Autoblog

Kia Cee'd GT and Pro_cee'd GT are Korean for "hot hatch" [w/video]

Zach Bowman — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 10:29:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Videos, Hatchback, Kia

Kia has pulled back the curtain on its sportiest offerings to date at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. The Cee'd GT and Pro_cee'd GT benefit from a direct-injection, turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine good for 204 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. Those numbers are up 51 percent and 61 percent over the models' base engine, respectively. A six-speed manual transmission puts power to the front wheels, and Kia says the hatches can spring to 60 mph in 7.7 seconds. Top speed for both sits at 143 miles per hour. Penned by design guru Peter Schreyer, the cars wear tweaked front fascias complete with new grilles, headlamps and fog lamps.

Out back, dual-exit exhaust separate GT models from their common kin, and 18-inch alloy wheels are standard equipment. Indoors, buyers can expect to find a set of Recaro sport buckets and a specially designed TFT instrument cluster. Take a peek at a brief video of the Pro_cee'd GT and the official press release below.

Continue reading Kia Cee'd GT and Pro_cee'd GT are Korean for "hot hatch" [w/video]

Kia Cee'd GT and Pro_cee'd GT are Korean for "hot hatch" [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Mar 2013 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kia shows Cee'd GT and Pro_cee'd GT ahead of Geneva debut

Jeffrey N. Ross — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 14:29:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Hatchback, Kia

Kia has been releasing a lot of new models lately, showcasing improvements in both design and luxury, but a pair of introductions at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show could bring the automaker into the performance mindset. The five-door Kia Cee'd and three-door Pro_cee'd will be getting new GT trim levels that bring a little more horsepower and sportier styling to the compact hatchbacks.

For added power, the 1.6-liter direct-injected inline-four packs a new turbocharger that bumps engine output to 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque (an increase of 68 hp and 74 lb-ft), which is good enough to quicken the cars' 0-60 times to under eight seconds flat. Unfortunately, it doesn't appear that there are any suspension upgrades, but the cars do get a dual exhaust system and 18-inch alloy wheels. Red brake calipers and a unique front fascia finish off the exterior styling, while Recaro buckets and a "GT" embroidered steering wheel can be found inside.

Both the Cee'd GT and Pro_cee'd GT will be on sale by the end of this year, and although we don't expect to see these cars in the US, adding a GT model to the Rio or Forte doesn't seem like it wouldn't be that hard.

Continue reading Kia shows Cee'd GT and Pro_cee'd GT ahead of Geneva debut

Kia shows Cee'd GT and Pro_cee'd GT ahead of Geneva debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Jan 2013 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kia plants its 2012 Cee'd in Switzerland

Steven J. Ewing — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 07:59:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Hatchback, Kia

We know we're beating a dead horse by complaining about an automaker not offering its European products in the United States, but seriously, wouldn't this handsome new 2012 Kia Cee'd be an excellent replacement for the milquetoast Forte?

Kia has been doing some great things with design lately, and the full host of new styling elements has made its way down to the new C-segment offering. We like the large headlamps that stretch far up the hood line, accented with LED running lamps and pronounced fog lamps below. The unique, 18-inch wheels look cool and give the Cee'd a sporty touch, and the whole design is rounded off in back with a squared-off rump. Speaking of the rear, Kia also saw it fit to debut a new Cee'd wagon, called the SW, offering a substantial cargo area for those who need more functionality than a standard hatch can offer.

Five powertrains will be offered at launch - two diesel and three petrol - ranging from 89 to 133 horsepower. Six-speed manual transmissions are available across the board, with six-speed automatics available on two of the 1.6-liter engines. The range-topping 133-hp gasoline engine also features Kia's first dual-clutch 'box.

Honestly, we're big fans of this new compact Kia, and our hope is that the Korean automaker will someday plant its Cee'd on North American soil. See the new hatchback and wagon for yourself in our attached high-res image gallery and hit the jump for the full press release.

Continue reading Kia plants its 2012 Cee'd in Switzerland

Kia plants its 2012 Cee'd in Switzerland originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Mar 2012 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kia Rondo replacement spotted... will we get it?

Chris Tutor — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 11:31:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Minivan/Van, Europe, Kia

Beneath the camo and snow probably lies the Kia Rondo variant of the Hyundai ix30. Both will be based on the Kia Cee'd, but expect the Rondo's personality to be less Flash Gordon and more fresh groceries than the Hyundai HED-5 concept upon which the ix30 is based.

It looks like the next iteration might have similar interior packaging as the original Rondo with seating for five or seven depending on package choice. Engine and transmission options should, of course, be very similar to whatever Kia decides to offer in the new Cee'd.

