Kia Ceed hatchback• Hatchback on sale in June
• SW estate expected in September
• Pro Cee’d three-door in 2013

Two new Kia Cee’d models will be launched in 2012 – a five-door hatchback and SW estate.

The replacement hatchback will arrive in showrooms in September and Kia has released one official picture. It has a bolder design than the current model, featuring Kia’s new trademark honeycomb grille with chrome surround.

It’s aimed squarely at competitors such as the Ford Focus, Vauxhall Astra and Volkswagen Golf.

Well-trimmed models get daytime-running lights and front fog lights in metal surrounds. The bonnet has been sculpted to give it a more muscular look and there will be new alloy wheel designs to complete the athletic design.

A more driver-orientated dashboard will add to the ergonomic appeal of the new Cee’d, as will the enhanced quality of interior materials.

The Cee’d hatchback promises to be very cost effective to own, particularly as a frugal diesel engine is promised with sub 100g/km of CO2 emissions, making it free to tax.

Practically minded customers will need to wait until September for the Cee’d SW launch – it will feature a larger boot than the hatchback.

A three-door Pro Cee’d with a lower roofline and even sportier looks is due for 2013. Sources at Kia won’t rule out a hot version, which would be likely to get a 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine and around 200bhp.

All variant will come with Kia’s famous seven-year warranty, which is even transferrable to a second owner.

By Andy Goodwin, senior web journalist