Geneva 2012: All-new Kia cee’d

Kia has revealed the second-generation of the European-market-only cee'd compact hatchback at the Geneva Motor Show.

"The original cee'd was a major landmark car for Kia in Europe, enabling us to compete in the hotly contested C-segment for the first time. The second-generation model is, once again, a game-changing car with enhanced design, quality and powertrains," said Thomas Oh, Kia Motors senior executive vice president and chief operations officer.

Designed, engineered and manufactured in Europe, the new cee'd hatchback is, according to Kia, "more sophisticated, more efficient, more refined and with a more engaging driving experience than its predecessor."

Longer, lower and sleeker than the original model, the all-new cee'd has a streamlined silhouette that has been shaped by extensive tests in Kia's state-of-the-art wind tunnel. Higher quality cabin materials and a wide range of high-tech equipment ensure that the car's interior matches its premium exterior appearance and allow it to compete against rivals in the market.

In developing the new cee'd, Kia engineers focused on reducing fuel consumption and emissions without sacrificing engine response or power output. For the European market, the all-new cee'd will be available with two gasoline (1.4- and 1.6-liter) and two diesel (1.4- and 1.6-liter) engines with outputs ranging from 89 to 133hp.

Highlighting the diesel mill is the 126hp variant that, fitted with Kia's EcoDynamics fuel-saving technologies, has a fuel consumption of as low as 27.027km/l and carbon dioxide emission of just 97g/km.

Topping the gasoline-engine lineup, meanwhile, is the 1.6-liter Gamma GDI engine that features the latest gasoline direct injection technology to maximize power and torque outputs to 133hp and 165Nm, respectively. Paired to it is an all-new dual clutch transmission that delivers smooth gear shifts for maximum driving comfort, lowers fuel consumption and reduces CO2 emissions compared with the previous conventional automatic transmission.

Although available since 2006, the current-generation cee’d has only served as the Top Gear TV show's "reasonably-priced car" since June 2010.