Combining practicality with stunning looks the Proceed shooting brake. What a lovely looking car and a seriously good drive. For those who want the versatility of an SUV but want to be a bit different from everyone else on the road, the Proceed os the car for you.
INTRODUCTION
The Kia ProCeed merges stunning design with the space and versatility of a tourer in a five-door shooting brake body. Carrying the name over from the second-generation pro_cee’d three-door coupé, the Kia ProCeed has been designed, developed and engineered in Europe. A product of Kia’s European design, product development and R&D teams in Frankfurt, Germany, the ProCeed will be manufactured at the brand’s Žilina production facility in Slovakia. It will be built alongside the Kia Ceed and Ceed Sportswagon, introduced last year.
Matching the daring design and engineering which renders it the sportiest iteration of the All-new Ceed model family, the ProCeed will be available exclusively as ‘GT-Line’, ‘GT-Line S’ or high-performance ‘GT’ model.
As part of an expanded Ceed model family, the ProCeed will play a significant role in Kia’s ongoing European growth. More than 1.3 million examples of the Ceed family have been sold in Europe since 2006, making it one of the best-selling models alongside the Sportage. The ProCeed widens the appeal of the Ceed range even further.
DESIGN AND PACKAGING
The Kia ProCeed encapsulates the spirit and athleticism of the second-generation Kia pro_cee’d hatchback. A shooting brake by design, the ProCeed presents an alternative to the traditional three-door hatchback and marries its imposing proportions with a compact footprint that hints at its outright agility. With the DNA of a coupé, the ProCeed is lower and longer than both the Ceed five-door hatchback and Sportswagon. Yet, it combines its striking visual presence with a dash of versatility, giving it a unique raked-back silhouette unlike anything in the family car segment.
The ProCeed takes the Ceed model family in a bold new direction. Where the Ceed Sportswagon majors on practicality, the ProCeed provides couples or young families with the space and versatility of a wagon, combined with an emotive, swept-back design. Where focusing on one of these normally compromises the other, the ProCeed is the first car in the mainstream segment to combine both.
The Kia ProCeed has been designed at Kia’s European design centre in Frankfurt, Germany, under the direction of Gregory Guillaume, VP Design, Kia Motors Europe and Peter Schreyer, President & Head of Design Management, Hyundai Motor Group.
Gregory Guillaume comments: “Europe’s shrinking market for three-door hatchbacks brought the future of the pro_cee’d in question. But it was equally inconceivable that we would simply kill off the pro_cee’d. It was not just the name we gave to our three-door cee’d – it meant so much more than that. It embodies all Kia’s values of youthful dynamism, of emotional engagement, and of design-led desirability.
Guillaume adds: “We needed to reinvent the pro_cee’d to ensure that all that vitality and vibrancy wasn’t simply lost. It had to be a model that not only sat at the top of the current Ceed family, but one that was also immediately identifiable as the most emotionally engaging car in the range. The result is the striking All-new ProCeed.”
The ProCeed will be available as a ‘GT-Line’, ‘GT-Line S’ or high-performance ‘GT’ model, a brief which enabled Kia’s European design teams to create a confident and sporty design for the halo model of the Ceed family. Low, lean and lithe, its stance and proportions are different, sharing only its bonnet and front wings with the Ceed five-door. With its own individual style and character, every other panel is new. Yet the ProCeed features many of Kia’s now familiar design motifs, and its ‘family face’ is instantly recognisable. With the iconic ‘tiger nose’ grille and wide lower air intake, the castellated windscreen, and the brand’s inimitable mix of taut creases and curvaceous sheet metal, it is every bit the contemporary Kia.
Like the Ceed, the front of the ProCeed is built around precise, linear shapes, with ‘ice cube’ LED daytime running lights as standard, echoing the appearance of earlier Kia ‘GT-Line’ and ‘GT’ models.
In profile, the ProCeed is influenced by the design of the 2017 Kia Proceed Concept, mirroring its silhouette with a raked roofline that flows elegantly downwards into the rear shoulders. Taut creases run the length of the car, trailing from the headlamps to the tailgate to extend its visual length. It carries over the window line from the 2017 concept car, including the acutely angled chrome ‘Sharkblade’, emphasising the dramatic roofline. Its steeply raked rear window separates it from its siblings in the Ceed model family, as well as other cars in its class. The rear windscreen of the Ceed Sportswagon is angled at 50.9° off-vertical, while the five-door hatch windscreen sits at 52.4°. A defining element of its coupé-like shape, the rear window on the ProCeed is more horizontal, angled at 64.2° off-vertical.
At 4,605mm long, the Kia ProCeed is 5mm longer than the Ceed Sportswagon, with a longer 885mm front overhang. At 1,422mm in height, its roofline sits 43mm lower than that of the Sportswagon, while ground clearance is reduced by 5mm, to 135mm. Constructed on the same ‘K2’ platform as other Ceed models, the 2,650mm wheelbase and, 1,800mm width remain unchanged.
