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Kia's 1.0-litre T-GDi (Turbocharged Gasoline Direct-injection) engine is offered in Rio for the first time and heads a three-engine line-up which shows improvements in fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions over the outgoing Rio.

The new engines showcase Kia's advanced engine technology capabilities through downsizing, turbocharging, direct fuel injection and weight reduction, and feature a number of detailed engineering solutions to minimise throttle lag – the delay between the driver pressing the accelerator and the turbocharger delivering boost – and reduce internal friction.

It joins revised versions of Kia's 1.25-litre and 1.4-litre petrol engines.

The 1.0-litre T-GDi engine is available with either 99 or 118bhp, in both cases with 171Nm of torque across a wide rev band, starting at only 1,500rpm, for effortless driveability. The engine is available with either a 5-speed or 6-speed manual gearbox and on the ‘GT-Line’ is available with a seven-speed DCT automatic. The 99bhp powered version has fuel consumption and CO2 emissions of 56.5mpg and 114g/km, while the sparkling 118bhp version is not far behind, with 55.4mpg and 117g/km. The respective 0-60mph acceleration times are 10.3 and 9.8 seconds, and both versions have a top speed of at least 116mph.

The 1.25-litre petrol engine develops an unchanged 83bhp and 122Nm of torque, and has fuel economy and CO2 emissions of 51.4mpg and as low as 125g/km. This easy-going entry-level power unit is ideally suited to urban driving, but is far from out of its depth at highway speeds. It can accelerate from 0-60mph in 12.5 seconds on the way to a top speed of 107mph.

The final option is a new-to-Rio multi-point injection petrol unit with a capacity of 1.4 litres and power and torque outputs of 98bhp and 133Nm. Economy is 49.6mpg, as with the 1.4 in the previous Rio, with CO2 emissions of 131g/km. The 0-60mph and top speed figures are 11.8 seconds and 109mph.  

This engine is also available with a six-speed automatic gearbox for the convenience of drivers who spend most of their time in heavy traffic or who prefer an auto box. In this configuration, economy and CO2 emissions are improved to 45.6mpg and 143g/km (‘2’ grade)  or 51.4mpg and 144g/km, while the performance figures are 0-60mph in 12.5 seconds and a top speed of 114mph.

All manual versions of the new Rio have Kia's Intelligent Stop & Go (ISG) engine stop-start system to eliminate tailpipe emissions and fuel consumption while stationary in traffic. A five-speed manual gearbox is standard with the lesser-powered T-GDi engine and the 1.25 unit, while all other manual models have six speeds.

Smoother, sharper, stronger and safer

The Rio relies on a similar suspension system to its predecessor, with independent MacPherson struts at the front and a torsion beam axle at the rear, but there has been extensive work to enhance comfort and driver enjoyment.

Much of this is due to the stiffer body shell of the latest Rio, which is made of 51 per cent advanced high-strength steel compared with 33 per cent in the outgoing car. The stiffer the body shell, the less the suspension has to compensate for flexing under load. Advanced high-strength steels also contribute towards weight reduction, as vital sections of the body construction do not need to be as thick. Kia has a goal of reducing the average weight of car bodies by five per cent by 2020, based on 2014 figures.

The Rio has more rigid front struts than its predecessor and a raised torsion beam to improve stability; revised springs and shock absorbers to improve compliance and comfort; vertical rear shock absorbers and front shock absorbers with advanced new valve technology for more consistent responses; and a repositioned power steering gearbox which results in improved feel when the steering wheel is in the straight-ahead position. The overall effect is more immediate handling responses and greater confidence for the driver.

A stiffer body shell also enhances crash safety by keeping the passenger cell intact in an accident while the front, rear and side crumple zones absorb impact energy. This is supported in the Rio by a raft of active safety and advanced driver assistance systems. Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) mitigate against skids when cornering or accelerating on surfaces with uneven levels of grip, and all models apart from the entry-level grade have Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) with Forward Collision Warning (FCW) City/Pedestrian and Lane Keep Assist System (LKAS) fitted as standard – this is an option on the Rio ‘1’. Kia's Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist system employs a long-range radar which detects other vehicles which then works alongside a camera which detects pedestrians ahead to help bring the Rio to a halt. The Lane Keep Assist System alerts the driver if the Rio is about to stray from its lane without the indicators having been activated. The system can also provide steering input to stop the vehicle straying from its lane.

