Kia Ceed GT unveiled with 201bhp turbo petrol engine

Alongside the new Proceed shooting brake, Kia has released the first official details of the new Ceed GT hatchback ahead of its debut at the Paris motor show.

It continues to occupy the warm hatchback segment that the old three-door Procee’d GT sat in, with a new 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine putting out 201bhp and 195lb ft of torque. 

A six-speed manual gearbox is standard, but, unlike with the old car, a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic will also be offered. Performance figures are yet to be released due to the homologation process.

Emilio Herrera, COO for Kia Europe, claims the GT occupies a unique position, as it “doesn’t simply chase the highest top speed or fastest straight-line acceleration. It offers greater agility and grip on winding roads and maximum confidence and comfort at a cruise”.

To that end, an additional six months of testing over the regular Ceed claims to have enhanced cornering behaviour. The Ceed GT sits 5mm lower than that car, with stiffer front and rear springs improving responsiveness and softer anti-roll bars improving grip and traction. 

The stability control system has also been retuned, combining with standard torque vectoring. Larger front brakes, of up to 320mm in diameter, improve stopping performance, while the new steering rack is said to turn 17% faster than the old model's. 

To enhance the Ceed GT’s aural drama, new flaps in the exhaust combine with an electronic sound generator pumping a sportier engine note inside. New black leather and suede sports seats also feature.