No DCT for updated Kia pro_cee’d GT

Among the range of new product launches and existing model enhancements that Kia expects to roll out in 2015 is a refresh of the sporty pro_cee'd GT three-door hatchback, but it will miss out on perhaps the most anticipated update of all.

Despite earlier suggestions that the turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder 'warm hatch' would gain the new seven-speed dual-clutch transmission for its 2015 refresh, Kia Australia's media and corporate communications manager Kevin Hepworth told motoring.com.au that the refreshed pro_cee'd GT "would retain the six-speed manual gearbox as the sole transmission option."

Instead, the dual-clutch automatic transmission will be progressively rolled out through other Kia products in the coming months, though Hepworth suggested Australia would not see the transmission until early 2016. He remained tight-lipped on just which model would gain it here first.

For reference, the upcoming (and identically-powered) Hyundai Veloster SR Turbo facelift will bring the new seven-speed gearbox when it lobs locally mid-year.

What the updated pro_cee'd GT will gain is a couple of "trim updates", though Hepworth did not elaborate further.

He did, however, add: "Graham [Gambold, Kia's local suspension tuning head] has added some further suspension refinements."

Given Gambold's growing reputation with Kia internationally (some European markets have adopted his suspension tunes for their pro_cee'd GTs), that can only be a good thing for the Australian arm.

"We're a little company becoming a global player in particular areas," said Hepworth.

Kia will also release an all-new Sorento large SUV in June, followed two months later by a redesigned Sportage mid-size SUV and, later this year, the Picanto micro-car.