Kia reveals full details of cee'd revamp

(Kia)

Kia has now revealed the full details of the mid-life revisions it is making to the cee'd. The cee'd is a strong product so most of the tweaks are fairly minor in nature, but the update contains one interesting curiosity; the biggest improvements are focused on the 1.6 litre diesel version which was already probably the best all-rounder in the cee'd range.

As before, the cee'd engine range comprises 1.4, 1.6 and 2.0 litre petrol units and 1.6 and 2.0 litre diesels; the big change is that the smooth U1 1.6 litre diesel engine is replaced by another of the same size, dubbed U2, that is described as “all-new”. U2 was designed at Kia 's R&D facility in Germany and is built at the Korean company's factory in Slovakia. The new engine provides 115 horsepower and 255 Newton metres of torque, while emitting as little as 110 grammes of CO2 per kilometre on models fitted with ISG (Idle Stop & Go), Kia's newly-introduced version of the fuel-saving stop-start systems being fitted by several manufacturers to their latest models.

U2-powered cee'ds also benefit from a new six-speed manual gearbox fitted in place of the previous five-speeder; this box is also available on several other models in the range.

Other changes are mainly cosmetic – a revised grille with a nipped in centre that represents Kia's new corporate “face” is the main one – or involve small trim and equipment improvements.