Words: Shubham Choukse
Hyundai ’s sister company Kia Motors has unveiled the Proceed Concept at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show. Also on display are the new Kia Stonic, Picanto X-line and new Sorento.
The Proceed concept is developed at Kia’s design facility in Frankfurt and showcases the design language for the future cee’d model family. It features a fastback design with muscular proportions and a compact footprint
Gregory Guillaume, Chief Designer Europe for Kia Motors, commented: “With many European drivers now seeking performance alternatives to the three-door hot hatch style, we began thinking about a different halo model for the cee’d family. The Proceed Concept represents a bold new vision of how the vibrant soul of the pro_cee’d could be reincarnated and revitalized for a new generation of performance-oriented drivers.”
The Kia Stonic compact crossover also made its first public appearance at the Frankfurt Motor show. Prominent design elements include a tiger-nose grille at the front and a targa-style roof. It is available in up to 20 two-tone colour combinations and a choice of five distinctive colors for the roof.
It will be available with a range of lightweight petrol and diesel engine options, each paired with a manual transmission. The car is developed keeping the European markets in mind and is designed to offer an exciting drive, with immediate handling responses and a stable ride.
The all-new Stonic will be available in the UK from October 2017, while we expect it to reach the Indian shores by the end of 2019.
Kia also unveiled the new Picanto X-line hatchback at the Frankfurt. Powering the Picanto X-line is a 1-litre turbocharged petrol engine that produces 98bhp of max power, this engine will also feature in the yet to be launched GT-line model. It will be available across Europe by the end of this year while it may be launched in India by the end of 2020.
Also making its global debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show is the new Kia Sorento. It is Kia’s flagship seven-seater SUV, and will feature company’s new eight-speed automatic transmission, providing a slick-shifting, decisive drive, while also reducing emissions. Other improvements include a range of new safety, comfort and convenience upgrades, such as Kia’s new 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and a series of driver assistive safety technologies. The upgraded Sorento is also available for the first time in new ‘GT-Line’ specification, offering buyers the sporty looks and dynamics of Kia’s higher-performance GT models, while retaining the Sorento’s versatility, performance and comfort.