New Kia cee'd at Paris Motor Show
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SEOUL - September 28, 2006: Created especially for European consumers, the eagerly awaited all-new Kia cee'd model, made its world premiere at the Mondial de L'Automobile in Paris today (Thursday). This new C-segment model marks a major turning point in Kia's history. It is the first-ever Kia designed and manufactured in Europe, and will introduce a qualitative revolution for the brand. The highest standards of engineering and European-style aesthetics have been applied to every aspect of its exterior, interior, fixtures and fittings.
Unquestionably, the Kia cee'd will be the brand's strongest-ever contender for C-segment honours when it goes on sale across Europe in December 2006. "With the new Kia cee'd we are presenting consumers in Europe with a very surprising family car, with excellent quality and performance, and a clean modern appearance," commented Jung-Moon Park, Senior Executive Vice President and COO Kia Motors Corporation.
"Our Kia teams in Germany and Korea have designed the new cee'd to surpass the expectations of Kia customers and to attract European consumers who have not yet considered our brand.
They have created a truly competitive vehicle that is stylish and practical. I am sure that the new Kia cee'd will have great appeal to people all across Europe, while demonstrating our brand's Power to Surprise," concluded COO Park.
20-versions ensure maximum customer choice
A genuine rival to the established C-segment class leaders, cee'd will power Kia into the main stream of Europe's most closely fought market sector. Rising to the challenge of becoming a top global player in the automotive industry, Kia has not only invested the talent and funding to create an all-new factory (at Zilina, in Slovakia) and produce an all-new model, but it is also offering consumers an unprecedented level of choice.
Maximum customer choice is one of the core themes behind the introduction of cee'd five-door, which will be available in 20 versions, with five engines, three trim/equipment levels, four interior concepts, five interior centre-stack styles, seven different trim fabrics and 12 exterior colours -- in left- and right-hand drive -- so Kia customers will be able to tailor the new model to their personal tastes.
The 4.2-metre long cee'd has an unusually long wheelbase (2,650 mm) and will offer class-leading interior space, plus highly competitive levels of equipment and state-of-the-art active and passive safety. The range of five engines will include 1.4, 1.6 and 2.0-litre CVVT gasoline engines, plus 1.6 and 2.0-litre VGT diesel engines.
"New cee'd will be Kia's best-ever challenger for C-segment honours in the European marketplace. It is going to look better, feel better, drive better and sell better. It is certain to revolutionise Kia's fortunes in this sector," enthused Jean-Charles Lievens, Senior Vice President Kia Motors Europe.
"cee'd really is a great car. Once consumers have seen it, touched it and sampled its performance, they will surely be convinced that a decision to buy a Kia cee'd is indeed the right choice. To attract new customers to Kia, we have a range of exciting marketing campaigns and promotions planned for the autumn and will reveal details of these nearer that time," concluded Mr Lievens.
Stylish 'sporty wagon' for September 2007
At Paris, Kia also revealed a pre-production estate model, the cee'd 'sporty wagon' that will go on sale next September, the second model in the cee'd family. The 4470 mm long, 1490 mm high, sporty wagon is the second model in the new Kia cee'd family of cars. A first in the C-segment, it features a tailgate shaped like an inverted 'L' with its hinges set back over the load area so the tailgate rises almost vertically, giving enhanced access to the large-capacity cargo area that has additional storage below the floor.
pro_cee'd concept car points to future model
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Upgraded flagship model for Kia - the 2007 Kia Opirus
Kia's fourth new model on show at Paris is its upgraded flagship model. Longer, sleeker and lighter, the five-metre long, four-door luxury sedan has a more balanced appearance, an enhanced interior with new high-tech features, and a larger, more powerful and more fuel-efficient V6 gasoline engine. Significant improvements have been made to the ride, handling, safety and refinement, while Opirus now weighs less and delivers higher performance. Kia's new E-segment model will be available in left-hand drive only, with a wider choice of interior and exterior colours. The new 2007 Kia Opirus will reach European Kia dealer showrooms during January 2007.
