Would you ditch your GTI for a pro_cee’d GT?

Let’s forget for a moment that this stupidly named Kia pro_cee’d GT is powered by a comparatively meek 150kW 1.6 litre turbo diesel, on looks alone, could you see yourself ditching your Golf GTI (or similar hot hatch) for this rather snazzy looking Kia?

The three-door pro_cee’d GT and its mate, the five-door cee’d GT, will be revealed in full at the Geneva Motor Show in early March. For Kia’s part they’re rather proud of them too, and rightly so. They’ve labelled the GT models as their “most performance-focused production cars ever”.

Although, that comment does put things into perspective. The 150kW/265Nm engine is driven through the front wheels and exclusively coupled to a 6-speed manual transmission (when a low revving diesel is probably better matched to a dual-clutch jobbie). They have a claimed 0–100 time of 7.9 seconds.

Judged purely on performance, they’re not great numbers. And without even knowing how well the cars handle, it’s hard to see the Kia GT winning over too many hearts and minds in the lucrative hot hatch segment.

But in the minds of budget conscious buyers the pro_cee’d GT presents a more compelling case. Assuming, of course, that the price is right. It looks fantastic! European-based Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer, deserves a pat on the back.

For some years now Kia has improved its styling no end. Indeed, they make some of the best looking cars on the market; see current Rio and Optima models. Even the Cerato Koup looks pretty good. And the Track’ster Concept was on the right side of quirky to be very damn cool.

On the one hand, then, we applaud Kia for making inroads into the hot hatch market. Yet, while acknowledging they’re now very serious about style, we bemoan the fact they bottled it when it came to performance. Perhaps in time they’ll catch up there as well, but just imagine if the pro_cee’d GT had an engine with 180kW/400Nm or so.

That might make GTI buyers think twice.

Kia pro_cee’d GT and cee’d GT set for Geneva Reveal

January 30 2013

• Kia pro_cee’d GT and cee’d GT will be unveiled at 2013 Geneva Motor Show
• Most performance-focused Kia models yet
• Designed in Europe and to be manufactured in Europe
• Turbocharged 1.6-litre engine will produce 150kW and 265 Nm

The new Kia pro_cee’d GT and cee’d GT – the brand’s most performance-focused production cars ever – will enjoy their world premieres at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show on March 5.

Designed in Europe under the direction of President and Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer, the two debutants feature bold athletic styling, LED daytime running lights, dual-exhaust pipes, 18-inch alloy wheels and eye-catching red brake calipers.

The new turbocharged 1.6-litre GDI gasoline engine will produce 204 ps and 265 Nm, powering the front wheels through a six-speed manual transmission and allowing the Kia pro_cee’d GT and cee’d GT to accelerate from 0 to 100 kph in 7.9 seconds.

Production of the newest members of cee’d family is scheduled to start at Kia’s Zilina plant in Slovakia in mid-May, and they will go on-sale across Europe from the middle of the year. Prices and specifications will be confirmed closer to the on-sale date.