Kia Teases Svelte New Small Hatch Concept

Kia has revealed the first glimpse of its next-generation Euro hatch in concept form ahead of a full reveal set to take place at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

Previewing the design of the European-market Cee’d, Kia describes the sleek concept as “a bold vision for a potential member of the next-generation Cee’d family” suggesting that the fastback styling shown here could join the range alongside a more traditional five-door model.

With only one image released to date, full details of the new concept are difficult to discern, but obvious premium influenced like frameless door glass and hidden door handles seem unlikely to make the transition to any eventual production model.

Australian buyers were previously offered the three-door Pro_Cee’d GT warm hatch for a limited time in Australia, but it sales were limited thanks to its less practical body and lack of automatic transmission option.

Kia’s small hatch needs are instead met by the American-influenced Cerato range, which is itself due for renewal in 2018. Both it and the Cee’d are likely to share key chassis components, but vary in terms of packaging and styling.

An all-new Cee’d also raises hopes of a hot hatch variant using the same mechanical package as Hyundai’s recently unveiled i30 N, trading out the 150kW 1.6-litre engine of the previous Cee’d GT for the up-to 202kW 2.0-litre turbo four of Hyundai’s performance hero.

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