As solidly-built and well-equipped as it is, the Kia Pro_cee’d has always been found somewhat wanting in the power department. This hasn’t been lost on the folks at Kia South Africa, who have taken it upon themselves to give their stylish hatch a welcome boost in the power department that could have established players in the hot hatch segment breaking out in a cold sweat!
When the Kia Pro_cee’d first arrived here in 2008, it was met with something of a lukewarm reception. While it looked stylish, was well-specced and refined, it was also underpowered. With a modest 105 kW developed by its 2,0-litre CVVT petrol engine and a mid-global economic crisis-affected price that saw it uncomfortably rubbing shoulders with the VW Golf and Audi A3, the Pro_cee’d took something of a back seat as Kia introduced a bevy of stylish, competitively-priced models such as the new Sorento, Sportage and Koup. Rather than allowing this model to slip into ubiquity, however, Kia South Africa took matters into its own hands and quietly collaborated with a reputable local tuning firm to turbocharge a limited number of Pro_cee’ds – the upshot of which is perhaps the most subtle hot hatch out there!
There are two reasons as to why you may not have been aware of this particular breed of Pro_cee’d; firstly, just 30 examples were developed as part of a relatively low-profile model run. The other reason is that you’d be hard-pressed to spot the differences between this car and its more modestly-powered siblings.
Read more about the Kia Pro_cee’d R
The normal go-faster accoutrements doled out to hot hatches have been eschewed – the only giveaways as to this model’s bearings are a subtle red “R” badge on the tail and a sizeable intercooler peeking through the mesh of the lower air dam… that’s it! Everything else is stock Pro_cee’d – the wheels, interior, specification, the lot. Some may bemoan this softly-softly approach, but there’s something appealing about the “sleeper/Q-car” approach that says “I’m powerful, but I don’t need to boast about it.”
How powerful? Well, the addition of a turbocharger, intercooler, larger injectors and a piggyback chip for the ECU to the 2,0-litre CVVT petrol engine has seen the power take a considerable hike from 105 kW to a Ford Focus ST-rivalling 166 kW! The torque also climbs from 186 N.m to a meaty 290.
Much like the aesthetic treatment, the engine is also softly-spoken but with a strong heart. Engine noise is very well suppressed, and while it revs keenly it never sounds or feels coarse. In fact, when you first drive the car you’d be forgiven for thinking that there isn’t a turbocharged 166 kW engine at play under the bonnet.
Power delivery is smooth and linear – almost like a normally-aspirated unit – and there isn’t that pin-you-back-in-your-seat sensation of power, just a bit more grunt at the lower end. Plant the throttle, and the car hunkers down slightly and gains momentum without drama. Just as you’re about to utter “It doesn’t feel that fast”, take a look at the speedo’ – the needle will be swiftly heading hard, right and this “stealth Pro_cee’d” will be reeling in the road at a rate of knots. Speaking with one of the people involved with the project, we found out that Kia wanted the Pro_cee’d R to retain the standard car’s civilised demeanour while gaining a healthy dose of of power.
Speedily arriving at a corner will see the Pro_cee’d exhibit a bit of body roll – an upshot of a suspension set-up that gives the car a very supple and composed ride. The steering is light but precise, and while there is a spot of understeer the front-end grip is sufficient to keep you tracking true at brisk speeds. Try to grab sixth gear and you’ll be met with gate – the R sources its 5-speed gearbox from the stock car – but at least it has a precise shift action and the clutch is light.
It’s often natural to question the integrity of any aftermarket performance kit, even when it’s developed in conjunction with the manufacturer, but this car’s treatment is very well executed – no garish body kit, or bonnet scoops – and an eye on the temperature gauge (usually a nifty heat build-up after a spot of hard driving is a tell-tale sign of under-bonnet tinkering) didn’t see the needle budge at all. Everything feels solid, subtle and considered – much like the original car – and for added peace of mind, the whole package is underwritten by Kia’s 5-years or 100 000 kilometres warranty.
Kia has only produced 30 units for public consumption, each wearing a frankly eye-opening R249 995 price sticker – that’s nearly R60 000 less than the marginally less powerful Golf GTI and around R50 000 less than the equally-powerful Ford Focus ST. If the idea of powerful Korean hot hatch in sheep’s clothing is appealing, you’ll have to be quick – we last heard that there were only 12 units left in circulation!