The rear of the car is what differentiates it fully from other models in the Ceed range, inspired by the layout of the 2017 Proceed Concept. Combined with its lower overall height, the new wide rear bumper gives the car an assertive, sporty stance, with dual-tip exhausts (dependent on grade) enhancing its sense of dynamism and sportiness. The ProCeed name is spelled out in capitals across the centre of the tailgate, beneath LED tail-lights which span the width of the tailgate, giving the car a unique light signature.
From launch, the ProCeed will be available in a choice of seven paint finishes. The Kia ProCeed ‘GT-Line’ will have 17-inch alloy wheels, while ‘GT-Line S’ and ‘GT’ model feature 18-inch wheels as standard.
Inside the cabin, the ProCeed features the same ergonomic cabin as its Ceed compatriots. The interior is characterised by high-quality soft-touch surfaces, metallic trim, and a horizontal dashboard layout.
Kia’s 10.25-inch ‘floating’ touchscreen infotainment system sits at the centre of the dashboard, with audio and heating and ventilation controls situated below. The dashboard itself is angled slightly towards the driver.
The Kia ProCeed diverges from other models in the Ceed family line-up with a series of changes designed to introduce a sportier ambience to the cabin. The grey roof lining of the Ceed and Sportswagon is replaced with black cloth to envelop and cocoon occupants, and the door sills feature metallic scuff plates. It is fitted with a D-shaped leather-trimmed steering wheel as standard, and – for models equipped with Kia’s dual-clutch auto transmission – drivers can change gear with new metal alloy steering wheel paddles.
The ProCeed has different front seats, depending on specification. For the ProCeed ‘GT-Line’, the standard seats feature black cloth and light grey faux leather. In the ‘GT-Line S’ the standard seats feature larger side bolsters than those found in the conventional Ceed and Sportswagon and are trimmed in black leather and faux suede with grey stitching. The seats in the ‘GT’ model have the same side supports as the ‘GT-Line S’ and are finished in black leather and faux suede with red stitching and a ‘GT’ logo.
The Kia ProCeed’s platform supports the car’s efficient packaging, creating ample space for occupants in the front and rear. For rear passengers, the lower hip-point (compared to Ceed and Sportswagon models) offsets the effects of the ProCeed’s lower roofline, creating head and leg room aplenty.
The ProCeed offers more luggage capacity than many conventional compact family estate cars – and even many tourers from classes above. With a capacity of 594 litres (VDA), the ProCeed’s boot is 50 per cent more capacious than that of the Ceed five-door hatchback. With no boot lip and a lower ride height than the Sportswagon, the low lift-over height of the Shooting Brake tailgate also makes it remarkably easy to load and unload.
While the Ceed Sportswagon’s boot is marginally larger, at 625 litres, the Kia ProCeed offers identical versatility features, making it one of the most usable cars in its class. On ‘GT-Line S’ grades this includes 40:20:40 split-fold rear seats, folded with a single touch from a lever just inside the tailgate. On ‘GT-Line’ and ‘GT’ versions, 60:40 split-fold rear seats feature. An underfloor storage area can stow smaller items and the boot features a bag hook to prevent groceries and other items rolling around the load bay. The Smart Power Tailgate on the ‘GT-Line S’ model opens automatically when it detects the ProCeed’s smart key in close proximity to the tailgate, for occasions when users’ hands are full with heavy cargo. The load bay features a net to secure small items, while the ‘GT-Line S’ grade has a luggage floor rail system as well.
DYNAMICS
The ProCeed has been engineered and developed exclusively for European roads and European drivers. Europe is characterised more than any other continent by its diversity of driving conditions: high speed motorways, zig-zagging alpine routes, congested city centres and winding country lanes. The ProCeed has been developed to master all these environments, and has been tuned to offer greater dynamism, driver engagement and confidence, and cruising comfort than earlier generations of pro_cee’d.
Accordingly, every Kia ProCeed is fitted with fully-independent suspension as standard, bucking the trend for other mid-size family cars to offer the more advanced multi-link rear suspension as an expensive option. Built around the same suspension system found in the Ceed and Ceed Sportswagon, the ProCeed offers a unique state of tune compared to its siblings. Matching the sleek design, it seeks to provide drivers with agile and immediate handling responses, close body control under cornering, and a blend of comfort and unwavering stability at high speeds.
The ProCeed’s ride height – for both ‘GT’ and ‘GT-Line’ models – is 5mm lower than the Ceed and Sportswagon, with spring and damper rates tailored to accommodate its shooting brake dimensions and cab-rearward design.
Kia’s development engineers focused on enhancing the agility and responsiveness of the suspension, while retaining the relatively relaxed gait that owners would expect of the ‘grand touring’ shooting brake body. The suspension has been tuned to accommodate its longer body and cab-rearward dimensions and ensures the ProCeed remains as engaging and confidence-inspiring to drive on a winding country lane as it is on the motorway.
