Kia ECO Cee’d Models Coming In 2008: 3.9L/100 Km - 60 MPG!

Kia announced today that it will put the green-performance eco_cee’d concept car, first shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show (click here), into production from December 2008 with sales starting in early 2009. The new ‘eco’ cee’d product line-up will include all three regular cee’d body styles – five-door, three-door and wagon. The Frankfurt show concept car was based on the three door pro_cee’d and it was equipped with a 115 Hp1.6-litre CRDi turbo diesel engine. A combination of minor modifications (engine, gearbox and aerodynamics) and equipment additions to the standard vehicle (start & stop system), helped reduced avg. fuel consumption to 3.9 litres/100km or 60 mpg (-17%) and CO2 emissions to 104 g/km (down 8.4%). -Details after the jump

Kia plans to market ‘eco’ versions of cee’d models

Production of ‘eco’ cee’d models planned from December 2008

Significantly reduced fuel consumption and lowered emissions

Will meet Euro5 emissions more than two years before requirement

Retains best-in-class 7-Years Warranty and EuroNCAP 5-Star rating

Aerodynamic enhancements cut drag to Cd 0.29

The impressive performance, fuel economy and emissions figures of the concept car were largely the result of improved aerodynamics which brought the drag coefficient down from Cd 0.33 to just Cd 0.29, representing a significant improvement of 11%.

Following extensive wind-tunnel testing, Kia engineers lowered the concept’s suspension, fitted under-floor coverings to the front, middle and rear of the vehicle, adopted wheel arch linings with ‘spoiler’ lips to smooth airflow around the wheels, plus a low-drag front grille to improve air flow over the vehicle. Finally, ultra-low rolling resistance Michelin tyres were mounted on special 17-inch alloy wheels that generate minimum disturbance to the airflow along the sides of the car.

Euro5 emissions, enhanced electronics and reduced engine friction

Engines for the ‘eco’ cee’d models will already comply with the Euro5 emissions regulations which come into force in January 2011. Engine changes which will transfer to the ‘eco’ cee’d range from the concept car include measures to maximise fuel efficiency and reduce emissions, such as reduced turbo boost pressure (diesel models), enhanced fuel injection timing, modified residual gas rates and reductions in internal engine friction.

New ISG (Idle Stop&Go) system

To maximise the value of the aerodynamic and powertrain improvements, the new ‘eco’ cee’d models will be fitted with Kia’s new ISG (Idle Stop&Go) system, including Smart battery Power Management. This system has regenerative braking, which automatically recharges the battery during deceleration, and switches the engine off when the car is stopped and the engine is at idle, dramatically cutting both fuel consumption and emissions during typical stop-start city driving.

More gears, lower revs, lower consumption

All the new ‘eco’ cee’d’ models will be fitted with a new six-speed manual gearbox instead of the five-speed used on standard cars. Higher ratios for fourth, fifth and sixth gears will improve fuel consumption at motorway speeds. First, second and third gears retain the standard ratios to ensure that the dynamic performance of the standard car accelerating from standstill is carried over.

To further guarantee that the ‘eco’ cee’d models’ engines and transmissions are always operating at high efficiency, an ECU-controlled ‘Shift Indicator’ will be fitted in the instrument cluster. This displays the optimum gear choice for the speed at which the car is travelling, and indicates the ideal moment (based on road speed and engine speed) at which to change gear.

Customer choices for a greener future

The new ‘eco’ cee’d product line-up will include all three regular cee’d body styles – five-door, three-door and wagon – to continue Kia’s policy of maximising customer choice. All ‘eco’ cee’d models will retain the standard cee’d electric power steering, fully independent suspension and all-disc braking system, so the ‘eco-friendly’ cars will be just as much fun to drive as the regular models.

