2012 Kia cee’d – first photo

2012 Kia cee'd

Ahead of a debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show in March, we have the first official photo of the 2012 Kia cee’d, which goes on sale in June.

This may be the week of the Detroit Auto Show, but it’s not stopping car makers giving us a taste of what’s in store at Geneva in the Spring. Earlier today we had the Vauxhall Mokka previewed ahead of its Geneva debut and now we get the first official photo of the new 2012 Kia cee’d.

Probably best known as the Top Gear car for Stars in a Reasonably Priced Car, the cee’d is a better car than you probably think (understeer aside) and the new Kia cee’d promises to take things up a notch or two, right in the firing line of the VW Golf and Ford Focus.

The new cee’d gets the latest Kia design makeover, with a more premium looking nose thanks to a new grill (and the badge moved on to the bonnet), extra bits of chrome (which don’t appear tacky) and the de rigueur LED running lights. Kia say the cabin is a more driver friendly place to be and that materials and perceived quality are improved.

Apart from the new look, Kia has given us almost no information. But it’s safe to assume the engine lineup will become a little more powerful, a little more economical and a bit less emitting. Just a guess. We also hope we’ll see a hot-hatch Kia cee’d with the new 1.6 litre turbo the Hyundai Veloster Turbo will offer.

The new 2012 Kia cee’d will go on sale in June in the UK after a debut at Geneva in March.

By Cars UK