What's the news?
Kia has been filling the gaps in its new Ceed and Proceed shooting brake lines, using the Paris Motor Show to display the warm GT version of the handsome Proceed and also allowing the GT-Line version of the Ceed hatchback its world debut.
With the car's appearance in Paris marking its first public showing, following on from an earlier reveal of its looks, the faster Proceed model is of interest. The GT employs the 1.6-litre T-GDi four-cylinder petrol engine that is rated at 204hp and 265Nm, which saw service in the old Ceed and Proceed GT models, so don't expect the new one, for all its rakish looks, to be a blisteringly fast, mini-Mercedes-AMG GT four-door.
Like its Ceed GT sibling, the Proceed GT uses different front and rear bumpers, extended side skirts and various bits of red detailing around the exterior. It will also, again like the Ceed GT, be available for the first time with an optional seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, with a six-speed manual gearbox being the standard fitment. Like the whole Proceed family and the Ceed GT, the Proceed GT should be on sale before the first quarter of 2019 is out.
Alongside the actual sporty models of Ceed and Proceed was the Ceed GT-Line, which essentially looks like its faster siblings, but is purely a styling exercise, forming a trim level beneath the GT variants; think of it as Kia's version of BMW's M Sport trim and all becomes clear. GT-Line, too, will be on sale in Q1 of 2019 and the specification will be available on every variant of the Ceed, including the Sportswagon estate.
GT-Line Kias are identifiable by their satin chrome and gloss black tiger-nose grille surround, unique 17-inch or optional 18-inch GT-Line alloys and the same front and rear bumpers as seen on the GT variants of the Ceed and Proceed. The foglamp surrounds incorporate horizontal metallic 'blades', which not only harks to the GT models, but also the impressive Stinger flagship.
Inside, Ceed GT-Line buyers will find black cloth headlining, metallic kick-plates in the door sills, GT-Line-specific front sports seats with larger side and thigh supports, or even the full sculpted chairs from the Ceed GT, as an option. Engine choices for the Ceed GT-Line are the 1.0-litre three-cylinder and 1.4-litre four-cylinder T-GDi petrol engines, or the 1.6-litre 'Smartstream' CRDi turbodiesel.
Anything else?
Emilio Herrera, chief operating officer of Kia Motors Europe, said: "The new cars on display underline the level of ambition and design passion that defines Kia's cars. The Proceed offers buyers stunning and emotional design and the Ceed GT provides maximum driver engagement. The Proceed takes the Ceed model family in a bold new direction. Where the Ceed Sportswagon majors on practicality, the Proceed provides couples or young families with the space and versatility of a wagon, combined with an emotive, swept-back design. Where focusing on one of these normally compromises the other, the Proceed is the first car in the mainstream segment to combine both."