Kia Pro Ceed GT (2014)

The engine drives through a slick-shifting six-speed manual transmission featuring revised ratios and a lower final drive to allow the GT to make the most of its torque with minimal fuel consumption.

Dressed to thrill: GT gets a unique look inside and out

For the GT, the already sporty and athletic lines of the pro_cee'd have been layered with visually exciting additions at the front, rear and sides.

The unique front-end treatment introduces a lower, broader bumper and air dam and a wide central lower air intake to supply additional cooling air to the high-performance turbocharged engine, underscored by a red trim line which emphasises the wide and sporty track. This is flanked on either side by high-gloss black inserts housing the GT's unique 'ice-cube' LED daytime running lamps and foglights. The high-gloss black theme is continued on the graphite chrome-framed main radiator grille - with Kia's family 'tiger-nose' outline. The grille includes a smart 'GT' badge on the black high-gloss mesh.

From the rear, the broad stance of the pro_cee'd is evident in its bold shoulders and steeply angled tailgate glass, but for the GT this is further emphasised by a diffuser section in the lower edge of the rear bumper, separating the dual sports exhaust outlets. The rear number plate is framed in high-gloss black and straddled by a vertical reversing light and reflectors, while the combination lamp units are LEDs which give the car a unique signature at night, or when braking. There is a 'GT' badge on the tailgate.

The already sporty side profile of the pro_cee'd is given even greater sense of purpose by bold side sill mouldings and special graphite grey ground-effect 18-inch alloy wheels tightly encased by the bodywork. Red brake calipers front and rear are a clear sign of the GT's performance credentials, while the premium quality of the car is emphasised by a chrome strip running around the side windows, and the folding mirrors with LED indicator lights.

The performance-oriented exterior design is echoed inside the all-black five-seat cabin. The driver and front passenger are gripped by Recaro sports seats - for the first time in a Kia - adorned with 'GT' and 'Recaro' logos. Power-adjustable lumbar support is fitted to both front seats. The upholstery is part leather and part suede, and there is red contrast stitching on the seats, steering wheel, gear shifter and door trims. The leather steering wheel also features perforated grip areas and an overstitched 'GT' logo, and there are stainless steel pedals with non-slip rubber inserts. High-gloss black features on the air vent surrounds, front console tray and door trims add a premium flourish which is echoed in the stainless steel kick plates on the door sills.

Kia's familiar three-dial sporty instrument layout is enhanced by a TFT LCD multi-function high-definition display which allows the driver to switch between analogue-type or GT performance digital information. The latter shows the car's speed, engine torque, turbo boost pressure and engine coolant temperature as well as important trip information. It can display speed in miles per hour or kilometres per hour. A 'GT' button on the steering wheel allows the driver to change the display without taking a hand off the wheel.

Two trim lines - and a very special introductory model

Two extensively equipped variants of the pro_cee'd GT - the 'GT' and 'GT Tech' - will be available in the UK, but to mark the introduction of Kia's first performance model there will be a limited production launch version, the 'GT 1st Edition'. Just 500 examples of this uniquely specified car will be produced, with 50 to be assigned to the UK market.

The 'GT' is the entry-level version yet it comes with anything other than a base-level specification. The exterior benefits from a number of unique styling touches including new front and rear bumper designs, side sill mouldings, dual exhausts, 'ice-cube' LED daytime running lights and 18-inch graphite grey ground-effect alloy wheels with red brake calipers.

On the inside the 'GT' receives Recaro seats finished in leather and suede, and with power lumbar adjustment, with red stitching that is also applied to the leather steering wheel and gear knob, a black headlining and several gloss black trim items.

Providing driver comfort and convenience are a host of standard items, including air conditioning, cruise control and speed limiter, automatic lights, cornering lights, reversing sensors, Bluetooth phone connectivity with music streaming and voice recognition, a six speaker radio/CD player with iPod connectivity, a unique 'GT' TFT LCD dash binnacle display, electric windows, electrically operated and heated folding mirrors with puddle lights and privacy glass on the rear windows and tailgate.

