Manfred Harrer, the R&D chief at Hyundai Motor Group, has expressed interest in developing a high-performance halo vehicle for Kia. Harrer, who previously held positions at Porsche and BMW, suggests that the brand could explore a model that fills the market gap left by the discontinuation of the Nissan GT-R in August of last year.
The current strategy involves defining the identity of the GT badge for the company. While the Kia Stinger previously served as a performance-oriented sedan, the brand has more recently utilized the EV6 GT, which features an output of 641 hp or 478 kW. The EV6 GT trim is currently on a hiatus from the manufacturer's lineup.
Harrer emphasizes a step-by-step approach to expanding the company's performance offerings. The goal is to move beyond fast family vehicles toward a dedicated sports model. Such a car would serve as a flagship for the brand, similar to the role the R35 generation played for Nissan through its twin-turbo V6 and all-wheel-drive configuration.
