Kia has announced new updates to its popular Ceed range which includes the five-door hatchback, Sportswagon estate and three-door Proceed models.
It may not be obvious from the outside that anything has changed as the infamous tiger-nose grille remains with its wraparound headlamps, however take a closer look and you’ll notice that the front bumper is now wider and more angular than before with new chrome detailing around the fog lamps and a new oval-shaped grille mesh.
At the rear of the car there are new LED lamps too and a reshaped bumper with integrated reflectors.
Inside there are upgraded materials and dashboard functions and comfort levels have also been enhanced thanks to improved sound and vibration insulation around the car.
All engines in the Ceed range are now compliant with the Euro6 emissions standard and an all-new 1-litre petrol engine joins the line-up. The new three cylinder powertrain is the first of Kia’s upcoming range of downsized engines to make its debut in Europe and will be available with a choice of two power outputs; 98bhp and 118bhp, both are expected to deliver the lowest CO2 emissions of any petrol Ceed to date.
The 1.6-litre diesel engine has been upgraded too and crucially for company car drivers, CO2 emissions fall to as low as 94g/km meaning a 16 percent BIK tax band for the current 2015/16 tax year.
Modifications to the suspension and chassis aim to improve ride comfort and handling and the higher powered 1.6-litre diesel now produces 134bhp (up from 126bhp) and will be available exclusively with an all-new seven-speed automatic gearbox. When fitted the car emits 109g/km, placing it into a 19 percent BIK tax band for the current 2015/16 year.
The Ceed will continue to be offered with the 1.6-litre 126bhp and 1.4-litre 98bhp petrol engines, as well as the popular 1.4-litre diesel option.
As well as the design enhancements and engine upgrades, new equipment has also been added including an upgraded Smart Parking Assist system which will help you steer into trickier perpendicular and parallel parking spaces, a new sat-nav system powered by TomTom and new safety features like blind spot monitoring and collision prevention technology.
Designed and engineered in Europe before launching originally in December 2006, the Ceed is manufactured at Kia’s production facility in Slovakia and remains one of the firm’s best selling models with more than 75,000 sold across Europe in 2014.