A new feature – Straight Line Stability – senses any difference in applied brake pressure between the right and left of the car and intervenes to keep it straight. Another new feature is Cornering Brake Control, which delivers asymmetrical brake pressure when braking in tight curves to counter loss of traction. All versions of the Rio also have Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) to prevent the car from rolling backwards when setting off on steep inclines.

LAS VEGAS, October 30, 2018 – At the show that brings together an eclectic mix of wild concepts, high-horsepower muscle cars, and uber lifted trucks, Kia Motors America (KMA) is excited to unveil the 2020 Forte GT, marking the introduction of two exhilarating GT sport trims new to the Forte family of compact sedans. Race-inspired visual upgrades and added premium amenities are just some of the elements that come as part of the GT sport trims, though an available turbocharged engine and sportier suspension setup take the Forte’s performance and fun-to-drive athleticism to the next level. 

“The fantastic capabilities of our team of engineers really shined in the development of the Stinger and we’re thrilled to continue injecting a bit more sport into some of the other models in the lineup” said Orth Hedrick, executive director, Car Planning and Telematics, KMA. “Whether you want a practical commuter or performance compact sedan, there’s now a Forte that appeals to several types of car shoppers. The Forte is already one of our top sellers, and we believe adding more diversity to the model line will appeal to a broader range of consumers.”  

With the new sport additions, the 2020 Forte will be available in FE, LXS, EX, GT Line, and GT trim levels. For those who want the most out of the Forte GT, the trim can be elevated with available GT1 and GT2 packages. Pricing will be announced closer to the 2020 Forte’s on-sale date. 

Amped Up, In and Out

The amount of sport injected into the Forte varies on the GT designation. Characterized by cosmetic upgrades only, the “GT Line” trim spices up the Forte’s presentation with a racier looking gloss black grille offset by red accents. The gloss black treatment is also applied to heated outside mirrors with LED turn signals, sport side sills, and on the rear spoiler perched atop the decklid.

To match the exterior, the interior of the Forte “GT Line” is upgraded with alloy sport pedals and a flat bottom steering wheel with white contrast stitching. Exclusive black sport cloth seats continue the theme with the same color stitching, while front seats gain performance side bolsters to keep occupants firmly ensconced through the corners.

Moving up the ladder, the GT trim is outfitted more aggressively with sport tuned dual exhaust and 18-inch alloy wheels that pop thanks to a GT-exclusive two-tone finish. Standard LED headlights, racier red contrast stitching and Smart Key w/ Push Button Start are also part of the GT treatment, as well as LED ambient interior lighting with an illuminated GT dash inlay. 

Lively Performance and Favorable Convenience

While models wearing the “GT Line” badge keep the naturally aspirated 147-HP 2.0-liter MPI four-cylinder engine and Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT), the higher GT trim takes the Forte’s performance and athleticism to the next level with a DOHC turbocharged 1.6-liter I-4 GDI engine. Output is an estimated 201 HP and 195 lb-ft. of torque which is sent to the front wheels via a 6-speed manual transmission or 7-speed dual clutch transmission (models with the latter transmission receive steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters). A fully independent front and rear suspension, paired with larger front disc brakes and sway bars, deliver better handling and cornering, improved ride quality, and enhanced stability and steering. Befitting a true compact sport sedan, the Forte GT is available with sticky 225/40R-18 Michelin Pilot Sport Summer tires.

A suite of Kia Drive Wise technologies continues to be standard, meaning both GT sport trims are equipped with Forward Collision Warning (FCW)1, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA)1, Lane Departure Warning (LDW)1, Lane Keeping Assist-Line (LKA-Line)1, and Driver Attention Warning (DAW)2.  Opting for the GT1 package adds Blind Spot Collision Warning (BCW)1 with Lane Change Assist (LCA)1 and Rear-Cross Traffic Collision Warning (RCCW)1 to the roster of technologies, while the GT2 package tops it off with the addition of Smart Cruise Control (SCC)1.

