Kia Proceed Concept 2019 revealed ahead of Frankfurt

Kia has whipped the covers off its Proceed Concept prior to a public debut at the Frankfurt motor show next week, hinting at a possible halo model for the next-generation Cee’d range.

Described by Kia as an ''extended hot hatch'' with ''a dash of real-world versatility'', the Proceed Concept serves as reinterpretation of the three-door Pro_cee'd sold in Australia from 2014 to 2015.

The five-door show car clearly references the incoming Stinger performance liftback, as shown by its similar-looking front-end design, which again incorporates the Korean carmaker's signature 'tiger nose' grille.

Furthermore, the Stinger's sculpted 'island' bonnet is evident, as is Kia's trademark castellated windscreen and full-length roof glazing.

Elsewhere, the Proceed Concept's unique side profile is distinguished by an illuminated 'Luminline' glasshouse, which greets occupants as they approach the show car by highlighting its fastback shape.

The dynamic window frame is underscored by a silver 'Sharkblade' C-pillar with 'GT' logo, which supplements the concept's lack of B-pillars and raked roofline.

Complementing the concept's muscular proportions and compact footprint are 20-inch, six-spoke alloy wheels.

The rear-end features a tailgate characterised by its stacked air vents, while rippled, single-strip horizontal tail-lights cover the width of the show car, which Kia says are ''inspired by molten ferromagnetic metal.''

Finished in bespoke 'Lava Red' exterior paint, the concept was penned at Kia's European design centre in Frankfurt, which is about 500 metres from where it will be unveiled at the motor show on September 12.

According to Kia Motors chief designer Europe Gregory Guillaume, a re-think of the hot hatch market led to the Proceed Concept's creation.

“With many European drivers now seeking performance alternatives to the three-door hot hatch, we began thinking about a different halo model for the Cee’d family,” he said.

“The Proceed Concept represents a bold new vision of how the vibrant soul of the Pro_cee’d could be reincarnated and revitalised for a new generation of performance-oriented drivers.”

The new-gen Cee'd small hatch is set to enter production in 2019, but Kia Australia has already ruled the model out of Australia because the similarly sized Cerato is already offered in the market.

However, a production version of Proceed Concept could receive a local launch, but official confirmation will not come for some time.

Has Kia produced a better-looking Stinger with the Proceed Concept? Tell us what you think in the comments below.