The ProCeed ‘GT’ has been engineered at the direction of Albert Biermann, Head of Research & Development Division of the Hyundai Motor Group. Six months of additional testing has further enhanced its cornering agility and yaw behaviour, and increased traction and steering responsiveness. This has been achieved with the adoption of stiffer front and rear springs to increase body control and improve steering inputs, and softer front and rear anti-roll bars to keep its inside wheels in contact with the road, even under hard cornering. These changes mean ProCeed ‘GT’ drivers can enjoy faster cornering speeds than many more powerful front-wheel drive ‘hot hatches’, while revelling in the ‘gran turismo’ spirit of everyday usability that defines all Kia ‘GT’ models.
The car features electric motor-driven power steering, offering incisive responses to steering inputs with a fast 12.7:1 ratio and requiring only 2.44 turns lock-to-lock.
Technology in the Kia ProCeed also plays a role in enhancing both driving enjoyment and safety, with Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Kia’s Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) system as standard. This enables the inclusion of Torque Vectoring by Braking technology, an electronic driver support feature which intelligently brakes the inside wheels to reduce understeer around corners. The technology makes the ProCeed more enjoyable and confidence-inspiring to drive on the type of winding lanes and mountain passes upon which it has been developed.
ENGINES
The ProCeed line-up features three engines, to meet the powertrain expectations of European buyers who are increasingly familiar with fast-revving, highly efficient turbocharged engines that offer immediate acceleration and a broad spread of torque.
The ProCeed ‘GT-Line’ is available with a choice of two engines. The petrol option is the brand’s all-new ‘Kappa’ 1.4-litre T-GDi power unit, which produces 138bhp. The engine’s turbocharger ensures its 242Nm torque output is available over a wide 1,500 to 3,200rpm band, making it responsive in a wide range of driving conditions. It is fitted with a gasoline particulate filter to reduce tailpipe emissions, ensuring the Kia ProCeed goes beyond the requirements of the Euro 6d TEMP emissions standards. Offered with a six-speed manual transmission as standard, there is the option of Kia’s seven-speed auto Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT).
The ProCeed ‘GT-Line S’ is only available with the 1.4 T-GDi engine and is paired with the seven-speed auto Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT).
Buyers can specify an efficient all-new ‘Smartstream’ 1.6-litre CRDi (Common-Rail Direct injection) diesel engine. Kia’s Smartstream powertrain philosophy seeks to enhance fuel efficiency and performance with reduced emissions. The Smartstream engine has been developed with an optimised powertrain structure and design, compact and lightweight components, and enhanced combustion technology, maximising fuel efficiency and driving performance. The 1.6-litre diesel engine in the ProCeed is the first Smartstream diesel engine from Kia.
With a power output of 134bhp, the 1.6-litre Smartstream engine can be paired with a six-speed manual or seven-speed auto Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT). It produces 280Nm when paired with the manual transmission, and 320Nm with the seven-speed auto Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT). Designed to go beyond the stricter limits laid down by the latest Euro 6d TEMP emissions standard, the Smartstream engine uses Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) active emissions control technology to regulate emissions.
Marking the return of Kia’s high-performance ‘GT’ model, the ProCeed ‘GT’ is powered by a 1.6-litre T-GDi engine, identical to that found in the Ceed ‘GT’. Producing 201bhp and 265Nm, it is the most powerful engine in the line-up. The ProCeed ‘GT’ sees the introduction of Kia’s seven-speed auto Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT) for the first time, enabling quick-fire gear shifts via the metal alloy steering wheel paddles.
| Model | Power bhp | Torque Nm | 0–60 sec | Max speed mph | Combined
Mpg (WLTP) |
CO2g/km (WLTP) |
| ‘GT-Line’ 1.4 T-GDi 6-speed manual ISG | 138 | 242 | 8.8 | 130 | 45.6 | 141 |
| ‘GT-Line’ 1.4 T-GDi 7-speed auto DCT ISG | 138 | 242 | 9.1 | 127 | 44.8 | 143 |
| ‘GT-Line’ 1.6 CRDi 6-speed manual ISG | 134 | 280 | 10.0 | 124 | 56.5 | 131 |
| ‘GT-Line’ 1.6 CRDi 7-speed auto DCT ISG | 134 | 320 | 9.8 | 124 | 54.3 | 136 |
| ‘GT-Line S’ 1.4 T-GDi 7-speed auto DCT ISG | 138 | 242 | 9.1 | 127 | 44.1 | 146 |
| ‘GT’ 1.6 T-GDi 7-speed auto DCT ISG | 201 | 265 | 7.2 | 140 | 39.3 | 163 |
Kia’s ultimate goal is to decarbonise road transport completely, and the company is actively working on all forms of alternative powertrain, including a hydrogen fuel-cell car, and already has electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid models in the line-up. But Kia is also realistic enough to know that combustion engines will be the mainstay of personal transport for many years to come and is putting huge efforts into reducing the environmental impact of petrol and diesel power units. Kia is investing more than £6 billion and recruiting some 7,300 research and development engineers with this in mind.
