If you’ve been monitoring the news in the automotive world lately, you will probably be aware of the fact that Kia is completing work on its first hot hatch to take on the likes of the VW Golf GTI – at least in theory – in Europe.
In addition to our own scoops, Kia has offered us teaser sketches and preliminary specifications on the GT variant of the five-door Cee’d and the three-door Pro_Cee’d.
As it turns out, though, Kia has done much more than that as we were tipped off about a video shot earlier this month in which a one Vadim Ovsiankin has not only filmed a prototype of the Pro_Cee’d GT inside and out, but he also took it for a spin on the road, where we see the sport hatch hitting speeds of up to 180km/h (112mph) on public roads.
Kia’s two new GT models are powered by a new version of the brand’s 1.6-litre GDI (Gasoline Direct Injection) petrol engine fitted with a twin-scroll turbocharger and strengthened internal components. Maximum output is 204PS (201bhp), up 51 per cent over the non-turbo engine, with torque up 61 per cent to 265 Nm (195 lb/ft).
A six-speed manual gearbox drives the front wheels, with Kia quoting an official 0 to 62 mph (100km/h) acceleration time of 7.9 seconds, which falls short of, if not all, most competing models in the segment, including the soon-to-be replaced 207hp (210PS) Golf GTI Mk6’s 6.9 second run (the 265hp Megane RS, 250hp Focus ST and 276hp Astra OPC are all much more powerful and faster).
The new Kia GT models will be released at the Geneva Motor Show in March of 2013 and go on sale in Europe later in the summer.
Thanks to Mikhail for the tip!
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