The comprehensive safety specification includes Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Vehicle Stability Management (VSM), Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), anti-lock brakes (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BAS), six airbags with a cut-off switch for the front passenger's seat, a seat-belt reminder warning, impact-sensing door unlocking and ISOFIX child-seat mounting points.

The 'GT Tech' adds a seven-inch touchscreen with satellite navigation, European mapping and full UK postcode recognition, a reversing camera display integrated into the navigation screen, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, an engine start/stop button with a smart entry system, exterior door handle illumination, rain-sensing front wipers, dual-zone automatic air conditioning with an ioniser, an automatic de-fog system, an automatic-dimming rear-view mirror and xenon adaptive headlights with headlight washers and automatic levelling, in place of the cornering lights on the GT.

The 'GT 1st Edition' will contain all the features fitted to the 'GT Tech', plus a number of distinctive signature additions. These include high-gloss black inserts in the 18-inch alloy wheels, high-gloss black door mirror casings, a tilting and sliding electric sunroof with an automatic roller blind, red ambient lighting with front footwell illumination, floor mats with red contrast stitching and 'GT' illuminated sill scuff plates with edition numbering as standard. The 'GT 1st Edition' will be available only with Fusion White metallic paintwork as standard.

Warranty and servicing

The pro_cee'd GT, like every Kia, comes with a seven-year, 100,000-mile transferable warranty. Servicing is required every 12 months or 10,000 miles whichever comes soonest.

The Kia pro_cee'd GT is fundamental to Kia's policy of creating specific cars in and for the markets where they are sold and is made at the company's Žilina plant in Slovakia. It is sold only in Europe.

Kia's design-led revolution gets an even sportier edge

The phenomenal rise of Kia in recent years is due in no small way to the design-led revolution instigated by the company in the middle of the last decade. Kias are now renowned for their style, detailing, quality and emotional appeal as much as for their value, reliability and industry-leading warranty. They are also perfectly aligned to the markets where they are sold as a result of Kia's policy of creating specific cars for specific regions of the world. The pro_cee'd GT is manufactured at the company's Žilina plant in Slovakia and will be sold only in Europe.

For the GT, the already sporty and athletic lines of the pro_cee'd have been layered with visually exciting additions at the front, rear and sides. Viewed from any angle, the GT is unmistakably a European-style performance car with a coupé-like stance and proportions, sporty touches and premium-car detailing. Its arrival will have a halo effect on the entire cee'd range.

The GT has a unique front-end treatment with a lower, broader bumper and air dam which instantly differentiate it from the pro_cee'd 'S' and 'SE'. There is a wide central lower air intake to supply additional cooling air to the high-performance turbocharged engine, underscored by a red trim line which emphasises the wide and sporty track. This is flanked on either side by high-gloss black inserts housing the GT's unique 'ice-cube' LED daytime running lamps and foglights. The high-gloss black theme is continued on the graphite chrome-framed main radiator grille - with Kia's family 'tiger-nose' outline. The grille includes a smart 'GT' badge on the left-hand side of the black high-gloss mesh when the car is viewed from the front.

From the rear, the broad stance of the pro_cee'd is evident in its bold shoulders and steeply angled tailgate glass, but for the GT this is further emphasised by a diffuser section in the lower edge of the rear bumper, separating the dual sports exhaust outlets. The rear number plate is framed in high-gloss black and straddled by vertical reversing lights and reflectors, while the combination lamp units are LEDs which give the car a unique signature at night or when braking. There is a 'GT' badge on the right of the tailgate.

The already sporty side profile of the pro_cee'd is given even greater sense of purpose thanks to bold side sill mouldings and special 18-inch alloy wheels tightly encased by the bodywork. Red brake calipers front and rear are a clear sign of the GT's performance credentials, while the premium quality of the car is emphasised by a chrome strip running around the side windows, and the folding mirrors with LED indicator lights.

