First Kia hot hatch released
Kia's answer to the Volkswagen Scirocco, the pro_cee'd GT arrives Down Under priced from under $30KKia has launched its highly anticipated, weirdly named pro_cee'd GT in Australia this week, priced from $29,990 (plus on-road costs) or $33,490 (plus ORCs) with an optional Tech pack.
That makes Kia's first real hot hatch a bargain of its class and the second turbocharged petrol model in Kia's line-up, following the $27,990 (pluc ORCs)Kia Cerato Koup Turbo in October last year.
The hottest version of Kia's European-focussed cee'd small-car, which comes to Australia only in three-door pro_cee'd GT form, will try its luck against the Hyundai Veloster SR Turbo ($32,990 plus ORCs) and perhaps even those aspiring towards Volkswagen's hard-charging Scirocco R ($47,990 plus ORCs).
Similar in size to both three-door rivals, Kia's pro_cee'd GT is powered by a turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol engine making 150kW at 6000rpm and 265Nm over 1750-5600rpm, the same found in the Veloster SR Turbo.
The figures are sufficient, Kia says, to shuttle the pro_cee'd GT to 100km/h in 7.7 seconds on its way to a top whack of 230km/h.
Offered exclusively with a six-speed manual gearbox, the pro_cee'd GT may not attract quite as many buyers as it otherwise could, though it is expected Kia may offer its new seven-speed dual-clutch transmission in the model from next year (2015).
Like many models in the Hyundai and Kia families, the suspension of the pro_cee'd GT is tuned for local conditions with increased damper rebound and compression rates, stiffer springs and bushes, and a larger-diameter rear anti-roll bar.
The pro_cee'd GT rides on 18-inch alloy wheels and is shod with Michelin Pilot Sport 3 rubber. Braking is all-disc, the front rotors grabbed by red-painted callipers, and the steering electrically-assisted.
Outside, the entry-level pro_cee'd GT is distinguished by 'ice-cube' LED daytime running lights and foglights, dual exhaust outlets, LED tail-lights (park only, brake and turn signal are candescent globes), folding wing mirrors with LED indicators and puddle lights, and GT badging front and rear. The pro_cee'd GT Tech adds a sunroof, door-handle lighting, active HID headlights and privacy glass.
Equipment levels see the pro_cee'd GT fitted with Recaro leather and suede combination seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearknob, dual-zone climate-control, cruise contol, automatic headlights, reversing sensors, a reversing camera and electric windows and mirrors.
Tech models add keyless entry and starting, and a luggage net to the mix.
Both the pro_cee'd GT and pro_cee'd GT Tech are fitted with a six-speaker audio system featuring a unique 'GT' TFT LCD instrument binnacle screen, iPod connectivity and a single-CD/tuner, as well as Bluetooth telephony and audio streaming.
Satellite navigation is omitted from the current range, but will join the local line-up, likely in high-grade Tech variants only, from Q3 this year (2014).
Like all Kia passenger vehicles, the Slovakian-built pro_cee'd GT is offered with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, capped-price servicing and 12 months included roadside assistance, as well as the usual array of electronic driver aids and supplementary restraint systems.
The Kia pro_cee'd GT goes on sale locally from this month (March).
Check out our first review of the Kia pro_cee'd.
2014 Kia pro_cee'd pricing (plus on-road costs):
GT -- $29,990
GT Tech -- $33,490
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