100,000th Kia Cee’d Kia Rolls Off Slovakian Production Line

Kia just saw its 100,000th Cee’d (80,000 5doors & 20,000 SWs) roll off its European production-line in Zilina, Slovakia. The cherry-red Cee’d is destined for a customer in Denmark. Kia’s €1 billion ($1.4 billion) European factory has been open for less than a year and according to Korean officials, it can generate an ultimate capacity of 300,000 units annually. The plant produces one car every minute which is equivalent to 100 cars per employee per year. For the time being, the Zilina plant occupies 2,400 employees in two shifts producing three Kia models – Cee’d five-door hatchback, Ccee’d Sporty Wagon and Sportage SUV. At the end of October Kia will begin production of a fourth model, the Kia pro_cee’d three-door (click here). -Pics after the jump

Kia Cee’d Safety Car

Kia’s ramping up its press efforts on the Cee’d by informing us about every single organization that’s using their European built C-Segment hatch. So following the release on the Slovakian Police that signed a contract to receive about 4,000 units until 2010 (the Cee’d is built in Slovakia if you’re wondering), the Korean’s informed us today of the Cee’d safety car that’s used in several motor racing circuits around the UK. -Continued after the jump

The Cee’d safety car features among other things, an updated suspension from Eibach that lowers the car by around 20mm, enhanced brake system, a color-coded rear spoiler and black 18-inch Rimstock alloy wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport tires. Here’s an idea for the Kia folks; how about creating a sporty version of the Cee’d based on the safety car?

Kia To Supply Slovakian Police With Cee’d Fleet

Kia Motors has won a contract to supply Cee’ds to the Slovakian police forces until 2010. The Cee’d is manufactured locally at Kia’s first-ever plant in Europe, the €1 billion Zilina. According to the Korean company, the first batch of 43 cee’d police patrol cars were handed-over last week and a further 350 cee’d cars are scheduled for delivery later this year. Over the next three years, up to 4,000 Kia vehicles could be ordered as part of the Slovakian Interior Ministry’s re-equipment program. “This significant fleet order from the Slovakia Republic is an endorsement of the design, quality and durability of the Kia cee’d,” commented Jean-Charles Lievens, Senior Vice President Kia Motors Europe.

Euro NCAP: 5-Star Ratings For Peugeot 308 & Kia Cee’d

For first the time since Euro NCAP started testing the Korean automakers models in 2003, a Kia, the Cee’d, managed to achieve a 5-star rating in adult occupant protection with an overall score of 34 points. Peugeot’s on the other hand continued its strike of 5-star rating models (1007, 207 & 407) with the new 308 hatch. In the child protection tests both models were awarded with 4 out 5 stars while in pedestrian protection, the Cee’d got a mediocre 2-star rating (out of 4) and the Peugeot a 3 star rating. -Continued after the jump

EURO NCAP KIA CEE’D

Front impact
The passenger compartment remained stable during the impact. Structures in the dashboard presented a risk of injury to the knees and femurs of the driver and the passenger. The clutch pedal moved rearward more than 100mm, but there was no rupture of the footwell.

Side impact
The Cee'd scored maximum points in the side impact and pole tests

Child-protection
The car scored maximum points for the dynamic performance of the 3 year old dummy in the frontal and side impacts. The front passenger's airbag can be disabled, allowing a rearward facing child restraint to be used in that seating position. However, information provided to the driver about the status of the airbag is not sufficiently clear. The label warning of the dangers of using a rearward facing child restraint in the passenger's seat without first disabling the airbag was not clear and was not permanently visible. The presence of ISOFIX anchorages in the rear outboard seats was not clearly marked.

Pedestrian protection
The bumper scored no points for the protection offered to pedestrians' legs. Protection of adults' heads was also rated as predominantly poor.

EURO NCAP PEUGEOT 308

Front impact
The passenger compartment remained stable during the impact. The driver's knees were well protected by an airbag mounted in the lower dashboard. Peugeot showed that the airbag would also protect occupants who were larger or smaller than the dummy used in the test, and those sat in different seating positions. The passenger was well restrained and his knees did not get close to the dashboard.

Side impact
The 308 scored maximum points in the side impact and pole tests.

Child-protection
The passenger airbag can be disabled to allow a rearward facing child restraint to be used in that seating position. However, information provided to the driver regarding the status of the airbag is not clear. The presence of ISOFIX anchorages in the front passenger seat and the rear outboard seats was not clearly marked.

