Kia Koup into production in 2009

At the New York Auto Show Kia unveiled the Koup concept, the preview version of what will be Kia’s first coupe. Production version will replace the the compact Spectra and will go on next year.

A sedan will go on sale by mid-2009, and the coupe will follow a couple of months later. The Spectra hatchback no longer will be sold in this country.

"We believe the coupe will sell better than the hatchback," Lee said here at a ceremony for the new Kia Motors America $130 million design center. The hatchback will be sold mainly in Europe as the cee’d, he said.

Kia aims to transform its bland looks and attract younger buyers. The U.S.-designed Koup Concept is much sleeker than the Spectra. U.S. stylists also designed the Soul — a boxy, five-seat subcompact that goes on sale next spring.