RE: Next Kia Ceed GT to rival Golf GTI in 2019
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
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.
Discussion
Cromulentvolvo said:
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.
What proof of that do you have? Without proof it sounds like a dangerous theory to suggest.How do you know it can't rival a Golf Gti and how do you know that journalists have been paid? Would you care to name a few?
Edited by Johnspex on Thursday 30th August 22:00
Deep Thought said:
MG CHRIS said:
Kia have come on massively in 5 years or so their range of cars match anything that other manufactures offer and a 7 year warranty too what other manufacture will get anywhere near that.
+1Even the i30N with a 5 year warranty is very appealing.
Ive changed my mind on them since working at one of their main dealers pdi one of the new 5 door ceed and its a smart car so this could well be a step up.
Sion111R said:
Not sure where to start with the previous comment.
It’s true that Hyundai/Kia have paid a lot of money for top automotive engineers, designer, WRC entry etc. Their success comes from investment and product excellence.
Agreed. To claim otherwise is just ignorance. They've come so far because they've spared no expense - In two generations they've leapfrogged leading manufacturers.It’s true that Hyundai/Kia have paid a lot of money for top automotive engineers, designer, WRC entry etc. Their success comes from investment and product excellence.
Having owned a mk7 Golf GTI, and currently owning a 7.5 R, what a lot of non-owners fail to see is just how *complete* the Golf is. Compared even to the A3, the Golf is SIGNIFICANTLY better as a package. Everything has been thought about and there are no features that annoy the driver or make you think "Why did they do that?". It sounds madness when I type it, because I've never really liked VSs, but I ditched a W12 Bentley for the Golf and I could have bought pretty much any car for sale today. It's genuinely that good.
That's what the newcomers have to deal with, on top of excellent dynamics and true everyday usability. It's also the bit that an hour reviewing a car won't give you.
That's what the newcomers have to deal with, on top of excellent dynamics and true everyday usability. It's also the bit that an hour reviewing a car won't give you.
Baldchap said:
Having owned a mk7 Golf GTI, and currently owning a 7.5 R, what a lot of non-owners fail to see is just how *complete* the Golf is. Compared even to the A3, the Golf is SIGNIFICANTLY better as a package. Everything has been thought about and there are no features that annoy the driver or make you think "Why did they do that?". It sounds madness when I type it, because I've never really liked VSs, but I ditched a W12 Bentley for the Golf and I could have bought pretty much any car for sale today. It's genuinely that good.
That's what the newcomers have to deal with, on top of excellent dynamics and true everyday usability. It's also the bit that an hour reviewing a car won't give you.
Yeah, drove a Mk7, it is very, very good but I preferred the i30N based on driving that, granted the Golf may be better to live with day in day out but the Hyundai just seemed to be a bit more fun and had more poke, plus its something different, maybe some novelty value but I really think it will gain a strong following. Hyundai need to work onthe interior though, in isolation, its fine, but get from a Golf and it looks a bit plain, got to love those tartan seats.That's what the newcomers have to deal with, on top of excellent dynamics and true everyday usability. It's also the bit that an hour reviewing a car won't give you.
Funny how the GTI seems more desirable these days than the R, I cant really explain why though.
MG CHRIS said:
Deep Thought said:
MG CHRIS said:
Kia have come on massively in 5 years or so their range of cars match anything that other manufactures offer and a 7 year warranty too what other manufacture will get anywhere near that.
+1Even the i30N with a 5 year warranty is very appealing.
Ive changed my mind on them since working at one of their main dealers pdi one of the new 5 door ceed and its a smart car so this could well be a step up.
Cromulentvolvo said:
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.
VAG group would never do that of course.Competition in the hot hatch section is a good thing. It drops prices and makes manufacturers raise their game. Let's give it a chance.
Johnspex said:
What proof of that do you have? Without proof it sounds like a dangerous theory to suggest.
How do you know it can't rival a Golf Gti and how do you know that journalists have been paid? Would you care to name a few?
I would assume it's down to all the paid Hyundai (Kia's sister company) content on the site (most of them are marked "sponsored").How do you know it can't rival a Golf Gti and how do you know that journalists have been paid? Would you care to name a few?
Edited by Johnspex on Thursday 30th August 22:00
Once several articles about the car are marked sponsored, it does question the validity of the others.
The i30N certainly seems to do the job though. The looks aren't right for me, but it seems Hyundai are doing something right underneath.
framerateuk said:
Johnspex said:
What proof of that do you have? Without proof it sounds like a dangerous theory to suggest.
How do you know it can't rival a Golf Gti and how do you know that journalists have been paid? Would you care to name a few?
I would assume it's down to all the paid Hyundai (Kia's sister company) content on the site (most of them are marked "sponsored").How do you know it can't rival a Golf Gti and how do you know that journalists have been paid? Would you care to name a few?
Edited by Johnspex on Thursday 30th August 22:00
Once several articles about the car are marked sponsored, it does question the validity of the others.
The i30N certainly seems to do the job though. The looks aren't right for me, but it seems Hyundai are doing something right underneath.
