What's the news?
Kia has released the first images of the three-door version of its cee'd hatchback. As before it'll be called the pro_cee'd, erroneous underscore and apostrophe included.
Exterior
Given the lack of information in the press release, the only story is the exterior style of the new three-door model. There are detail changes to the front - in comparison to the five-door cee'd - but it's the rear that's worth a closer look. Shapely new lights protrude from the sculpted body work and the rear bumper is sportier than in the five-door model. These images show a new set of alloy wheels too.
Interior
Trim and material aside there don't appear to be many changes made to the dashboard - and the steering wheel is the same shape and size. It'll be interesting to see if the coupé-like profile impinges significantly on rear headroom.
Mechanicals
For a long time now we've all wondered if Kia will launch its own hot hatch. The pro_cee'd seems the perfect starting point and sister company Hyundai already has a perky turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol engine that would slot right in. Time will tell. No doubt the majority of pro_cee'ds sold will be powered by the five-door hatchback's line-up of 1.4- and 1.6-litre petrol and diesel engines.
Anything else?
The Kia pro_cee'd gets its first public outing at the Paris Motor Show, which opens its doors to the media on September 27.