A new Hyundai-Kia mini MPV prototype has been caught testing in Switzerland, and the reports from the field indicate it will be a Plus version of the Ceed, though like most of the other details about the car, the final name is not yet known. The Kia Ceed Plus - or whatever it may eventually be called - will be marketed by both Kia and Hyundai, but its clear from the headlights, grille and wheels that this is the Kia version of the car.

If both brands do carry the car, they will likely be distinguished by equipment levels as well as minor styling tweaks as Hyundai works to move more toward the premium and sport-oriented markets while Kia remains a budget-conscious marque. Nevertheless, the Kia prototype appears to feature a panoramic roof and alloy wheels, indicating even the low-end version may have a relatively high specification.

 

Competition for the new Kia MPV will likely come primarily in the form of the Volkswagen Golf Plus, which is a reworked version of the Mark V Golf platform with an MPV body and sixth-gen styling cues. The Golf Plus is sold primarily in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region, and has not yet been offered in the U.S. That makes it at least possible that the Hyundai-Kia MPV is not intended for North American consumption either.

 

Its not known when the car will make its formal debut, but based on the spied cars current level of development, a near-production concept version could appear as early as the Paris Motor Show in October.