The first Rondo was an affordable MPV that pretty much came and went with little fanfare. But if the Rondo gets a dose of Kia's current design language, it to sell a little better than the last model. Then again, it'd be hard to sell fewer.

Will the new Rondo be available to U.S. families? Who knows? There wasn't exactly a lot of love for for the model the last time, but competition in the small MPV category is finally heating up, so perhaps more buyers will be paying attention to the segment. We'll watch for more details from next week's Geneva Motor Show.

Kia Rondo replacement spotted... will we get it? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Mar 2012 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kia debuts second-generation Cee'd ahead of Geneva

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 13:31:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Geneva Motor Show, Hatchback, Kia

This is the second-generation, 2012 Kia Cee'd that we'll soon be feasting our eyes on at the Geneva Motor Show. Kia claims it has "enhanced maturity and presitge within a sport package," and based on the (admittedly retouched and beautified) photos, we're inclined to agree.

The exterior is a host of the small-hatch design elements we're seeing from varous makers such as massively stretched headlights and pronounced hips. Nevertheless, there are plentiful Kia design details that should keep the new Cee'd from getting lost among its C-Segment rivals.

Kia promised a driver-oriented interior, and while it doesn't strike us from the interior shots as particularly driver-centric, it looks good. The redesign includes a reworked control layout for better ergonomics, new switchgear and a touchscreen, plus chrome accents and door handles that are "a layered sandwich of high quality materials." Tasty.

Engine options still haven't been disclosed, but we'll be getting all the gossip come next month's Geneva show. For now, there's a press release after the jump and a few images to get yourself acquainted.

Continue reading Kia debuts second-generation Cee'd ahead of Geneva

Kia debuts second-generation Cee'd ahead of Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Feb 2012 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Kia C'eed unveiled, will debut at Geneva Motor Show

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Hatchback, Kia, UK

The second generation of the Kia c'eed is a dramatic rework five years after the C-segment fighter was introduced. It is fronted by Kia's now-familiar design elements, attempting to go upmarket along its flanks with chrome trim around the windows and "styling typically found on a sporty coupé with the space and functionality of a five-door hatch."

We don't know what its innards look like, but Kia says it has a "driver oriented dashboard and refined interior, with a strong focus on quality of materials." Other reports suggest it will be offered with a choice of two gasoline and two diesel engines, which would be a reduction in choice from the five powerplants offered now. However, that same report says that one of the engines would be a turbocharged, 1.6-liter T-GDI making 250 horsepower, more than doubling the most powerful current option. On sale in Europe only, it will take on the Volkswagen Golf, Alfa Romeo Giulietta and Seat Leon.

It will be unveiled at the Geneva Auto Show in two months and go on sale in the UK in June. You'll find a press release that's rather light on details after the jump, and you can click on the image above to enlarge.

Continue reading New Kia C'eed unveiled, will debut at Geneva Motor Show

New Kia C'eed unveiled, will debut at Geneva Motor Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Jan 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz channel their inner Stig on Top Gear

Chris Shunk — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Kia, UK, Celebrities

Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz on Top Gear - Click above to watch the video after the jump

Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz have been all over the world pushing their not-so-blockbuster movie Knight and Day, and while moviegoers haven't exactly filled local theaters, enthusiasts should most definitely witness the Hollywood A-listers on the latest episode of Top Gear. The two stars appeared on our favorite BBC show to compete against other celebrities in "Star in a Reasonably Priced Car," and their performance far outshines their recent box office receipts.

Hit the jump to watch as the two push hard around the Top Gear track in a KIA Cee'd. We won't ruin the results for you, but we will reveal that Diaz shows that she can swear like a trucker while looking good with a helmet on, and Cruise proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is a very competitive guy. Seriously, the man literally finishes the race on two wheels, nearly giving Clarkson a heart attack in the process. Who got the better part of their co-star? You'll have to watch to find out.

[Source: Top Gear via YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz channel their inner Stig on Top Gear

Video: Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz channel their inner Stig on Top Gear originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Jul 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Top Gear's new reasonably-priced car is... the Kia Cee'd?

Sam Abuelsamid — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 14:02:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Budget, Hatchback, Kia

Get your torrents warmed up! The new season of Top Gear finally airs tomorrow night in the UK (don't even get us started on why BBC America is still running something like season 7 right now), and the boys are unveiling an all-new reasonably-priced car.

The old Chevrolet Lacetti has been sent of off to the scrap heap and it looks like Richard Hammond gets the honor of pulling the sheet of the new car. Someone snapped a pic during rehearsals this week, and we've got some clues as to what the new star car might be.

The best guess appears to be the compact Kia Cee'd, a decent-looking little hatch that's not available in North America. The general shape and the lights seem to be a pretty good match, as are the wheels. We still don't know who this week's celebrity hotshoe will be, but we'll be checking it as soon as we can. A tip of the hat to Rudy!

