The faster
derivative of the Kia Ceed is being reportedly developed by the same team that
created the hot Hyundai i30 N. This will include some high-speed testing at the
Nurburgring in a bid to give the new Ceed GT a more fun-to-drive character than
its predecessor.
Albert Biermann’s team will make sure that the new
Ceed GT will offer a similar handling character with the i30 N, but it will not
be as focused as its cousin. The biggest question to be answered is what sort
of engine the new Ceed GT will use. Given the company’s will to keep a distance
between the fast Kia and the more aggressive Hyundai i30 N, the Korean hatch will
most likely offer around 200 hp instead of the i30 N’s 271 hp.
That could come from either a detuned version of the
turbocharged 2.0-liter petrol unit found in the hot Hyundai or from the
company’s smaller 1.6-liter turbo. Some reports even suggest the use of a
mild-hybrid 48-volt powertrain.
The test car you see in the spy shots might be
heavily camouflaged, but details of the sportier bodykit like the bigger alloy
wheels, the deeper side sills with red detailing and portions of the new bumper
design spill the beans. The twin exhaust pipes with their trapezoidal tips and
the covered roof spoiler are further proof.
The more forgiving character of the Kia Ceed GT will
allow it to rival more rounded hot hatches in the segment, including the VW
Golf GTI, leaving hardcore -and faster- players like the Renault Megane RS to
deal with the Hyundai i30 N directly.
Expect the new Kia Ceed GT to be revealed sometime
in late 2018, with a market launch set for early 2019, so stay tuned.
Cr : Carscoops
