Kia cee’d GT to join Kia pro_cee’d GT hot-hatch in 2013
A new five-door Kia cee'd GT will join what will be a two-pronged performance attack from the Korean brand, following last week's announcement that the new three-door Kia pro_cee'd GT would enter the competitive hot-hatch market.
Both new GT models will be powered by an updated version of Kia's 1.6-litre GDI (Gasoline Direct Injection) petrol engine, with strengthened engine internals, teamed to a twin-scroll turbocharger and a six-speed manual gearbox.
Power and torque figures of 150kW and 265Nm will match those currently seen in the Hyundai Veloster Turbo – which uses the same motor – and provide enough shove for a 0-100km/h dash of 7.9 seconds.
Kia says significant developments to the chassis and suspension systems will ensure genuine performance credentials while new grilles, light clusters with LED daytime running lights, deeper bumpers, 18-inch alloy wheels, red brake calipers, and special paint finishes will give the new pro_cee’d and cee’d GT models a legitimately sporty exterior.
The interior won’t be ignored either with Recaro sports seats, alloy pedals and model-specific surface materials all included to create what Kia calls a “performance-oriented ambience for the driver and passengers”.
Kia Australia national public relations manager Kevin Hepworth told CarAdvice that while neither model was confirmed for our market, the assessment process for the three- and five-door models is underway and continuing and both are very much on the agenda for Australia.
“It’s absolutely something we want,” Hepworth said. “We’re not going to put it on the backburner.”
The Kia pro_cee’d and cee’d GTs are due to start production in May 2013, before going on sale across Europe from mid next year.
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