- Jon Reay
New Kia cee'd details revealed - Golf GTI in its sights?
The new cee'd, unveiled at this year's Geneva Motor Show, marks Kia's squarest shot at the Golf and Focus yet.
With Kia suggesting prices will range from a Focus-rivalling £14,500 to a surprisingly high £25,000 - Golf GTI territory - it's clear that Kia is aiming to produce a diverse range.
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What's more, with rumours already circulating about a 'hot' cee'd - most likely powered by a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine taken from the Hyundai Veloster - the prospect of a GTI rival becomes more possible yet; particularly with Kia now touting the availability of a 'double-clutch automatic gearbox' on top-end models.
Lawrence Hamilton - Kia's marketing director - was keen to emphasise the levels at which Kia are now aiming, singling out its two biggest rivals. "We don't just have to be good," he said, "we have to be very good and the new cee'd is a case in point."
"We are adding a level of sophistication to the car so that it will compete at the top end of the segment with the Ford Focus and VW Golf."
Details are still sparse on the cee'd range overall, but Kia have revealed a launch date - June 1st this year - and a range of four engines, consisting of 1.4 and 1.6-litre options in both petrol and diesel flavours.
Equipment should include Bluetooth with voice recognition, park assist, Kia's 'flex-feel' steering, heated seats, sat nav and lane departure warning system - though how much will come as standard remains to be seen.
Tempted? The five-door cee'd will be available to order from June, with an estate following in 'late summer'. As for the three-door pro_cee'd, you'll have to wait - Kia won't be taking the wraps off it until September's Paris Motor Show.