Kia has unveiled its new Proceed – billed as a sportier alternative to its Ceed small family car – alongside a performance version of the Ceed hatch.
Described by the manufacturer as having a ‘shooting brake’ bodystyle, the Proceed is a five-door estate car. Compared with the regular Ceed Sportswagon estate, the new model is 5mm longer, sits 5mm lower to the ground and has a roofline reduced by 43mm, giving it a sleeker appearance.
It boasts a boot capacity of 594 litres – slightly down on the Sportswagon’s 625 litres.
The Proceed will be available with GT-Line trim and as a GT performance model, with the latter getting chassis tweaks intended to improve its handling, traction and steering response.
Engine options with GT-Line trim are a 1.0-litre, 120hp petrol, a 1.4-litre, 120hp petrol and a 1.6-litre, 136hp diesel.
All engines are available with a six-speed manual gearbox, while the 1.4-litre petrol and the diesel are also available with a seven-speed automatic.
The GT gets a 1.6-litre, 204hp petrol engine, paired with the seven-speed auto ‘box.
Interior technology includes a 7in touchscreen audio system or 8in touchscreen with sat-nav.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity will also be available.
Safety systems will include high beam assist, driver attention warning, lane keep assist and an adaptive cruise control system.
Kia has also announced a GT version of the Ceed hatch, powered by the same 204hp petrol engine as the Proceed variant, with a six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic gearbox to choose from.
It gets sport-inspired exterior design tweaks such as larger front air intakes and a roof spoiler, along with similar chassis tweaks to the Proceed GT.
Production of the newly announced Kias is set to begin in November, with sales beginning in the first quarter of 2019.
UK specs, prices and exact on-sale dates for the models are yet to be confirmed.
