its upcoming vehicles.

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