Kia reveals inspiration for XCeed urban crossover
It's always fun to look at the new designs carmakers come up with, but have you ever wondered exactly where the designers get their ideas?
If you're an admirer of the Kia Ceed, then you're in luck – because the brand behind it has revealed in a video how the new crossover vehicle the Xceed came to fruition.
In a short film, members of the Kia European design team discuss the process behind developing this new model – as well as how it wasn't actually planned as an addition to the range in the first place.
The Kia XCeed is a sporty alternative to typical SUVs and more athletic in appearance than its taller rivals. In fact, it's almost completely different to its five-door hatchback sibling, with the front doors being the only body panels carried over from that design.
The car's fastback tailgate angle and cab-rearward silhouette give it a coupe-like feel, while the rear trailing edge adds to that crossover aesthetic.
To provide a tougher presence more fitting for an SUV, you'll find wheel arch and side sill cladding, as well as silver roof rails.
It means the Kia XCeed is elevated in seating height but not an SUV, which the designers explain presents a solution for drivers who don't want a huge vehicle and want to retain that sportiness, yet are keen to experience a loftier driving position.
Colour was also a key focus in designing the XCeed, with the vibrant new shade Quantum Yellow being added to the 12 existing exterior colours available.
The Kia XCeed is the latest model in the Ceed lineup and will join the new Sportswagon and ProCeed.
Vice president of design for Kia in Europe Gregory Guillaume said: "While creating the next ProCeed, we realised that there could be a fourth body type within the Ceed line-up. This became the Kia XCeed. The beauty of the project was that we never originally set out to create a crossover."
You can find out all this and more in Kia's video and the brand's new book, while you can get yourself Kia Ceed deals on this new model in showrooms from September 2019.
The Ceed was launched in 2006 and quickly became Kia's best-selling model in Europe, selling up to 150,000 units a year.