Australia's Easy Reading New Car News Home | News | Road Tests Kia pro_cee’d GT arrives Home > News > Kia Recent new car releases ..... here Upcoming new car releases ..... here 2nd April, 2014 It’s here at last. Possibly the most eagerly anticipated new model in Kia’s history, the exciting three-door pro_cee’d GT, is now on sale. For five years Kia has been pursuing a design-led revolution which has transformed its image, public perception and sales performance. With the arrival of the pro_cee’d GT, Kia is adding real excitement to the mix. Since the pro_cee’d GT made its public debut at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, performance-minded drivers have been keen to get their hands on Kia’s most overtly sporting model. Powered by a turbocharged version of the ‘Gamma’ 1.6-litre direct-injection petrol engine, the pro_cee’d GT guarantees engaging performance for a sports coupe designed not to be the most powerful in class but with everyday usability and civility in mind. It can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 7.7 seconds. Re-tuned suspension, optimised by Kia Australia’s ride and handling team to provide the best possible match of driver expectation and Australian road conditions, ensures that the pro_cee’d GT is more than capable of handling its impressive power and torque outputs – increased damper rebound and compression rates, stiffer springs and bushes and a larger rear anti-roll bar are joined by stylish 18-inch alloy wheels shod with Michelin Pilot Sport 3 tyres. The steering has been tuned for a more direct and sporting feel and the brakes are the largest of any fitted to the cee’d range. Two trim lines – ‘GT’ and ‘GT Tech’ – are being offered, both extensively equipped in typical Kia fashion. T-GDi – turbocharging and direct injection The pro_cee’d GT is powered by a new turbocharged version of Kia’s 1.6-litre ‘Gamma’ engine, developing 150kW and 265Nm of torque. It is the second turbocharged petrol engine to be offered by Kia in Australia, following the recent introduction of the Cerato Koup Turbo. A normally aspirated version of the direct-injection ‘Gamma’ engine is already in use in the Kia world but the addition of an exhaust-driven turbocharger raises its power output by 51 per cent and the amount of torque it develops by 61 per cent for truly extra performance. The T-GDi (Turbocharged Gasoline Direct injection) engine develops its 150kW at 6,000rpm, but what really gives the GT its instantaneous response and rapid acceleration is the 265Nm of torque available without interruption from 1,750rpm to 4,500rpm. More than 80 per cent of maximum torque is available from less than 1,500rpm. Performance benefits from the integration of the twin-scroll turbocharger into the exhaust manifold, a design which improves responsiveness – eliminating the ‘turbo lag’ between the driver pressing the accelerator and the turbocharger building up boost pressure – while simultaneously improving gas flow and reducing heat losses for maximum efficiency. The GT may be first and foremost an engaging car, but it also contributes towards Kia’s goal of improving its fleet’s average environmental credentials thanks to the combination of small engine capacity, direct fuel injection and exhaust-driven turbocharging. The GT’s combined fuel consumption is 7.4 L/100km, while CO2 emissions are 171g/km. The engine drives through a slick-shifting six-speed manual transmission featuring revised ratios and a lower final drive to allow the GT to make the most of its torque with minimal fuel consumption. Dressed to thrill: GT gets a unique look inside and out For the GT, the already sporty and athletic lines of the pro_cee’d have been layered with visually exciting additions at the front, rear and sides. The unique front-end treatment introduces a lower, broader bumper and air dam and a wide central lower air intake to supply additional cooling air to the high-performance turbocharged engine, underscored by a red trim line which emphasises the wide and sporty track. This is flanked on either side by high-gloss black inserts housing the GT’s unique ‘ice-cube’ LED daytime running lamps and foglights. The high-gloss black theme is continued on the graphite chrome-framed main radiator grille – with Kia’s family ‘tiger-nose’ outline. The grille includes a ‘GT’ badge on the black high-gloss mesh. From the rear, the broad stance of the pro_cee’d is evident in its bold 'shoulders' and steeply angled tailgate glass, but for the GT this is further emphasised by a diffuser section in the lower edge of the rear bumper, separating the dual sports exhaust outlets. The rear number plate is framed in high-gloss black and straddled by a vertical reversing light, fog lamp and reflectors, while the combination lamp units are LEDs which give the car a unique signature at night, or when braking. There is a ‘GT’ badge on the tailgate. The already sporty side profile of the pro_cee’d is given even greater sense of purpose by bold side sill mouldings and special graphite grey ground-effect 18-inch alloy wheels tightly encased by the bodywork. Red brake callipers front and rear are a clear sign of the GT’s sporty credentials, while the quality of the car is emphasised by a chrome strip running around the side windows, and the folding mirrors with LED indicator lights and puddle lamps. The performance-oriented exterior design is echoed inside the all-black five-seat cabin. The driver and front passenger are gripped by Recaro sports seats – for the first time in a Kia – adorned with ‘GT’ and ‘Recaro’ logos. Power-adjustable lumbar support is fitted to both front seats. The upholstery is part leather and