Kia Ceed (2012) first official pictures

The first Kia Ceed, launched in 2006, signalled a step change for the Korean car company. Not only was it designed and built in Europe (in Germany and Slovakia respectively) but it was also good enough to be considered a worthy rival for the Focus, Golf, Astra et al.

From Soul to Optima, from Picanto to Rio, nearly everything that's followed has been good or great. And now there’s a new Kia Ceed - and the Koreans have issued two new photos of the Ceed today.

We don’t know if the second-generation Ceed will be as significant as the first, but judging by the current form of Kia (and sister company Hyundai) this new family hatchback will once again be a worthy rival for the established European names.

Details are still scant, but we’ll know more when the car is officially unveiled at the Geneva motor show in March 2012. Kia has only released this solitary image of the Mk2 Ceed, with design boss Peter Schreyer’s tiger-inspired corporate nose – and as per the Optima saloon the badge moves from the grille to the bonnet in an attempt to give the new car a more premium appearance. With chrome highlights and a cohesive looks, it seems to be working. 

Expect two petrol and one diesel engine (the latter available in low emission EcoDynamics guise) and Kia’s customer-pleasing seven year warranty, while inside there's the promise of ‘an ergonomic, driver oriented dashboard and refined interior, with a strong focus on quality of materials’.

Alongside the five-door Ceed hatchback, the SW estate will also be unveiled at Geneva, and we hear the sportier, coupe-esque Proceed will be revealed at the 2012 Paris motor show this autumn. They’ll also be a hot hatch version of both the Ceed and Proceed, with the same 1.6-litre turbocharger engine that’s just been shown in the Hyundai Veloster Turbo in Detroit.

UK sales of the Ceed start in June 2012, the SW follows in September, and the Proceed should be on our shores by early 2013. 

By Ben Pulman