Kia pro_ceed - a little sport, a lot of common sense
Polish Kia showrooms have already begun accepting orders for a three-door version of the new cee'd. Behind a sporty hatchback with an attractive body design, thoughtful interior and well-tuned suspension, there is a lot of ... common sense.
Three-door hatchbacks are no longer a cheaper alternative to more practical five-door options. Some automakers have decided to clearly distinguish between 3-door and 5-door versions. More dynamic body shapes, redesigned bumpers and grilles, and a different suspension setup made three-door hatchbacks a replacement for sports cars. Of course, with such a model, things will not work to conquer the market. These are niche products that form a positive image of the company to a greater extent than bring huge profits.
The three-door Kia pro_cee'd of the first generation won more than 55 12 buyers, which accounted for XNUMX% of the sales of the cee'd lineup. New pro_cee'dy will soon arrive in showrooms. Like its predecessor, the second generation pro_cee'd is a completely European car. It was developed by Kia's research and development center in Rüsselsheim, and the company's Slovak plant is responsible for production.
The car's lines are the fruit of a team led by Peter Schreier. The differences between cee'd and pro_cee'd start at the front apron. The lower air intake in the bumper has been enlarged, the fog lamps have been reshaped, and the flattened grille has received thicker bezels. A 40mm lowered roofline and redesigned rear end with smaller taillights, narrower cargo opening and reduced surface glass also contribute to the pro_cee'd's distinctive look. For accuracy, let's add that cee'd and pro_cee'd differ in almost all elements of the body - they are common, including headlights. The scale of changes in the cabin is much smaller. In fact, this is limited to new upholstery colors and the introduction of a black headlining not available on the five-door version.
The center console is sportily tilted towards the driver. The car also scores points for its beefy steering wheel and well-shaped seats that can be set very low. The number of compartments is satisfactory, which can also be said about the capacity of door pockets, the quality of finishing materials or the location and usability of individual switches.
Depriving the cee'd of one pair of doors did not significantly reduce the usability of the car. The long wheelbase (2650 mm) has not changed, and the spaciousness in the cabin allows you to comfortably transport four adults with a height of about 1,8 meters. Of course, getting in and out of the car will be the biggest problem - not just because of the need to squeeze into the second row of seats. The three-door Cee'd's front door is 20cm longer than the five-door variant, making life in tight parking lots a nuisance. Plus for the front seats with position memory and a convenient seat belt dispenser.
Kia offers a large number of electronic conveniences at an additional cost or in the older XL version. These include a lane departure warning system, a parking assist system, and an emergency rescue system that automatically calls for help when an accident is detected. KiaSupervisionCluster is a real find - a modern dashboard with a large multifunction display and a virtual speedometer needle.
Currently, you can choose between 1.4 DOHC (100 hp, 137 hp) and 1.6 GDI (135 hp, 164 Nm) petrol engines, as well as 1.4 CRDi diesel (90 hp, 220 Nm) ) and 1.6 CRDi (128 hp, 260 Nm). Pro_cee'd GT with 204 hp supercharged engine. will arrive in showrooms in the second half of the year. Kia has already announced that the Korean rival Golf GTI will hit 7,7 mph in XNUMX seconds.
By the time the flagship GT version debuts, the fastest in the lineup will be the pro_cee'd 1.6 GDI petrol engine. The direct fuel injection unit can accelerate the car from 0 to 100 km/h in 9,9 seconds. The result is not disappointing, but in everyday use the naturally aspirated GDI engine makes a worse impression than during sprint tests. First of all, the limited maneuverability of the motor is disappointing. Not every driver will also be happy with the need to maintain high speeds (4000-6000 rpm) during dynamic driving.
Diesel engines have completely different characteristics. Their full power below 2000 rpm ensures flexibility and driving pleasure. The effective RPM range is small. A higher gear can be successfully engaged at 3500 rpm. It is pointless to turn the engine further - traction drops and noise in the cabin increases. The tested Kia pro_cee'd with the 1.6 CRDi engine is not a speed demon - it takes 10,9 seconds to accelerate to "hundreds". On the other hand, moderate fuel consumption pleases. The manufacturer says 4,3 l/100 km on the combined cycle. When driving dynamically on winding roads, the Kia burned less than 7 l/100 km.
Six-speed gearboxes with precise gear selection are standard on all engines. For PLN 4000, a 1.6 CRDi diesel engine can be equipped with a classic six-speed automatic transmission. An optional DCT dual clutch transmission is available for the 1.6 GDI engine. Is it worth paying extra PLN 6000? The gearbox improves driving comfort, but lengthens the acceleration time to “hundreds” from 9,9 s to 10,8 s, which is not to everyone's liking.
The performance characteristics of the suspension are very well matched to the capabilities of the powertrains. Kia pro_cee'd allows you to enjoy the ride - it is stable and neutral in corners, while correctly and silently picking up bumps. According to the designers, the joy of driving was supposed to increase the steering system with three levels of assistance. KiaFlexSteer really works - the difference between the extreme Comfort and Sport modes is huge. Unfortunately, regardless of the selected function, the communicativeness of the system remains average.
Kia has worked hard on its market position and positive image. Cars of the Korean concern are so attractive that they do not have to lure buyers with prohibitively low prices. The company's strategy is to set prices at a level close to the average price in this segment. Because of this, it is also not expensive. The price list of Korean novelties opens with PLN 56.
Kia pro_cee'd will be available in three trim levels - M, L and XL. Everything you need - incl. six airbags, ESP, audio system with Bluetooth and AUX and USB connection, on-board computer, LED daytime running lights, power windows and mirrors, as well as light rims - in the basic version of M., black ceiling, more attractive instrument panel or KiaFlexSteer power steering with three modes of operation.
The approach to the issue of equipment is commendable. Some additional features have not been forcibly merged (for example, a rear-view camera is offered not only in combination with navigation), which should make it easier for customers to customize the car. You can't count on complete freedom - for example, LED taillights are available with an intelligent key, and leather upholstery is combined with a lane departure warning system. The consolation is that Kia has given up the desire to dig into customers' wallets - there is no need to pay extra, including for a compact spare tire, a Bluetooth hands-free kit, a USB connection and a smoking package. In competing models, each of the above elements often costs from several tens to several hundred zlotys.
Kia pro_cee'd will appeal to people who are looking for an attractive and well-equipped car with a sporty twist. Really strong impressions? You'll have to wait for them until the pro_cee'da GT sale starts.
