Kia provides a sneak-peek of its new pro_cee’d GT

This is the ‘hot-hatch’ version of Kia’s redesigned pro_cee’d, due for launch in the second half of 2013, although the term ‘hot’ might just be a little ambitious for a model powered by a 200bhp 1.6-litre direct-injection turbo engine and offered with either a six-speed manual or double-clutch transmission.

Kia’s all-new pro_cee’d which had its global debut at the 2012 Paris Motor Show, will go on sale in Spring next year.

The new pro_cee’d was first seen at September’s Paris Motor Show and signals a new push by Kia to join the ranks of mainstream models such as Volkswagen’s Golf and Ford’s Focus.

However Kia appears to have fallen at the first hurdle, pitching 1.6-litres against the 2.0-litre class norm and just 200bhp against the 217bhp Golf GTI and 247bhp Focus ST.

Kia describe its new pro_cee’d GT as being “..perfectly aligned with Kia’s sportiness and fun-to-drive positioning”, but it will need a lot more than that if it’s to steal sales away from the hot hatch class leaders.