The petrol engines
Both petrol engines are turbocharged direct-injection (T-GDi) units from Kia’s Kappa family, including an all-new 1.4-litre version, replacing the 1.6 GDi unit used in the pro_ceed.
An all-new ‘Kappa’ 1.4-litre T-GDi power unit produces 138bhp, four per cent more than its predecessor despite its lower displacement. The engine’s turbocharger ensures a wider torque band than the earlier 1.6-litre engine, making it more responsive in a wider range of driving conditions – while also reducing emissions. 242Nm torque is available from 1,500 to 3,200rpm, with emissions of 141g/km when fitted with the six-speed manual gearbox. Seven-speed dual clutch automatic models emit 143g/km on ‘GT-Line’ and 146g/km on ‘GT-Line S’ versions. Acceleration to 60mph is completed in just 8.8 seconds (9.1 seconds on DCT versions), with a top speed of 130mph for manual derivatives and 127mph on DCT versions.
When the first pro_cee’d ‘GT’ was revealed in 2013, it was powered by a newly-developed 1.6-litre T-GDi (Turbocharged Gasoline Direct injection) engine. Downsized, turbocharged and quick to respond to driver inputs across the rev range, the new engine came to define the car’s effortless approach to power delivery in all conditions. The Kia ProCeed ‘GT’ retains this approach, with a 1.6-litre T-GDi engine that has been updated for the new model.
Producing 201bhp at a 6,000rpm peak, the 1.6-litre T-GDi engine continues to provide effortless acceleration and easily-accessible torque. The engine’s maximum torque of 265Nm is available across a wide 1,500-to-4,500 rpm rev range. The result is an engine which delivers as much of its performance as possible across all driving conditions. Acceleration to 60 mph is achieved in just 7.2 seconds, with a maximum speed of 140mph. And yet, fuel economy of 39.3mpg is possible on the combined cycle, with CO2 emissions of 163g/km.
In response to customer demand across Europe, Kia’s seven-speed auto Dual-Clutch Transmission is fitted for the first time. Developed in-house, the dual-clutch transmission further broadens the appeal of the ProCeed GT, enabling quick-fire automatic gear shifts, or letting drivers take over with metal alloy steering wheel paddles.
Both 1.4- and 1.6-litre T-GDi engines are fitted with a gasoline particulate filter to further reduce tailpipe emissions, ensuring the ProCeed goes beyond the requirements of the Euro 6d TEMP standard.
All-new ‘Smartstream’ diesel engines
The ProCeed is also available with Kia’s all-new ‘U3’ diesel engine, that wears the ‘Smartstream’ name. Designed to go beyond the stricter limits laid down by the latest Euro 6d TEMP emissions standard, the ‘U3’ 134bhp 1.6-litre CRDi (Common-Rail Direct injection) uses Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) active emissions control technology to regulate emissions. The 1.6-litre diesel powerplant produces 280Nm, or 320Nm of torque when paired with manual or Dual-Clutch Transmissions respectively. With a six-speed manual transmission, the 134bhp engine emits 131g/km, or 136g/km with 7-DCT automatic transmission. The manual gearbox car accelerates to 60mph in 10.0 secs, with a maximum speed of 124mph, while the 7-DCT transmission version achieves 9.8 secs and 124mph, respectively.
The ProCeed has been engineered to exceed the Euro 6d TEMP emissions regulations and the new 1.6-litre CRDi ‘U3’ diesel engine manages to achieve 56.5mpg on the combined cycle and CO2 emissions from 131g/km.
The ProCeed’s 1.6-litre ‘U3’ diesel engine features a range of components designed to improve sound insulation and refinement. These include a timing belt cover and better insulated cylinder block cover, engine undercover, and oil pan cover.
In 2020, the ProCeed will be available with Kia’s all-new ‘EcoDynamics+’ 48-volt mild-hybrid technology, to further reduce CO2emissions. The ‘EcoDynamics+’ powertrain supplements acceleration with power from a 48-volt battery, while a new Mild-Hybrid Starter-Generator unit extends engine ‘off time’ with a ‘Moving Stop & Start’ function. The technology made its debut on the latest Sportage.
Transmissions
Buyers of the ProCeed have the option of a six-speed manual or Kia’s seven-speed auto dual-clutch (7-DCT) automatic transmission on the 1.4 T-GDi and 1.6 CRDi versions, with the ProCeed ‘GT’ 1.6 T-GDi versions fitted exclusively with the latter gearbox.
This transmission has been developed in-house with the aim of enhancing fuel efficiency while delivering the comfort and smoothness of a torque converter transmission in automatic mode with the sportiness of a manual when the driver chooses to take control of gear changes.
The manual gearboxes in the ProCeed are six-speed units with a wide spread of ratios and long final drives to help bring down fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. They are light and compact with a short, slick shift.
