THE Kia cee'd will go down as a gamechanger.

Not only was it the model that Kia first introduced its best in business seven year warranty, it's also become its greatest seller in the UK.

And with its sporty counterpart - the pro_cee'd - it also had the distinction of being the car with the most punctuated name.

Now that's all about to change and Kia has just unveiled the new Ceed - still named to reflect its European roots but in a much more conventional manner.

Like its forebears, the new model has been designed, engineered and built thousands of miles away from Korea at Kia's technical centre in Germany and will be constructed at its Zlinia factory in Slovakia.

It's almost an inch wider and lower than before but is the same length at 14ft 4ins and now comes with a bigger boot at 395 litres as well as more room inside.

Some bold styling incorporates Kia's trademark ‘tiger nose' grille and the new Ceed comes with light clusters which now include the ice-cube style daytime running lamps fist seen in low down nacelles on the previous cee'd GT models.

It looks very grown up and mature and the same goes for the interior which now features an eight inch touchscreen set up on high grade models which can be had with a JBL sound system and Clari-Fi audio enhancing equipment.

Kia claims the new Ceed is the most high tech car in its class with lane following technology that makes it semi-autonomous under the right conditions.

All versions will be fitted with a driver fatigue monitor, automatic high beam lights, lane keeping and forward collision avoidance systems while adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitors, rear cross traffic sensors, automatic parking, wireless phone charging and a heated windscreen are also available.

But its under the bonnet where the greatest changes lurk and the new Ceed sees the introduction of Kia's ultra clean U3 diesel engine.

Engineered to go beyond the latest emission regulations, the engine uses a selective catalytic reduction system to cut its CO2, NOX and particulate matter output to below 110g/km - the equivalent of 68mpg.

The new engine will be available in two power outputs - 115 and 136ps - and will be joined by Kia's 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine boosted to 120ps as well as a new 1.4-litre T-GDi with 140ps on tap, replacing the 1.6 engine used in the current model.

A 100ps normally aspirated 1.4 will also be on offer and all will come with variable drive modes hooked up to six speed manual gearboxes. Kia's seven speed dual clutch transmission will be an option on the new diesel engine and the 1.4-litre turbo.

For added economy, the new Ceed can be specified with an Eco Pack which comprises an active air flap to control airflow depending on engine cooling requirements and underbody covers to improve aerodynamics as well as low rolling resistance tyres.

The new Ceed - it stands for Community of Europe with European Design - has just been unveiled in front of a VIP audience in Munich and will make its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March where it will appear alongside an estate derivative.

A super-sleek Ceed Sportswagon is also in the wings and due to be unveiled later in the year.

Production is due to start at Zlinia in May and the new Ceed should be on the road in the UK in August. Prices have still to be announced but are expected to see the new range starting from around £16,000.