The Kia Procee'd GT middle-weight performance hatch blends everyday versatility with B-road thrills, all for a very reasonable price tag
The Kia Procee’d GT is the Korean manufacturer’s first entry into the performance hatch sector. Built at the company’s Zilina plant in Slovakia for the European market, the Procee’d GT is as another indication of Kia’s continuing ambitions.Having established a solid, dependable model range and successful brand image, the company is now trying to spread its wings, adding some spice and pizzazz to the mix.To create the Procee’d GT, Kia has dropped a turbocharged version of the ‘Gamma’ 1.6-litre direct-injection petrol engine – derived from the same block as the engine found in the Hyundai Veloster Turbo, but a much-changed unit – into a three-door Procee’d bodyshell.It’s the first turbocharged engine to be offered by Kia in the UK. This engine is available in aspirated form in the regular Procee’d, but the addition of the twin-scroll turbocharger has increased its power output by 51 per cent and torque by 61 per cent. It develops 201bhp at 6000rpm, and 195lb ft of torque between 1750rpm and 4500rpm.The suspension, steering, brakes and gearbox have all been reworked for more sporty dynamics, and there’s a host of ‘go-faster’ additions – splashes of colour and chrome, red stitching on the leather and the like – to add a sporty flavour to the hatchback.Two trim levels are offered – GT, as tested here, and GT Tech. Both are comparatively well equipped, as is Kia’s wont. GT Tech gets satnav among its many extra toys, but also pushes the price up to £22,495 compared to the lower-spec’s car sub-£20k tag.To mark Kia’s entry into the performance hatchback arena, there is also a limited-edition launch model called the GT 1st Edition, which adds an electric sunroof and some extra cosmetic tweaks. From a production run of 500, only 50 have been earmarked for the UK, priced at £23,995.
The Kia Procee'd GT middle-weight performance hatch blends everyday versatility with B-road thrills, all for a very reasonable price tag
The Kia Procee’d GT is the Korean manufacturer’s first entry into the performance hatch sector. Built at the company’s Zilina plant in Slovakia for the European market, the Procee’d GT is as another indication of Kia’s continuing ambitions.Having established a solid, dependable model range and successful brand image, the company is now trying to spread its wings, adding some spice and pizzazz to the mix.To create the Procee’d GT, Kia has dropped a turbocharged version of the ‘Gamma’ 1.6-litre direct-injection petrol engine – derived from the same block as the engine found in the Hyundai Veloster Turbo, but a much-changed unit – into a three-door Procee’d bodyshell.It’s the first turbocharged engine to be offered by Kia in the UK. This engine is available in aspirated form in the regular Procee’d, but the addition of the twin-scroll turbocharger has increased its power output by 51 per cent and torque by 61 per cent. It develops 201bhp at 6000rpm, and 195lb ft of torque between 1750rpm and 4500rpm.The suspension, steering, brakes and gearbox have all been reworked for more sporty dynamics, and there’s a host of ‘go-faster’ additions – splashes of colour and chrome, red stitching on the leather and the like – to add a sporty flavour to the hatchback.Two trim levels are offered – GT, as tested here, and GT Tech. Both are comparatively well equipped, as is Kia’s wont. GT Tech gets satnav among its many extra toys, but also pushes the price up to £22,495 compared to the lower-spec’s car sub-£20k tag.To mark Kia’s entry into the performance hatchback arena, there is also a limited-edition launch model called the GT 1st Edition, which adds an electric sunroof and some extra cosmetic tweaks. From a production run of 500, only 50 have been earmarked for the UK, priced at £23,995.