TECHNOLOGY
The cabin features a wide range of new technologies to enhance comfort and convenience for occupants. The ‘floating’ infotainment system is an 10.25-inch touchscreen navigation system, with navigation, telematics and Kia Connected Services powered by TomTom®.
The 10.25-inch touchscreen satellite navigation system is available as standard and features Bluetooth® multi-connection as standard, enabling occupants to connect two mobile devices at once, as well as Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™. Its advanced split-screen functionality lets users control or monitor numerous vehicle features at the same time, customising the screen to display up to three applications simultaneously, among a series of available widgets. This enables the driver to have a single display (such as navigation) or combine different elements on-screen at the same time. This means the driver can follow navigation directions while passengers choose their favourite songs or check the weather forecast. An 8.0-inch audio display touchscreen system is standard on ‘2’ models, offering Android Auto™, Apple CarPlay™ and infotainment functionalities. Android Auto™ is designed to work with Android phones running 5.0 (Lollipop) or higher. The Ceed’s Apple CarPlay™ system is compatible with the iPhone 5 and every iPhone released since.
UVO Connect links drivers to the world around by providing invaluable information via the in-car touchscreen and on their smartphone. Featuring Kia Live services and housed within the 10.25-inch TFT LCD widescreen, the system uses its own eSIM chip to retrieve and update live data during a drive. This includes live traffic information, weather forecasts, points of interest, and details of potential on- and off-street parking (including price, location and parking availability). The second element of the UVO Connect diagnostic data about owners’ cars and the trips they take, enables drivers to send route directions to their car before a journey, and enables them to check the location of their vehicle at any time.
A Drive Mode Select system on DCT versions will enable owners to tailor their driving experience, with Normal and Sport mode. Drivers can use Drive Mode Select to alter the level of effort required to steer the car, while each mode subtly changes the character of the engine. Normal mode maximises the potential for greater fuel efficiency and offers more relaxed steering inputs. Sport mode enhances throttle responses, enabling faster acceleration – from a standstill and at speed – and adapts the steering to offer additional weight and more decisive responses to driver inputs.
Available on ‘GT-Line S’ versions is a fully digital 12.3-inch Supervision driver instrument cluster, designed to deliver information as clearly as possible. With a high-definition display, the digital cluster replaces the conventional speedometer and tachometer dials found currently in the brand’s passenger cars. Its single, seamless display incorporates pin-sharp digital dials for vehicle and engine speeds. A multi-function display between the dials displays turn-by-turn navigation instructions, audio information and in-depth trip information, as well as vehicle diagnostics alerts, and pop-up notifications linked to the car’s various active safety and driver assist technologies.
Standard technologies include full Bluetooth® smartphone integration, as well as automatic headlights, rain sensing wipers, heated front seats and smart entry system on all versions. In addition, there is a front wiper de-icer, electrically folding, adjustable and heated door mirrors, reversing camera with rear parking sensors and heated steering wheel. A wireless smartphone charger, electric wide sunroof, heated outer rear seats and a smart power tailgate are featured on the ‘GT-Line S’ model. Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go and Smart Parking Assist System are also available dependent on grade. The ProCeed ‘GT-Line S’ features a powerful eight-speaker JBL Premium sound system with Clari-Fi music restoration technology and wireless mobile phone charging.
On the outside, the ProCeed is fitted with newly-designed ‘ice cube’ style LED daytime running lights (DRL) as standard. The ‘ice cube’ DRLs are now integrated into the headlamp units on every model in the ProCeed range, with full LED bi-function headlamps standard equipment on ‘GT-Line S’ and ‘GT’ grades.
7 SAFETY
In addition to the car’s six standard airbags, advanced driver assistance technologies further enhance occupant protection, using active safety systems to mitigate the risk of collisions. Standard safety technologies include High Beam Assist (HBA), Driver Attention Warning (DAW), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) with Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist – City (FCA). Pedestrian detection is available as standard on all manual versions and ‘GT-Line S’ and as part of an optional Advanced Driving Assistance Pack (ADAP) on DCT versions of ‘GT-Line’ and ‘GT’.
The ProCeed is also available with Lane Following Assist (LFA). Fitted as standard to the ‘GT-Line S’ model, Lane Following Assist detects road markings to help keep the ProCeed in the centre of its lane on the motorway, and controls acceleration, braking and steering. The system uses external sensors to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front, operating between 0 and 81mph.
Dependent on grade, additional available technologies include Speed Limit Information System (SLIF), Blind Spot Collision Warning (BCW), and pedestrian detection with haptic steering wheel warnings for the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist system (FCA).
Every ProCeed is equipped as standard with Kia’s Vehicle Stability Management (VSM). VSM ensures stability when braking and cornering by controlling the car’s Electronic Stability Control (ESC) if it detects a loss of traction.
SPECIFICATION HIGHLIGHTS
All versions of the ProCeed have a sporty appearance, are well equipped and feature an extensive package of convenience and safety items which becomes progressively more comprehensive with every step up the range.
