Geneva show: Inside Kia’s new Cee’d

KIA’S latest hot new light car will get a sporty interior designed to further appeal to its core European market, where it will go on sale in the middle of this year, though it remains off the table for Australia.

The new interior – revealed this week ahead of the car’s debut at the Geneva motor show next month – is said to have been inspired by Audi in an attempt to give the baby Kia a more premium feel.

“The new Cee’d features a completely new interior hallmarked by a more premium look and feel, higher perceived quality, improved switchgear, touch-screen technology and enhanced driving position ergonomics,” said Kia ahead of Geneva.

“The dashboard layout features a cockpit-like design with an aircraft-themed, driver-oriented fascia. The main control panel wraps around the steering wheel, placing all switchgear within easy reach of the driver, and the main control groups such as audio and air-conditioning have been segregated to bring a more premium, luxurious, big-car feel to the interior.

“Carefully considered precision detailing gives the cabin a more prestigious look and feel than that of the current generation model.



“Soft touch materials add a new tactility to the driving environment. Instruments and switchgear are picked out in very thin chrome, the door handles are built-up in a layered sandwich of high quality materials and the door opener itself has a sculpted, one-piece, shell-like quality reflecting the premium values of the new interior design.”

As revealed last month, the second-generation Cee’d five-door hatchback features a prominent take on Kia’s trademark ‘tiger nose’ grille and wraparound headlight clusters, as well as prominent front and rear wings designed to “emphasise the car’s wide track and solid stance”.

Also shown for the first time this week is the car's rear end, which features wraparound tail-lights.

Its Geneva debut will come exactly six years after the original Cee’d made its debut at the Swiss show.