Kia facelifts its Euro hatch

Kia has announced details of a facelift for its oddly-named cee'd hatchback for Europe, but there's no guarantee the upgraded version of the only variant sold in Australia – the pro_cee'd GT hot hatch – will be sold here.

Revisions for Kia's European small-car offering include a new look, new engines, improved interior quality, refinement and dynamics.

The changes are less extensive for Europe's top-shelf pro_cee’d GT, which nevertheless features a new turbocharger to deliver increased air pressure for the 1.6-litre T-GDI turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine. The result is slightly improved 0-100km/h acceleration of 7.6 seconds (down 0.1 sec) and a "boost [in] low-end torque and engine response", says Kia.

Peak performance outputs remain unchanged at 150kW and 265Nm, byt Kia says CO2 emissions are reduced slightly to 170g/km and "drivers will also enjoy greater in-gear acceleration as a result of the new turbocharger".

There is still no sign of a (seven-speed dual-clutch) automatic transmission for Kia's first hot hatch, but the GT is now exclusively fitted with a new electronic sound generator, which is activated when drivers press the ‘GT Mode’ button on the steering wheel.

Effectively synthesising the engine note inside the cabin, Kia says "adds a new element to the driving experience and brings the driver closer to the car’s higher level of performance".

Fitted across the 2016 cee'd range is torque vectoring and NVH improvements, while Kia says its "engineers have further upgraded the dynamics of the cee’d GT", which is now also available with a bigger new optional front brake package comprising 320mm discs (up 300mm).

Kia says this delivers higher heat capacity and improved resistance to brake fade, and claims the result is improved 100-0km/h stopping distances – from 36.4 to 35.0 metres.

Inside, the GT receives a new flat-bottom steering wheel with subtle GT logo and concave central design, an aluminium starter button and chrome accents for the window switches, although the RECARO suede bucket seats are unchanged.

Despite the fact Kia Australia's locally developed chassis tune is now standard in Europe, where Kia sold more than 74,000 cee'ds last year, the latest pro_cee'd GT is not locked in for Australian release.

Kia Australia spokesman Kevin Hepworth told motoring.com.au that a business case for the upgraded pro_cee'd GT has not yet been established and that the faclifted version remains under consideration for local release -- despite the fact Kia Australia has already undertaken a local tuning program for the 2016 GT.

Motoring.com.au understands a number of unsold examples of the current pro_cee'd GT remain unsold in local Kia dealerships.

Kia has sold 138 pro-cee'd GTs in Australia to May this year (down 6.8 per cent) – significantly less than the 1343 Toyota 86s sold in the same period despite sharing the same $29,990 starting price.

Kia's hot hatch was nevertheless more popular than the mechanically similar Cerato Koup, which has attracted just 110 buyers so far this year despite a lower $24,190 starting price. The GT shares its 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine with the Cerato Koup Turbo ($28,190) and Veloster SR Turbo ($29,990).

The 2016 cee'd range goes on sale in Europe from July and also comprises Kia's new 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, new seven-speed DCT auto and a new GT Line specification, with the Korean car-maker's new suite of Kia Connected Services to be launched later this year in Europe.

The 1.0 T-GDI engine arrives in Europe with two power outputs -- 74kW and 88kW – both offering 172Nm of torque between 1500 and 4000rpm, alongside 94kW/265Nm and 100kW/285Nm 1.6 CRDi turbo-diesel and 1.4-litre petrol and diesel engines.

In Europe, the 2016 cee'd will also be available with Speed Limit Information Function (SLIF), which uses a camera to identify speed limit signs, Blind Spot Detection (BSD), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) and an upgraded Smart Parking Assist System (SPAS).

The cee'd was designed and engineered for Europe, where it was first launched in December 2006. It is manufactured at Kia’s production facility in Žilina, Slovakia, and remains one of the brand’s best-selling models, with the one-millionth example produced last month.