The Kia cee'd family has become the first range to be fitted with the company's advanced new powertrains.
These bring reductions of up to 25 per cent in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. There are three new turbocharged engines - two petrol units and one diesel - plus a seven-speed double-clutch (7-DCT) automatic transmission for use in conjunction with the new diesel.
The two new petrol engines are the 1.0-litre, three-cylinder, direct-injection T-GDi (ecoTurbo) units, delivering 98 or 118bhp, for the cee'd and pro_cee'd, while the Sportswagon is available with the higher-powered unit. Both develop 172Nm of torque over a wide range from 1,500rpm to 4,000rpm.
They are 998cc engines developed to require 10 to 15 per cent less fuel than the 1.4-litre multi-point injection or 1.6-litre GDi petrol direct-injection units in other versions of the cee'd family, with similar reductions in emissions. Depending on model, fuel economy is up to 57.6mpg, with CO2 emissions as low as 113g/km.
The lesser-powered version accelerates the cee'd and pro_ceed from 0-60mph in under 12.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 114mph. The high-power unit reduces the 0-60 time by two seconds and raises the maximum speed by 4mph, depending on body variant.
The ecoTurbo engines feature an integrated exhaust manifold which reduces exhaust gas temperatures, bringing the benefits of higher speeds with greater fuel efficiency. Lower temperatures also result in cleaner emissions by allowing the catalytic converter to operate more effectively says Kia.
All three cee'd body styles are also available with a new 1.6-litre CRDi turbodiesel engine. This has increased power - up from 126 to 134bhp - with greater torque of 280Nm in manual versions and 300Nm with the new 7-DCT gearbox. CO2 emissions now start at 94g/km, while kia says fuel economy can be as high as 78.5mpg, depending on wheel and tyre combination.
When the CRDi engine is paired with the 7-DCT gearbox, compared with the previous model with a conventional six-speed automatic transmission, emissions fall by almost 25 per cent, from 145g/km to 109, with fuel economy of 67.3mpg. The 0-60mph acceleration times and top speeds for the cee'd and pro_cee'd are 9.5 seconds and 114mph with the manual gearbox, and 9.8 seconds and 122mph with the automatic.
The 7-speed DCT gearbox offers the 'smoothness and comfort of an automatic with the sportiness of a manual' when the driver wishes to take control of gear changes. One clutch operates the odd-numbered gears and the other the even-numbered ratios, ensuring that the transmission is always primed for a 'rapid' shift with minimal torque interruption.
For those who want the sporty styling and trim of the GT models, but with lower fuel, insurance and taxation costs, there is a new GT-Line trim package available with all three body styles and is powered by the higher-powered 1.0-litre T-GDi petrol engine and with the new 1.6-litre CRDi diesel.
GT-Line models are distinguished by a deep front bumper flanked by ice cube-style LED daytime running lights. These are housed in black high-gloss panels along with the foglights and daytime running lights. There is a unique black lower grille and a black high-gloss mesh main grille with a graphite chrome surround. This is complemented by an equally sporty rear bumper with a deeply recessed number-plate housing and dual exhausts, or twin tailpipes on the Sportswagon. The number plate and rear foglights are encased in high-gloss black panels. The rear lamps are full LED units. At the sides there are sill extensions (not Sportswagon) and bespoke five-double-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels and there is a 'GT-Line' identifier at the rear.
In the cabin, GT-Line models feature black cross-stitch upholstery with grey inserts. The driver and front passenger seats have power lumbar adjustment. There is a sporty leather steering wheel with a perforated grip, and silver stitching, which is replicated on the gear shifter, back door centre trim and seats along with alloy pedals with rubber grip inserts and faux black leather door inserts. The navigation centre in the fascia console has a matt black finish and there is a high-gloss black console tray, air vent surrounds and door trims.
First deliveries of the new cee'd family will be arriving in UK dealerships on October 1, priced from £14,905 (cee'd), £15,250 (pro_cee'd) and £16,750 (Sportswagon). The pro_cee'd GT is priced at £23,105 and the cee'd GT at £23,605 with the GT-Line starts at £20,220 for the 1.0 T-GDi (118bhp) cee'd.