Kia’s sporty K3 GT balances speed and safety
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Kia Motors’ compact K3 GT hatchback stays true to its GT moniker with its impressive driving experience, but sacrifices comfort in search of a sportier style. Across an 80 km (50 mile) drive from Namyangju to Paju in Gyeonggi on Nov. 22, the K3 GT zipped across a course that mostly covered highways.
Its driving performance was a far cry from the original commuter version as the vehicle’s acceleration responded instantaneously thanks to its 1.6 liter turbocharged engine. The GT responded to even the slightest pressure on the pedal, zooming to 180 kilometers per hour (112 miles per hour) with ease. Along with fast acceleration, the K3 GT rumbled when accelerating as the car’s electronic sound generator (ESG) added to the real sound from its new tuned dual mufflers, similar to the ESG included in Kia’s sports sedan, the Stinger.
Petrol heads will also appreciate the sporty D-cut steering wheel on the front-wheel drive, which produced accurate steering as the vehicle entered and exited corners and a natural feel when switching lanes.
While the fast GT may please driving enthusiasts with its performance, it doesn’t provide for the most comfortable ride.
At high speeds of 150 km per hour, the hatchback model produced some road and tire noise that soon became distracting. The sound from the ESG and the unwanted cacophony of warning beeps from its various safety features didn’t help with the situation either.
The vehicle also comes with tubular seats, which emphasize its racing theme and hold the driver in place during quick acceleration, but feel quite stiff on the passenger’s side.
The interior has a clean, simple look with red stitching on the front seats that accentuates the sporty aesthetic. But the car will likely tire passengers during long-hour drives due to its tough and hardy feel.
The sporty vehicle, however, maintains a competitive edge in safety as it comes loaded with a variety of smart features including forward collision warning and lane keeping assist in all its trims.
“At high speeds of 150 km per hour, the hatchback model produced some road and tire noise that soon became distracting.”
While the various beeps that come in a range of pitches may be obtrusive, the lane keeping and changing features worked perfectly during the drive, as the steering wheel shifted on its own to steady the vehicle and issued alerts whenever a car was nearby when switching lanes.
As for its exterior, the GT is a familiar offshoot of the original K3. It retains much of the original front design, but adds a touch of flair with subtle red accents in its signature Kia tiger-nose grille and 18-inch alloy wheels with an option of Michelin summer tires.
The vehicle also keeps in touch with the utilitarian side of the original model, marking a return to foldable back seats that provide spacious room for storage.
The original K3 has sold 37,125 units in the domestic market until October this year, 63 percent more than during the same period last year. The GT, offered either as a sedan or a hatchback, adds a sporty edge to Kia’s compact lineup, competing with Hyundai Motor’s high-performance offerings, such as the Avante Sport and the hatchback i30 N Line.
“The K3 GT incorporates a powerful engine and technology optimized for high-speed driving to strengthen the driving performance,” said Kwon Hyug-ho, head of domestic sales at Kia Motors.
The K3 GT starts at 19.93 million won ($17,800) and the entry hatchback version at 22.24 million won, compared to the 15.71 million won entry version of the 2019 K3 model.
The competitive pricing puts pressure on Hyundai’s Avante Sport, which starts at 19.64 million won and the i30 N Line at 23.79 million won.
Questions & Answers
Q.How does the K3 GT's driving performance compare to the original commuter version?
How does the K3 GT's driving performance compare to the original commuter version?
The K3 GT offers significantly enhanced driving performance, responding instantaneously to acceleration due to its 1.6 liter turbocharged engine. It can reach speeds of 180 km/h with ease, unlike the original commuter version.
Q.What compromises has Kia made to achieve the K3 GT's sportier style and performance?
What compromises has Kia made to achieve the K3 GT's sportier style and performance?
Kia sacrificed comfort for sportiness. The K3 GT produces noticeable road, tyre, and electronic sound generator noise at high speeds. Its stiff tubular seats and general hardy feel may also cause discomfort during long journeys.
Q.What is the starting price for the entry-level hatchback version of the K3 GT?
What is the starting price for the entry-level hatchback version of the K3 GT?
The entry-level hatchback version of the K3 GT starts at 22.24 million won. This is a higher price point compared to the 19.93 million won starting price for the K3 GT overall.
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