Pedestrian protection
The bumper scored maximum points for its protection of pedestrians' legs. Also, the protection offered by the bonnet to the head of a struck child was predominantly fair. However, protection of adults' heads was mostly poor.

Kia Unveils Pro-cee’d’s Audi A3 Inspired Buttocks

Kia has taken off the wraps on the second preview image of the three door Cee’d, dubbed Pro-cee’d, unveiling the tail of the car which has remained quite close to the original concept previewed at the 2006 Paris Show. Judging from this image, we’d say that former Audi designer Peter Schreyer took a rather close look at the 3door A3 (see pic below) when he penned the Pro-cee’d. In any case, Kia’s sporty hatch looks like quite the piece and we believe that its design will draw a lot of attention in the European C-Segment category (VW Golf, Opel Astra, Renault Megane etc).

“We wanted to make Pro-cee’d as ‘sporty’ as cee’d could possibly be, while still remaining a member of our cee’d family,” explains Gregory Guillaume, Chief Designer, Kia Motors Europe. -Continued: Click “Read More…” below

“We are proud that the appearance of the Pro-cee’d production car remains so close to the concept we showed at the Paris Motor Show in 2006. The three-door Kia Pro-cee’d is such a comprehensive re-working of the cee’d design theme that only the bonnet and the front wing panels are carried over from the five door model. All other exterior panels are new and exclusive to this car.”

The new Kia Pro-cee’d three-door hatchback model will make its World Premiere at this year’s Frankfurt International Motor Show on 11 September and will go on sale across Europe in early 2008.

Kia Cee’d By Giacuzzo

Indicative of Kia and Hyundai’s gaining popularity in Europe, tuners have started offering several sport packages for the Korean’s new sub-compact hatches. On its behalf, German tuning house Giacuzzo undertakes the task of visually improving the new 5door Kia Cee’d with an optic package that includes a front and rear bumper spoiler, an exhaust system and a roof spoiler. Additionally you can choose through a wide range of 19-inch alloy rims. -More pictures after the jump

Link: Giacuzzo

2008 Kia Pro-cee’d: 3door Version Of The Cee’d Revealed

Kia has released the first teaser image of the Pro-cee’d, or to put it simply, the Cee’d 3door hatchback, prior to its World Premiere at this year’s Frankfurt International Motor Show on 11 September. Developed by Kia’s design team in Europe under the direction of Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer, the Pro-cee’d is the production version of the ‘pro_cee’d’ concept shown at the Paris Motor Show in 2006.

From what we can make, Kia’s design team seems to have stayed close to the original concept. Compared to the 5door Cee’d, the 3door version features a restyled front bumper and more pronounced rear wheel arches while according to Kia, it’s also longer and lower. Sadly, the Koreans avoided handing out a rear-quarter picture of the Pro-cee’d so we could see if the Audi A3 inspired rear-end of the concept passed into production. -Continued: Click “Read More…” below

Jean-Charles Lievens, Senior Vice President Kia Motors Europe commented, “Longer, lower and lighter than its five-door sister car, the new Kia Pro-cee’d is going to be a great drive. Combining real style and genuine practicality, our new three-door cee’d is sure to delight existing Kia customers and attract a new group of European consumers who have not yet considered our brand.”

Like the two other members of the Cee’d family (5door and SW), the Pro-cee’d will be manufactured in Slovakia. According to Kia, production is scheduled to begin in November with first customer sales during the early months of 2008.

Update: Kia’s 2007 Frankfurt Show Line-Up

As promised, we made a few calls here and there to try to learn a bit more about Kia’s 2+2 Coupe Concept that we revealed earlier today. Unfortunately, our Kia source told us that although Korean execs informed him about the Coupe last night, they were as vague about it as the press release. However our source confirmed that apart from the Coupe, Kia will unveil the production version of the pro cee’d concept (3door Cee’d) along with a new Hybrid car. And yes you guessed it; once again, Kia officials anally avoided giving out specific details about the Hybrid car so all we can do for the time being is speculate.

