Kia Ceed

• New family face outside; increasingly premium quality inside
• Introducing EcoDynamics, Kia's new fuel-saving, CO₂-cutting measures
• Intelligent Stop and Go means just 110g/km CO₂ and 67.3mpg economy
• Kia is still the only manufacturer in Europe to offer a seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty
• New badging structure with improved levels of equipment across the board
• Suspension revisions improve ride quality, steering response and handling
• Designed, engineered, developed and built in Europe

It is no exaggeration to say that the cee'd has transformed the way UK car-buyers think about Kia. More than 17,000 British customers have already been won over by Kia's European-made, European-designed five-door hatchback with its modern styling, superb quality, outstanding dynamics, low buying and operating costs and unique-in-Europe seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty.

Now those qualities have been made even more irresistible. A fresh new exterior look brings the cee'd into line with the family face first seen on Soul, Kia's unique urban-runabout-with-SUV-attitude. The interior has been upgraded with plush new trim materials that create the look and feel of a far more expensive car, and there is more standard equipment. A new badging structure makes it easier for buyers to understand the model line-up and the walk-up from one grade to another. The highly-praised dynamic qualities of the car have been made even better, with revised suspension and a new stability control system.

Introducing EcoDynamics

And the revised cee'd introduces EcoDynamics, Kia's new green umbrella for a range of fuel-saving, emissions-reducing technologies. In time it will be expanded to include alternative-fuel vehicles – hybrids, electric cars and even fuel-cells – but initially, EcoDynamics is focusing on reducing the environmental impact of cars powered by traditional internal combustion engines.

Kia has developed an Intelligent Stop and Go (ISG) system for the cee'd EcoDynamics. This turns off the engine when the car is stationary in traffic and the driver puts the gearlever into neutral and takes his or her foot off the clutch pedal. The engine restarts immediately as soon as the clutch pedal is partially pushed.

Because of the way UK vehicle excise duty bands are structured, ISG will initially be available only with the standard (89bhp) 1.6-litre CRDi diesel engine. It gives Kia a model to target at fleets and business users who can derive maximum tax advantage from the fuel economy and CO₂ improvements it bestows. With the ISG system, CO₂ emissions of the cee'd 1.6-litre CRDi fall from 119g/km to 110g/km – sufficient to allow companies to claim a 100 per cent company car tax write-down in the first year of operation – while average fuel economy is a highly impressive 67.3mpg. Business drivers will continue to enjoy a 13 per cent rate of benefit-in-kind tax liability ­– five per cent lower than with the majority of rivals.

Some of the features found on the cee'd 2 EcoDynamics are also fitted to other models in the range, and they help to reduce fuel consumption by an average of five per cent. All cars with 15- or 16-inch wheels have Michelin Energy Saver low rolling resistance tyres like those on the cee'd 2 EcoDynamics, bringing worthwhile gains in fuel economy and CO₂. A six-speed gearbox becomes standard on all manual diesel variants, replacing the old five-speed transmission, as a further aid to improving economy and emissions. A gearshift indicator will become standard across the range from late 2009 to advise drivers on the most fuel-efficient points to change up or down.

Kia will also fit cee'd petrol-engined models with a new kick-down switch on the accelerator later in 2009 to prevent unintentional full-throttle use. A small resistance, felt through the accelerator pedal, helps drivers recognise full-throttle condition and thereby cuts down on excessive fuel consumption.

Polishing a diamond

The new three-tier line-up will be badged cee'd 1, cee'd 2 and cee'd 3, with the super-efficient 2 EcoDynamics model equating to cee'd 2 but for one or two equipment differences. All three grades continue to deliver the outstanding value for money for which Kia is renowned.

Right from the start, cee'd slipped seamlessly into the European motoring landscape. Its proportions, size and style ensured it was perfectly at home in Europe's most chic cities.

The design changes Kia is introducing could therefore be regarded as polishing the diamond. They are most noticeable at the front, which is now dominated by what has become known as 'the Schreyer grille' in honour of Kia's German chief design officer, Peter Schreyer, who created it. This is an elegant, slim, chrome-edged opening, pinched in the middle to frame the Kia badge.