part suede, and there is red contrast stitching on the seats, steering wheel, gear shifter and door trims. The leather steering wheel also features perforated grip areas and an overstitched ‘GT’ logo, and there are alloy sports pedals with non-slip rubber inserts. High-gloss black features on the air vent surrounds, front console tray and door trims add a premium flourish which is echoed in the alloy kick plates on the door sills. Kia’s familiar three-dial sporty instrument lay-out is enhanced by a TFT LCD multi-function high-definition display which allows the driver to switch between analogue-type or GT performance digital information. The latter shows the car’s speed, engine torque, turbo boost pressure and engine coolant temperature as well as important trip information. A ‘GT’ button on the steering wheel allows the driver to change the display without taking a hand off the wheel. Self-Catering Holiday Accommodation in Denmark, WA ..... more Two trim lines Two extensively equipped variants of the pro_cee’d GT – the ‘GT’ and ‘GT Tech’ – are available at launch. The ‘GT’ is the entry-level version yet it comes with anything other than a base-level specification. The exterior benefits from a number of unique styling touches including new front and rear bumper designs, side sill mouldings, dual exhausts, ‘ice-cube’ LED daytime running lights and 18-inch graphite grey ground-effect alloy wheels with red brake callipers. On the inside the ‘GT’ receives Recaro seats finished in leather and suede, and with power lumbar adjustment, with red stitching that is also applied to the leather steering wheel and gear knob, a black headlining and several gloss black trim items. Providing driver comfort and convenience are a host of standard items, including dual-zone climate control air conditioning, cruise control and speed limiter, automatic lights, cornering lights, reversing sensors, Bluetooth phone connectivity with music streaming, a six speaker radio/CD player with iPod connectivity, a unique ‘GT’ TFT LCD dash binnacle display, electric windows, electrically operated and heated folding mirrors with puddle lights. The comprehensive safety specification includes Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Vehicle Stability Management (VSM), Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), anti-lock brakes (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BAS), six airbags, seat-belt reminder, impact-sensing door unlocking and three child seat anchors plus two ISOFIX child-seat mounting. The ‘GT Tech’ adds a panoramic sunroof, smart key with push button start and door handle lighting, active HID headlamps with washer, privacy glass and luggage net. Warranty and servicing The pro_cee’d GT, like every Kia, comes with a 5-year, unlimited kilometre warranty, all the benefits of Kia Connect and capped-price servicing. The pro_cee’d GT is made at the company’s Žilina plant in Slovakia. Australia is the only market outside Europe to have access to the pro_cee’d GT. A quick guide to the GT’s distinguishing features Technical High-performance 1.6T-GDi turbocharged engine with 150kW and 265Nm Power up by 51 per cent and torque by 61 per cent versus 1.6 GDi Six-speed manual gearbox with revised ratios and final drive Exhaust system tuned to deliver sporting sound Sharper handling from retuned suspension whilst maintaining everyday comfort Increased damper rebound and compression rates Stiffer springs and bushes Thicker rear anti-roll bar Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) Michelin Pilot Sport 3 225/40ZR18 92Y tyres Development work undertaken at the Nürburgring Nordschleife in Germany Exterior Unique front and rear bumpers Large lower front grille underlined with red trim strip Enlarged side sill mouldings ‘Ice-cube’ LED daytime running lamps ‘GT’ badging – on boot and set into high-gloss black tiger-nose front grille Full chrome side window surrounds Electrically folding mirrors with LED indicator lights and puddle lamps Unique graphite grey ground-effect 18-inch alloy wheels and red brake callipers Diffuser incorporated in rear bumper along with high-gloss black inserts Dual sports exhaust pipes LED signature tail lights Choice of four colours – Track Red, Machine Silver (Premium paint), Deluxe White (Premium) and Black Pearl (Premium). Interior First Kia with Recaro front sports seats. Part leather and suede upholstery and with power lumbar adjustment Perforated grip areas and overstitched ‘GT’ logo on leather steering wheel Red stitching on leather steering wheel, seats, gearshifter and door centre trims Alloy sports pedals with non-slip rubber inserts and door sill scuff panels Black centre fascia with high-gloss black air vent surrounds, front console tray garnish and door trim TFT LCD multi-function display with unique ‘GT Performance Mode’ consisting of digital speedometer, turbo, torque output and engine coolant temperature gauges and important trip information ‘GT’ button on steering wheel to switch between analogue-effect and GT performance instrument displays Reversing camera PRICE* Kia pro_cee’d GT $29,990* Kia pro_cee’d GT Tech $33,490* Premium paint $595* NOTE: * Manufacturer's List Price (MLP) excludes dealer delivery fees and the numerous statutory charges (commonly known as on-road costs). Additionally, please note that all prices, fees and charges are subject to change without notice, as are the specifications. E&OE. Hear Chris Goodsell Talk Motoring On Radio & Internet ..... more More Kia News ..... here Top of page About | Car Clubs | Home | News | Road Ramblings | Road Tests | Subscribe | Top Drive ©   2014   All rights reserved.   Next Car Pty. Ltd.