The all-new Kia cee'd wagon will make its world premiere at the 77th Salon de l’Automobiles in Geneva on 6 March.  It will be seen in production-ready form for the first time.

“The new Kia cee’d wagon retains all the attributes of the cee’d hatchback and offers consumers extra practicality and versatility, with a unique extended tailgate design, while keeping stylish stand-alone good looks with a truly sporty feel,” enthused Mr Jean-Charles Lievens, Senior Vice President Kia Motors Europe.  “With ride, handling and performance every bit as responsive as the hatchback, the wagon will be available with a choice of engines and specifications.  The new wagon is sure to delight existing Kia customers and to attract European consumers who have not yet considered our brand.”

The 4.5-metre long estate has an unusually long wheelbase and will offer class-leading passenger and luggage space, plus highly competitive levels of equipment and state-of-the-art active and passive safety.  Customers in the UK will be able to choose from a wide range of models, three equipment levels (S, GS and LS) and Euro 4 compliant engines and transmissions.

To boost load carrying ability and versatility, the wagon’s overall length is increased by 235 mm over the five door, with all of that increase behind the rear wheels.  The overall height is up by 10 mm.  Luggage capacity starts at 534 litres – loaded up to the bottom of the rear windows – almost 200 litres more than the cee’d five-door.

The tailgate on the Kia cee’d wagon is unique in the C-segment being designed to give excellent access to the load area.  The top hinges have been moved forwards by 225 mm (compared to the Kia cee’d hatchback), so the tailgate has reduced outswing and upswing.  This allows users to stand closer to the car and the tailgate to be fully opened, even in restricted parking spaces.

The launch of the Kia cee’d family (five-door hatchback in February 2007, wagon from summer 2007 and three-door hatch from late 2007) marks a major turning point in Kia’s history.  The first-ever Kia cars designed and manufactured in Europe, they will introduce a new era for the brand.

The new Kia cee’d wagon will be built alongside the five-door and three-door versions at Zilina, Slovakia – the most advanced and cleanest motor manufacturing facility in Europe.  And to ensure worry free motoring for all cee’d drivers across Europe, the wagon will also benefit from the best warranty in Europe, first seen when launched with the cee’d five door – a full seven years and 100,000 miles.