Kia Plans to Unveil Kia K3 in Mexico

The Kia Corp is at it again. If the South Korean automaker isn’t releasing another battery-electric vehicle like the Kia EV6, EV9, or the EV5 Concept (unveiled at 2023 Chinese EV Day), it’s another moniker getting a boost. In 2018, Kia changed the game when it came to sports cars. Claiming to make “Cars that drive as good as they look,” the automaker turned the industry on its heads with the Kia Stinger sports car. Although not originally known for GT sports cars, Kia was changing its name and its business model. It even came with a new Kia logo, illustrating the evolution of the brand. After the Kia Stinger came the Kia K5, the new name for the next generation of the Kia Optima, and now we have a mysterious K3 on the horizon, set to make its debut in Mexico on August 8, 2023.

While not much is known about the K3 just yet, the automaker claims that the K3 is getting a much needed improvement with a sophisticated design and a spacious interior to attract attention from upper-segment buyers. There should be a lot more information following the initial debut, but so far we know one thing – currently, the Kia K3 is already being sold in Mexico as the alternative name used for Cerato and Forte. Ah, now it makes sense! Just like the automaker did for the Kia Optima, taking its overseas name (K5) and reshaping the model for its next generation, it’s possible that the same treatment is going to the Kia Forte. Some rumors also suggest the Kia Rio is in line for a sports car tune up, but so far that’s not the pattern.

When Kia released the K5, it seemed like a new model at first that flew under the radar and entered the lineup quickly. This sudden entry was no stranger, known as the Kia Optima for many years before taking over the new name for a new generation. Turning the Optima into the K5 sports car took some fine tuning and adjustment. Starting with an 80-horsepower turbocharged 1.6-liter DOHC I4 engine, optimized with gasoline direct injection and continuously variable valve duration (CVVD) for performance, the powertrain standard didn’t change. Going GT was the real goal, with the Kia Corp releasing GT-line trims for many models in the lineup. The Kia K5 GT was powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter DOHC I4 engine with GDI and CVVD, able to generate 290 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque.

The Kia Stinger truly lit the path for the GT-Line, powered by a Twin Scroll turbocharged 2.0-liter DOHC I4 engine, optimized with CVVT, and able to generate 255 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque as the standard powertrain setup. When it came to the GT trims of the lineup, the setup was a twin turbocharged 3.3-liter DOHC V6, also optimized with CVVT, able to deliver up to 365 horsepower 376 lb-ft of torque. Sadly short-lived, the Stinger has been discontinued. A Stinger Tribute Edition went on sale, in April 2023, based on the Stinger GT2 with the same 3.3-liter V6 engine, and wearing a blacked-out treatment with a black finish on the exterior mirrors, black Brembo brake calipers, and 19-inch gloss black design wheels. Inside, Bespoke Terracotta brown leather upholstery added to the comfort and feeling of the spacious interior, matched with a synthetic suede headliner and simulated carbon fiber interior trim.

Now, we have the Kia K3 to look forward to. What kind of GT-power will we see this time? Find out when you follow along with us on Miami Lakes Automall social media.

Photo Source/Copyright: Kia