Kia has uncovered its first ever hot hatch models, the pro_cee’d GT three-door and cee’d GT five-door. Powered by a 1.6-litre turbo motor, the new performance cee’d versions will be officially launched at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show
The 1.6-litre turbo engine in the new cee’d GT duo produces 204hp and 195lb ft of torque. It’s fitted to a six-speed manual gearbox; there’s no word yet on whether Kia will pair it with its six-speed dual clutch transmission
Kia’s revealed 0-62mph (99.78kmh) times for the new cars, and while they’re up on the regular cars, true performance fans may be disappointed. The benchmark acceleration test takes 7.9 seconds, which is the same as a Ford Focus 1.6T 180. A Ford Focus ST, admittedly with 46hp more than the Kia cee’d GT, does it in 6.5 seconds. As the name suggests, more ‘GT’ than ‘GTI’ By Richard Aucock,
Europe is the home of the hot hatch and Kia confirms it’s been both designed and developed here. Whether this means there’s been any UK-specific input remains to be seen: given the unique challenges of our roads, MSN Cars suggests specific tuning here ought to be a priority if Kia’s to challenge the sector class-leaders. It’s something Kia’s done with other models in its range, so here’s hoping
Kia has fitted 18-inch (45.72cm) wheels to the new cee’d GT cars, complete with low profile 225/40-section tyres. This is a pretty focused solution that suggests the firm wants them to handle with some focus. Note the red brake calipers too – they’re also GT-specific
All hot hatches need their own special type of badge, it seems. Kia is no exception here, fitting a stylized ‘GT’ moniker to the front grille, something that’s helped define hot hatches ever since the first Golf GTI sported a grille-mounted badge back in 1976
Kia’s created its own distinctive cee’d GT identity at the front, with eye-catching quad-LED running lights either side of the front bumper. There is one traditional GTI detail though – some red pin striping for the middle section of the bumper
Kia’s remaining tight-lipped on what the interior actually looks like. It has, however, revealed that another hot hatch staple part, the Recaro sports seat, is to be fitted to the new cee’d GT cars. This is a promising sign, we say… By Richard Aucock,
Kia hasn’t revealed more of the interior – even the shot of the steering wheel is a close-up shot of the ‘GT’ badge stitched in. Does this indicate it’s some something special to the interior? We’ll find out at the Geneva Motor Show
Kia hasn’t revealed any shots of the cee’d GT’s rear – it’s only hinted at it in this image of the pro_cee’d GT. Just visible is what looks like a particularly stylish rear bumper, with what looks to be some muscular sculpting and cutouts. How striking it is remains to be seen: remember, the Hyundai Veloster Turbo, whose 1.6-litre turbo motor the cee’d GT shares, has racy central-exit exhausts…All will become clear when we see the Kia cee’d GT range in the metal for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show. As the pro_cee’d goes on sale in mid-2013, with the cee’d GT following towards the end of the year, expect prices to be announced then too: we’d estimate from around £21,500 (approx. $33,852)
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