2008 Kia Cee'd 3door Hatch Spied

Kia’s European built, designed and engineered C-Segment model will soon welcome a new member in its family, a 3door version which will also base next year’s 225Hp GTi –we don’t know the name yet. Spied here wearing more camo than a Paradoxophyla palmate (a narrow-headed frog native to Madagascar that’s a master of camouflage – don’t blame us, blame the Discovery Channel…), the 3door Cee’d has been designed by Peter Schreyer, the father of Audi’s iconic fist generation TT.

As Kia people pointed out to us last year at the Paris Show, the 3door Cee’d will closely resemble the pro cee’d Concept. Of course, we’ve heard that before so we’re not keeping our hopes up too high. Either way we’ll soon find out since as our Kia insider informed us, the 3door Cee’d will break cover at the Frankfurt Show this September. -Continued: Click “Read More…” below

Pics via: kiaworld

"Kia Cee’d XR": Made By INCUS Tuning House... However, A 225Hp 2.0 Turbo Is Coming In ‘08 April

Although we posted a detailed report on all upcoming versions of Kia's Cee’d last week we thought it would be a good idea to get a few things clear after seeing a report on the Cee’d XR on Autocar today. First of all, the "XR" styling kit was unveiled in March at the 2007 AutoRai Show in Amsterdam -see here. Second, it’s the work of a tuning house called INCUS (Innovative Customization Sys) that also offers a kit for the Hyundai Elantra/ Avante. From what we made, INCUS doesn’t seem to be associated with the Hyundai Group –any help from Korean speaking readers will be more than welcome.

As for the "hot" Cee’d, while our inside source hesitated to give us a name, he was pretty clear about two things; it’s going on sale in Europe in April 2008, and it’ll be equipped with a 2.0-liter Turbo engine delivering 225Hp (and not 200Hp as previously thought). And yes, its going to be based on the 3door Cee’d that goes on sale in Europe this October, a month after its worldwide debut in Frankfurt this September. -More Pictures of the INCUS Kia Cee’d XR after the jump

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Kia cee'd: Cabriolet & 3door coming to Europe in October '07, 225Hp GTi in April '08

Last September we broke the news to you that Kia was aiming to present four brand-new versions to its C-segment cee'd (3d, Station Wagon, Cabrio and GTi) all of which would go on sale in Europe between late 2007, early 2008. Yesterday, we managed to obtain specific info on the presentation and unveiling dates of the cee’d 3door, Cabriolet and 3door GTi (the SW has already been presented). The production versions of the pro cee’d (3d) & ex cee’d (Cabriolet) concepts will be unveiled at the forthcoming Frankfurt Motor Show in September with sales starting in Europe in October. The 3door GTi, which from what we learnt will get a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine delivering 225Hp (!) and not 200 as previously thought, will make its debut at the Geneva Show in March 2008 with sales beginning in April.

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KIA KND-4 Concept premieres at Seoul Motor Show

Well if you too aren’t from Korea, you’d probably have no idea that the 2007 Seoul Motor Show opens its doors to the public on April 7. Anyway, according to the Korean company the KND-4 concept gives a hint at how Kia’s future compact SUV models might look like. Conceived and created at the Kia Namyang Design Centre, 4466mm-long Luminous Green colored concept is powered by a 2.2-litre VGT diesel engine driving all four wheels via the latest version of Kia’s Active Torque Transfer (ATT). -Click “Read More…” below to see a high-res image gallery and the press release

PRESS RELEASE: Kia reveals new KND-4 concept SUV at Seoul Motor Show

- Exterior styling removes boundaries between urban and rural vehicles

- Four-seat interior is ‘future-oriented’ with AMOLED and Blu-ray technologies

(SEOUL) April 5, 2007 – Kia Motors Corporation is staging the world premiere of its all-new KND-4 concept car today (Thursday) at the Seoul International Motor Show. Designed to reassert Kia’s credentials as a leading brand in the 4x4 and RV vehicle sectors, the new SUV concept car projects a dynamic, powerful character and exudes a strong sense of individuality. Although clearly a ‘concept car,’ the Luminous Green, three-door, 4466mm-long KND-4 gives a bold hint at how future Kia compact SUV models might look.