The GT is the same length (4,310mm) and width (1,780mm) as the pro_cee'd SE and has an identical 2,650mm wheelbase. Long, coupé-like side doors allow easy access to the rear seats while contributing to the sleek and rakish lines. This is further emphasised by the cab-forward design, rising beltline, low roofline and narrow glasshouse.

The performance-oriented exterior design is echoed inside the all-black five-seat cabin. The driver and front passenger are gripped by Recaro sports seats - a first in any Kia - adorned with 'GT' and 'Recaro' logos. Power-adjustable lumbar support is fitted to both front seats. The upholstery is part leather and part suede, and there is red contrast stitching on the seats, steering wheel, gear shifter and door trims. The leather steering wheel also features perforated grip areas and an overstitched 'GT' logo, and there are stainless steel pedals with non-slip rubber inserts. High-gloss black features on the air vent surrounds, front console tray and door trims add a premium flourish which is echoed in the stainless steel kick plates on the door sills.

In line with the pro_cee'd 'S' and 'SE', there is a driver-centric dashboard layout. Haptics - how things feel and move - and ergonomics, the placement of controls and inter-relation between them, were of paramount importance and played a large part in the design. The controls and switchgear are ergonomically arranged and intuitive to use, with the temperature, airflow and infotainment switches easily accessed by the driver or front-seat passenger. The controls are clearly grouped and reveal superb attention to detail.

Kia's familiar three-dial sporty instrument layout is enhanced by a TFT LCD multi-function high-definition display which allows the driver to switch between analogue or GT performance digital information. The latter shows the car's speed, engine torque, turbo boost pressure and water temperature as well as important trip information. It can display speed in miles per hour or kilometres per hour. A button on the steering wheel allows the driver to change the display without taking a hand off the wheel.

The 'GT Tech' version also has a seven-inch touch-screen satellite navigation system linked to a colour reversing camera display. The navigation includes mapping for 44 European countries, UK postcode recognition, Traffic Messaging Channel (TMC) with a detour function, motorway junction views, lane guidance and speed limit warnings. It allows the driver to select fast, short or economy routes.

Soft-to-the-touch surfaces and outstanding fit and finish attest to the emphasis that Kia places on actual as well as perceived quality. This is matched by the GT's cruising refinement. Torsional body strength is aided by a windscreen which is bonded in rather than mounted in a seal, so it also shuts out more exterior noise. One-piece weather strips around the door frames, extensive filling in the pillar areas, carefully shaped door mirrors and thick door glass all play a part in the GT's refinement.

There are storage compartments in the front, rear and centre console, while the large boot provides 380 litres of space, or 362 litres with the temporary spare wheel in place. Both sections of the 60:40 split rear seats fold down to allow 1,225 litres of luggage to be carried (1,207 litres with spare wheel in place). This is supplemented by an under-floor storage area.

Two trim levels and a very limited launch edition

Two extensively equipped variants of the Kia pro_cee'd GT - 'GT' and 'GT Tech' - will be available in the UK, but to mark the introduction of what is a very special car for Kia - the company's first performance model - there will be an extremely limited launch version, the GT 1st Edition. Just 500 examples of this uniquely specified car will be produced, with 50 to be assigned to the UK market.

The 'GT' contains all the features fitted to the pro_cee'd 'S' with the exception of Flex Steer, plus a comprehensive list of GT exclusives. These include GT-specific exterior styling cues of a black high-gloss mesh grille with graphite chrome surround, a black lower grille with a red trim line, high-gloss black front and rear foglight housings and rear number plate surround, 'ice-cube' LED daytime running lamps and foglights, side sill mouldings, dual exhaust outlets, red brake calipers and 'GT' badges front and rear.

