The Kia Ceed GT might not be as powerful or as popular as full-blown hot hatches like the Hyundai i30 N, the VW Golf GTI, and the Focus ST, but it is definitely a warm hatch worthy of your attention. Tuners Barracuda Racing Wheels and Giacuzzo collaborated in a quest to further amplify the sportiness of Kia’s compact model, in both Proceed GT and Ceed GT variants.
The tuners used a facelifted ProCeed GT and a pre-facelift Ceed GT as a base for the conversions, which were focused on the exterior design. Starting with the shooting break, which is the most intriguing of the two, it got a new set of lightweight 19-inch Barracuda Dragoon wheels finished in gloss black, shod in 225/35R19 performance tires.
See Also: Facelifted 2022 Kia XCeed Gets MHEV Tech, New GT-Line Trim And 201-HP Engine Option
The silver-painted ProCeed already had the sporty bodykit of the GT variant with larger bumper intakes plus glossy black and red accents on the lower part of the bodywork. What is new in this tuned example is the add-ons by Giacuzzo, including a new front splitter, a much larger roof spoiler, and rear skirt extensions, all finished in gloss black. The suspension of the vehicle has also been lowered with the help of Eibach springs.
The Ceed hatchback got the same design for the 19-inch wheels, but a different gloss bronze finish, contrasting with its black exterior shade. Here, the Giacuzzo bodykit with aerodynamic extensions to the bumpers and side sills gets bronze highlights, matching the color of the rims and the GT emblem on the blacked-out grille. The highlight of the tuned Ceed GT is the quad exhaust pipes sticking out of the diffuser, making it look like a proper hot hatch.
Also Read: Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake vs. Kia Proceed: Which Is The Fairest Sporty Wagon Of Them All?
The performance flagships of the Ceed/ProCeed lineups are fitted with the same turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder T-GDI engine, producing a respectable 201 hp (150 kW / 204 PS) and 265 Nm (195 lb-ft) of torque. The mill is mated to a seven-speed DCT automatic gearbox, sending power to the front axle. As a result, the Ceed GT accelerates from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 7.4 seconds, while the slightly longer and heavier ProCeed GT needs 7.5 seconds. Both have a top speed of 225 km/h (140 mph).
The GT variants have a sportier suspension setup and stronger brakes right from the factory, but we guess that the Eibach springs and the wider tires of these tuned examples will further improve handling. The tuner didn’t reveal pricing for the modifications, but Ceed and ProCeed owners can contact them for additional information.