This is the first Kia vehicle to demonstrate the company’s renewed passion for ‘Designology’ (Design & Technology) – its ongoing commitment to making automobiles that are both more stylish and technologically advanced.

“The KND-4 is an exciting vehicle which showcases Kia’s increasingly sophisticated styling and advanced technologies that will give our future products an even stronger and more distinctive road presence,” commented Mr Yong-Hwan Kim, Senior Executive Vice President and COO of Kia Motors Corporation. “Over time, elements of this concept SUV will evolve into our next-generation lineup, ensuring the continued global popularity of our already competitive 4x4 models.”

The exterior styling of KND-4 is designed to appeal to consumers who crave freedom and an active lifestyle, while removing the traditional boundaries between urban and rural vehicles to create an SUV that looks great in any location. The sleek, rounded nose features LED headlights, while flared wheelarches wrap around large diameter 20-inch wheels and 245/40 R20 low-profile tyres, which appear to bulge out of the vehicle’s form.

The ponounced shoulder line, glass-house profile and sweeping C-pillar give a dynamic flare to KND-4. The full-width rear screen emphasises the interior volume and provides a simple contrast to the complex styling of the LED rear lamp clusters. Short overhangs and a high ground clearance ensure excellent off-road ability.

‘Future-oriented’ High-tech Interior

Designed to seat four people in individual seats, the KND-4’s interior is ‘future-oriented’ with floor, dashboard and door trim panels in metallic finish, highlighted by indirect lighting that reflects in this metallic material and creates an exciting cabin ambience.

The interior is equipped with the most advanced IT technology available to present the driver with information from within and from outside the vehicle. Dominating the centre stack is a next generation AMOLED (Active-Matrix, Organic Light Emitting Diode) display screen which features an ultra-thin screen, ultra-wide viewing angle and ultra-high contrast.

Controlled by multi-function buttons on the steering wheel, the KND-4 offers the driver both Bluetooth and Blu-ray (high density optical disc) technologies, plus a built-in hard disc for the audio player. Blu-ray can store 10 times the information of a regular DVD.

KND-4 is powered by a 2.2-litre VGT diesel engine driving all four wheels via the latest version of Kia’s Active Torque Transfer (ATT) system which, in severely slippery conditions, automatically distributes torque to the wheel or wheels with the best traction.

Conceived and created at the world-class Kia Namyang Design Centre – hence the KND-4 naming – the SUV concept is a clear demonstration that Kia does indeed have ‘The Power to Surprise.’

KND-4 Dimensions

Overall length 4466 mm

Wheelbase 2630 mm

Width 1860 mm

Height 1600 mm

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Kia cee’d Sportpacket – No 200Hp 2.0T hidden here

From the looks of it, the allegedly “scoop” pics of a top-spec Cee’d xR that circulated around the net a couple of days ago where featuring nothing more than a Cee’d with a full-bodykit. The “uncovered” Cee’d you’re seeing here was officially presented at the 2007 AutoRai car show in Amsterdam. Apart from the inarguably nice-looking bodykit, the sportpacket also includes interior modifications. Via: Kia.nl

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Kia Cee’d xR: Could this be the 200Hp GTi version?

Last year we were tipped off that Kia planned to introduce 4 more versions of its new Cee’d hatch –a 3door, a Coupe-Cabrio, a SW and a GTi equipped with a 2.0-liter Turbo engine pumping out approximately 200Hp. Six months later and we’ve already seen the production version of the SW and prototypes of the hardtop Cabrio and the 3door hatch, but until now, we had no visual encounter with the GTi. Although we have no confirmation that these scoop images feauturing a 5d Cee’d in GTi combat actually reveal Kia’s sporty version of the Cee’d, it does look like it’s the real thing. Via: Autoblog.com , Source Caradisiac

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Geneva Preview: Kia ex_cee’d Cabrio Concept

Hyundai Group’s attack on the European market continues as the over-ambitious Koreans presented the Kia ex_cee’d Cabrio Concept. The styling of the soft-top Cee’d is the work of Peter Schreyer, Kia’s new Chief Design Officer. Does the name ring a bell? Well, it ought to as Schreyer is considered as the father of Audi’s iconic fist generation TT. Schreyer moved over to Kia last September leaving his job as the head of VW advanced design studios.

