Kia Koup 2009 Review

Timing is everything in the car industry. Which means the arrival of Kia's two-door Cerato-based coupe - called the Koup - is primed to take over where the Hyundai Tiburon and Holden Astra three-door have left off.

The Koup will also slide into a segment long since deserted by the likes of the Honda Civic coupe, Lancer coupe and the much loved Toyota Celica. Kia Australia's national marketing manager, Steve Watt, says the car fills a void with its $23,690 starter price and its more responsive handling will win buyers looking for something extra.

Like the handsome sedan upon which it is based, the coupe was designed by Kia's global design chief Peter Schreyer. However the frameless two-door gets a more aggressive grille and flared mudguards to complement its sportier look.

Drivetrain

The coupe shares the sedan's 2.0-litre four cylinder engine, five-speed manual and underpinnings but the only common exterior sheetmetal is the bonnet. With many rivals moving to six-speed manuals, Kia is also working on adding an extra cog.

A six-speed automatic is expected to arrive towards the end of next year but in the meantime the four-speed automatic, which is expected to account for most sales, has been reworked for sharper shifts.

In the US the two-door is available with a more powerful 2.4-litre four cylinder engine but this engine is not available for right-hand drive markets. The original showcar also boasted a direct-injection 216kW/390Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged four cylinder, which Watt says Kia would love to have but it is not yet available.

"Engine development and more hard-core, high performance isn't in our lineup at the moment, but certainly we know those technologies are in the pipeline," he says. "We know direct injection is in the pipeline. "We're definitely developing engaging engine packages going forward." Watt believes there is a place for a low-cost coupe in the small car segment.

Equipment and fit-out

The Koup grabs features from the up-spec SLi sedan, including six airbags, stability control, sports seats, parking sensors, climate control air conditioning, cruise control, alloy pedals and trip computer.

To distinguish it from its four-door cousin, Kia has added five-spoke 17-inch alloys, alcantara-style upholstery, sports exhaust, black grille and vertical-style foglights.

Compared to the sedan, the Koup sits 10mm lower, is 50mm shorter and has a 60mm lower roofline but retains the sedan's 2650mm wheelbase. This means cabin and boot space is comparable. The boot has room for 358 litres of luggage. The lower roof, shortened boot and sweeping shoulder line provide a strong on-road presence and from any angle the Koup looks good.

Because of its competitive pricing, Kia Australia's national sales manager, Alan Crouch, expects some leakage from SLi sedan buyers because the two-door is just $500 more. A special edition pack, with leather and a sunroof, is expected early next year.

Sales and market

Watt says Kia research shows that many hatch buyers and coupe buyers are similar. "We actually think we can conquest sales from people looking for a hatch alternative," he says. "There aren't a lot of competitors in this market." Like the Soul, Watt expects Koup sales to be modest. "But like the Soul, it is a bold statement for the brand," he says.

Driving

After a quick glance at the Koup, we suspect Kia Australia will have to revise its sales forecast. After driving it, we'd put money on the company selling more than the expected 600 a year. Not only does it look good but the suspension and steering tweaks will win enthusiasts who possibly have not even considered a Kia previously.

It will also provide a place to go for those people hanging on to their old Celicas and Lancer coupes. On the road, the modest tweaks to the Koup's suspension and steering transform its on-road behaviour. The car has been developed for Australian conditions and changes to the suspension have improved the ride handling and the steering feel.

There is a thicker front stabiliser bar, firmer damping and the steering rack ratio is quicker for better turn-in. You can throw the Koup into corners and it will remain flat and secure. The steering is meatier and feels better connected to the road. The tighter body also feels more substantial even though it is 20kg lighter than the sedan.

The 2.0-litre Theta engine, shared with some Hyundais, is revvy and surprisingly capable in the smartly packaged two-door. In the higher rev range the new sports exhaust delivers a deeper note than the sedan. Even though the engine outputs remain the same as the sedan, the 2.0 does not feel underdone and most owners will appreciate the compromise between power and economy.

However, we suspect the much-talked about turbocharged engine would add some icing on the performance cake. As the Koup shares the sedan's wheelbase, there is plenty of cabin room and the presentation, quality and standard equipment will embarrass some rivals.

The large doors open wide and both front seats tilt and slide in one motion to allow easy access to the rear seats. Because of its shortened body, the boot opening is narrower than the sedan but the load-through versatility is still useful.

The cabin's piano black console is smart and the car comes well equipped with MP3 compatibility and Aux/USB inputs with iPod compatibility. The sports seats are comfy, supportive and again lift refinement and quality levels. Like the sedan, it has a 60/40 split fold rear seat to increase luggage space.

The Koup also benefits from the 2010 model year upgrades to the sedan, with better trim and cloth inserts on the doors. Perhaps the only complaint is that even on the lowest setting the driver's seat cushion still feels too high. Like the sedan, the five-speed manual is a tad notchy and the clutch action too light for a car with such sporty pretensions. However, the Koup is a strong indicator of where Kia is going - building competent distinctive cars with mass appeal.

Kia Koup
Price: from $23,690 (auto $25,690)
Engine: 2.0-litre CVVT four cylinder, front wheel drive
Power: 115kW at 6200 revs
Torque: 194Nm at 4300 revs Transmission Five-speed manual (four-speed automatic)
Economy: 7.8 litres/100km (combined), 6.1 litres/100km (highway), 10.7 litres/100km (city)