[Source: VW Vortex]

Top Gear's new reasonably-priced car is... the Kia Cee'd? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 26 Jun 2010 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Frankfurt 2009: Kia c'eed spiffs up basic transportation

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 17:39:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Budget, Europe, Hatchback, Kia

2010 Kia c'eed -- Click above for high-res image gallery

The Kia c'eed has come in for a voluminous number of changes, all of which are explained in the massively massive press release after the jump. The short of it is a restyled exterior, new interior elements, new mechanical structures such as a revised subframe for better NVH performance, the addition of hill-assist, a new diesel engine among the 5-engine range... see what we mean? This is not the Kia c'eed you knew...

What you really need to know about the new c'eed is that it takes a rightful place among the lead group of entry-level hatches in Europe. Sometimes you get in a cheap car and it looks cheap and feels cheap. That isn't the Kia c'eed - a little car that gives you a 6-speed manual to make the most of what power it offers. As has been the case with Hyundai and Kia lately, this one's probably going to be another good one.

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: Kia c'eed

Continue reading Frankfurt 2009: Kia c'eed spiffs up basic transportation

Frankfurt 2009: Kia c'eed spiffs up basic transportation originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Sep 2009 17:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2009 Kia cee'd gets Intelligent Stop & Go

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 17:33:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Hybrid, Green, Technology, Hatchback, Kia

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Kia cee'd

Stop/start technology is like a trial membership for hybrids: it lets drivers in on the fuel savings and lower carbon emissions without forcing them to become a card-carrying member of the hybrid brigade. Kia is will be offering buyers just such an opportunity by introducing ISG, or Idle, Stop, and Go (also called Intelligent Stop & Go) on the new cee'd.

The ISG will be available on the 1.4- and 1.6-liter gasoline-engined c'eeds, and unlike other stop/start technology, this ISG shuts the engine down not only when the car is stopped, but when it's moving less than four mph. To engage the ISG while the car is moving, the driver puts the car in neutral and depresses the clutch, the engine is shut down, and he or she will be rewarded with 15% better fuel economy in the urban cycle.

The frugal-ized cee'd also benefits from a lighter five-speed gearbox and low-rolling-resistance tires as standard fitment. Later in 2009, the 1.6-liter diesel c'eed will be offered with ISG technology.

Gallery: Kia c'eed

[Source: Kia World]

2009 Kia cee'd gets Intelligent Stop & Go originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Jan 2009 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris Preview: Kia cee'd Hybrid

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 19:33:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Hybrid, Green, Paris Motor Show, Hatchback, Kia

Kia's will have at least two new tricks at the Paris Motor Show, one of them being the Kia Soul. The other will be a Kia cee'd gas-electric hybrid. Already available in coupe, 5-door hatch, and sportwagon variants, a hybrid addition based on the five-door would be a perfect addition to the line. So far, the only details we have is that the c'ee hybrid isn't planned for sale until 2010, when it will join a train of new hybrids from other makers. Kia apparently decided that is when they'll be able to sell enough of them to make a profit. But we will get the complete scoop on it at next week's Paris Motor Show, so you won't have to wait that long.

[Source: Kia World]

Paris Preview: Kia cee'd Hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Sep 2008 19:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kia pro_cee'd fully unveiled ahead of Frankfurt

Alex Nunez — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 11:56:00 EST

Filed under: Ask Autoblog, Frankfurt Motor Show, Europe, Hatchback, Kia

Click image for photo gallery

Kia will officially whip the cover off its jaunty Euro-only (why, God... WHY?) pro-cee'd 3-door hatchback on September 11 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. We'll be there to bring you on-scene coverage, but in the interim, Kia has provided a new set of photos showing the car in its entirety. Based on the same architecture that underpins the 5-door cee'd, the pro-cee'd is longer, lower, lighter and sportier-looking thanks to styling elements unique to the 3-door.

Despite the differences in appearance, the pro-ceed boasts interior passenger room on par with its five-door brother, thanks to its identical wheelbase length. And while on the subject of the interior, it's very appealing to the eye -- a requirement if it's to be a viable player against the likes of the VW Golf. Longer doors with 70-degree openings help make backseat ingress and egress less cumbersome (thus minimizing Britney-style exhibitions), and cargo capacity behind the rear seat is said to equal that of the more reserved and outwardly practical cee'd. The pro-cee'd will be available in a wide array of trim, engine, and color combinations when it hits the Continent next year. We'll take one of the 143-horsepower cars equipped with the Sport Pack (shown). Oh wait. That's right, we can't. Bummer.

Press release after the jump.

