Kia Motors plans to reveal a sporty wagon concept at Germany’s International Motor Show in September. Calling the model an “extended hot hatch,” the automaker is following the popular trend of whetting the automotive press’ appetite with a shooting brake bodystyle that will probably never reach production.
Designed in Kia’s European design studio in Frankfurt, less than a mile from where it will be unveiled, the wagon is said to be representative of what the next-generation of Europe’s Kia Cee’d might look like. If there is any truth to that, we’d like to see it imported into North America. However, as this is just a concept car, we know the odds of its real-world counterpart not changing into an amorphous collection of painted steel panels are slim.
Still, the concept looks to be a genuine stunner. Assuming the front looks anything like the back, Kia’s design department deserves a bit of praise.
There may still be hope, though. Kia’s current Cee’d, while conventional, is not a homely utilitarian mess. It’s a decent-looking car and I doubt most of America would have minded if the manufacturer wanted to tempt them with the Pro_Cee’d hot hatchback.
Kia could easily slot in a performance model below the Stinger sedan. And, since that model isn’t likely to appear as a wagon anytime soon, what could be better than a quick little car with an odd number of doors to compete with the likes of Volkswagen’s GTI?
Maybe it’s best to wait and see how the updated Hyundai Elantra GT Sport fares with its slick new 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine before Kia does anything too drastic with its own lineup. But we think enthusiasts would eat up a Kia-ized equivalent of the sporty and practical i30 N compact — especially if it possessed the sculpted haunches of the above prototype.
“We don’t make concept cars for no good reason,” a Kia source told Automotive News Europe. “It’s up for very serious consideration as a standalone model.”
The concept will go on display September 12th at Kia’s booth in the Frankfurt Messe exhibition center.
[Image: Kia Motors]
Looks great.
Does it come with a column shifter? ;-)
America deserves the Pro’Ceed, and whatever in God’s glory this thing is gonna be. I haven’t been moved by a modern automotive design like this in quite some time.
The Pro’Ceed doesn’t look all that different from the Forte5, which doesn’t sell hugely well. I’m not sure we deserve anything.
Looks dead on a panamera.
Panamera is a Sedan…
Kia is a Wagon?
URGH. But there’s a panamera WAGON, which looks NOTHING like this kia wagon, and this kia “wagon” looks like a panamera.
is this like “SUV vs Car” and then we had to come up with the term crossover?
If so we need a new name for a wagon-sedan.
Otherwise this is a slantback sedan not a wagon.
But I’m fine with a “Wagan” (Wagon-sedan)
I’m coining that term now.
This isn’t a Wagon, its a Wagan.
Yea but people will complain about the sloping roof and how their old squared off Volvo holds more.
Brown, diesel, manual Volvo.
Looks great, but is there a stupider car name than “Cee’d” in all of car history?
Well, they could call it the Covfefe.
Honda That’s or the Nissan Dayz/Dayz Roox are of a similar genre and quality.
Will never be sold in the US. There is no demand in the US for four door wagons, Murican’s have spoken, and they want CUVs and SUVs. Ironically the modern CUV has pretty much the same exterior dimensions as sedans from the 40’s and 50s. There might be a bit of interest in a two door ‘hatchback’ version of this thing, but not profitable enough for them to actually put it into production.
The Elantra (GT and sedan) Sport both come with the 1.6L turbo – same as in the Kia Forte5 SX. Given the choice many would probably pick the Hyundai turbo hatch over the Kia, myself included. I think Kia would need to step up the engine option if they’re going to slot something below the Stinger but above the Hyundai EGTS.
I’ve given up hope for a wagon and would just be happy with a 2 door compact hatch nowadays. Something where the B pillar isn’t in my field of vision at all times.