Kia Cee'd hot hatch on its way

Things are hotting up at Kia! Auto Express has learned that the Korean firm is to add a dose of excitement to its range with a pair of hot hatchbacks. A company insider told us there will be sporty versions of the next-generation Cee’d and all-new Rio. 

“Although nothing has yet been confirmed in terms of engines, we’re likely to go down the route that Skoda took with the first Fabia vRS,” our man said.

That means the Cee’d and Rio are likely to get high-performance diesels – potentially an all-new 180bhp 2.0-litre for the Cee’d, with the Rio offering a 150bhp 1.7-litre engine from the new Ford Mondeo-rivalling Optima. 

The models will feature sports suspension, plus a racy bodykit and interior, and combine pace with low running costs. First to arrive will be the Rio, within the next two years; the Cee’d is a bit further away. 

But while the hot hatches are on the cards, rumours of a Mazda MX-5 rival are unlikely to come to anything. Although Kia design boss Peter Schreyer has made it clear he’d love to make a two-seater, there’s no business case for it.

“One of the biggest growth areas is China,” said our insider. “And while they have a voracious appetite for new products, they only want sports cars from established makers. 

“However, it will be interesting to see what happens with sister firm Hyundai’s Veloster coupé.”

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