The new Kia cee’d goes on sale here in Ireland early in May.
The range will start the five-door model, while the SW model will follow in September. The line-up will then be completed with the arrival of the three-door version next January.
More sophisticated and refined that its predecessor, the new cee'd is also more efficient and delivers a more engaging driving experience than the old model. With all this improvement, it is expected to build on the success of the original model, further boosting Kia's growing reputation.
The new cee'd model line-up will comprise three trim and engine choices. There is the entry level TX with a starting price of €18,995 ex-works. This is followed by the mid-level EX and top of the range Platinum. The TX will be available in 1.4 litre petrol and 1.4 and 1.6 litre diesel. The EX spec will be married to the 1.4 or 1.6 litre diesel engines, while the top of the range Platinum model will be available only with the higher powered 1.6 litre diesel unit.
The 1.4 litre petrol at 99bhp has a CO2 of 139g/km and falls into Band B for road tax. The 89bhp 1.4 litre diesel unit falls into the A Band (109g/km CO2 ), as does the 126bhp 1.6 litre diesel unit that returns 100g/km CO2 return.
Kia Ireland says all model variants come with a high level of standard trim. The TX features Bluetooth, audio remote controls, air-con, trip computer, electric mirrors and six speed transmission.
The EX (the expected most popular choice for customers ) also includes 16” alloys, cruise control, flex steering system, all round electric windows, front fogs, LED lights front and rear, leather covered steering wheel, and rear parking sensors .
At the top end, the Platinum model adds a host of other features including 17” alloys, leather upholstery with heated front seats and driver seat memory, smart park assist, panoramic sunroof, navigation system, heated leather steering wheel, privacy glass, smart key entry, and rain sensor front wipers.
Kia emphasises that safety is a priority and the car has been built to achieve a five star NCAP rating. Standard on all models are ESP, ABS, emergency brake sssist, hill assist control to prevent roll-back, vehicle stability management, and emergency stop signal.
Each new cee’d is fitted with six airbags as standard – front, front side, and full length curtain. Pedestrian safety is improved with the adoption of collapsible headlamps, a stiffer lower bumper lip, and shock-absorbing structures in the hood and its hinges.
Launched in 2007, the original cee’d was a landmark and game-changing model for Kia. Designed, developed and built in Europe, cee’d was the first model to establish Kia as a serious contender to the established brands. Winning praise from media and public for its all-round ownership proposition, cee’d claimed second place in the Continental Irish Car of the Year award – the highest ranking for a Kia vehicle. The cee’d was also the pioneer for Kia’s industry leading seven-year warranty which was extended to the entire Kia range in January 2010
“The original cee’d was a paradigm shift for Kia, taking the company into the hotly contested C-segment with a truly competitive car for the first time,” Paul Philpott, chief operating officer at Kia Motors Europe told the Advertiser. “Just as the original cee’d represented a major step forward for Kia in 2007, this second-generation model represents a further leap for the brand – both in terms of the capability and sophistication of the vehicle, and what it will do to drive further momentum in our European sales.”
The cee’d has sold some 5000 units since its launch in Ireland and Kia Motors Ireland MD James Brooks is confident that the second generation cee’d will establish Kia in the all-important C segment of the market.
“The Kia range at present is second to none in the market – with every single model on sale introduced in the last three years. This new cee’d has the same stunning styling as Rio and Sportage and, combined with the engineering and safety features, plus of course the unbeatable warranty, is sure to be a great success in the Irish market.”
