Kia Concept Hints at New Crossover

The Cross GT concept from Kia Motors Corp. hints that the South Korean carmaker may be planning to add a new top-end crossover.

Kia unveiled the zoomy car which is about two inches lower, five inches wider and eight inches longer than the company's Sorento crossover at the Chicago auto show this week.

The Cross GT was penned by the company's KDCA design center in California and uses the same chassis that carried the German-designed GT concept Kia presented in 2011.

The new GT, which Kia says is strictly a design exercise, features such not-for-production elements as a multi-panel sunroof, rear-hinged second-row doors and seating for only four occupants.

One element that could see production, according to Kia, is the GT's all-wheel-drive hybrid powertrain. The system combines a 3.8-liter V-6 engine and electric motor to deliver a net 400 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Cross GT travel about 20 miles on electric power alone, according to Kia.