Rumors about Kia->ke41 working on a competitor for the Mazda MX-5started spinning about six months ago, and we can't say we're all that surprised. Considering Kia's latest sales boom in the market - with the Kia Soul->ke2186 and all of its variations, the Kia Forte->ke3202, and heck, even the Kia Sedona->ke1040 popping up everywhere in its minivan glory - the company is beginning to be as popular as the 2 for 1 sodas at your local gas station. Now the confirmation of the expansion of Kia's lineup has finally been received in a recent interview with European CEO Paul Philpott.

"I’d like to have a Kia MX-5. 2011 and 2012 are about establishing the brand. But for 2013 and 2014, we’re thinking about halo models that stretch the company forward."

In describing the possible future sports roadster, chief designer Peter Schreyer said that it will get the company's latest "tiger nose" grille, but will be more aggressive than the current models. We're thinking something along the lines of the 2003 Kia KCV-III Concept (pictured above). The KCV-III was a 2+2 convertible coupe which debuted at the Frankfurt Auto Show. It was designed for the Generation Y consumers and whose edgy and cool design should prove a good starting point for the future model.

Rumors suggest that Mazda will mostly likely be placing a 1.4 liter engine with an output of about 200 HP under the hood. This is the same engine that can be found in the MX-5->ke1185, but we have reason to believe that a hybrid version of the Kia roadster is also a strong possibility.

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