Chassis tweaks and torque vectoring for updated Kia Procee’d GT
Part of wider refresh for entire Cee’d range
Kia has tweaked the chassis and added new features to its 2015 Procee’d GT as part of a wave of refreshments for the Cee’d model range. The carmaker claims that new geometry settings for the GT’s front wheels will give greater on-centre feel, recalibrated electric power steering will make for more linear responses and the addition of torque vectoring should help to improve traction.
The updated car sits on new 18-inch 10-spoke wheels wrapped in 225 width Michelin Pilot Sport 3 rubber, and behind these, larger front brake discs help to boost stopping power. The result is a 1.03 metre shorter 62-0mph stopping distance – it’s now down to 35.2 metres.
The car’s 1.6-litre turbocharged engine remains unchanged – it still produces 201bhp at 6000rpm and 195lb ft of torque at 1750rpm – as does its six-speed gearbox, ensuring the pre-update car’s straight-line performance still stands: 62mph arrives in a claimed 7.3sec and top speed is a quoted 143mph.
Kia says road noise and vibration has been reduced as the outgoing car’s solid rear anti-roll bar is replaced with a hollow one, while the fitment of an electric sound generator inside the car’s cabin is said to add a rich note to the engine’s tone – though its arrival might disappoint some purists.
We were fans of the original Procee’d GT, having run one on our Fast Fleet for several months. Though the car’s linear powerband meant it never felt quite as fast as the specs suggest, there was no denying it’s chassis was competent and particularly impressive on track – Jethro Bovingdon was impressed with the car’s strong brakes, chassis balance and turn-in adjustability during our hot hatch feature of evo 207.
Though it’s the model we’re most interested in, the Procee’d GT isn’t the only to Cee’d to get a refresh. Across the range, updated chassis settings boost refinement while torque vectoring increases agility. And added to the options lists are Blind Spot Detection and Rear Cross Traffic Alert optional passive safety systems.
A new three-cylinder 1-litre unit also joins the engine options, along with a new 1.6-litre CRDi diesel and seven-speed double-clutch automatic gearbox. The smaller unit is good for a claimed 57.6mpg and emits as little as 113g/km of CO2, while the diesel manages 74.3mpg and 99g/km of CO2.
The recently added GT-Line remains with the updated model – it mixes the sporty look of the Procee’d GT with the powertrains of the more economical Cee’d.
The list of updates come at a cost however, because prices for the 2015 Kia Procee’d GT start at £23,105, which is a substantial £2900 more than the outgoing model. That brings it into line with the likes of the £23,050 Mini John Cooper Works, though you could argue that the Kia is a far more practical offering.
The standard Cee’d now starts at £14,905, a £100 increase on the previous car, the Procee’d from £15,250 and the Sportswagon from £16,750 – both representing increases of £350.
Order books are open, with the first cars due in UK dealerships from 1 October.
