Kia classic gets sporty upgrade

KIA is to introduce a sporty version of its Ceed family model, plus an electrifying version of its Niro crossover.

The Ceed GT-Line takes design cues from the higher-powered Ceed GT model announced earlier this month and will arrive here next spring.

The new GT-Line trim and equipment levels will be available on all models including the fivedoor hatchback and Sportswagon.

The GT-Line will be offered with a choice of 1.0-litre and 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engines, or a 1.6litre diesel.

Externally the GT-Line gets a satin chrome and gloss black tiger-nose grille surround, distinctive 17-inch or 18-inch alloy wheels, plus new front and rear bumpers.

The fog lamp surround incorporates horizontal metallic blades similar to those found on the new GT models and the Kia Stinger.

Inside, GT-Line models replace the grey roof lining with black cloth, and the door sills gain metallic scuff plates. There is a sporty D-shaped steering wheel as standard, and for models equipped with Kia’s doubleclutch transmission drivers can change gear with metallic steering wheel paddles.

There are new sports front seats with larger side bolsters, trimmed in black cloth and light grey synthetic leather. Models trimmed in full leather upholstery will be offered with heated and ventilated front seats and heated rear seats.

The three-cylinder 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine produces 120bhp, whilst the 1.4-litre unit lifts power to 140bhp with a significant rise in pulling power to 240Nm.

The 1.6-litre diesel engine has power outputs of 115bhp or 135bhp. Each engine is paired with a sixspeed manual transmission, while 1.4-litre petrol turbo and 1.6-litre diesel engines are optionally offered with a seven-speed double-clutch transmission.

Standard equipment includes either a seven-inch touchscreen audio system or eight-inch touchscreen satellite navigation system with navigation and Kia Connected Services powered by TomTom. This system enables full smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Standard technologies include Bluetooth smartphone integration with voice recognition, automatic lights and keyless entry, and a JBL Premium sound system with Clari-Fi music restoration technology. Also on offer are a heated windscreen, wireless smartphone charger, heated and ventilated front seats, plus heated rear seats.

In addition to half a dozen airbags, there is High Beam Assist, Driver Attention Warning, plus Lane Keeping Assist with Forward Collision Avoidance Assist.

Kia is also to finally introduce the new e-Niro, which is its first fully electric crossover utility vehicle, with a range of 300 miles.

It will be equipped with a highcapacity 64 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack producing zero onroad CO2 emissions.

The battery pack is paired with a 150 kW 200bhp motor, producing 395Nm of pulling power, enabling the e-Niro to accelerate to 60mph in 7.8 seconds.

Alternatively there will be a cheaper 39.2 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack, with a range of up to 190 miles. Plugged into a 100 kW fast charger, it takes about 40 minutes to recharge the e-Niro’s battery from 20% to 80%.

The battery pack is matched to a 100 kW 135bhp motor, also producing 395 Nm torque, and accelerating to 60mph in 9.8 seconds. Like the Niro Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid variants, the new electric model is front-wheel drive.

The full UK specification, pricing and on-sale date will be announced soon.

Last year the Niro notched up 33,000 European sales, rising to more than 30,000 so far this year, making it one of Kia’s best-selling models. Annual sales of electric vehicles across Europe are expected to reach 200,000 this year, rising to about one million by the end of 2022.