Based on Kia’s upcoming three-door version of cee’d (due to go into production in December), the ex_cee’d Cabrio features an electric folding fabric roof. According to Schreyer, Kia deliberately chose to avoid the coupe-cabrio craze as they’re convinced that the fabric roof will have a renaissance in the near future. Having driven most of the coupe-cabrios in the European market and unless manufactures find a way to radically improve reliability issues, I can’t say I disagree with him.

Although Kia doesn’t mention it in its press release, last year at the Paris Show I learned that all four versions of the Cee'd (Cabrio, 2.0 GTi, 3door & Station Wagon) will be presented in 2007, with sales commencing in Europe towards the end of 2007 and the beginning of 2008 (depending on the country). –Continued: Click “Read More…” to see the press release and I more image

PRESS RELEASE: GENEVA WORLD PREMIERE FOR SCHREYER’S KIA ex_cee’dCABRIO CONCEPT

Kia’s exciting all-new ex_cee’d cabrio concept car will be premiered at the 77th Geneva Motor Show on 6 March.

The styling of the eagerly anticipated ex_cee’d cabrio is the work of Peter Schreyer, Kia’s new Chief Design Officer, and hints at the future direction Kia vehicles could be taking under his guidance.

Based on the new three-door cee’d hatchback, due to go into production at the Zilina factory in Slovakia from December, the ex_cee’d shares the same platform, but features all-new exterior panels and a powered folding fabric roof.

By adopting a fabric roof, the ex_cee’d deliberately goes its own retro way rather than following the trend towards cabrios with folding metal roofs. Peter Schreyer paid special attention to designing a classic cabrio with a traditional soft-top roof: “I’m convinced that the fabric roof will have a renaissance. We’ve all lived with the romantic idea of open-air driving for a long time and for me, the fabric roof is the quintessential element of a truly rewarding cabrio.”

With its slight wedge shape profile, muscular wings over 19-inch alloy wheels, and aggressive nose with dynamic front styling, the ex_cee’d has instantly found a form that stands out from the cabrio crowd. The cabrio concept is finished in ‘meringue white’ exterior paint with a ‘bitter chocolate’ fabric roof – colours that are echoed by the interior’s two-tone leather.

“With this new cabrio concept car, Kia has once again demonstrated that it is a young, style-conscious company that knows how to combine elegance with dynamics,” enthused Mr Yong-Hwan Kim, Senior Executive Vice President and COO Kia Motors.

“The Kia ex_cee’d is a fresh aesthetic high-point in our history, an encouraging sign of the growing internationalisation of our brand and a step in the process of evolving into a European company with Korean roots,” he added.

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Paris Show : 2007 Kia Cee'd Sport Wagon

Two out five for Kia who decided to unveil the second version of its European designed, engineered and made, Cee'd. The estate-bodied Cee'd sport wagon follows the 5door hatch Cee'd and a sporty 3door hatch prototype called pro_cee'd, all of whom will make their debut at Paris. Read about Kia's future plans here : 3door, Coupe-Cabrio, GTi & Station versions

Press Release : Due to go into full production in the middle of 2007 and on sale throughout Europe from next September, the vehicle is the next in Kia's European-designed, European-engineered cee'd line-up to be built at the Zilina factory in Slovakia.

The 4.470 mm long, 1.490 mm high, car features a tailgate shaped like an inverted "L" with its hinges set back over the load area so the tailgate rises almost vertically, giving enhanced access to the large-capacity cargo area that has additional storage below the floor.

The vehicle has the same 2650 mm wheelbase as the five-door hatchback cee'd that makes its world premiere in production-ready form at the Paris Motor Show and goes on sale in Europe from December 2006. When the new model goes on sale next September, customers will be offered an extensive choice of five engines, three trim/equipment levels and 12 exterior colours.

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