Christmas is the season for giving, and we are spreading the joy by sharing leaked Kia photos that are sure to make you say “Ho, Ho, Ho!”
The photos in question are of the upcoming Kia Ceed 5-door hatchback that was spotted without any form of disguise while being tested in South Korea.
While this model has been spied in Europe during testing, it was always under heavy camouflage that prevented us from getting a good look at its design.
With the covers now fully removed in Korea, we get to see an exterior design that is sportier than the outgoing model.
The newly styled LED lights and Kia grille are drawing comparisons to what we saw in the Proceed concept vehicle.
Next-generation Kia Ceed to debut in Geneva
The 2018 Kia Ceed will be formally introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in March, and will then hit European showrooms in the first half of 2018.
There will likely be other members of the cee’d family unveiled at that show, but we are not yet aware of all the details. Keep in mind that there are no less than 3 different models set to hit the market in 2018.
The 5-door hatchback model will also be joined by a wagon, as well as a rather rugged SUV variant.
Will the Kia Ceed be available in the US?
Since the cee’d has been exclusively made for the European market, we do not expect to see it in the U.S. in the near future.
The good news for North American consumers who like the look of the cee’d is that the Forte, the sister model of the cee’d, is currently being developed in Korea for sale in the U.S. in the second half of 2018.
While the design will be different, the cee’d and the Forte will share the same platform and engines.
It’s a little bit of a wait, but when the next generation Forte arrives, it will essentially be the same model as the cee’d, albeit with a different look.
Powertrain & specs
The platform, engine, and transmissions used in the upcoming cee’d will be the same as those found on the Hyundai i30 hatchback.
As far as engines go, diesel and gas options will be offered, with a 1.0-liter turbo GDI serving as the base unit.
You will also be able to get a 1.4-liter turbo GDI engine, while the top of the line model will come equipped with a 1.6-liter turbo engine.
For fans of diesel, the 1.6-liter engine will come with three different power outputs, which are 94-hp, 109-hp, and 134-hp.
The transmission will either be a 6-speed manual or 7-speed DCT, and will be dependent on your engine choice.
Will there be a Kia Ceed hybrid?
There are rumors that a hybrid version of the Kia cee’d is in the works, but this is one that has yet to be confirmed.
Perhaps the arrival of that model will come as a Christmas gift next year. (photosource: motorgraph)
That looks Sexy
Two design features from the Proceed concept I hoped to show up (here and the Forte) were the recessed look of the lower grills and the rocker panel/lower door area sculpting. This is meant as a constructive comment.