[Source: Kia]

Gallery: Kia pro_cee'd (EU)

Continue reading Kia pro_cee'd fully unveiled ahead of Frankfurt

Kia pro_cee'd fully unveiled ahead of Frankfurt originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Aug 2007 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris Motor Show: Kia cee'd

Stuart Waterman — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 09:57:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Wagon, Paris Motor Show, Hatchback, Kia

Kia unveiled the production version of its new cee'd C-segment competitor in Paris on Thursday, and our Autoblog Spanish colleague Alberto provided us with these great shots.

Launching in December with a mind-boggling 20 models, Kia aims to offer Europe's C-segment buyers with an unprecedented range of choices to tailor their cee'd to meet their needs and desires. When all three cee'd body styles - five-door hatchback, five-door wagon and three-door hatchback - are available in December 2007, customers will be able to choose from more than 50 (!) different models, all in their choice of right- or left-hand drive.

Lots of pictures and the official press release after the jump!

Continue reading Paris Motor Show: Kia cee'd

Paris Motor Show: Kia cee'd originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Sep 2006 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kia cee'd to receive Europe's best warranty

Alex Nunez — Wed, 27 Sep 2006 17:56:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Europe, Marketing/Advertising, Hatchback, Kia

Click to enlarge

Americans no longer bat an eyelash at the astounding warranty coverage Hyundai and Kia offer on their new vehicles. To us, it's just another selling point for the brands, whose cars continue to improve, offering good style and excellent equipment levels at value prices. Sadly, we aren't getting Kia's new European-designed and built VW Golf-fighter, the c'eed -- a car, by the way, that 'd draw us into a Kia showroom a lot more readily than the Rio5 or Optima. Just saying.

Kia's leaving nothing to chance with the cee'd, and in a page torn from their American playbook, is introducing the car with the best new-vehicle warranty ever offered in Europe and the UK. The 7 year/150,000 kilometer warranty offers bumper-to-bumper coverage for 5 years, with an additional two years covering the powertrain. The warranty doesn't cost anything extra and is fully transferable.

European-market competitors should take note: Kia is playing for keeps.

(Press release after the jump)

[Source: Kia UK]

Continue reading Kia cee'd to receive Europe's best warranty

Kia cee'd to receive Europe's best warranty originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Sep 2006 17:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris Preview: Kia cee'd sport wagon

Alex Nunez — Fri, 22 Sep 2006 09:09:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Europe, Paris Motor Show, Kia

Click to enlarge

The third and final Kia cee'd variant has been revealed ahead of next week's Paris auto show. The cee'd sport wagon has the same front end appearance and the same length wheelbase as the cee'd 5-door hatchback, head to the rear of the car, and you'll see some differences.

Unlike the cee'd 5-door with its traditional-looking taillamps, the wagon apes the European estates that it'll be competing directly against and implements tall taillight assemblies that extend up the rear pillars. On top of that, the cee'd wagon is also fitted with an "Inverted L" shaped tailgate whose hinges are set into the roof further than normal to provide better access to the storage area. If you have a hard time visualizing this, think of the way the Dodge Magnum's hatch is configured and you'll get the gist of it. The cee'd wagon sounds like it has a similar configuration. Finally, the wagon gets a set of roof rails that's absent on the hatchbacks.

The cee'd wagon will join the cee'd 5-door and the 3-door pro cee'd concept on the Paris show floor. All three cars will go into production and be built in the new Kia plant in Zilina, Slovakia. The 5-door leads the way, going on sale in December 2006. The wagon we just described is next up, hitting showrooms a year from now in September 2007. Finally, the c'eed 3-door hatch will arrive in December '07.

Unfortunately, all three cee'ds are Europe-only vehicles, so we'll just have to appreciate them from a distance.

(Press release after the jump)

[Source; Kia]

Continue reading Paris Preview: Kia cee'd sport wagon

Paris Preview: Kia cee'd sport wagon originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Sep 2006 09:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Update: Kia's new C-segment car: the Cee'd

Stuart Waterman — Mon, 14 Aug 2006 16:02:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Paris Motor Show, Hatchback, Kia

[Updated with new photo] Called only the 'ED' when it was announced in July, Kia Motors' new model for Europe's all-important C-segment of small family cars will retain the unconventional name of its concept car predecessor - the Cee'd (pronounced "seed"). Apparently, the unwieldy moniker combines 'CE' - symbolizing the European Community - and 'ED' - standing for European Design. The role of the apostrophe remains unexplained...

The production version will debut at the Paris Motor Show in September, and go on sale before the end of the year. The Europe-only four-door hatchback will go head-to-head with Ford's European-model Focus, the Peugeot 307 and the Toyota Corolla.

[Source: What Car?]

Update: Kia's new C-segment car: the Cee'd originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Aug 2006 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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