It is now sleeker looking and will arrive in showrooms late in the year, mainly for next year's sales rush.

This facelifted version gets a distinctive design and shows a smaller grille and re-styled headlights, which bring it into line with the Cee'd look, the newest addition to the Kia family.

There is also a new front bumper with circular foglamps and a very cute re-styled bonnet. And for a small car it is a surprise to see repeater indicators mounted on the wing mirrors.

At the rear there are new tail-light clusters with a circular design and another new bumper. A new line-up of optional alloy wheels are also part of the exterior package. Inside the car is a re-styled dashboard with new controls for ventilation and an integrated stereo unit.

The engine line-up is unchanged with a choice of 1-litre and 1.1-litre petrol motors and Kia announced that it has also developed a 1.1-litre diesel engine which engineers say is ultra frugal and capable of 67mpg with C02 emissions of 112g/km. But this 75bhp output engine may not be marketed here initially.

Prices are expected to be much the same as for the current model.