Seeking to increase its share in the increasingly significant European SUV and crossover market, Kia is preparing a kind of revolution in what is its most representative model in the “old continent” – the Cee’d. More precisely, introducing a compact SUV into the Cee’d range, to position between the Stonic and the Sportage.
The news, advanced by British Autocar, highlights that the future model, which will integrate many of the design solutions already known from other Kia models, will seek to compete with rivals such as the Nissan Qashqai or the Seat Ateca. This, at the same time that it will gain prominence within the Cee’d family itself.
As for engines, the future SUV Cee’d should share the same range of engines that will be available in other variants.
Proceed instead of pro_cee’d
The new SUV of the Cee’d family won't just be the only new addition to the new generation of the familiar South Korean compact, as it will also bring with it a new Shooting Brake bodywork . The latter, aimed at the top of the range.
Inspired, it seems, by the stunning Proceed Concept prototype unveiled in Frankfurt last September, this new bodywork will feature five doors, taking the place of the previous three-door bodywork, the pro_cee'd — in Portugal, cee'd SCoupe. Its addition could also be understood as a direct response to the Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake.
However, compared to the German car, the South Korean proposal will certainly cost a lot less, also because it will have to be offered, in an entry-level version, with a smaller supercharged three-cylinder. This, in addition to a renovated and better quality interior, which he will share with the other brothers.
Hatchback with only five doors and accompanied by a Sportswagon
As for the hatchback, it will be available, in this third generation, only in the five-door variant. Although the number of ports on all future Cee’d variants will never be less than five, a GT version is still to be expected. But, according to Albert Biermann, don't expect a version of the Hyundai i30 N type — Kia's GTs will have a more rugged focus.
But if a Shooting Brake looks like a settled point, a more traditional van, such as Sportswagon, will also be in Kia's considerations, guarantees Autocar. From the outset, to privilege the capacity of the luggage compartment, something that the most stylish Shooting Brake will certainly not be able to guarantee.
2018 is the year of news
Finally, in terms of the presentation of the different variants, the British magazine advances that both the five-door hatchback, as the SW, should be the first to appear, as early as 2018. While the SUV and Shooting Brake, they will arrive later, towards the end of the year.