Chassis & Running Gear

Fine-tuned mechanical components

Like the cee’d hatchback and wagon, the new pro_cee’d is fitted with fully independent, sub-frame-mounted, front and rear suspension systems, engineered by Kia’s chassis specialists in Germany and designed to deliver crisp, responsive handling and a supple, comfortable ride on European roads.

“The suspension geometry set up and the spring/damper rates we have developed for the cee’d family through extensive testing on European roads, have been well received by both media and customers,” commented Michael Lugert, Manager Vehicle Evaluation, Kia Europe R&D Centre.

“Compared to the other cee’d models, the suspension of the pro_cee’d has been retuned for even more agility in order to underline the truly sporty exterior design. No changes have been made to the dampers, but as the pro_cee’d weighs less than the 5-door hatchback cee’d, the car has a more sporty feel to its ride. This more ‘sporty’ ride, is enhanced by the fitting of a larger diameter rear anti-roll stabilizer bar (up from 14 mm to 15 mm for 1.4 and 1.6 gasoline models, and from 15 mm to 16 mm for the 2.0 gasoline and all diesels models), which is stiffer and reduces understeer to deliver even more dynamic handling in corners.

“On models with the 17-inch alloy wheel and 225/45 R17 tyre package, the stiffer anti-roll bar is combined with dampers that are 8% stiffer and special software for the electric power steering which gives more assistance at low speed and less at high speed – as we expect this optional variant to be a popular choice on the 3-door cee’d models,” concluded Lugert.

The MacPherson strut front suspension features a broad-based lower arm and a negative camber angle (0.5 degrees) for greater cornering stability under all conditions. The multi-link rear suspension employs 1.0 degrees of negative camber and is mounted on a compact transverse sub-frame, with the shock absorbers and coil springs mounted separately for improved ride quality and minimal intrusion into the trunk.

The same cee’d family choice of standard 15-inch steel and 16-inch alloy wheels is available for pro_cee’d – all shod exclusively with Michelin tyres. All cee’d derivatives come with a steel space-saver spare wheel – located in the trunk floor well.

To save fuel and enable speed-sensitive control of the power steering, the pro_cee’d also has Kia’s latest MDPS (motor driven power steering) system. With this new system, parking manoeuvres and town driving are easier, while high speed handling is more precise. The gearing ratio of the steering remains the same for all wheel and tyre variants, and is fine-tuned to deliver good ‘feel’ under all driving conditions.

Kia’s MDPS system in the pro_cee’d gives a fuel saving of 3% compared to conventional hydraulic assistance.