During an interview at the Paris Auto Show, Kia->ke41 design boss Peter Schreyer said that Kia is taking under consideration building a small sports car that will take on models like Mazda MX-5->ke1185. A production version might arrive in 2013 and it will be based on a shortened version of parent brand Hyundai's Genesis rear-wheel drive architecture.

"I think it would be great, a car like that," Schreyer said. "I think the MX-5 has done a lot for Mazda->ke53. There are MX-5 enthusiast clubs and racing and it is an important part of Mazda." However, when asked about the progress made to the car, he said: "Don't ask me so difficult questions."

As for the next generation Mazda MX-5 it will arrive on the market in 2012. Under the hood Mazda will place both a 1,2 and a 1,3 liter engine, but also a new rotary engine. Output will be in the 200 HP area. So expect the new Kia model to deliver the same output.

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