Both GT1 and GT2 packages improve the Forte’s interior environment with LED overhead lighting and power sunroof, a 320-watt Harman Kardon ® 3 premium eight-speaker audio system complete with Clari-Fi TM 4 technology, wireless charging5, 4.2-inch center LCD screen and dual-zone full automatic air conditioning. Forte GTs with the GT2 package are further differentiated with heated and ventilated SOFINO GT sport seating and a 10-way power driver’s seat.

The all-new Kia Ceed GT will be more accomplished and fun-to-drive than ever, and make its public debut at the 2018 Paris Motor Show in October, alongside the all-new ProCeed GT.

The original cee’d GT and pro_cee’d GT were launched in 2013, representing the first ever performance hatchbacks from a Korean brand. The Ceed GT picks up where its predecessors left off, with an assured, engaging drive and a powerful 1.6-litre turbocharged engine, as well as a comprehensive range of comfort, safety and convenience technologies.

For the first time in a performance hatchback from Kia, the Ceed GT will be available with an optional seven-speed Dual-Clutch Transmission, in addition to the standard six-speed manual gearbox.

Emilio Herrera, Chief Operating Officer for Kia Motors Europe, comments: “Our first GT models were important for Kia. They laid a blueprint for future performance cars from the brand, and proved there was a genuine appetite for faster and more engaging “drivers’ cars” from Kia. The cee’d GT and pro_cee’d GT provided the impetus for cars such as the Stinger and Optima GT, and introduced a sporty design appeal that has inspired a range of popular GT Line models across our product line-up.

“The all-new Ceed GT occupies a unique position in the mid-size family car segment, and doesn’t simply chase the highest top speed or fastest straight-line acceleration. It offers greater agility and grip on winding roads, maximum confidence and comfort at a cruise, and fast-revving turbocharged power perfectly matched to European tastes.”

The Ceed GT and ProCeed GT will enter production in November at Kia’s Žilina production facility in Slovakia, alongside the Ceed, ProCeed and Ceed Sportswagon.

Available exclusively to European drivers, sales will commence in the first quarter of 2019. The Ceed GT will be covered by Kia’s industry-leading 7-Year, 100,000-mile warranty as standard.

UK specification, pricing and on-sale date will be announced in due course.

Unique performance-inspired design with standard 18-inch wheels
The Ceed GT features a sporty exterior design to differentiate it visually from other models in the Ceed range. Where the design of the Ceed range is characterised by its blend of taut creases and curvaceous sheet metal, the GT variant presents a more athletic proposition than conventional versions of the car.

At the front, the Ceed GT has a new front bumper design, incorporating larger air intakes and gloss black trim along the base. Like the standard Ceed, the GT features a modern interpretation of Kia’s four-lamp ‘ice-cube’ LED daytime running lights, integrated into the main headlamp unit. Kia’s tiger-nose grille is also adapted for the new model, with a dark chrome surround and a subtle ‘GT’ logo. The honeycomb grille pattern is also embedded with subtle red highlights.

In profile, it is finished with a glossy chrome window surround and features more substantial side sills, finished in gloss black and red. The standard 18-inch aluminium alloy wheels feature a new castellated centre cap finished in red, and house red brake calipers. At 135 mm, the ride height is reduced by 5 mm over other Ceed and Ceed Sportswagon variants, making it appear more planted on the road and reducing the overall centre of gravity.

Unique GT bumpers at the rear complement those found at the front, housing a subtle gloss black rear diffuser, as well as ‘GT’ badging. A small roof spoiler helps channel air cleanly off the top of the car.

The Ceed GT will be available across Europe in a choice of eight paint finishes, with its own unique 18-inch alloy wheel design.

Sports-focused interior with everyday versatility
The Ceed GT features a series of changes to its cabin to separate it from non-GT models in the Ceed family line-up, with a sportier interior ambience.

