Tuesday 5th March 2013

Geneva Motor Show 2013: Kia

New Pro_cee'd GT sees Kia chasing the hot hatch establishment; Provo concept hints at next step

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Kia is bringing a couple of big debuts to Geneva, two products of which - the Cee'd and Pro_cee'd GT - you'll be able to buy soon and one - the Provo concept - hinting at things to come. Both are based around the same 204hp 1.6 GDI engine, direct-injected, twin-scroll turbocharged and packing 195lb ft.

Provo concept positively ripples with ambition

As hinted at in our earlier story the Pro_cee'd GT is, officially, 'warm' rather than 'hot' but will hit 0-62 in 7.7 seconds in its standard six-speed manual form whether you've got five or Pro_- prefixed three doors. 171g/km and 38.1mpg aren't quite up with the best but the GT is usefully quicker than the warmer Astras and Golfs and certainly looks the part of junior GTI chaser.

Given Kia doesn't have any hot hatch provenance it's probably best to start with realistic expectations and work up, a limited run of 500 Pro_cee'd GT 1st Edition nonetheless showing there's a degree of hype building going on. A 'handful' will make it to the UK, black 18-inch wheels, a smattering of red stitching, black mirror housings and a generous spec all part of the package.

The Provo, meanwhile, is a B-segment 'urban' hot-hatch hinted at in an earlier release that looks a bit like a drastically shortened Camaro with a funky orange roof.

Stunted Camaro looks over turbo-hybrid power

Based around the same 204hp 1.6 turbo engine, this time driving through Kia's first seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, the Provo also gets regeneratively charged electric motors driving the rear wheels. These can give you a 45hp boost or the option of a zero emissions 'creep' mode in traffic for, it says here, stealthy driving.

If the tech is believable the styling is pure motor show bluster but, hey, since when has that been a bad thing. It's a concept, right? Which is why the interior is, says design boss Gregory Guillaume, "black - very black" while combining such tactile materials as neoprene over carbon on the door skins with smatterings of aluminium around the place for good measure.

Interior is 'black, very black' says design boss

Good clean motor show fun, the Provo shows Kia's ambition is still burning strong and suggests that on all fronts - style, technology and market position - the Koreans are as keen as ever to push the European brands hard on all fronts.

[RedAndy]

I go weak kneed for big wheel arches. I actually like that concept thing. I'm really starting to like Kia. I even nearly bought a Soul but it was too pricey for my budget.

Put proper wheels and wing mirrors on it and i can't see anything that's immediately "wrong" with it.

And if they entered WRC with one and did a limited run homologation version with a tubby and 4wd...!

[Oz83]

Nice arse! Brilliant looking concept.

[chrisironside]

Kia seem to be going places - good on them.
I like the Provo concept... looks like Mini that's been given the Challenger/Camaro/Mustang treatment.

A friend at work said to me(with reference to the Peugeot Onyx and Citroen GT) some car companies should just stick to making "rubbish" cars, but I think don't bother with average ones, just start making the interesting ones!

[FreiWild]

The seats in the concept look great!

[Andy ap]

Funny how the established hot hatches now all look so Meh.
New kia's gt and concept though = Wow, for a modern car i actually want one.

Just wish anything modern now you could actually tell the difference between the bonnet and the windscreen from side on. Bloody pedestrians, natural selection i say.

[emicen]

Of all the manufacturers showing at SEMA last year, Ford certainly had the biggest stand, followed by Chevy.

But in terms of cars that were of interest from a European point of view, Kia and Hyundai were streaks ahead.

[LuS1fer]

Unattractive.

Are those football stadium lights in the bumper of the white car?

[suffolk009]

The love child of a BMW mini and a Camaro

[stephen300o]

Lovely looking concept, at this rate of progress Kia will be top of the tree soon.

[g3org3y]

chrisironside said:

Kia seem to be going places - good on them.

If I was Vauxhall etc I'd be getting rather worried.

[Ikobo]

Really like the look of the concept car, I would certainly be tempted if it went in to production.

[chunkymonkey71]

I dont think I'd drive a car named after the Provisional IRA.

[DanS]

concept is OK, not sure about the name though, it's a bit like calling it the Kia Jihadist.

[robinandcamera]

As far as I can see that concept is an amalgamation of the GTR roof and bonnet, lambo style front lip things, Juke rear quarter, clio side skirts/ lower doors. Have I missed anything?

It does look quite good though, although not original when you dissect it.

[Freakuk]

Kia could quite easily just churn out the usual cheap Asian rubbish we've seen for years and their market sector would reflect this, but they are breaking the mould and good on them they've produced good cars and offer a huge warranty... the competition should really start to take notice and up their game as I am sure they must be seeing so market share going the other way..

[loudlashadjuster]

The Article said:

the Provo concept

[soad]

Looks nicer than that Mini Coupe thing.

[Amirhussain]

Pro_cee'd (what a fking st name ) looks good, Provo (another st name) does not look good, IMO.

[stephen300o]

I thought Provo was just a made up word with a bit of onomatopoeia about it. Wasn't aware of any other usage of it.

[gjackson]

Looks nice but what is it bringing to the party:

Better heritage than the competition: No
Better performance: No
More Economical/ Efficient: No
Cheaper: Arguably not really, appears to be in the same ballpark as it's competition.

So why go out and buy the KIA over something else? Other than the this is 'Which?' not Pistonheads stance of a 7 year warranty.