By Cam Tait \/ Tuesday, 19 December 2023 \/ Loading comments<\/p>\n
You\u2019ve got to hand it to Kia for radically changing its image in the last decade or so. Remember when the Korean carmaker was chucking out utterly dreary economy boxes, widely considered as some of the worst cars on sale? It really wasn\u2019t that long ago. But in recent years the company has massively upped its game by poshing up its offerings and dipping its toes into the performance car world (if only briefly) with the Albert Biermann-engineered Stinger GT – which has since become a bit of a bargain barge hero on PH.<\/p>\n
So when exactly did it become not uncool to own a Kia, then? It\u2019s easy to point to the Stinger as the car that put Kia among the popular kids, because it was infinitely cooler than anything the company had ever made before (or arguably since). But Kia\u2019s plans to drastically shake up its image were in motion long before the arrival of its ultra-niche performance saloon, as it\u2019d already had a stab at building a hot hatch some five years prior with the car you see here.<\/p>\n
This, folks, is the Pro Cee\u2019d GT (styled pro_cee\u2019d GT but come on). It\u2019s the firm\u2019s answer to the VW Golf GTI and, if I\u2019m not mistaken, the first (sort of) hot hatch to come out of Korea. This wasn\u2019t some half-hearted attempt to mix it with the Europeans, either, with Kia pinching the 1.6-litre turbo four-pot from the Hyundai Veloster and dialling the power up to 204hp. The six-speed manual gearbox it was mated to was fitted with shorter ratios for zestier acceleration. True, a 0-62mph time of 7.4 seconds was still some way off a Golf GTI, but it was comfortably the fastest thing to come out of Kia’s doors since, well, ever.<\/p>\n
What the Pro Cee\u2019d GT lacked in outright pace it more than made up for in the twisty stuff. The suspension set-up is bespoke to the GT, comprising of beefier rear anti-roll bars, stiffer springs and dampers, and upgraded bushes. The brakes were also uprated with vented 300mm discs up front, while Kia\u2019s annoying Flex Steer system was ditched in favour of single-weight steering. Matt said the upgrades gave the car \u201creal composure\u201d on the road without resulting in an overly-stiff ride. \u201cIt’s just good fun\u201d, he added, \u201cand fulfils Kia’s warm hatch billing for it perfectly.\u201d High praise, that.<\/p>\n
Moreover, the Pro Cee\u2019d GT managed to achieve something that few Kias had been able to before: i.e. be remotely desirable. Not only did it drive well, but it looked the part with red accents, muscular bodywork and two sizeable exhausts that apparently deliver some decent pops and burbles on the overrun. The interior received a bit of love and attention, too, with sporty part-leather, part-suede Recaro seats and a swanky gear knob.<\/p>\n
Sure, it\u2019s not the fastest hot hatch there is, but it certainly ticks a lot of the boxes. As does this 2014 car, which has only covered 23,340 miles and boasts a full service history along with it. There\u2019s a lot of kit available here as well, with dual air con, heated front seats and a rear-parking camera all featuring. The seller\u2019s asking \u00a312,995, which admittedly grants you access to all sorts of esteemed hot hatches such as the Renaultsport Megane and Ford Focus ST. Those are the obvious choices – and for good reason – but the Kia really is a legitimate alternative if you\u2019re bored of the status quo. And it’s a great conversation starter at a PH Sunday Service, too. <\/p>\n