Another Korean Hot Hatch Kia Pro_cee’d GT

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Meet the hot hatch that might finally change people’s perceptions about Korean cars once and for all.

It’s called the Kia Pro_cee’d GT and while the marketing department deserves a pull-through for such an awkward name (I’m going to call it the Kia GT hatch from this point because the proper way hurts my head and my keyboard) it shows Korean car-makers have all but leapfrogged their Japanese rivals and are now on their way to challenging the Europeans.

It was designed by a Frenchman, engineered in Germany and is made in Slovakia which, incidentally, produces more cars per capita than any other country. All this possibly explains why it’s the most un-Korean Korean car to date.

VALUE

There are three models in the Kia GT range in Europe starting at the equivalent of $32,990 and stretching to $42,990. Australia will likely get two models when it goes on sale in March 2014. The local starting price is yet to be finalised but bank on it being close to or less than $30,000, undercutting the enemy from within, the Veloster Turbo coupe from sister company Hyundai.

In Europe top-line models get a full-length glass sunroof, Recaro seats, navigation, push button start and illuminated scuff plates on the door openings. The success of this car will depend on how far under $30,000 Kia Australia can negotiate with the factory. Here’s hoping they under-price and over-deliver. The Kia GT is a good car but if people don’t get behind the wheel it will remain one of the industry’s best-kept secrets.

TECHNOLOGY

The digital instrument display is like something out of a fighter jet. There is a choice of two images: a traditional analogue dial or a digital speed readout with gauges either side that show how much turbo power you’re using. It changes at the press of a button on the steering wheel.

The sensor key detects when you approach the car and automatically unfolds the mirrors and unlocks the driver’s door. The electric park brake releases as you drive off. The cruise control has the option of setting a speed limit that can’t be eclipsed no matter how hard you hit the accelerator.

DESIGN

The birth certificate of this car has a few stamps on it. It was designed by a Frenchman working at Kia’s German design studio in the heart of Frankfurt, and the engineering was completed down the road at Kia’s European research and development centre at Russelsheim, around the corner from Opel.

Perhaps the French connection explains why the Kia GT has Renault-like lines, particularly at the rear. Kia insists this is a coincidence as the Renault Megane RS had not been released when the design of this car was signed off. So, great minds then.

Nice touches include the “ice-cube” style daytime running lights above the sleek fog lights, the wide blacked-out grille and the red VW Golf GTI-like flash across the front bumper. The faux-LED rings in the tail-lights look cool, as do the black accented 18-inch alloys, among the more original wheel designs of late.

Inside, the Recaro seats are super comfortable (they don’t try to eject you like the too-tight Ford Focus ST seats do) and there is ample room for storage in the glovebox, centre console and door pockets. Thoughtfully, there are two 12V power outlets up front (plus a USB and a 3.5mm audio input socket) and a 12V power outlet for the cargo area. Back seat passengers even get air-conditioning vents, rare in this class.

With the back seats in use there is 380 litres of boot space, with the back seats down capacity stretches to 1225 litres (both figures about average for a hatch). Visibility all around is good and the rear camera takes the guesswork out of tight manoeuvres. Room for improvement? The steering wheel could feel and look more sporty, and the indicator and wiper stalks feel flimsy by class standards.

SAFETY

Six airbags and a five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP. Given that Kia has decided to leave all airbags in place (unlike Renault and Volkswagen which have removed rear seat airbags in some new models to exploit a Euro NCAP loophole) the Kia GT hatch will likely get five-stars from Australian NCAP.

Confused? Australian NCAP rates side impact safety for back seat occupants, Euro NCAP does not, which means cars without back seat airbag protection will score poorly in Australian NCAP from next year. Euro NCAP is yet to close this loophole.

DRIVING

Badge snobs may find this part difficult to digest. But take away the Kia logos and any prejudice the brand conjures and what you are left with is a stylish, capable and affordable hot hatch. The 1.6-litre turbo engine is a little under-done to compete with the top of the hot hatch class such as the Renault Megane RS, Volkswagen Golf GTI and Ford Focus ST. But the Kia GT comes tantalisingly close and yet it’s about $10,000 cheaper.

The official claim for the 0 to 100km/h time is 7.8 seconds but independent tests have recorded 7.4s. As a guide the benchmark hot hatches mentioned have 0 to 100km/h claims of 6.1 to 6.9 seconds.

We got to sample two different Kia GT hatches on the city streets and highways of Slovakia and Germany -- clocking up close to 500km in total -- and were pleased to find Kia has not fallen into the trap of making the suspension as stiff as a surfboard. The ride is extremely comfortable and yet there is ample grip thanks to Michelin Pilot Sport 3 tyres, the same found on BMWs and Porsches. You could call it cheating but I’d call it a good investment.

Australia will have its own locally-developed suspension setting for the Kia GT hatch but if the cars we sampled were a guide there wasn’t much work left to do. The high-speed stability was phenomenal, even at 220km/h on an autobahn.

Although these speeds are irrelevant for Australia it demonstrates that the Kia GT hatch is somewhat over-engineered to handle a comparatively hum-drum 110km/h. And just in case you’re in any doubt, the brakes have a precise, reassuring feel. Designed to handle high speeds on European roads they’ll be more than sufficient for the daily grind in Australia.

The 1.6-litre engine might be small compared to the hot hatch hierarchy but it still feels effortless, with a good spread of power through the rev range (unlike other turbos which have an all-or-nothing approach to power delivery).

Points for improvement? The six-speed manual shift feels a bit plastic, the steering wheel itself could be of a more sporting design and the exhaust note, while great from the outside, can barely be heard inside (tip: take lessons from the air intake sounds from the Renault Megane RS and Ford Focus ST, please Kia). The Kia GT is an impressive hot hatch with sharp looks and a convincing fun-to-drive package at a relatively affordable price.

But we reckon it’s so good Kia now needs to build on its confidence to go the whole way and fit a 2.0-litre turbo engine and a mechanical limited slip differential to its star car, a halo for the rest of the range. Kia cautiously didn’t want to tackle the hot hatch heavyweights head-on, and their respect for this trio of highly capable cars is well advised.

But it’s time for Kia to make the next step and take the Kia GT to hot hatch finishing school. It already has the ingredients, now it just needs the courage.

VERDICT

Enthusiasts: dismiss the Kia GT hatch at your peril. Early adopters: a bargain hot hatch is around the corner.
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This reporter is on Twitter: @JoshuaDowling