Shortly after Kia unveiled the new generation pro_cee’d at the 2012 Paris Motor Show, everyone started to talk about the potential of a more powerful version of it. It looks like the talk was more than just lip service, as Kia->ke41 has just unveiled the first teaser image and some details on its first-ever hot hatch.

The new pro_cee’d->ke1899 GT will be based on the standard 2013 pro_cee'd and has been described as "a hot hatch perfectly aligned with Kia's sportiness and "fun to drive" positioning. An aggressive body kit highlights the aesthetic program for the pro_cee'd GT, particularly the addition of a new front bumper with larger air intakes, new LED headlamps, a honeycomb grille with a "GT" logo, larger side skirts, and a redesigned rear bumper. Adding to that program are a new set of 18-inch alloy wheels with a lower suspension and front brakes measuring 300x28 mm with rear brakes measuring 262 x 10 mm (10.3 x 0.39 inches)

Find out more about the Kia pro_cee'd GT after the jump

UPDATE 01/27/2013: The first set of photos of the pro_cee'd GT have been released ahead of its debut at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show.

2014 Kia pro_cee'd GT

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2014 Kia pro_cee'd GT
  • Engine/Motor: inline-4
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior and interior

The upcoming pro_cee'd GT will be distinguished from the rest of the lineup thanks to its new grilles, lamp clusters, deeper bumpers, unique 18-inch alloy wheels, red brake calipers and special paint. Kia will also install new jewel-like, four-point LED daytime running lights that will offer the car a sportier presence.

For the interior, the GT version will add Recaro sports seats, alloy pedals and bespoke surface materials.

Engine

The pro_cee’d GT will be powered by a new version of Kia's 1.6-liter GDI (Gasoline Direct Injection) engine that will deliver a total of 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. The engine will be equipped with a twin-scroll turbocharger and strengthened internal components.

When mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, this new engine will sprint the car from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 7.9 seconds.

These numbers represent is a significant improvement over the current pro_cee'd version that delivers a total of 126 horsepower when equipped with the 1.6-liter engine.

Price

Set to go into production in the middle of the year, the pro_cee'd GT is rumored to be priced at ₤23,000, which is around $36,000 based on current exchange rates.

Competition

If you are looking for a hot hatch in the European market, you will find lots of them. But, the most successful ones are no doubt the Volkswagen Golf GTI and the Ford Focus ST. Both models deliver about the same performance numbers as the upcoming pro_cee'd GT.

By the time the new pro_cee'd GT arrives on the market, Volkswagen will also be unveiling the seventh-generation Golf GTI. The problem is that if rumors are true, the GTI will be offered with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that will deliver up to 260 horsepower - a 60-horsepower improvement over the current model, and of course much more than the next GT. The Focus ST is also a little bit more powerful than the GT, as it is powered by a 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine delivering 247 horsepower.