Kia will almost certainly make a convertible version of its European-built c’eed model, but not until the next generation model due in 2011.
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The company showed an open-top concept called the ex_c’eed at last year’s Geneva Motor Show and European design chief Gregory Guillaume said the reaction to the vehicle since then had been very positive.
But he added that the company can’t take the top off the current model. “It is not like in the past when you could just cut the roof off, there are all sorts of engineering, safety and strengthening issues. A convertible has to be developed right at the beginning with the rest of the range. We would very much like to do this for the next generation c’eed.”
The Slovakian-built c’eed is due for a facelift soon, but the new generation will not be ready until around 2011.
Guillaume and Kia’s global design chief Peter Schreyer said they believed c’eed had shown that a company from the Far East can design a “European car”.
Guillaume added: “I think the c’eed nailed it first time in terms of looks and quality. The five-door was a little reserved, but the estate and the-door have great character.”
Next up from Kia is the Soul and the three concept cars shown at the London Motor Show are pretty much what will take to the roads next Spring.
The car features the new “face” of Kia, according to Schreyer with the design of the grille, first seen on the Kee concept car, being carried through to other models.
He said: “The Soul concepts at the London Show is how the car will look in terms of the sheet metal and the instrument panel, although the interiors may not be quite so radical. I do think that Soul will become something of an icon model for Kia.
“While it would be nice to have something like an iconic sports car, it is a much braver move to push something like the Soul as a brand icon.”
