Motoring Journalist Edward Stephens Test Drives The New Pro Ceed
Publish Date: 01.02.08
Vehicle Reviewed: Kia Pro Ceed 1.6 CRDi High Power
Model Year: 2008
On the Road Price: £14,295
EU Combined MPG: 58.9 mpg
Emissions: 126 g/km
VED Band: C
Insurance Group: 6E
Warranty: 7 year 100,000 miles
Kerb Weight: 1439 kg
Transmission: 5 Speed Manual
Drivetrain: Front Wheel Drive
Acceleration (0-60mph): 11.4 secs
Max Power: 113 bhp @ 4000 rpm
Max Torque: 255 Nm @ 1900-2750 rpm
(Images are for illustration purposes and may differ from actual vehicles)
"The Cee'd is growing - and a different group of people will soon be able to reap the harvest.
Kia has just launched the lastest version of the Cee'd family aimed at 20 to 30-year-old singles and couples and so called empty nesters - 50-plus couples whose children have flown the nest.
The Pro Cee'd is the three-door version of the Cee'd family and the most stunning model yet from the Korean car maker. The name may be odd but the car is one which is about to get Kia noticed like never before. It's a clear indication of how the company is moving from selling purely on price and value by producing enticing, exciting cars. A move from "supply push to demand pull" according to sales director Yaser Shabsogh.
The Pro Cee'd does for Kia what the Astra Sport did for the Vauxhall Astra family hatchback - by being a far more eye-catching, more appealing model. It's not designed to be a hothatch - although a hot hatch version could follow - but it is designed to be overtly sporty.
With its fine tuned lowered suspension, high waist and rakish roofline it is certainly a car which makes people look twice, as i found out on the recent launch of the car. And with prices starting from £12,295 for the 1.6-litre, 124bhp model - a 1.4-litre at £11,795 will follow later - this is a five seater which comes at a sensible price. At the top end of the price scale the flagship 2.0-litre Sport will cost you £15,495.
Suprisingly the three-door costs the same as the existing five-door Cee'd hatchback because unlike three-door models from most manufacturers the Pro Cee'd is a model in its own right - being longer, lower and lighter than the five-door. What it doesshare is Kia's industry leading seven-year, 100,000 mile "bumper-to-bumper" warranty.
Suprisingly, given the economies of scale needed by manufacturers, the only panels shared by the three-door are the bonnet and front wings. Designed and influenced by Kia's new European design team specifically for the European market, the three-door coupe has a strong presence on the road, with the three-door Sport in white being the most distinctive, thanks partly to its dark privacy glass and 17-inch alloys.
The Pro Cee'd is available in three specifications; Pro Ceed 2, Pro Ceed 3 and Sport but even the base model is well equipped coming with features which include 16-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, electric front windows, central locking and alarm. Step up to the 3 and you gain 17-inch alloy wheels, a sports pack, cloth & leather trim and alloy pedals. In addition the Sport gives you privacy glass and full leather seating.
Currently the Sport is only available with a 2.0-litre high powered common-rail diesel engine while the 2 and 3 are available with both the 1.6-petrol and 1.6-diesel. The latter comes as either an 89bhp or 124bhp and it's this diesel which is the latest engine in the Kia line-up.
On the road the 1.6 petrol is light to drive, easy to manoeuvre, has a slick gearbox and offers great value for money. But for me the diesel engines were the most rewarding to drive.
Both the 1.6 and 2.0-litre diesels have all the attributes of the petrol but are more punchy, silky smooth and - from behind the wheel - among the most un-diesel like cars around. The 1.6 in particular is refined and you would swear you were driving a petrol-powered car - except that not many petrol cars of this engine size will average around 60mpg as this one does.
The higher performance diesel that i drove has a top speed of 117 mph and will hit 62mph in 13.5 seconds, although it's its mid-range performance which is the most impressive. In comparison the 2.0-litre diesel averages 50.4mpg, has a top speed of 127mph and hits 0-62mph in 10.1 seconds. Opt for the 1.6 petrol and you will average 44mpg, reach 62mph in 10.8 seconds and go on to a top speed of 116mph.
Kia anticipates that the best seller will be the 1.6-diesel in white like the one pictured above.
Despite its tapering roof line this coupe offers plenty of rear headroom and an impressive amount of legroom in the rear with plenty of room for someone of average height to stretch their legs out. A different design of rear seat to that in the five-door allows you to fold the seat backs down with the headrests still in place, to give a completely flat surface accomodating 1,130 litres of luggage (30 litres with the seat back in place).
While the inside of the Pro Ceed feels far more sporty than that of the five-door because of the roofline and narrower windows the dashboard is similer and works well from the point of view of looks and functionailty.
The Pro Ceed goes on sale 1st February - and is bidding to take sales from the likes of Astra, Ford Focus and VW Golf. A tough job, but one that this Kia in particular is more than capable of.
Source Name: Motors Northeast
Source Link: http://www.motorsnortheast.co.uk
Source Category: Road Test