Currently reading: Kia’s three-door hatch finally revealed
First images of production Pro_cee’d released ahead of Frankfurt debut

Kia might still have a lot to learn about snappy names and punctuation, but going on these first official images of the new Pro_cee’d hatch, it’s already learnt a lot about European style.

The Pro_cee’d is the sleek new three-door version of the Cee’d hatchback, which went on sale early in 2007. Kia’s hoping the new hatch will broaden the Cee’d’s appeal, as will the SW estate version.

Despite having two fewer doors than its sibling, the Pro_cee’d is 15mm longer, at 4250mm. It is also lower, giving a sleeker profile. Kia also claims that the Pro_cee’d has sportier handling.

“With performance, ride and handling that is even more responsive, the Pro_cee’d will attract European consumers who find three-door cars particularly appealing,” said Jean-Charles Lievens, senior vice president of Kia Motors Europe.

The Pro_cee’d will be offered with the same five engines as the Cee’d: 1.4 and 1.6 petrols, two different 1.6 diesels and a 2.0 diesel. There’s also the option of a ‘Sports Pack’ that comes with 17-inch alloys, stiffer dampers and stainless steel trim in the cabin.

The Pro_cee’d makes its official debut at the Frankfurt motor show in September, and goes on sale early in 2008. We reckon that still gives Kia enough time to change the name to something intelligible.

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Read our review

Car review

The Kia Cee’d is more than good enough to harry the opposition, which is an achievement in itself for the fiercely competitive family hatchback class

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