On the inside, the standard 'GT' comes with Recaro part leather and part suede front seats with 'Recaro' and 'GT' logos, a leather steering wheel with perforated grip areas and an over-stitched 'GT' logo, red stitching on the steering wheel, gear shifter, seats and door centre trim, a leather-trimmed sports gear lever, high-gloss black trim around the air vents and on the centre console tray and door trims, stainless steel pedals with non-slip rubber inserts, stainless steel door sill scuff plates, power lumbar adjustment for the front seats and a TFT LCD multi-function display with GT performance or analogue displays.

Air conditioning, a six-speaker radio/CD player with iPod and USB connectors and Bluetooth phone connectivity and music streaming with voice recognition are also standard.

The 'GT Tech' adds a seven-inch touch-screen with satellite navigation and European mapping, a reversing camera display integrated into the navigation screen, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, an engine start/stop button with a smart entry system, exterior door handle illumination, rain-sensing front wipers, dual-zone automatic air conditioning with an ioniser, an automatic de-fog system and automatic-dimming rear-view mirror and xenon adaptive front lights with automatic levelling in place of the cornering lights on the GT.

The 'GT' and 'GT Tech' are available in solid Track Red and metallic Phantom Black or Fusion White paintwork. Both feature graphite grey ground-effect 18-inch alloy wheels fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport 3 225/40ZR18 92Y tyres.

The 'GT 1st Edition' will contain all the features fitted to the 'GT Tech', plus a number of distinctive signature additions including high-gloss black inserts in the 18-inch alloy wheels, high-gloss black door mirror casings, a tilting and sliding electric sunroof with an automatic roller blind, red ambient front footwell lighting, floor mats with red contrast stitching and edition numbering on the 'GT' illuminated sill scuff plates. The GT 1st Edition will be available only with Fusion White metallic as standard.

201bhp, a revised six-speed manual gearbox and a retuned chassis

A special car deserves a special engine, and Kia's first high-performance model is also the first in the UK to feature a turbocharged petrol unit. It is a forced-induction version of the 1.6-litre direct-injection 'Gamma' unit tuned to deliver 201bhp and 265Nm of torque. A normally aspirated version of the direct-injection 'Gamma' engine is already available in the pro_cee'd, but the addition of an exhaust-driven turbocharger raises its power output by 51 per cent and the amount of torque it develops by 61 per cent for truly scintillating performance.

T-GDi - turbocharging and direct injection

The T-GDi (Turbocharged Gasoline Direct injection) engine develops its 201bhp at 6,000rpm, but what really gives the GT its instantaneous response and rapid acceleration is the 265Nm of torque available without interruption from 1,750rpm to 4,500rpm. The pro_cee'd GT accelerates from 37 to 60mph in fourth gear in only 5.4 seconds and from 50 to 75mph in fifth gear in 7.3 seconds - indicators of the supreme flexibility and immediacy of the T-GDi engine. More than 80 per cent of maximum torque is available from less than 1,500rpm. The 0-60mph acceleration time is 7.4 seconds and the pro_cee'd GT has a maximum speed of 143mph.

The GT may be first and foremost a performance car, but it also contributes towards Kia's goal of a 25 per cent reduction in fleet average fuel consumption thanks to the combination of small engine capacity, direct fuel injection and turbocharging. The GT's combined fuel consumption is 38.2mpg, while CO2 emissions are 171g/km.

A number of factors contribute towards the exemplary driveability and efficiency of the lightweight all-aluminium 1.6-litre T-GDi unit. There is Continuously Variable Valve Timing on both the inlet and exhaust sides of the 16-valve engine, Electronic Throttle Control and light, low-friction moving parts. The crankshaft is offset from the centre-line to aid smoothness.

A twin-scroll turbocharger is integrated within the exhaust manifold and there is a split wall between cylinders one/four and two/three which results in reduced interference between the cylinders, faster response and higher torque levels at low engine revolutions. The improved responsiveness eliminates the 'turbo lag' between the driver pressing the accelerator and the turbocharger building up boost pressure. While simultaneously improving gas flow and reducing heat losses for maximum efficiency.