There are two versions of the new grille. On cee'd 1, 2 and 2 EcoDynamics it features a black core with a full chrome surround. The grille pattern is echoed in the lower air intake below the front bumper.  The luxurious cee'd 3 has a unique grille pattern that emphasises its more sporty character and trim, while the grille surround is a slim chrome band with a broader outer border in high-gloss black that is repeated around the lower air intake. Both designs give the new cee'd the look of an increasingly premium, sophisticated product.

The grille is flanked by front light clusters with black bezel projection headlamps as standard. The lamp units have a bulge in their lower edges where they meet the new bumper assembly, giving all three trim levels a more dynamic and sporty appearance. There is a large, pyramid-shaped lower air intake housing reshaped fog lights (depending on trim level). The bonnet is also new, with sharper creases taking the eye towards the grille, and a flatter and higher centre section gradually dropping towards a straight front edge. 

At the rear, there are also new lamp clusters, creating an LED effect and adding to the premium character of cee'd. There is a greater indent at the bottom of the rear bumper, shielding new slim reflectors.

First-class ticket

Kia has set itself the goal of being in the world's top three manufacturers for actual quality within three years, and among the top five for perceived quality within five years. That determination is evident as soon as you step aboard the revised cee'd. It is now like travelling first class while paying an economy price.

From the tones and textures of the trim materials to the action and smoothness of the major controls, the spacious and stylish interior has enjoyed an upgrade. And five people can travel in equal comfort on one ticket.

New on the revised cee’d is the sporty-looking four-spoke steering wheel from Soul. This new wheel has more slender cross-bars at the three o'clock and nine o'clock positions and a smart twin-bar support at the bottom. The spokes house remote audio and trip computer controls, plus Bluetooth on cee'd 2 EcoDynamics and cee'd 3, with cruise control on cee'd 3. The wheel-mounted switches are new, and work on the smoother-operating see-saw principle.

The perfectly-positioned centre console has been completely redesigned to make it more intuitive and more satisfying to use. There is a new audio layout with a large central control switch that makes it easier to change the volume, radio stations or CD tracks while on the move. The standard air conditioning controls have been relocated with the same aim in mid. This is also true of the dual-zone climate control switches on cee'd 3.

A silver finish is now applied to the console surround on cee'd 1, 2 and 2 EcoDynamics while the sporty cee'd 3 has a lustrous piano black finish that echoes the edging on the two front air intakes. Even the gearlevers have been upgraded and now sit at the end of a lower console tray that is edged with flying buttresses to hold items more securely in place.

Just one example of the attention to detail and usability found in the revised cee'd can be seen in the indicators, which now feature an overtaking function. When changing lanes, the driver need only lightly touch the left-hand stalk and the indicators blink three times.

In the UK, Kia has a 10-model line-up based on the three trim levels and four engines – 1.4- and 1.6-litre petrol units and two versions of the European-designed and European-built 1.6-litre turbo diesel. The 1.4 is a revised 89bhp unit, while the power outputs of the 1.6 petrol (124bhp) and the diesels (89 or 113bhp) remain unchanged. All four provide superb driveability thanks to their high torque outputs at low engine revs, and are now more economical with reduced CO₂ emissions. 

Smoother and sharper

The all-independent suspension, with struts at the front and Kia's compact in-wheel multi-link arrangement at the rear,  has been widely praised for allowing precise direct cornering and stable lane-changing at high speeds while delivering excellent ride comfort. The latest revisions, in response to feedback from customers and the motoring press, make both the handling and ride characteristics even better.  The latest revisions have included development time on roads across the UK.

cee’d benefits from a new Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) programme which has improved the electronic communications between the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and the electronic power steering (known as Motor Driven Power Steering or MDPS). Another new introduction is Hill-start Assist Control (HAC). (VSM/ESC and HAC are standard on 3 and optional on all other grades).