‘GT-Line’ versions have a lengthy list of equipment as standard, including 17-inch alloy wheels, privacy glass, front projector headlights, LED daytime running lights both front and rear, front fog lights, rain sensing front wipers, front wiper de-icer, automatic headlight control, electrically folding, adjustable and heated door mirrors with LED indicators, exterior front door handle illumination and LED rear lights with a full-width LED brake light. The ‘tiger nose’ front grille is finished in high gloss black with satin chrome, with matching high gloss black door mirrors and side sill mouldings. The air intake has a lower lip with black accent, and the rear spoiler is body coloured with high gloss black trim.
Inside the sporty appearance is defined by black cloth and light grey faux leather upholstery, heated front seats, a heated leather-trimmed D-cut steering wheel with grey stitching, an electronic parking brake (EPB), dual automatic air conditioning, all-round electric windows with front auto up and down functionality, cruise control with speed limiter, auto-dimming rear-view mirror and engine start/stop button with smart entry system. Both the driver and front passenger have a seat height adjuster, together with power lumbar support. The steering wheel features both tilt and telescopic adjustment, the headlining is in black and the front console garnish and door trim are finished in black high gloss trim. Both the fascia trim and interior door handles are satin chrome, and the pedals stand out thanks to the sporty stainless-steel appearance. Paddle Shifters are fitted to DCT versions, as is a Drive Mode Select system, offering the choice of Normal and Sport driving characteristics.
The rear seats fold down in a 60:40 fashion, there’s a dual height luggage area floor with parcel shelf to hide luggage and valuables, and all ‘GT-Line’ models come fitted with a temporary space saver spare wheel as standard. A pair of 12-volt power sockets and a USB fast charger are provided on the front centre console and are illuminated to make it easier to use at night. Cupholders are additionally provided in the rear armrest for added convenience for rear seat occupants, as well as at the front, in the premium centre console with sliding cupholder cover.
As standard, the ProCeed ‘GT-Line’ comes with a six-speaker audio system, with DAB radio and MP3 compatibility and USB and AUX ports for connection of a media device. Bluetooth® with voice recognition and music streaming is provided, too, along with Android AutoTM and Apple CarPlayTM for easy smartphone connection. A 10.25-inch touchscreen satellite navigation system with European mapping and traffic messaging channel (TMC), as well as Kia Connected Services featuring TomTom® Live is included and is combined with a 4.2-inch colour supervision cluster display and trip computer. A reversing camera with dynamic guidelines is integrated into the centre fascia screen, as well as the fitment of rear parking sensors.
The ProCeed is comprehensively kitted out with both active and passive safety devices, including Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), High-Beam Assist (HBA), Driver Attention Warning (DAW) and Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist – City (FCA), with Pedestrian detection available as standard on manual versions or optional as part of the Advanced Driving Assistance Pack on DCT versions. Anti-lock brakes (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist System (BAS) are included on all versions, with Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) and Hill-start Assist Control (HAC). All versions come with six airbags, with the ability to switch the front passenger airbag off when carrying a baby in a car seat. ISOFIX child seat top tethers and anchor fixings are provided for the rear outer chairs.
Move up to ‘GT-Line S’ specification and the alloy wheels are enlarged to 18-inches with grey centre caps and the headlights are upgraded to LED with bi-functionality. A wide sunroof with tilt/slide functions and an automatic electric sunblind is included, the driver’s seat features 10-way power adjustment with memory functionality, and the upholstery is upgraded to black leather and faux suede with grey stitching. Heated outer rear seats, smart cruise control with stop and go functionality and a smart power tailgate are all included in ‘GT-Line S’ trim, and there’s 40:20:40 split folding rear seats with remote folding and a luggage rail system.
Particularly handy in an urban environment, the ProCeed ‘GT-Line S’ features a Smart Park Assist System (SPAS), that allows the car to park automatically in parallel, perpendicular or reverse scenarios, and also includes the fitment of front and rear parking sensors. Upgrades to the audio setup include a JBL® premium sound system with a pair of additional speakers, as well as wireless mobile phone charging.
Additional active safety features include a 12.3-inch TFT supervision cluster display, Blind-Spot Collision Warning (BCW), Lane Following Assist (LFA), Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) with both city and pedestrian detection and Speed Limit Information Function (SLIF).
The ProCeed ‘GT’ features all of the equipment that you’ll find with the ‘GT-Line’ versions, with the addition of 18-inch alloy wheels with red centre caps, a high gloss black and chrome ‘tiger nose’ grille with red insert, an air intake with a red accent on the lower lip, high gloss red side sill mouldings, red brake calipers and an uprated rear bumper with diffuser and dual exhausts. The sporty exterior look is completed by the fitment of LED bi-function headlights.
The cabin is uprated with black leather and faux suede upholstery and faux leather door centre trim. The seats, door cards and steering wheel all feature red contrasting stitching to deliver a sporting ambience, while a GT Performance mode has been added to the new 4.2-inch colour supervision cluster display. Completing the list of additional equipment is a Smart Park Assist System (SPAS) with front and rear parking sensors.
