If prizes were awarded for aggressive, razor-sharp styling then surely this new Kia pro-cee’d would have a sideboard full of giant teddy bears. The all-new, third-generation pro-cee’d – which comes hot on the heals of the recently revealed new cee’d 5-door and Sportswagon (estate) – is about as boldly styled as you can get for a 3-door, mass-market hatchback right now. And I personally feel that they’ve pulled it off rather nicely.

The pro-cee’d front end is a scowling treat of accusing back-swept headlights – with plenty of LED running light action – while a heavily-raked windscreen, deep doors with flame flourishes and a chunky and detailed rear end cohesively finish off its modern and up-for-it wedge-shape. Sure, these pics of the car dressed in white with big dark wheels probably show it wearing its finest, high-trim 'clothes', but I’m liking what I see so far. We’ll have to take a good look around it at the Paris Motor Show at the end of this month.

“This car embodies emotion and energy through and through,” says Peter Schreyer, Kia’s Chief Design Officer.  “You know from a single glance that this is a car you want to drive, not just own.  Kia is on a distinctive design adventure and the all new pro-cee’d spearheads this forward looking journey.”

Indeed, and you can decide for yourselves when the new pro-cee’d hits the Kia dealers in the spring of next year. Full specs and prices will follow on from the full public reveal in Paris.

By Daniel Anslow

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