Thursday 30th August 2018

Next Kia Ceed GT to rival Golf GTI in 2019

The hottest version of Kia's five-door hatchback will get a softer persona compared to its sibling, the i30 N

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The first customer examples of the new Kia Ceed have taken to UK roads this month, so naturally, conversation at PH HQ has turned to what we can expect from the fast version. We’ve made a few predictions so far: first off, a broad-batted remit to go up against cars like the Volkswagen Golf GTI and, as part of that, a power output comfortably exceeding 200hp. But one key question has remained unanswered – will it get the turbocharged 2.0-litre engine from the Hyundai i30 N?

You might assume it would because the i30 range uses the same J6 platform as the latest Ceed line-up, so it’d be easy for Kia to essentially develop its own version of Hyundai’s first N model. This is, of course, a tactic employed by other brands under the umbrella of a group, such as Volkswagen and Seat, who make hot models under their own badges with lots of shared hardware - see Golf GTI and Leon Cupra.

But PistonHeads has now learned that isn’t how Hyundai and Kia plan to go about things with their performance models. Hyundai’s N brand will exclusively remain the hot division of the whole group, meaning the i30 N (like the one on our fleet) will be unique and retain a clear space to the Kia Ceed GT. As such, we reckon the next Ceed GT will follow its predecessor and use a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine. Boo.

Nevertheless, power will be up to keep up with the pack. An output of around 210hp seems likely, ranking the Ceed GT close to the Golf GTI but leaving plenty of breathing space to the base-level i30 N, which has 250hp. Underneath the car will also be a considerably more forgiving suspension setup than the Hyundai, although an insider told PistonHeads the Ceed GT will be engineered to entertain enthusiastic drivers.

Kia and Hyundai’s high performance boss Albert Biermann will head development of the car’s chassis, so a little bit of the i30 N’s playfulness is likely to work its way into the hot Ceed GT. But there’ll be no N mode-like harshness or racy exhaust pops and crackles. Instead, we can expect a rounded hot hatch that is more concerned with effortlessly covering ground while offering good economy and a mature ride. Something to attract the attention of buyers away from the longstanding champ of this class, that pesky (and consistently impressive) Golf GTI.

We’ll know more closer to the car’s launch date, but for now, it looks like we could soon be graced with another PH-worthy Kia that comes ready to take on the establishment. Happy days.

[Cromulentvolvo]

Sad that these manufacturers can create a brand to rival a Golf GTi in a couple of years just by paying journalists to praise the product. Huge marketing budget obviously.