ESC detects potential loss of grip from either the front or rear and returns the car to a safe course by braking a wheel, reducing engine power or both. Meanwhile VSM reduces the degree of steering assistance if the driver applies too much lock that could cause under –or over steer, and increases the assistance when he or she counter-steers to correct potential skid. In this way, the driver can tell by the steering feel whether he or she is taking the right course of action to stabilise the car.

HAC holds the car on up gradients for three seconds whilst the driver transfers his or her foot from the brake to the accelerator, to prevent the car from rolling backwards.

Every cee’d continues to enjoy the seven-year or 100,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty that remains unique to cars made at Kia's Zilina factory in Slovakia.  It is transferable to subsequent owners; a major selling point for anyone trading in the car before the warranty period has expired.

Prices of the revised cee'd start at £11,895 – less than some competitors charge for smaller B-segment models – and there is an easily-understood price walk-up between trim grades and engines, in keeping with the simplified badging structure. There is a £1300 increment between each trim grade and a £1000 premium to move from a petrol engine to a diesel or manual transmission to automatic.  

On-the-road prices for the revised Kia cee’d

RANGE FINDER                                                                             

The revised cee’d, model-by-model

In the UK, Kia will offer 10 versions of the revised cee'd, based on three trim levels and four engines. All provide more standard equipment to go with the improvements in style, luxury and efficiency. There is also a new, easier-to-understand grading structure in line with the changes made to other recent new Kias. The three-tier line-up will be badged cee'd 1, cee'd 2 and cee'd 3, with the super-efficient EcoDynamics model equating to cee'd 2 but for one or two equipment differences.

All three grades continue to deliver the outstanding value for money for which Kia is renowned. Prices start at £11,895 – less than some competitors charge for smaller B-segment models – and there is an easily-understood price walk-up between trim grades and engines, in keeping with the simplified badging structure. There is a £1300 increment between trim grades and a £1000 premium to move from a petrol engine to a diesel, or manual transmission to automatic.  There is no price increase to upgrade to ISG technology. 

Every cee’d has the unique feature in Europe of a seven-year or 100,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty. It is transferable to subsequent owners; a major selling point for anyone trading in the car before the warranty period has expired.

The high standard specification on the entry-level cee'd 1 has been improved over the outgoing model by the addition of body-colour door handles, metallic-effect centre console panels, AUX and USB sockets and remote central locking with folding key. The high-value cee'd 1 continues to provide air conditioning with cooled glovebox, a fully-integrated RDS radio-CD player that is compatible with MP3 players, two-way rake and reach steering adjustment and a height-adjustable driver's seat.

Active front headrests, front electric windows, deadlocks, six airbags, headlamp levellers, automatic door locking once the car is on the move, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, tinted glass, a trip computer, pre-temperature control on the diesel model, 60:40 split folding rear seats and a rear seatbelt reminder (except on the 1.4, which has front seat reminders only) are also fitted. cee'd 1 is available with the 1.4-litre petrol engine, the 1.6-litre petrol with automatic transmission and the standard 1.6-litre diesel.

cee'd 2 is equipped to a level that would shame many top-end competitor cars, yet it is only the middle trim grade for Kia. Like cee'd 1, it now has body-coloured door handles and a folding key compared with the former mid-grade model, and additionally gains new 16-inch alloy wheels and front foglights. Extra features over cee'd 1 include body-coloured electric and heated door mirrors, an auto up and down function on the electric front windows (with safety sensor), a high quality six-speaker sound system, an armrest on the front centre storage box and rear cup holders.

cee'd 2 is available with the 1.6-litre petrol engine with either manual or automatic transmission, and high power versions of the 1.6-litre CRDi diesel engine.

The 2 EcoDynamics version is priced at the same level as the higher-powered (113bhp) cee'd 2 1.6 CRDi, but offers more standard equipment. In addition to the ISG stop-start system it also has iPod and Bluetooth connectivity – features which will be highly valued by the fleet customers who will be attracted by its extremely low running costs. 

cee'd 3 replaces the former SPORT LS model and offers a combination of luxury and sporty features. It is the pinnacle of the new range, with a barely-believable list of equipment for a car that starts at less than £15,000. It is available with either the 1.6-litre petrol engine in manual transmission or the high-powered 1.6-litre diesel in manual or automatic form.

