#KiaOptimaCoupe

Following roughly a year after the debut of the all-new Hyundai Accent, Kia will unveil its third-generation Rio sub-compact in early 2011. Set for a dramatic makeover (much like the Accent) the Rio will get styling inspired by the Forte and Forte Koupe as well as the new Optima Sedan.

Several weeks ago we brought you a story about the possibility of a Kia Optima Coupe. Now, thanks to the folks at InsideLine, we have a few renderings of what that car might look like. And as we expected, it’s a stunner.

Having just launched the Optima Sedan at the New York Auto Show, a coupe model isn’t that unlikely. After all, both Honda and Nissan offer coupe versions of their mid-size sedans. And despite being front-wheel drive, we’d still really like to get our hands on an Optima Coupe with the company’s new 274-hp turbocharged 4-cylinder engine.

Rumors of the coupe originate from Kia designer Peter Schreyer, who confirmed a wagon model was coming (but possibly only for Europe). “I would love to do station wagon and coupé versions of the car. The station wagon would only really work for Europe but the coupé would work in the U.S.,” he said.

Only time will tell if Kia decides to move ahead with this project. In the mean time, check out a few more renderings after the jump:

[Source: InsideLine]

Plus, say up to date on Kia Optima news and reviews at OptimaForums.com

Kia will build a wagon version of the newly unveiled Optima sedan for the European market and is considering a Coupe. In an interview with the U.K.’s AutoCar, top Kia designer Peter Schreyer confirmed the wagon (or Estate as its likely to be called in Europe) and hinted at a coupe.