WARRANTY AND AFTER-CARE
Kia set a new benchmark in 2007 when it launched the cee’d with an industry-best seven-year/100,000-mile warranty. That demonstration of faith in the quality and reliability of Kia products was subsequently extended to every model.
A major benefit is that it is transferable to subsequent owners at no charge, as long as the seven-year time limit has not been reached and the mileage is below 100,000.
The mechanical warranty is supported by a 12-year anti-perforation warranty and a five-year paint warranty.
Servicing is required every 20,000 miles (10,000 miles for the T-GDi engines) or once a year, whichever comes soonest. The ProCeed is available with Kia’s ‘Kia Care’ service plans, which have been developed to provide customers with a wide range of service plan options for any Kia model within the first seven years of the vehicle’s life – matching its industry-leading seven-year warranty.
The service plans include a comprehensive range of options including the original, traditional, first, third and fifth services and those in between, but in addition a customer can now purchase services up to and including the seventh service which matches the full length of the warranty. The plans are available for all Kia owners and can be purchased at any point of ownership for cars up to five years old.
The Kia Promise was introduced to give customers the best ownership experience by giving them access to seven key benefits. The Kia Promise is activated after purchase and is done by simply registering on the online portal, MyKia. Along with the industry leading seven-year/100,000 mile warranty, other benefits of the Kia Promise include complimentary seven day insurance and £250 Insurance Excess Return for one year; easy to use Click & Collect on Genuine Kia accessories; convenient online service booking; Family-Like Care and Accident AfterCare. Every new Kia also comes with complimentary Roadside Assistance for 12 months. When a customer registers on MyKia, Kia Roadside Assistance Plus, the highest level of cover provided by the RAC, can be unlocked, which includes onward travel and European cover.
FIVE MINUTES WITH PAUL PHILPOTT
Burning questions that you would love to ask our President and CEO
Hisotrically, pro_cee’d accounted for around 10 per cent of total cee’d sales in the UK, but we have greater ambitions for the new model. The Shooting Brake design is expected to have a wider appeal amongst buyers that want to be seen driving something that has a more sporting and unique design but also retains a practical usability.
We never release sales or production targets for individual models; however, we expect the new Proceed to outsell its predecessor.
Until there is some certainty around what the split from Europe means for the UK, it’s likely to continue to be turbulent in the new car market. Last year was once again another record year for Kia in the UK, with 97,323 cars delivered to customers during 2019. That represents an increase of 1.6 per cent, in a market that was down by 2.4 per cent and saw the lowest number of new vehicles registered since 2013. Last year, Kia moved up one place to number eight in the overall UK sales charts, which is a significant achievement in a sales environment that has been exceptionally tough.
The first year of the new decade is going to present a number of challenges – none more so than the switch from NEDC to WLTP CO2 emissions figures in April 2020. At a time when consumers expect to see ever-improving data, the change in regime means that all cars will see an increase to their emissions, meaning most owners will be paying more for their motoring each year. That’s a bitter pill to swallow for many and will take a lot of explaining in the showrooms. It will mean, however, that the fuel economy and CO2 emissions are more realistic in real-world driving and gives Kia the opportunity to fully leverage their range of highly efficient eco cars.
Mandatory CO2 standards for passenger cars were first introduced in 2009 by the European Union, and in 2020 a new, more stringent set of standards means that an average of 95g/km across the product range must be achieved. Failing to do so will result in significant fines, and therefore the primary focus of Kia Motors is to achieve the fleet CO2 average of 95g/km across the line-up.
There is a continued trend for customers to migrate away from traditional sectors towards SUVs, and we’re in a perfect position to deliver on the changing demand, with six key products in the Kia portfolio – Stonic, Niro, XCeed, Soul EV, Sportage and Sorento.
2019 was very much the year of the Ceed, with replacements for the hatchback and Sportswagon and new entrants into the market thanks to the all-new XCeed and ProCeed. Every Ceed derivative posted an increase on the year before, and it was a similar story for many models in the Kia range, which saw a rise compared to 2018. Highlights include the Niro, with a 44 per cent increase, a rise of more than 6 per cent for the Picanto and 44 per cent growth in Stinger sales. Sorento registrations rose, too, while the most popular model in the Kia range, the Sportage remained broadly static but still the highest selling and most popular model.
Alternative fuel vehicles are continually hitting the headlines, and here at Kia we are very well placed to provide customers with a wide range of different solutions to suit individual needs. In 2020, we are aiming for three in every ten cars we sell to be electrified in some way. With both the pure electric e-Niro and Soul EV, we are ahead of the curve in offering customers a choice of electric solutions to solve their mobility issues. For those that prefer a plug-in hybrid vehicle, we now have three, thanks to the recently refreshed Niro and the newly introduced Ceed Sportswagon and all-new XCeed. The top selling Sportage is fitted with mild hybrid technology on all of the diesel variants and this technology will soon be available on the Ceed, Ceed Sportswagon and XCeed, too.
