I MAY be accused of sticking my head too far above the parapet for saying that a Kia is the modern equivalent of the Ford Capri but in many ways the pro_cee'd GT ticks a majority of the boxes.
This strangely-named car has rocketed to attention because of its elegant coupe-hatch styling, fine quality, performance and keen pricing.
The 1.6 T-GDi GT petrol version I drove was priced below £20,000 at £19,995 and offered a lot for the money.
It is a prize example of the way the perception of Kia is changing.
Once it was cheap and cheeerful. Now it is desirable, but although not bargain basement, comes with pricetags that make you think - and all underpinned with a seven year/100,000 mile warranty.
The pro_cee'd GT and its sibling, the five-door cee'd GT are Kia's first genuinely sporty models, being powered by a 201bhp 1.6 T-GDi petrol engine which also features a useful 265Nm of torque, making this an impressive drive.
On the road, it is a smooth performer, with 143mph on tap and a deceptively quick 0-62mph sprint factor of 7.4 seconds.
As you would expect from a more sporty model, economy is not startling with a 38.2mpg combined figure.
Kia claims this is the most exciting model in the company's history and it is certainly no wild claim.
Its mixture of sizzling style, sporty performance and overall premium feel, put it in a whole new category for this manufacturer, making it a true milestone model.
Certainly a far cry from the humble little Pride that drove onto our shores decades ago and fell into the class dominated by Lada.
But the prowess of the Korean car industry has made quantum leaps since then. Casting my mind back to when I drove one of the early Pride models, if anyone had suggested that one day I would be driving a Kia that could honestly be compared to a BMW I would have laughed out loud.
Now the laugh is on me because the pro_cee'd does have a definite European quality feel and in terms of styling has sweeping lines, LED lights and a low-slung businesslike stance that truly says what it is. Definitely no understated looks here.
The engine is a turbocharged version of the ‘Gamma' 1.6-litre direct-injection petrol engine, driving through a six-speed manual gearbox with an ideal spread of ratios for impressive off-the-line performance.
Kia has deliberately not become involved in an ultimate power battle for its first entry into the hot hatchback market, preferring to focus on making a performance car with everyday usability and overall requirements in mind
Re-tuned suspension and steering and powerful all-disc brakes ensure they are more than capable of handling the power and torque outputs. Increased damper rebound and compression rates, stiffer springs and bushes and a larger rear anti-roll bar are joined by stylish 18-inch alloy wheels shod with Michelin Pilot Sport 3 tyres.
Again you can't help being drawn back to the magic mix of qualities that sold the Capri, and see that the pro_cee'd GT could claim the crown as its modern equivalent.