| Detailed Preview | Frankfurt Motor Show | Kia pro_cee'd |

First we were teased with a front three-quarter shot that showed a sporty high waist-line and a lowered, more purposeful stance on the road. Shortly after that came the rear shot portraying a more visible exhaust, subtle roof-spoiler and bolder rear lights.

Now, Kia has released the more intimate details of its lighter, more focused three-door hatch, the pro_cee'd. Set to take on Ford's Focus, Vauxhall's Astra and Renault's Mégane to name but a few, the latest offering from the Korean marque promises to add a sporty edge to the line up.

Although a three-door, the pro_cee'd retains the front and rear leg room of its five-door sibling by borrowing the same 2650mm wheelbase, but as you would expect, door sizes have increased - yet it avoids looking slab-like thanks to a sculpted 'swage' line running across the lower halves.

Gregory Guillaume, Chief Designer for Kia Europe explains more of the pro_cee'd's detailing: "At the front we have extended the nose by 10mm and introduced a shallower grille, new-style headlamps, a wider, lower bumper with a prominent lip spoiler, a deeper central air intake and larger fog lights set in elliptical depressions." All of which make the Kia quite an attractive proposition in our eyes.

The hatch comes with the choice of all Kia's engines - including the range topping 141bhp, 2.0-litre petrol - and three equipment levels. The pick of the bunch is the optional Sports Pack, which includes 17-inch alloy wheels, 225/45 R17 tyres, stiffer dampers, silver stitching in the interior and alloy pedals.

We won't have to wait long to see the pro_cee'd in the flesh, as it will be debuting at the Frankfurt International Motor Show on September 11th.

Kyle Molyneux - 22 Aug 2007