The GT variant is built around the same ergonomic cabin architecture as other models in the Ceed line-up. Surfaces are finished in high-quality soft-touch materials and metallic trim, while the dashboard is angled towards the driver, making it easier to use on the move. At the centre of the dashboard is Kia’s ‘floating’ touchscreen infotainment system – 7.0- or 8.0-inches wide – with audio and heating and ventilation controls situated below.

A black roofliner, enveloping and cocooning occupants, replaces the grey cloth found in standard Ceed models. Every GT model features a D-shaped steering wheel bearing the ‘GT’ logo, as well as aluminium driver pedals. Models equipped with Kia’s double-clutch transmission feature new metal alloy shift paddles behind the steering wheel.

Front passengers in the Ceed GT are held in place by Kia’s new sports seats. Created exclusively for the model, these seats provide larger, firmer side and thigh bolsters compared to the original cee’d GT. Seats are trimmed in black leather and suede, and finished with red stitching and a red-stitched ‘GT’ logo in the seat back.

For many drivers, a performance hatchback has to be able to fit seamlessly into their daily lives – for many owners, it may be the only car they have access to. Practicality is therefore essential – and the Ceed GT model is more practical than most, featuring the same large 395-litre boot as non-GT variants of the Ceed. Its low boot lip is 87 mm lower compared to the previous-generation model, making it easier to load and unload heavy or bulky items. A split-level boot floor allows owners to lower or raise the height of the boot floor, to accommodate larger cargo or create a hidden compartment beneath.

60:40 split-fold rear seats are fitted as standard, which fold down with a single touch from a lever just inside the tailgate.

Accomplished, engaging and agile – European-developed ride and handling
Home of the performance hatch, Europe is characterised by its diverse driving conditions: high speed motorways, zigzagging alpine routes, congested city centres and winding country lanes. The Kia Ceed GT has been developed to master all these environments.

The Ceed GT has been engineered and developed exclusively for European roads and European drivers. At the direction of Albert Biermann, Head of Kia Vehicle Test and High Performance Development, the car has undergone six months of additional testing, above and beyond the standard Ceed model line-up. The brief was to enhance cornering agility and yaw behaviour, increase traction and responsiveness, and retain the ‘gran turismo’ spirit of everyday usability that defines all Kia performance cars.

The GT model is fitted with the same fully-independent suspension hardware as the Ceed. However, the half-year of additional fine-tuning to the suspension geometry has rendered it more agile and more engaging to drive.

The performance hatchback sits 5 mm lower than the standard Ceed and Ceed Sportswagon, reducing the centre of gravity. Stiffer front and rear springs reduce body roll, improve responses to steering inputs, and give the car a firmer, more assured ride in all conditions – crucially, without rendering the car uncomfortable on longer drives or over broken surfaces. Furthermore, softer front and rear anti-roll bars ensure the inside tyre remains in contact with the road under heavy cornering, enhancing traction and grip. These changes to the suspension enable GT drivers to enjoy faster cornering speeds than they might in a number of more powerful front-wheel drive ‘hot hatches’.

In addition, the standard Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system has been carefully retuned to offer keener drivers more freedom to exploit the increased agility and enhance the yaw rate of the rear axle. Kia’s Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) system is also standard, as well as Torque Vectoring by Braking. This additional electronic driver support feature intelligently brakes the inside wheels to reduce understeer around corners – making the Ceed GT more enjoyable and confidence-inspiring to drive on the type of winding lanes and mountain passes on which it has been developed.

Consistent stopping power is provided by larger brakes, with the standard Ceed’s 288 mm ventilated front disc brakes replaced with 320 mm discs. The GT’s brakes are also 3 mm thicker, at 28 mm, aiding kinetic heat absorption and braking performance with repeated use.

The model offers greater potential for comfortable motorway cruising than many other more extreme hot hatches. Kia’s engineers have been careful to retain much of the comfort and unwavering high-speed stability that characterises the standard Ceed and other Kia vehicles, such as the Stinger, when travelling at high speeds.