What elements of the ProCeed make you proud to be leading Kia Motors UK?
The Ceed family continues the remarkable trend established by our first European designed, engineered and built version launched in 2007. It has played a significant role in the growth of the Kia brand both in the UK and across Europe and I believe that the new family of Ceed models will continue that momentum. This latest ProCeed reinvents what is the sportiest model in the Ceed line-up. Vehicle dynamics have been transformed compared to its predecessor and refinement reaches a new level, while safety and driver assistance technology sets new standards in the class. Most importantly, the stunning design and versatility of the ProCeed are unique in the segment, in an area of the market where many contenders play it safe and are forgettable as a result.
Yes of course we are concerned, but we think the launch of our new 1.6-litre ‘Smartstream’ diesel engine is quite timely, as it’s very clean and efficient. It exceeds the requirements of the latest, most demanding emissions regulations, including Euro 6d TEMP, and it is one of the most efficient diesel engines in the C-segment. Diesel power has traditionally been very popular in the Ceed family, however if buyers want to opt for petrol, we have a range of highly efficient, cutting-edge turbocharged petrol engines that will exceed their expectations.
With the introduction of the latest emissions regulations, specifically the upcoming Euro 6d TEMP standards, Kia diesel engines have never been cleaner. They are fitted with Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) active emissions control technology to regulate emissions. For higher mileage users, diesel cars make total sense, delivering low running costs and exceptional fuel economy.
A wide range of different models has always been an essential element in our plan for sustainable fleet and business growth and the new ProCeed gives us an eye-catching new entrant in a segment that is traditionally quite staid. The ProCeed delivers a sportier and more alluring appearance, but shares the low running costs of other Kia products. Kia’s strategy in the business market in the UK has been to deliver compelling choices for business users where residual values contribute to excellent operating costs. ProCeed delivers the technology, safety, reliability, practicality and appeal that the fleet market demands in a beautifully stylish, highly satisfying and sporting package.
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The ProCeed’s 1.4-litre T-GDi engine meets the needs of the majority of buyers, and we expect the T-GDi petrol engines to account for the highest proportion of sales. Our new 1.6-litre ‘Smartstream’ diesel engine will also account for a significant proportion of sales, particularly for fleet customers looking to reduce total running costs.
Demand for traditional three-door hatchbacks is decreasing – there are no plans to introduce a three-door Ceed to the range at this time. The three-door pro_cee’d made up only a very small proportion of total Ceed sales – buyers favoured the five-door hatchback and Sportswagon. With the new ProCeed Shooting Brake, we believe we have a truly unique and compelling proposition for buyers.
There are no plans at this time to offer a Ceed saloon in Europe.
We have the technology for a range of electrified powertrains and can confirm that the Ceed family will get our 48V mild-hybrid technology in 2020. A plug-in hybrid drivetrain will be added to the Ceed Sportswagon and XCeed this year. We are evaluating electric powertrains for all of our future products, but we have no immediate plans for a pure electric Ceed or Proceed at this time
Q Why isn’t the ProCeed ‘GT’ model offered with a manual transmission?
The original pro_cee’d ‘GT’ was offered exclusively with a manual gearbox, but trends in the segment have been shifting, and considerable demand in Europe has been identified for a dual-clutch automatic transmission version. Our seven-speed DCT transmission is well matched to the dynamic nature of the ‘GT’ model.
Q Which C-segment cars has Kia identified as the ProCeed development benchmarks?
The segment has a number of very strong contenders, with the Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus the key benchmark models for the Ceed family, particularly in terms of packaging and driving performance.
Q Has Albert Biermann played a role in the development of the new ProCeed?
The dynamic development programme for the new ProCeed, in particular the ‘GT’ model has been overseen by Albert Biermann, with intensive development over the past six months. The development of the car has taken place in Europe, with significant input from engineers both here in Europe and at Kia’s Namyang research and development centre in Korea. The ProCeed ‘GT’ was developed in parallel with the Ceed ‘GT’.
Q Will the ProCeed’s new diesel engine be introduced to other Kia models?
Yes. The new engine is designed to replace our existing 1.6 and 1.7-litre ‘U2’ diesel engines. The new powerplant has already been introduced into the recently upgraded Optima, Stonic and Sportage.
Q Does the new diesel engine require Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) to meet emissions regulations? How often will buyers have to refill the Diesel Exhaust Fluid tank?
Like many of its rivals, the ProCeed’s new diesel engine requires urea for its Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) emissions control system. The SCR system enables the Ceed to meet the latest Euro 6 emissions regulations – it is fully compliant with the 6d TEMP regulations. Depending on use, buyers will need to top-up the 12-litre tank after around 5,000 miles, though that varies from model to model. The car alerts the driver when the tank gets low and, if ignored, will eventually prevent the car from starting.
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Todds of Campsie
6 Courtauld Way
Campsie Industrial Estate
Londonderry
BT47 3DN
