Kia Confirms Preliminary Specs for Pro_cee’d GT and Cee’d GT with 201HP 1.6L Turbo

As it seems, Kia is so excited about its first-ever shot at the hot hatch segment in Europe that it just can't wait to share more details with us.

Less than a week after the Koreans announced their decision to rival VW's Golf GTI with the three-door Pro_Cee'd GT, Kia has now not only confirmed the availability of a GT version of the five-door Cee'd, but also revealed preliminary specifications.



Both the Pro_Cee'd and Cee'd GTs will be motivated by a new version of Kia’s 1.6-litre GDI (Gasoline Direct Injection) petrol engine sporting a twin-scroll turbocharger and strengthened internal components.

The four-cylinder unit is rated at 201hp (204PS) and 265Nm (195 lb-ft), and will be connected to a standard six-speed manual gearbox driving the front wheels.

Kia claims a somewhat uninspiring 0-62mph (100km/h) acceleration time of 7.9 seconds, which falls short of the current 207hp (210PS) Golf GTI Mk6's 6.9 second run (same for manual and DSG models).

Along with the turbocharged engine, Kia stated that the two models will benefit from "significant developments to the chassis and suspension systems" to "ensure that the performance credentials of these more powerful models are matched by exceptional dynamic characteristics".

As far as looks are concerned, Kia tells us that the GT models will feature bespoke front ends with different grilles, lamp clusters and bumpers, together with unique 18-inch alloy wheels, rear diffuser, red brake calipers, special paint finishes and pairs of jewel-like, four-point LED daytime running lights.

Inside, the GTs will boast Recaro sports seats, alloy pedals and bespoke surface materials for the dashboard and doors.

The new Pro_cee’d GT and Cee’d GT models will be produced at Kia's Slovakian facility in Žilina from mid-May 2013, with European sales to begin in the summer, which means, we should see the two cars making their world premiere at the Geneva Salon in March of the same year.

 

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New 2014 Kia Forte Sedan to Debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show

At next week's Los Angeles Auto Show, Kia will reveal the 2014 Forte Sedan, which is the U.S. and Canadian market version of the brand's new K3 saloon that was first launched in Korea in late September.

The same model will also make its way to other countries around the world such as Brazil and Australia under the Cerato nameplate beginning from next year.

Besides the region-specific names, the other differences between the Forte, the K3 and the Cerato concern the equipment packages, the interior and exterior décor and trims, and the available powertrains.

The new Forte measures 179.5 inches (4,560 mm) long, 70.1 inches (1,780 mm) wide and 56.5 inches (1,435 mm) tall, which makes it 1.2 inches (30 mm) longer, 0.2 inches (5mm) wider and 1 inch (25mm) lower than the car it replaces.

The wheelbase has also grown by around 2 inches (51mm) to 106.3 inches (2,700mm), something that should benefit passenger space.

Full details about the 2014 Forte, including the engine and transmission range and a sales date for the North American model, will be released in the coming days.

 

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Kia Shows Off Justice League of Mainstream Cars Dressed as Superheroes

We know that both Halloween and the SEMA Show are long gone, but Kia has just released a video of its five superhero-styled concept carsinspired by the members of the Justice League from their unveiling at the Las Vegas Convention Center earlier this month.The five cars are the Flash Forte Koup, AquamanRio 5-door, Cyborg Forte 5-door, Green LanternSoul and the Batman Optima (Wonder Woman, Superman and several other characters from the Justice League comic book series didn't make the cut).

West Coast Customs, RIDES and Super Street were responsible for building the concepts, with each vehicle featuring custom artwork by comic book artist and DC Entertainment Co-Publisher Jim Lee, who was on hand for the presentation at the SEMA Show.

Regardless if you like the customized Kia models, the cars were created for a noble reason trying to increase awareness for DC Entertainment's "We Can Be Heroes" that helps fight the hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa.

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