'This Vauxhall Astra-sized ”concept”, a five-door hatch powered by a 2.0 litre turbo engine, is actually a thinly-disguised version of the great-looking family car Kia will build in new £800million plant at Zilina, Slovakia, at the end of this year. It was designed in Kia’s Russelsheim design centre, near Frankfurt in Germany.
Why does it matter? Because Kia is currently the most successful and expansionist of Korean companies, because the car is very good-looking, and because it’s bound to be well priced. Why the curious name? It’s pronounced “seed”, and this new machine is viewed by Kia as the kernel of its future growth in Europe.
Steve Cropley
Don't miss Steve's third Geneva motor show star tomorrow - and the full round-up of the Swiss extravaganza in Autocar, on sale Tuesday.
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