It provides, over and above cee'd 2, 17-inch alloy wheels, standard rather than low rolling resistance Michelin tyres, Kia's Vehicle Stability Management system, cruise control, dual-zone climate control, rear electric windows, scuff panels on the door sills, alloy pedals, illuminated vanity mirrors, black gloss detailing on the centre fascia and doors, unique seat inserts, metal interior door handles and silver stitching on the seats, steering wheel and front armrest, black and chrome grille and lower black gloss bumpers.

MODEL WALK-UP                                                             

What you get for each trim level

cee'd 1 – NEW for 2010 model year

AUX/USB ports

Body-colour door handles

Remote central locking with folding key

Low rolling resistance Michelin V-let tyres

Metallic-effect centre fascia trim

Black bezel headlamps

Silver cloth seats

cee'd 1 standard equipment

ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)

Active headrests (front)

Air conditioning with cooled glove box

Auto-unlock on impact detection

Body coloured bumpers

Deadlocks

Driver's seat height and lumbar adjustment

Electric front windows

External temperature gauge

Five height adjustable headrests

Four-speaker audio system

Front driver and passenger seatbelt height adjustment

Front seatbelt pre-tensioners and load-limiters

Full wheel trims

Fully integrated CD-player with AM/FM RDS radio and full MP3 compatibility

Headlamp levelling adjustment

ISOFIX top tethers and lower anchor points

Motor driven power steering

Passenger airbag deactivation switch

Passenger seat lumbar adjustment

Rake and reach adjustable steering wheel

Rear seatbelt reminder (not on 1.4)

Rear wash/wipe

Remote central locking with deadlocks

Space saver spare wheel

Speed sensitive auto door locking

Steering wheel mounted audio controls

Thatcham approved engine immobiliser

Tinted glass all round

Trip computer

Twin front airbags

Twin front side and full-length curtain airbags

Two front cup holders

Vanity mirrors for driver and passenger

Variable speed windscreen wipers

Low rolling resistance Michelin V-let tyres

12V power outlet in centre console

60:40 split folding rear seats

15-inch steel wheels

cee’d 2 – NEW for 2010 model year

Body-colour door handles

Folding key with remote central locking

Front foglights

16-inch alloy wheels to new design

cee’d 2 additional specification over cee'd 1

Body coloured electric and heated door mirrors

Electric front windows with anti-trap safety mechanisms

Instrument lighting rheostat

Leather Pack (leather trimmed steering wheel, handbrake lever, gear selector and console armrest; metallic finish to handbrake button; floor-mounted console)

Locking wheel nuts

Six-speaker audio system

Two rear cup holders

EcoDynamics – additional specification over cee'd 2

ISG Intelligent Stop and Go system

iPod and Bluetooth connectivity

cee’d 3 - NEW for 2010 model year

Black gloss centre console trim

iPod and Bluetooth connectivity

Kia Vehicle Stability Management featuring ESC and Hill Assist

Michelin Primacy HP tyres

Sport pack – black grille trim, metal pedals, front and rear bumper skirts, door scuff plates, restyled sporty gear knob

17-inch hyper silver alloy wheels

cee’d 3 additional specification over cee'd 2

Dual-tone warning horn

Electric rear windows with anti-trap safety mechanisms

Full climate control with Air Quality Control System

Illuminated ignition barrel

Illuminated vanity mirrors for driver and passenger

Luggage net hooks

Metallic interior door handles

Regular rather than low rolling resistance Michelin tyres

Silver stitching on seats, steering wheel and handbrake

Unique tyre tread seat cloth

Kia Ceed SW

2.0 CRDi SPORT ADDED ACROSS CEE’D RANGE

Cee'd Technical Data

Kia Cee'd Model Specification

kia Cee'd Warranty

Kia Cee'd Brochure

FIRST IMAGES OF NEW CEE’D REVEALED