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Hottest Kia yet on way to SA

Kia has won over many hearts with its stylish products during the last few years and now the Korean automaker’s first high-performance model is ready to hit the streets, the Pro_cee'd GT.

Kia says it's the most eagerly anticipated new model in the brand's history. The three-door Pro_cee’d GT, is to go on sale in the UK in July priced at the equivalent of R308 800 and a five-door will follow in early 2014.

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Under the bonnet lies a turbocharged 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol direct injection (T-GDI) engine making 149kW/265Nm from 1750-4500rpm, clocking zero to 100km/h in 7.4 seconds to a top speed of 230km/h.

MORE POWER

A normally aspirated version of the direct-injection Gamma engine is available in the Pro_cee’d range but, with the exhaust-driven turbocharger in the GT, power/torque figures are up by 51 and 61% respectively. Mated to a a slick-shifting six-speed manual transmission, Kia claims a combined fuel consumption of 7.4 litres/100km and 171g/km of carbon emissions.

The sporty model will have an improved chassis, better styling and interior upgrades. Two trim levels will be available, ‘GT’ or ‘GT Tech’. There’ll also be a limited launch edition model called ‘GT 1st Edition’. Only 500 will be assembled.

SA-BOUND

According to Kia dealers, both GT and GT Tech models will land in SA by the end of 2013. The limited '1st Edition', of which 500 will be made for worldwide distribution, is yet to be confirmed - as is local pricing.

Kia SA says they really want the car to come here as a flagship model in the stable and they'll know more by September. A spokesman said: " If the economy is good, there's a 99% chance it will be here."

Recaro seats will be standard with leather or suede options; along with 18"alloys wrapped in sporty Michelin tyres . Steering has been re-tuned, along with the suspension, for better handling and performance to increase damper rebound and compression rates, stiffer springs and bushes and a larger rear anti-roll bar.

The range also sees the biggest brakes on a Kia - 300mm front ventilated and 262mm at the rear.

GOOD LOOKS, TOO

Styling sees a lower, broader bumper and lower central air intake along with an underscored red trim line. Black inserts house the ‘ice-cube’ LED daytime running lights and foglights. There's a graphite chrome-framed radiator grille.

At the rear the broad stance is emphasised by a diffuser section in the lower bumper, separating the dual exhaust outlets.

On the inside, there’s loads of GT red stitching, a leather steering wheel and gear knob, black headlining and several gloss black trim items.

Comfort treats include aircon, cruise control, automatic lights, cornering lights, reversing sensors, Bluetooth phone connectivity with music streaming and voice recognition, a six-speaker radio/CD player with iPod connectivity, a unique ‘GT’ dash display, power windows and heatable folding mirrors, privacy glass on the rear windows and tail door.

Safety goodies include electronic stability control, vehicle stability management, hill-start assist control, anti-lock brakes with EBD and brake assist and six airbags.
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