Automotive

Kia finds out just how sexy the wagon can be, with its Proceed Concept

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Kia Proceed Concept world premiere
Kia experiments with a new type of Proceed at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show
We really aren't sure why Kia decided to put a red backdrop behind the red Proceed, but we would have preferred it didn't
The rear doors swing forward despite the lack of full B pillars
The Proceed Concept has a front-end inspired by the Kia Stinger
Kia experiments with a new type of Proceed at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show
The Proceed is a styling exercise and Kia didn't release powertrain specs – we like to imagine the Stinger's 365-hp twin-turbo V6 running the show
Kia Proceed Concept world premiere
The Luminline side glass surround emphasizes the car's sporty roofline
Kia Proceed Concept world premiere
Kia Proceed Concept world premiere
Kia Proceed Concept world premiere
Kia Proceed Concept
Kia Proceed Concept world premiere
Kia Proceed Concept world premiere
Kia Proceed Concept world premiere
Kia Proceed Concept world premiere
Kia Proceed Concept world premiere
The rear-end design includes stacked vents and a wraparound lighting strip
For some reason, Kia decided to use ruched fabric on the seats
The dashboard, steering column and hovering console serve as an extension of the Lava Red bodywork
Kia reveals the Proceed Concept
Will we see a production Proceed estate in the future? We sure hope so
Kia Proceed sketch
Kia reveals the Proceed Concept
Kia's Frankfurt design studio prepared the Proceed some 500 meters from the motor show floor it was revealed on
Kia designers work out the details of the Proceed
Kia designers work out the details of the Proceed
Kia designers work out the details of the Proceed
Kia designers work out the details of the Proceed
Kia designers work out the details of the Proceed
Kia designers work out the details of the Proceed
Kia designers work out the details of the Proceed
The Proceed Concept has a glass roof
Kia's original teaser image had us thinking we were going to see a special wagon, and the Proceed Concept followed through
If all wagons looked like this, we might not have other styles of car
The Proceed rides on 20-in alloy wheels
Kia Proceed Concept
Kia Proceed Concept
Kia Proceed Concept
View gallery - 39 images

Kia is exploring new waters in Frankfurt this year, experimenting with how its Cee'd family could birth a new member. The Proceed Concept extends the roofline on its Pro Cee'd hot hatch, creating a sleek, sporty interpretation of an estate. Add in innovations like an illuminated glasshouse frame, and the concept shines as brightly as any other in Germany.

The Proceed Concept is a smooth, B-pillar-less estate that manages to look nearly as sporty and aggressive as a full-blown sports coupe. Instead of a long, straight roofline that meanders back to an upright tailgate, the Proceed's roofline drops in fastback style, giving the car a very sharp, aggressive look.

Kia matches that to muscular fenders and lateral strakes, creating a silhouette you won't soon forget. A "Lava Red" paint comprising 19 hand-applied layers of black, chrome-effect silver and red-tinted lacquer accentuates every millimeter.

Kia Proceed Concept

"With many European drivers seeking alternatives to the traditional three-door hot hatch, we began thinking about a new [Cee'd] halo model," said Gregory Guillaume, Kia's chief European designer. "The extended hot hatch you see here could be an alternative for us. It's a third body type, one that retains the athleticism of the Pro Cee'd, but reworked and re-imagined to combine a striking new visual presence with a dash of real-world versatility."

The concept also finds new uses for light, wrapping the side glasshouse in a "Luminline" surround, brightening up as the driver approaches the car. This feature helps to emphasize the car's sporty shape, giving it a very purposeful look, day and night.

Kia Proceed Concept world premiere

Up front, the Proceed borrows from the new Stinger, wearing a similar compact tiger-nose grille and intakes, albeit with more dramatic creases and folds mixed in. The car rides on 20-in six-spoke alloy wheels.

Interestingly, instead of the suicide doors that tend to complement B-pillar-less design, Kia uses half pillars to hinge the rear doors to, creating a normal forward-swinging rear entry. The company has dabbled in this type of structure before with the 2015 A1A Optima convertible SEMA show car, though that car had rear suicide doors.

Kia kept the world of tailoring and haute couture in mind when designing the interior, wrapping the four wave-shaped seats in hand-cut elastane, ruched and rippled for a unique (and weird) effect. If that's not odd enough, Kia also added an interior "memory bank" designed to summon the powerful sense of smell in engaging the driver. A shelf contains three individual scent bottles, one that smells of aged leather, one of an automotive garage and one of high-octane motorsport fuel.

The dashboard and steering column wear the same gorgeous Lava Red paint as the exterior, giving the impression of the hood stretching inside under the windshield. Also red is the floating center console, held in place by a carbon fiber spine that runs the length of the cabin. The console's aluminum controls are inspired by high-end audio gear.

The dashboard, steering column and hovering console serve as an extension of the Lava Red bodywork

With only four seats and we're guessing limited cargo space, the Proceed's fastback roof and compact proportions seem to cut into its people and cargo hauling versatility. But it's hard to think of a better-looking five-door estate – and we reckon it still has more space than the average coupe or fastback sedan, making a brilliant combination of sporty looks and everyday utility.

We hope to see the Proceed Concept give way to a production C'eed family flagship, and we hope that car doesn't lose the concept's brilliant looks or aggressive edge – but it can definitely lose the perfume box and feathery seats.

Source: Kia

View gallery - 39 images
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3 comments
MirekKaras
What a ugly car...on the top they presenting read car on read background...what going on with that picture...
Bob
What's wrong with the classic station wagon? I want something that can haul a decent load. If you pick style over utility, you will never be satisfied. Nothing looks sillier than a pickup truck with a bed too small to haul anything.
Madlyb
Don't like the interior, but the exterior is gorgeous.