My perception was initially it was being hailed as the new hot hatch king, but that seems to have fallen away a bit and i see it now being described as a "good first effort", but ultimately falling short of the very best.
How much of that would have been down to initial "sponsoring" i dont know.
Deep Thought said:
framerateuk said:
Johnspex said:
What proof of that do you have? Without proof it sounds like a dangerous theory to suggest.
How do you know it can't rival a Golf Gti and how do you know that journalists have been paid? Would you care to name a few?
I would assume it's down to all the paid Hyundai (Kia's sister company) content on the site (most of them are marked "sponsored").How do you know it can't rival a Golf Gti and how do you know that journalists have been paid? Would you care to name a few?
Edited by Johnspex on Thursday 30th August 22:00
Once several articles about the car are marked sponsored, it does question the validity of the others.
The i30N certainly seems to do the job though. The looks aren't right for me, but it seems Hyundai are doing something right underneath.
My perception was initially it was being hailed as the new hot hatch king, but that seems to have fallen away a bit and i see it now being described as a "good first effort", but ultimately falling short of the very best.
How much of that would have been down to initial "sponsoring" i dont know.
More power - Check
Red bits - Check
Bigger Wheels - Check
Lower Suspension - Check
Sporty Seats - Check
And end up missing the point entirely with a complete Dogs Dinner, Nissan Cherry GTI springs to mind, I had a Montego GTI, that litterally was just a badge on a normal Montego with a 2 litre engine, plenty more howlers in hot hatch history,
But the Hyundai really impressed me, from the outset it was clear it was no lash up and way better than a good first effort, felt more raw and entertaining than the Golf, bit more of a Yobbo, the Golf straddles the line between normal everyday Golf and hot hatch better, would say the Hyundai is a bit more towards the enthusiast.
Then bought an M135i, which I dont think is entertaining as the i30N, possibly as its an auto, its faster but the Hyundai was more fun, I think I like my hatches manual and FWD, I dont get the RWD is king thing, not sure it is in hot hatches, I like a bit of torque steer and being pulled out of corners, RWD in a hot hatch is a bit like getting a roast chicken dinner and someone not using Sage and Onion stuffing, but they have used Lemon and Herb instead, its alright but not what you were expecting in that context, though I was obviously aware of the fact when i bought it, the M135i just isnt really a hot hatch, int he traditional mould to me where the I30N deifnitely felt like the real deal,
J4CKO said:
Deep Thought said:
framerateuk said:
Johnspex said:
What proof of that do you have? Without proof it sounds like a dangerous theory to suggest.
How do you know it can't rival a Golf Gti and how do you know that journalists have been paid? Would you care to name a few?
I would assume it's down to all the paid Hyundai (Kia's sister company) content on the site (most of them are marked "sponsored").How do you know it can't rival a Golf Gti and how do you know that journalists have been paid? Would you care to name a few?
Edited by Johnspex on Thursday 30th August 22:00
Once several articles about the car are marked sponsored, it does question the validity of the others.
The i30N certainly seems to do the job though. The looks aren't right for me, but it seems Hyundai are doing something right underneath.
My perception was initially it was being hailed as the new hot hatch king, but that seems to have fallen away a bit and i see it now being described as a "good first effort", but ultimately falling short of the very best.
How much of that would have been down to initial "sponsoring" i dont know.
More power - Check
Red bits - Check
Bigger Wheels - Check
Lower Suspension - Check
Sporty Seats - Check
And end up missing the point entirely with a complete Dogs Dinner, Nissan Cherry GTI springs to mind, I had a Montego GTI, that litterally was just a badge on a normal Montego with a 2 litre engine, plenty more howlers in hot hatch history,
But the Hyundai really impressed me, from the outset it was clear it was no lash up and way better than a good first effort, felt more raw and entertaining than the Golf, bit more of a Yobbo, the Golf straddles the line between normal everyday Golf and hot hatch better, would say the Hyundai is a bit more towards the enthusiast.
Then bought an M135i, which I dont think is entertaining as the i30N, possibly as its an auto, its faster but the Hyundai was more fun, I think I like my hatches manual and FWD, I dont get the RWD is king thing, not sure it is in hot hatches, I like a bit of torque steer and being pulled out of corners, RWD in a hot hatch is a bit like getting a roast chicken dinner and someone not using Sage and Onion stuffing, but they have used Lemon and Herb instead, its alright but not what you were expecting in that context, though I was obviously aware of the fact when i bought it, the M135i just isnt really a hot hatch, int he traditional mould to me where the I30N deifnitely felt like the real deal,
My mad uncle always said that Ford only got good reviews because of advertising spending conveniently forgetting BMC, Vauxhall, Rootes and so on also paid for advertising.
Edited by Johnspex on Friday 31st August 14:42
pb8g09 said:
J4CKO said:
Funny how the GTI seems more desirable these days than the R, I cant really explain why though.
+1 I suspect it may be a generation/nostalgia thing for the GTi perhaps?
and what an idiotic post further up...Kia and Hyundai are on a roll...the I-30N should be proof that the next C'eed GT will be a contender.
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