RE: Paris 2012: the hot Kia Pro_Cee'd
Discussion
kambites said:
Dave Hedgehog said:
since the current golf gti with a few options can set you back 35k even if they charge 20k it will be a bargain
True. I don't think there are a huge number of individual options with the Kia, partly because they come reasonably well equipped as standard in the top spec models and partly because some of the more poncey features just aren't available. The seven year warranty is worth a fair bit, too.
I've driven a couple of bog standard Cee'ds as hire cars, and they have been a pleasant surprise. Even as a humble 1600 diesel, it's a perfectly pleasant runabout that drives very nicely indeed. The ride quality on the early one I drove was awful, but the later model is a big improvements.
I could certainly see a hot version working. Nothing wrong whatsoever with the basic ingredients on this car, and generally the best hot hatches are based on something that's decent to drive in standard form. The 7 year warranty is also comforting, not so much in terms of the cover itself, but the fact that the manufacturer must have a decent amount of confidence in the product to offer it.
Also if the pics are any indication, it's going to be quite a looker.
As someone who works for a big Korean corporation (not automotive), I would say never, ever underestimate the Koreans. If they are set a target to do something, they will do it come hell or high water, throwing seemingly unlimited resources at it until they achieve it.
I could certainly see a hot version working. Nothing wrong whatsoever with the basic ingredients on this car, and generally the best hot hatches are based on something that's decent to drive in standard form. The 7 year warranty is also comforting, not so much in terms of the cover itself, but the fact that the manufacturer must have a decent amount of confidence in the product to offer it.
Also if the pics are any indication, it's going to be quite a looker.
As someone who works for a big Korean corporation (not automotive), I would say never, ever underestimate the Koreans. If they are set a target to do something, they will do it come hell or high water, throwing seemingly unlimited resources at it until they achieve it.
Edited by Limpet on Friday 28th September 11:34
Really like the look of that, perhaps a little too SEAT or Fiat at the rear end but it's prety good in the main. A hot Kia has been needed for them to elevate the brand for a while. UIf tey price this right then they will potentially give the established boys one hell of a (well deserved) scare.
Dave Hedgehog said:
indeed, long warranties seam to be a lot more important to people, are people keeping cars longer or does it make them easier to sell?
I think it's more that people think (probably quite correctly) that a long warranty shows the manufacturer has faith in their product. kambites said:
Guvernator said:
That actually looks pretty decent. If they price it right at around £16k then it will sell like hotcakes.
I suspect it'll be a little more than that, since the current top-spec 1.6 diesel already costs 16k. I'd imagine something like 18k?Given that the most powerful Pro Cee'd is a diesel at £19k (without savings discount), I'd say it will be fairly likely it would be sitting at £20-21k. Any higher and you're looking at Mazda3 MPS money.
Garlick said:
Kia will be the new mainstream choice very soon, and rightly so.
Agreed. Complacent mainstream hot hatch makers need a wake up call....although it may be too late. This will be blatant VFM with warranties and competitive pricing.Will also be a future tuning car, which as we know, does everything for a car's kudos. Japanese high performance cars have done nothing but thrive on tuning potential and streed cred.
Easily accessible performance motoring.
Crow555 said:
Current Pro Ceed prices
Given that the most powerful Pro Cee'd is a diesel at £19k (without savings discount), I'd say it will be fairly likely it would be sitting at £20-21k. Any higher and you're looking at Mazda3 MPS money.
Why do they give such a high list and a big discount? Is it to look good on the resale values because it certainly doesn't help on the BIK car tax bill.Given that the most powerful Pro Cee'd is a diesel at £19k (without savings discount), I'd say it will be fairly likely it would be sitting at £20-21k. Any higher and you're looking at Mazda3 MPS money.
Guvernator said:
Had no idea Kia's were so expensive! Not sure it will do so well at £20k+ as that will put it in competition with some of the more established hot hatches.
Me either, until I went looking to see what the likely prices were. Ok, there might be other offers on and heavy discounts for haggling, especially when the likes of the new Clio RS or the Corsa VXR can be had for that money, even though I imagine they are a tad smaller in body size.Kia ... the frugal mans Skoda alternative?
Love the look of that car ... in fact their whole range looks excllent, esp that 4x4!
Badge snobs will still be happy to pay the premium for a golf, only because they would think having a kia on their drive would lessen their status.
Rather have the kia - and a patek philipe on my wrist
Love the look of that car ... in fact their whole range looks excllent, esp that 4x4!
Badge snobs will still be happy to pay the premium for a golf, only because they would think having a kia on their drive would lessen their status.
Rather have the kia - and a patek philipe on my wrist
Good 'Korea' move here.
Might even find the 'pro-ceeds' from my pocket when it arrives - if it lives up to what looks to be a quick Kia.
But only, and most importantly, 'IF' the price is right ie: much lower than the competition.
If it is, could be a winner. If price is too close to the competition, not a hope.
Might even find the 'pro-ceeds' from my pocket when it arrives - if it lives up to what looks to be a quick Kia.
But only, and most importantly, 'IF' the price is right ie: much lower than the competition.
If it is, could be a winner. If price is too close to the competition, not a hope.
CDP said:
Crow555 said:
Current Pro Ceed prices
Given that the most powerful Pro Cee'd is a diesel at £19k (without savings discount), I'd say it will be fairly likely it would be sitting at £20-21k. Any higher and you're looking at Mazda3 MPS money.
Why do they give such a high list and a big discount? Is it to look good on the resale values because it certainly doesn't help on the BIK car tax bill.Given that the most powerful Pro Cee'd is a diesel at £19k (without savings discount), I'd say it will be fairly likely it would be sitting at £20-21k. Any higher and you're looking at Mazda3 MPS money.
F1GTRUeno said:
How fking big are those front lights?
Or indeed anything on the front.
Why do manufacturers design cars like this nowadays?
to aesthetically offset the front crash legislation and the predominantly huge front overhangs.Or indeed anything on the front.
Why do manufacturers design cars like this nowadays?
I don't mind too much as long as it looks good, whcih in this case it does...
I think the Citroen DS5 has tried the hardest to get the A pillar to meet the headlights, with their chrome blade thing...also love that car ...
That is a genuinely good-looking car. Well done to Kia.
And if they're offering that warranty, reliability must be sorted.
So, the big question is - dynamically and in terms of how the engine performs/feels/sounds - how do they "go"? Because if it's good - Peugeot and Seat's mid-range offerings are f##ked.
And if they're offering that warranty, reliability must be sorted.
So, the big question is - dynamically and in terms of how the engine performs/feels/sounds - how do they "go"? Because if it's good - Peugeot and Seat's mid-range offerings are f##ked.
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