Cee'd loads up on style

Due on sale in Sep­tember from £11,750, entry-level versions of the Korean estate will have a 1.6-litre four-cylinder 113bhp engine.

Although the car debuted in prototype form at the Paris Motor Show last year, these pictures of the production model reveal Kia's close attention to design.

Key to the newcomer's appeal is its smooth, clean shape. The estate rear has been neatly integrated with the standard body, yet adds an impressive 235mm to the overall length.

And while the distinctive 'Z' shape rear windows are almost identical to those on the Peugeot 207 SW, it is undeniably an attractive effort.

Full-length roof bars will be standard on all models and complete the traditional estate car look. The 534-litre luggage area is accessed via a low load lip and has minimal wheelarch intrusion, while the 60:40 split rear seat folds flat, and space increases to a class-competitive 1,664 litres.

Neat storage compartments underneath the boot floor further enhance practicality, while a 12V power soc­ket and plenty of load securing hooks and netting also feature.