Hyundai’s sibling Kia put up an impressive show at the Auto Expo in India last year, and disclosed its intention of entering the country’s market with full vigor. The company also presented the Kia SP Concept that was designed keeping the brand’s Indian entry into focus. The production version of the same concept will be the first vehicle that the South Korean brand plans on launch in India. However, Kia is in no mood to go slow and has a slew of launched planned for India. This was foreshadowed in the Auto Expo last year as the brand presented its full model line-up for the public to view and experience. One among the upcoming cars from the South Korean carmaker is the Ceed premium hatchback that is already on sale in the global markets.
In the global markets, Kia Ceed locks horns with cars such as the Hyundai i30, Volkswagen Golf, and Ford Focus among others. Upon launch in India the Kia Ceed will be placed a segment above the existing cars in the market such as the Hyundai i20 and Maruti Suzuki Baleno. The Ceed is more premium than the Baleno and i20 and hence it does not compete with the two. The launch of Kia Ceed may witness the start of a new segment in the market, a segment that is a notch above the existing premium hatchback segment in Indian market, probably a big premium hatchback segment. Another thing about the Kia Ceed is that it is larger than 4 meters, 4.3 meters to be precise. This makes the upcoming hatchback lose out on the small car subsidy in India which translates to higher prices for the car. This could very well place the car in a price segment equal to or higher than the Honda City.
Talking about the mechanicals of the upcoming Kia Ceed, the upcoming hatchback is equipped with a 1.4-litre direct-injection turbocharged petrol engine rated to deliver 140 Bhp. The diesel option is a 1.6L unit rated for 136 Bhp. The engines come with a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox.
The Indian market has no such category as of now where the Ceed will fit, but just like the EcoSport, the Kia Ceed could carve its own niche when it arrives here as the taste of urban public in cars is rapidly evolving in India. The growing congestion in the cities could just open up a market for a car as comfortable as an executive sedan but without the dimensions of the same. Kia will bring the GT Line version of the Ceed to India. This version of the premium hatchback comes with sporty bumpers, red and black exterior detailing, and large 17-inch alloy wheels. Initially, the brand will only assemble the cars in India, however a spike in demand could lead to the car being produced locally as well.