The integrated exhaust manifold and turbocharger in a one-piece casting improve sealing while reducing weight by 1.5kg while simultaneously improving gas flow and reducing heat losses for maximum efficiency.

For added durability, the cylinder block has been heat-treated and the crankshaft, pistons and connecting rods are stronger, while there are additional oil jets. The engine has been road-tested for nearly 100,000 miles at an average speed of almost 95mph over a period of more than six months to ensure it passes Kia's severe durability test.

The engine drives through a slick-shifting six-speed manual transmission featuring revised ratios and a lower final drive to allow the GT to make the most of its prodigious torque with minimal fuel consumption.

So that it can deliver a characterful GT sound, there are specifically tuned intake and exhaust systems. A reduced intake path strengthens the volume of the low-to-mid-range frequency sounds and ensures linear booming sounds. The twin exhaust system adds to the sporty tones coming from the tailpipes, aided by simplified main exhaust muffler. Between 1,000 and 4,000rpm the discharge sound has been raised by 10dB compared with the pro_cee'd 'S' and 'SE'.

Tuned for driver satisfaction with no loss of comfort

The new pro_cee'd GT is a high-performance road car designed for everyday usability and civility. It is not a track special. So, the highly praised chassis of the regular pro_cee'd needed only relatively minor tuning changes to achieve the balance that Kia wanted for its first performance car.

Chief among the changes are retuned springs and dampers and a thicker rear anti-roll bar. The front damping forces are 10 per cent higher in compression and 30 per cent higher in rebound, while the respective figures for the rear dampers are 200 per cent and 50 per cent. There are slightly stiffer springs, while the rear anti-roll bar thickness has been increased by 1mm to 19mm. There are also stiffer front suspension bushes to sharpen steering response and longer bump stops to reduce body roll. The result of this detailed engineering is the most agile car Kia has ever made.

The GT also rides on larger wheels and tyres than any other pro_cee'd - 18 x 7.5J alloy rims fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport 3 225/40ZR18 92Y tyres. The Michelin Pilot Sport 3 was selected for its outstanding on-road performance combining high levels of wet and dry grip and precise steering along with excellent fuel efficiency and durability.

Along with the rest of the cee'd range, the pro_cee'd GT is still one of the few cars in its class with independent rear suspension in place of a more common, and less expensive, simple twist beam. This brings inherent advantages for ride and handling and is a major contributor to the GT's fun-to-drive character, which is now even sharper without impairing the finesse of the standard car's ride.

The variable Flex Steer steering system - which in other versions of the pro_cee'd allows drivers to select from three different levels of power assistance - has been removed in the GT so that the Motor Driven Power Steering always delivers maximum feedback to enhance driving enjoyment.

The Kia pro_cee'd GT also has the largest brakes fitted to any cee'd model - 300mm x 28mm discs at the front and 262 x 10mm discs at the rear. The pro_cee'd GT has the best braking performance of any Kia ever made, with the ability to pull up to a full stop from 62mph in less than 35 metres - at least one metre shorter than the best cee'd until now. They are fitted with red brake calipers to emphasise the sporty nature of the GT. The braking system features anti-lock brakes (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BAS) and Hill-start Assist Control (HAC). The ABS and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) have been subtly retuned to complement the choice of tyres and the suspension revisions.

The handling capabilities of the pro_cee'd GT were honed on road and track with over 480 laps - more than 5,000 miles - at the Nürburgring Nordschleife in Germany.

Comprehensive active and passive protection

Kia takes a uniform attitude to the safety and protection of its customers. Regardless of the size of car or the price paid for it, Kia does not differentiate when it comes to trying to avoid accidents, or to shielding occupants from injury if at all possible when one is inevitable. So, the flagship model in the pro_cee'd range does not come in for special treatment in terms of the safety features fitted to it.

Right from the start the pro_cee'd has led the way for active and passive safety. It had Electronic Stability Control (ESC) as standard long before many of its rivals, and also featured Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) to keep the car stable when accelerating or braking on roads with different levels of grip from left to right, plus Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) to prevent it from rolling backwards when setting off on steep gradients.

