Kia’s cee’d is a European model, but Kia Australia is hoping to make an exception for the high-performance pro_cee’d GT (three-door) and cee’d GT (five-door) both of which have been confirmed for production at the Zilina plant from May next year with European sales to follow immediately.
While not currently in the forward plans for our market, Kia Australia hasn’t been shy in promoting the GT following its global unveiling. Knowing the local team at Homebush (Sydney) as we do, we’re sure they’re slamming down the doors at head office in Seoul to get these high-performance brand image-leaders on-sale locally.
Under the bonnet both employ Kia’s massively modified 1.6-litre direct injection engine with a twin-scroll turbocharger boosting power by, oh, only 51 per-cent! to 152kW and torque, well it’s only up a measly 61 per-cent to 265Nm!
Drive is to the front wheels via a six-speed manual transmission. Kia reckons zero to 100km/h should tick-over in around 7.9 seconds.
Four-point LED DRLs, sports grilles and headlights, deeper front bumpers, unique 18-inch alloy wheels highlighting the red-painted brake calipers and special paint colours distinguish the Kia pro_cee’d GT and cee’d GT on the outside, while inside there is a unique sports trim, alloy pedals and Recaro front seats.
Underneath the Korean giant has worked with its European engineers to develop unique high-performance chassis and suspension calibrations for its three-door and five-door newcomers. The front is a MacPherson strut while the rear-end employs an independent layout with the multi-links mounted to a subframe.
Steering is motor-driven electric with a direct 2.85 turns from lock-to-lock and turning circle of 10.6 metres.
Yes please Kia…yes we want this pair here now!
