Kia Developing Small Rear-Drive Coupe

Kia Motors Corp. tells the U.K.'s What Car? it has developed a prototype two-seater sport coupe designed to compete with such vehicles as the Subaru BRZ and Toyota GT86/Scion FR-S siblings.

Design chief Tom Kearns reveals no other details to the car buyer guide. But observers say such a car, if approved, is about three years from production.

Left Lane opines that the new car is likely to be powered by the same 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine Kia plans to use in its Europe-only cee'd GT and pro_cee'd GT superminis. The turbocharged four-banger, which is produced by Kia parent Hyundai Motor Co., produces 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque.