Kia hot hatch is coming

• Managing director confirms plans
• Pro-Cee'd three-door is likely model
• Company plans more expansion

More Information

• More pictures

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Kia will build a hot hatch in the future - but has not confirmed when it will be on sale.

Following the success of the Cee'd, and the anticipated popularity of the three-door Pro-cee'd that will be unveiled at this year's Frankfurt motor show, the firm is now looking to enhance its growing reputation as a quality car manufacturer.

As a result, a hot hatch version of the Pro-Cee'd is being designed.

Paul Philpott, managing director of Kia UK, said: 'It's something we are talking about all the time to the development team and it will come, but we can't put a timeframe on it yet.'

Philpott also highlighted that Kia wants to expand into the small family car and family car sectors of the market, as it tries to develop its image from value car maker to builder of quality cars.

'In the next few years we'll be entering these areas with major products,' said Philpott.

Kia is also considering developing a 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine for its Kia 'd SW if there is enough demand.

More on Pro-Cee'd
The Pro-Cee'd was always conceived as a sportier-looking version of the Cee'd - only the bonnet and the front wing panels are carried over from the five-door model.

Its look lends well to the creation of a hot hatch version, and the firm expects that an optional Sports pack will sell well with the Pro-Cee'd.

The pack includes 17-inch alloy wheels, stiffer shock absorbers and sporty interior trim, including alloy pedals, stainless steel door scuff plates and silver stitching.

The Pro-Cee'd will go on sale early in 2008.