Kia Pro_Cee'D Reviews

Swoopy coupes take different routes, front or rear-drive, turbo or without. Craig Duff tackles the hills and corners.

Chris Riley road tests and reviews the 2014 Kia Pro_cee’d GT with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

Paul Gover road tests and reviews the Kia Proceed GT, with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

Craig Duff road tests and reviews the Kia Pro_cee'd GT, with specs, duel consumption and verdict.

Derek Ogden road tests and reviews the 2014 Kia Pro_cee'd GT.

Wow, what an impressive car. Kia's new Proceed GT took us by surprise especially as our expectations for it were of a slightly different take on the Kia Koup - which we like but not nearly as much as we like the European made Proceed GT. They all spin off the Cerato small car platform but you wouldn't know it from the drive feel. PRICE / FEATURESThe Proceed GT is a sports hatch in the truest sense offering nearly as much as some of the premium European coupes and hatches at seriously less money. The Proceed GT we drove goes for $29,990 with the Tech version adding $3500 despite being exactly the same under the skin. We wouldn't bother upgrading to the Tech, as the GT offers more than enough.Standard on the GT is cruise control, black dash fascia, seven inch info screen with multi trip computer, user select car set-up options, multiple digital infotainment connectivity, dual zone climate control, steering wheel control buttons and a clean air module. There's also a reverse camera, park assistance, heated exterior mirrors, puddle lamps, side skirts and spoiler, cornering lamps and dual outlet chrome exhaust.Both the GT and Tech models have leather upholstery while the Proceed has a clever dual mode instrument pod that reads out analogue style or in digital display. Love the red stitching on the seats.DESIGN / STYLING We love the way it looks too – something completely different and classy in a wedge shape capable of carrying five people and their luggage. While the Kia Koup is a two door with a boot, the Proceed is a three door hatchback and there are plenty of other differences inside and out particularly the detail exterior trim on Proceed which features splashes of chrome and those really neat ice cube LED daytime driving lights. ENGINE / TRANSMISSIONPower comes from a 1.6-litre, direct injection, turbo four cylinder with variable cam timing both sides and a twin scroll turbo integrated into the exhaust manifold.It's a high tech unit and achieves 150kW/275Nm output – rather conservative in the greater scheme of things but sufficient. Fuel economy on regular octane is rated at 7.4-litres/100km. No auto is offered so you'll have to be happy with the slick shifting six-speed manual.DRIVINGThe Proceed GT is one of the better front drive performance cars going around at present thanks in part to its Australian fettling. They take the car out onto real Aussie roads with a bunch of different suspension and steering bits, a computer and change things around until it's right.We reckon the Proceed looks better and the Australianised dynamics (also on Koup) give a satisfying, engaged drive feel. That could be down to the multi-mode steering with sharp, firm responses. It could be down to the taut ride control with multi-link rear suspension and the strong brakes coupled with Michelin Pilot 18-inch rubber. It could also be the responsive engine but is probably the whole package. Whatever, owners will love the way this car drives and feels from behind the wheel. It's a bit on the quiet side in exhaust terms though.It has plenty of get-go and revs strongly to about 6500rpm where the action stops. Through corners it's stable and flat with nicely weighted steering and great grip from the tyres. The brakes are impressive. No bump steer or torque steer to be concerned about either.

ake a look at the all-new Kia Proceed GT for a solid insight into the South Korean makers intentions.

Never mind the bizarre badging, Kia’s initial warm hatch is a match for Euro rivals.

