Kia Motors Europe will launch a new cee’d ‘GT Line’ specification for its Slovakian-built c’eed line at the Geneva show in March. The model slots in below the top turbo GT models and introduces a new one-litre I3 engine and seven speed dual clutch transmission to Europe.
Kia said the GT Line combines the sporty looks of the high performance cee’d GT and pro_cee’d GT with the versatility of the conventional cee’d model family. The trim level will be available on all body styles – three- and five-door hatchback and five-door wagon.
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The exterior gets ice-cube LED daytime running lights and deeper bumpers plus the wider GT bumper and twin exhausts on hatchbacks while the wagon has dual exhausts and a subtle rear diffuser. All get the GT’s sill mouldings and rear LED light units plus a new 17-inch alloy wheel design.
The GT Line has a new grey, white and black upholstery with grey stitching; a series of GT Line logos throughout the cabin; and the same piano black and leather steering wheel and aluminium alloy pedals as the top turbo GT models. The dashboard is also equipped with a new aluminium start-stop button, GT-inspired centre fascia design, illumination for the USB and aux-in ports and new chrome trim around the air vents and power window switches.
As well as the new I3 one litre engine, the 1.6-litre CRDi diesel engine has been upgraded for the GT Line with power increased from 128PS to 133PS and torque from 265 to 285 Nm. With the small increase in performance, the engine’s full torque is now available from lower engine speeds.
Despite the increase in power and performance, CO2 emissions are expected to fall slightly once homologation is complete.
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By GlobalDataSeven-speed dual-clutch transmission
The GT Line also launches Kia’s seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) but only with the diesel engine. It is capable of handling torque outputs up to 300 Nm – higher than the six-speed torque-converter automatic transmission it replaces.
Like the new I3 engine, the DCT was developed in-house and engineered with low fuel consumption and a sporty driving feel when in manual mode, and with comfort and smoothness when left in automatic mode.
Drivers specifying the new DCT for their cee’d GT Line will benefit from faster gear changes than a traditional automatic transmission, as well as lower running costs. It is anticipated that the new DCT will offer lower emissions and higher fuel economy compared to the outgoing six-speed automatic gearbox.
Kia’s R&D teams have targeted a three to five per cent improvement in acceleration (0 to 100 kph) and five to seven per cent improvement to fuel efficiency. After the cee’d GT Line, the new seven-speed DCT will be available on a number of Kia models in future, with similar gains expected in fuel efficiency and performance depending on its application in different models.
The GT Line goes on sale in the fourth quarter of 2015 and will have the brand’s seven year, 100,000 mile/160,000km warranty as standard.
