03 Oct 06
David Genot
Just like Vauxhall did with the Astra, Kia has gone for a raunchier profile for the three-door version of its new Cee'd hatch. But you can't just unveil it these days, you have to flash a concept first: hence the Pro-cee'd.
Complain to Kia that the process seems a bit me-too and they won't mind a bit. Like the Cee'd the Pro-cee'd has been designed in Europe, and the finished car will be built in a European factory for a December 2007 launch. If the striking styling appeals to your European tastes, then their plan is coming together.
So how did the Cee'd turn Pro? 'We started with the production Cee'd,' explains Kia Europe designer David Genot. 'We wanted to have a sporty hatchback three-door so we dropped the roof by 30mm, the windscreen has been angled back, and the shoulder line has been more accentuated and made wider - all the while keeping the main family feeling in design.'
And how far from reality is the concept? 'This car represents 95% of the production car,' says Genot. As usual the alloys are the first to go, so no 19" petal rims for your sporty Kia. There'll also be less aluminium and the rhomboid exhaust pipes will morph into foglamps. However the visual drama will stay intact. 'The proportions are the same,' says Genot.
So far Kia has stayed away from the sports field, unlike its sister company Hyundai. With the Pro-cee'd, it has just signaled its intention to get kitted up for action.
Kia Pro-cee'd
Gert Hildebrand
Ask Mini's designer about the very minor transformation of the all-new model and you'll get a lecture about headlamps. Since they're about the most noticeable change in the design, we'll go with it.
'The "island solution" lamps means we can attach them more accurately,' says Mini design head Gert Hildebrand, explaining how the main lights now sit in holes in the bonnet, rather than being attached to it. 'In the beginning with the old design, lamp vibration caused faults and losses due to bulbs breaking.' Happily there's a design advantage too. 'With the new additional bonnet volume we get the chance to make a more sculpted headlamp too,' says Hildebrand.
But how confident are you that these minimal changes will satisfy the customer base, both current and future? 'A good designer will always be confident in their knowledge to know the future,' he says. 'You have to remember that the members of the design team are customers too, so we feel in touch with them.'
And talking of the future, what's the next year's Mini estate going to look like? 'The styling of the Traveller, or whatever it is called, is very similar to the concepts that were shown around the world last year. It will be what is historically known as a shooting brake.
'One of the most important elements is that it has to have the standard of driveability you expect from a BMW - it has to drive as well as it looks.'
Helping both the Traveller and the new Mini achieve that is a range of all-new engines. The new 1.6-litre unit is turbocharged in the Cooper S to give a substantial 175bhp with lots more pulling power.
Mini Mk2
