Kia to launch new Cee’d Sport Wagon in Geneva

Korean automaker enlarges the scope of its C-segment competitor.

Kia’s new estate variation of the cee’d was first revealed by The Car Enthusiast back in September. Now the company has officially announced it will show the production version of the cee’d sport wagon alongside the recently launched five-door hatchback at the Geneva motor show next month. This new addition to the cee’d range intends to offer elements of practicality and versatility in a sporty package.

The Kia cee’d C-segment estate – dubbed the ‘Sporty Wagon’ – celebrates the first anniversary since the cee’d was originally shown in concept form at last year’s Geneva motor show. Measuring 4.5 metres in length, the estate derivative is 235mm longer than its five-door counterpart, with the increase being found aft of the rear wheels. A long wheelbase also aims to provide superior cabin space and a more comfortable ride.

Keeping with the youth-oriented brand image, the cee’d wagon seeks to provide buyers with an upmarket feel devoid of bland features. The cee’d wagon features design cues that are reminiscent of the Peugeot 407 estate, particularly in the rear quarters, and the rear pillar-mounted tail lamps are also evocative of other established segment leaders, reinforcing quality perception.

Out back, the cargo area is accessed by a wide opening tailgate and a low load floor. The extended tailgate design is fitted with top hinges which have been moved forward by 225mm compared to the cee’d hatchback, enabling users to stand closer to the car while gaining access to the boot. Rear cargo space is said to have been augmented by 200 litres (to 534 litres) over the hatchback, and overall height of the car is up 10mm.

Like the five-door, the estate variant will be offered in three trim levels: S, GS and LS. Engine choices for the hatchback include two petrol and two diesel engines, so it’s fair to assume that these powerplants will be carried over to the wagon. In the hatchback, the petrol engines consist of either a 1.4-litre 16-valve producing 105bhp and 101lb.ft of torque, or a 1.6-litre unit generating 122bhp and 114lb.ft of twist. The 1.6-litre petrol powerplant can also be fitted with an automatic transmission. A diesel 1.6-litre diesel offering creates 90bhp and 173lb.ft of torque or, as a more finely tuned derivative, 115bhp and 188lb.ft of torque.

Kia has big plans for the cee’d lineup. They are the first-ever cars designed and manufactured by the company in Europe and made to compete with established market leaders like the Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus. The cee’d estate promises to offer highly competitive levels of equipment and state-of-the-art active and passive safety.

The estate is set to go on sale in the UK by summer 2007, with a three-door hatch joining the range in late 2007. The new cee’d wagon will be built at Kia’s new facility in Zilina, Slovakia, alongside the five-door and three-door versions. The wagon and three-door will also benefit from Kia’s best in class seven year/100,000 mile warranty, first seen in the cee’d five door.