AUTOS CARS CUSTOM

Kia’s first attempt at a hot hatch will arrive in showrooms this June, with a turbocharged 201bhp engine.
The Procee'd and Cee'd GT (the hot hatch treatment will be applied to the three and five-door cars) have both been unveiled at the Geneva show. Both cars are fitted with a new 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine fitted with a twin-scroll turbocharger and uprated internal components.

In addition to the 201bhp, the engine has 195lb ft of torque, meaning it has no direct rivals - the next Golf GTI has 217bhp, while the likes of the Astra VXR and Renaultsport Mégane have 276 and 261bhp. The GT’s 0-62mph time of 7.7sec is also slower than the more powerful hatches, and more on a par with Vauxhall’s 177bhp Astra GTC SRi. Top speed is rated at 143mph.

The transmission is a six-speed manual, driving the front wheels (which are 18-inch as standard). Expect a retuned suspension to cut roll and improve handling over the standard Cee'd, with a lower ride height.

A deeper front bumper with enlarged air intakes, LED running lights and red trim help set the GT apart from the standard Cee'd. At the rear the car gets twin tailpipes and a deeply sculpted, diffuser-style lower bumper. Inside there are Recaro seats with red stitching, red GT badging and alloy pedals.

The first 500 Procee'd GTs will be available as a 1st Edition model, with only "a handful" coming to the UK. Procee'd GT 1st Edition models feature a number of extras, such as gloss black wheels and door mirror cappings and bespoke badging.

The GT brand is set to be used as an optional trim package for other Kia models. It is also likely to be expanded with the possibility of a quick diesel Kia, and a more potent version of the Cee'd, with more power. 
Kia is not confirming prices for the GT models, but expect the Procee'd to cost around £22,000 and the five door Cee'd to start at around £24,000.

Thanks to: Autocar