It’s the most dramatic, dynamic Kia yet – and it’s going to boost the company’s street cred like nothing before.

The new Kia pro_cee’d GT not only looks great but with a hefty 201bhp from a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine it really delivers the goods.

The GT version of the pro_cee’d is the first high-performance model to come from the Korean car company, broadening its traditional sales market.

This super hot hatch doesn’t claim to be the most powerful car in its class - although it will still hit 60 miles per hour in just 7.4 seconds - but it does offer an abundance of power where you need it, in mid range motoring.

That means more everyday usability with a powerful, instant response every time you dip the accelerator no matter what speed you’re driving at or what gear you’re in.

On the other side of the coin this turbocharged engine offers superb flexibility and almost diesel-like torque. You can change into sixth gear at just 30 mph and the car will accelerate away as your speed increases without the need to change down.

To cope with the increase in power the suspension has been re-tuned and is much stiffer than the standard pro-cee’d model. And although you can now feel the bumps more, it still offers a comfortable ride even with five people on board.

The steering too has been re-tuned, to give a more direct and sporting feel to it while the addition of the largest brakes ever fitted to a cee’d model give the driver confidence that this car will stop as impressively as it accelerates.

Visually the new GT is a stunner, with sporting side skirts, a lower front bumper and air dam and a wide central air intake to increase the air flow to the turbocharged engine. At the back there are twin sports exhausts and a diffuser section in the lower edge of the bumper. And the sporting theme is continued inside, with upholstery in a combination of black leather and suede with red stitching. The driver and front seat passenger get high-backed Recaro rally seats complete with power lumber supports and there are stainless steel foot pedals with rubber inserts.

Kia pro_cee’d GT
Kia pro_cee’d GT

My test car was the GT Tech version which, in addition to the high spec of the standard GT model, gets satellite navigation, a reversing camera, heated front seats, heated steering wheel and xenon adaptive headlights, amongst other things.

On the road the GT is sharp and purposeful and one of the most engaging cars I have driven in a long time.

It is a three-door – but well thought out sliding front seats make access to the rear easy and there is generous legroom for back seat passengers. .If you really want five doors this version of the cee’d GT will be available next year.

In the meantime if you are looking for a sporting hatch with a difference check out the pro_cee’d GT with its seven year warranty – you won’t be disappointed.

Fast Facts

Kia pro_cee’d GT Tech

Basic price: £22,495

Mechanical: 1591cc, 4 cyl, 201 bhp petrol engine driving front wheels via 6spd manual gearbox.

Max speed: 143 mph

0-62 mph: 7.4 secs

Combined mpg: 38.2

CO2 emissions: 171g/km

Warranty: 7 years/100,000 miles