Kia is a bunch of bastards!!!

[ZoomZoomH]

ahahahhaha

looks like Kia's long tradition of sourcing car designs/technologies from Mazda is continuing... lol

(Kia and Mazda has been partners since 1970s, fyi...)

 

[Rickman]

Kia does suck, thier 10y/100k warranty is jive too.

It does look like the P5 & the focus or matrix had a offspring.

Is it out yet? I think I saw one at the dentest office the other day... eh maybe not.

 

[p5sundevil]

im sorry but from those pictures it looks like complete ass, sure its general structure is similar to the p5 and others but it is a 5 door, it has to be somewhat similar or it wouldnt be the same class of car. the styling itself is different enough that it is gawdy compared to the p5 and stuff. I wouldnt be surprised if the engine was as good or maybe a little more peppy but if we dont get aftermarket support they sure as hell better not.

Plus remember kia has used mazda stuff before, look at a 91 kis sephia and you'll see the mazda FE3 engine that is awesome in Jspec trim and capable of 170whp NA and loves boost. The FE3 is actually a pimp little engine. some miatas have done the swap and boosted to 400+hp

 

[Fluffy Bunny]

I guess BMW is getting in on the action as well.

Oh well...

 

[Black Majik MSP]

The BMW 1 series is hot!

Look at the dead pedal in the Kia interior...it looks like it matches the MSP pedals! The MSM pedal doesn't fit & the 03MSP.com pedal doesn't match (no offense). I can't believe I'm actually considering putting a Kia part in my car. (rlaugh)

 

[+ friction]

The more I look at the interior, the more it looks like the 5's. And soooo many exterior similarities. Kia just does not pull off the styling as well as Mazda (along w/everything else).

Not to hate on Kia too much here...but the stigma of the emblem on the back is so bad that nobody will mistake it for a Mazda. Just like it is easy, at first glance at least, to mistake the Amanti for the S-type. About a millisecond and that error is corrected.

Oh, and I'll take two of the 1 Series please...

 

[Notorious]

ey i think it looks pretty good. Don't forget fords relation to kia, so thats why you see a lot of the same design. I think this is a good step in the right direction for kia.

 

[billzebub]

I was gonna say on the upshot, you'll have a cheaper source of interior mod parts. Also, the KIA will have an illuminated keyring, so now your Impreza wanna-be cars can look closer to the real deal. Just kidding.

 

[Rickman]

aww shut up bill... Mr. Void Warranty.

Hey, check that side marker on that BMW, it's sweet. I saw one yesterday. I want it.

 

[protegeV]

honestly, the exterior reminds me of a Suzuki Aerio MUCH more than a P5...most notably the roofline.

 

[Black Majik MSP]

I was gonna say on the upshot, you'll have a cheaper source of interior mod parts. Also, the KIA will have an illuminated keyring, so now your Impreza wanna-be cars can look closer to the real deal. Just kidding.

WTF is an illuminated keyring?

 

[protegeV]

sounds like the green ring that lights up around the ignition which we have on our cars also...

 

[billzebub]

Oh. My bro just got an '02 P5 and no illumination around the ignition. Did I say "key ring"? Brain Fart. Imprezas didn't have it in '02 either.

 

[YelPro03]

Oh. My bro just got an '02 P5 and no illumination around the ignition. Did I say "key ring"? Brain Fart. Imprezas didn't have it in '02 either.

There's a light around the ignition on the '03.. or am I getting it confused with my Eclipse?

 

[YelPro03]

The more I look at the interior, the more it looks like the 5's. And soooo many exterior similarities. Kia just does not pull off the styling as well as Mazda (along w/everything else).

Not to hate on Kia too much here...but the stigma of the emblem on the back is so bad that nobody will mistake it for a Mazda. Just like it is easy, at first glance at least, to mistake the Amanti for the S-type. About a millisecond and that error is corrected.

Oh, and I'll take two of the 1 Series please...

Well the S-Type is really a Ford with a Jag badge.

 

[clownphish]

honestly, the exterior reminds me of a Suzuki Aerio MUCH more than a P5...most notably the roofline.

THAT'S IT! I couldn't remember the Aerio name. That and the new Chevy hatchback, not the Malibu Maxx (though that thing is as butt ugly as it gets, yeesh) but the other one.

 

[clownphish]

Oh. My bro just got an '02 P5 and no illumination around the ignition. Did I say "key ring"? Brain Fart. Imprezas didn't have it in '02 either.

You're right, we don't have an illuminated ring we have a little green light right above the ignition.

 

[mikeyb]

The BMW 1 series will not be sold here in the US. Unless the Audi A3 and Benz A class do well. But there will be a 2 series coupe and convertible versions coming here instead.

 

[Kain]

Um... who cares? How in any way does this affect your Protege/Protege5? Companies making parts for other companies and sharing platforms has been a long-standing practice: Dodge Stealth/Mitsu 3000GT, Honda Passport/Isuzu Rodeo, Eagle Talon/Mitsu Eclipse, etc etc.

The things people get worked up about...

 

[rubixcubix]

Um... who cares?

Apparently everyone who bothered to post on this thread except you
... you're special