The ambitious target with the new model was to make even greater strides and provide class-leading protection - not just a five-star Euro-NCAP rating, but a higher score than any class competitor. To achieve that, there have been major advances in body engineering and pedestrian protection, while features previously found only on expensive premium cars are available.

The remarkably stiff bodyshell is a result of a comprehensive package of reinforcements in critical areas. Even the windscreen is now bonded in rather than mounted in a sealing strip, which aids both rigidity and refinement. In total, 57 per cent of the body is made from high-tensile steel, with ultra-high-tensile steel in the B-pillar structures.

There is an i-type subframe with more rigid side members, front apron and dashboard. Horizontal and centre tunnel supports are incorporated in the dash area. The A-pillars, inner door rail and upper and lower body structures have been reinforced. New transverse cross-members link the front and rear suspension mounts, new pressings attach the boot floor to the tailgate opening and there is a new floor cross-member. All of this serves to provide a safety ring around the tailgate area. There is a further safety ring around the B-pillars.

At the front, the side crash members have shallow slant angles which help to disperse collision energy more effectively, while side impact protection is boosted by reinforced front door belt inner rails, hot-stamped B-pillars and roof sides, ultra-high-tensile steel lower body sill structures and a roof gusset connecting the side inner panels and the roof rails. There are also thick door beams.

The GT comes as standard with six airbags - twin front, side and side curtains - to provide all-round chest, face and head protection. Seat-belt recognition monitors detect if the belt on an occupied seat is not fastened or is released during a journey.

To reduce the cost of repairs after low-speed (9mph or less) collisions, there is a crash box integrated into the front bumper rails to minimise deformation of the front side member, while at the rear the side members have been reinforced so that they are better able to resist deformation at similar speed.

Improved pedestrian safety comes through collapsible headlamps, a stiffer lower bumper lip and shock-absorbing structures in the bonnet and bonnet hinges.

The extensive standard and passive safety equipment - including ESC, VSM and HAC - has been supplemented with Emergency Stop Signalling (ESS), which causes the rear brake lamps to flash in an emergency stop to alert following drivers. Brake Assist (BAS), which ensures maximum stopping power in an emergency regardless of the force applied to the pedal by the driver, is also standard.

The GT has distinctive 'ice-cube' LED daytime running lights. Static cornering lights which provide a broader beam when steering to ensure quicker recognition of roadside objects at night are fitted to the entry-level GT model. They operate through separate lights built into the headlamp units, and activate when the steering angle is more than 35 degrees at speeds of 6mph and above, or 50 degrees when the car is stationary. They switch off if the steering angle falls below 20 degrees. The GT Tech has xenon adaptive front lighting with automatic levelling and headlight washers.

An LED high-level rear stop light is standard and there are LED combination rear lamp clusters.

Reversing sensors are standard, while the GT Tech has a colour reversing camera display integrated into the seven-inch colour navigation screen.

It's a Kia, so even a performance car has to be affordable to own

Power with responsibility. Performance with efficiency. The pro_cee'd GT may be the most exciting and dynamic car Kia has ever produced, but the principles which have carried the company to the position it occupies today have not been overlooked while developing the performance flagship of the pro_cee'd range. Servicing and insurance costs - with an emphasis on repairability - were taken into account during the design and development stage, while the decision to adopt a small-volume direct-injection turbocharged engine ensures that fuel consumption and emissions are kept to a minimum.

The new 1.6-litre turbocharged 'Gamma' engine develops 51 per cent more power (201bhp) and 61 per cent more torque (265Nm) than the naturally aspirated version previously on offer, yet it remains extremely efficient. Combined fuel consumption is 38.2mpg, while CO2 emissions have been pegged at 171g/km. These are impressive figures in a car which can accelerate from 0-60mph in a shade over seven seconds on the way to a top speed of 143mph. This in turn, keeps taxation low for both private and business owners.