The Ceed GT is fitted as standard with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres, enabling higher cornering velocity and traction. The car features electric motor-driven power steering, offering incisive responses to steering inputs with a fast 12.7:1 ratio and requiring only 2.44 turns lock-to-lock – 17 per cent faster than the steering rack found in the original 2013 cee’d GT.

Powerful 1.6-litre T-GDi engine available with manual or Dual-Clutch Transmissions
When the first cee’d GT and pro_cee’d GT were revealed in 2013, they were powered by a newly-developed 1.6-litre T-GDi (Turbocharged Gasoline Direct injection) engine. Downsized, turbocharged and quick to respond to driver inputs across the rev range, the new engine came to define the car’s effortless approach to power delivery in all conditions. The Ceed GT retains this approach, with a 1.6-litre T-GDi engine that has been updated for the new model.

Producing 204 ps at a 6,000 rpm peak, the 1.6-litre T-GDi engine continues to provide effortless acceleration and easily-accessible torque. The engine’s maximum torque of 265 Nm is available across a wide 1,500-to-4,500 rpm rev range. The result is an engine which delivers as much of its performance as possible across all driving conditions.

The Ceed GT is paired with a six-speed manual transmission as standard. In response to customer demand across Europe, Kia’s seven-speed Dual-Clutch Transmission is also available for the first time in the brand’s performance hatch. Developed in-house, the double-clutch transmission further broadens the appeal of the Ceed GT, enabling quick-fire automatic gear shifts, or letting drivers take over with metal alloy steering wheel paddles.

Acceleration and emissions data will be released closer to the 2019 on-sale date, pending homologation later this year.

The Drive Mode Select system – available with the new seven-speed double-clutch transmission – enables owners to tailor their driving experience. Switching between Normal and Sport mode, Drive Mode Select alters the level of effort required to steer the car, and subtly changes the character of the powertrain. Normal mode maximises the potential for greater fuel efficiency and offers more relaxed steering inputs. Sport mode enhances throttle and transmission responses, enables maximum acceleration – from a standstill and at speed – and adapts the steering to offer additional weight and more decisive responses to inputs. It also lets owners make the most of the GT’s 6,000 rpm peak power by holding on to gears longer under acceleration.

The engine is paired with an electronic sound generator which delivers a characterful GT engine note into the cabin. A sportier exhaust note has also been realised with the adoption of new exhaust flaps, which enhance the sense of acceleration when the driver pushes the accelerator pedal, and ensure the car remains hushed and refined at steady speeds.

Innovations to make life easier, more comfortable and safer
The Ceed GT provides owners and occupants with a wide range of technologies designed to make road travel as easy, comfortable and safe as possible.

The standard ‘floating’ infotainment system is available as either a 7.0-inch touchscreen audio system or 8.0-inch touchscreen satellite navigation system, with navigation and Kia Connected Services powered by TomTom®. The system enables full smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay™ (for iPhone 5 and onwards) and Android Auto™ (for Android phones running 5.0 (Lollipop) or higher).

Depending on specification, a powerful JBL® Premium sound system with Clari-Fi music restoration technology is available. Standard technologies include full Bluetooth® smartphone integration, automatic lights, and keyless entry. An heated windshield uses nearly-imperceptible wires to gently heat the glass, making the car easier to live with in colder months by melting away frost, ice and windscreen mist at the push of a button. A wireless smartphone charger, heated front and rear seats are also available.

In addition to the car’s six standard airbags, advanced driver assistance technologies enhance occupant protection, using active safety systems to mitigate the risk of collisions. Standard safety technologies will include High Beam Assist, Driver Attention Warning, Lane Keeping Assist with Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist.

Lane Following Assist is available and detects road markings to keep the car in its lane on the motorway. The system controls acceleration, braking and steering, using radar sensors to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front. Lane Following Assist operates between 0 and 180 kph.

Additional available technologies include Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Blind Spot Collision Warning, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning, Smart Parking Assist, and pedestrian recognition for the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist system.

Every Ceed is equipped as standard with Kia’s Vehicle Stability Management (VSM). VSM ensures stability when braking and cornering by controlling the car’s Electronic Stability Control (ESC) if it detects a loss of traction.