Kia lifts lid on cee'd

These are the first official pictures of the soft-top, which follows in the wheeltracks of the three-door, five-door and estate models.

Making its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show, the four-seater Ex_cee'd is based on the new three-door's body. And although the looks fit comfortably into the cee'd family, the surprise is that stylists have chosen not to use a folding metal hard-top. Instead, they have gone for a traditional fabric hood.

Design boss Peter Schreyer said: "I am convinced that the fabric roof will have a renaissance. We've all lived with the romantic idea of open-air driving for a long time, and for me, the soft-top is the quintessential element of a truly rewarding cabriolet."

Finished in striking white, the show star rides on big 19-inch alloy wheels. With the hood in place, the Kia retains a sleek profile thanks to the roof's 'bitter chocolate' colour.

Inside, the cabin is virtually identical to that already seen in the standard cee'd hatchback. However, exotic materials have been used to give the drop-top a more classy finish.

While the Ex_cee'd is still at an early stage, it is expected to become a production reality in 2009.