Let's get something straight. This is not just the Kia equivalent of Hyundai's quirky Veloster hatch... you know, the one with two doors one side and a single door on the other. Apart from the odd name there's a bit more to it than that.The Pro-cee'd GT might run the same engine and transmission, but it's geared differently and the rear suspension setup is also different. Together with countless hours of road-side tuning it has produced an impressive car that deserves to wear the 'hot hatch' tag.Having said that, buyers will inevitably shop the two cars against each other and some just won't care the GT offers higher levels of performance. For others, the lure will be irresistible.VALUEThere are two models: the GT priced from $29,990 and the GT Tech priced from $33,490. The latter adds a sunroof, tinted windows, push button start, a luggage net and active, HID headlights with washer function. And, before you ask, no you can't get the sunroof separately. There are four colours: white, black, red and silver  but any colour other than red will set you back another $595.Standard equipment includes body kit, 18in alloys, red brake calipers, twin exhaust outlets, dual climate air, leather trim, auto lights and wipers, cruise control with speed limiter, Recaro sports seats with electric lumbar adjustment, plus a speedometer that changes from analogue to digital at the push of a button. Bluetooth, tyre pressure monitor and six-speaker audio are also standard. Missing is satnav which is expected to be offered later in the year when it becomes available.ENGINE / TRANSMISSIONBoth models get the same engine and transmission, with the same wheel and brake package and offer exactly the same level of performance. There is no auto.The 1.6-litre turbocharged four cylinder petrol engine produces 150kW of power and 265Nm of torque, the latter from a low 1750 revs  with flat torque curve through to 4500 revs. Paired with a 6-speed manual only, this torque is readily accessible even in higher gears making it an easy car to drive in most circumstances.DESIGNThe GT is built in Slovakia and was intended originally for sale only in Europe and as such comes with left hand blinker operation. But Kia says it fought hard to get the car and has lavished quite a bit of time tuning the suspension for Australian conditions, trying to find the perfect compromise between comfort and handling.The GT is certainly an eye-catching car, especially with its lighthouse bright "ice cube" cluster of daytime LEDs at the front  but we'd draw the line at actually calling it pretty. It's not quite as powerful nor as quick off the mark as some more fancied rivals, but we'd defy any of them to lose the GT on a twisty section of road  it's that good.SAFETYGets a five-star Euro NCAP rating, but hasn't been tested here yet.  It's likely the Australian NCAP organisation will give it the same rating but you never can tell. Comes with six airbags, reverse camera, reverse parking sensors, electronic traction and stability control and a host of other driver assistance systems as standard.DRIVINGIt's sharper with a firmer ride than the Koup. The front suspension is Mac strut, but the rear setup is muli-link, unlike the Koup and Veloster which both have torsion beam rear suspension. Multi-link promises a better ride and the facility to extract greater levels of grip from the rear end and Michelin rubber. As part of the suspension tune stiffer springs and bushes have been fitted along with a larger rear anti-roll bar.Driving the car, changing gears early and changing often produces the most satisfying results. The gearing is the same as the Koup, but slightly different to the Veloster Turbo. The GT is good for 7.7 seconds from 0-100km/h (Koup does it in 8.9 and the Veloster in 7.8).Fuel consumption is a claimed 7.4 litres/100km and it takes standard unleaded (we got 9.9 on the launch in Tassie). We had a good crack at this car, both on the road and at a race track where we could really explore its potential. It's a rewarding car to drive, one that's guaranteed to leave a smile on your dial, with a sweet change, lots of lovely, low down torque and no turbo lag that we could find.As we mentioned it's not particularly quick off the mark, but mid-range performance is strong and it remains amazingly compliant even when by rights you should be in a lower gear. Turn-in is enthusiastic, with terrific balance, composure and high levels of mid corner grip.Get on the gas early in tight corners and there is no need to change down.  In longer sweeping bends you can continue to pour on the power without any negative impact. In fact, it's difficult to get this car to step out full stop, either understeer or oversteer  even when pushed to extremes.VERDICTIt will be interesting to see how this one plays out. The GT is a car that deserves respect and one that is going to be an attention getter for the brand. The lack of an auto will cost them sales, but in terms of performance it has what it takes to go head to head with more fancied offerings  dare we say the GTI?Kia Pro_cee’d GTPrice: from $29,990Engine: 1.6-litre turbo four-cylinderPower: 150kW and 265NmTransmission: Six-speed manualEconomy: 7.4L/100kmL/W/H/WB (mm): 4310/1780/1430/2650Servicing: 15,000km or 12 months, capped pricingWarranty: Five years unlimited kilometresSpare tyre: Space saver

Kia has finally put its money where its mouth is and built a proper hot hatch.