Kia Cerato: Small Car, Big Ideas

Motoring Channel Staff - 23/January/2009

Sydney, Australia – Kia has launched an all-new Cerato small car in Australia, one which could challenge the current market leaders.

Priced from $18,990, the new Cerato takes a leaf out of the Honda Civic's book, boasting a fresh new look that brings the Kia brand up to speed with its rivals.

The new model is generating a lot of talk, and the only real negatives of the vehicle is that ESP is not standard on all models and also the timing of the launch.

Had the appealing Cerato been brought to market 18 months ago it would have had a better opportunity to storm up the charts, but with new car sales in decline Kia may be looking at a flat year.

Apart from its modern design, the new Kia Cerato is the lowest priced car in its class with six airbags and features a new 2.0-litre engine that outputs class-leading power but also ensures a 4.5 star Green Vehicle rating in Australia.

Pricing for the new model is as follows:

Cerato S: $18,990
Cerato S: $20,990
Cerato S Option Pack: $19,990
Cerato S Option Pack: $21,990
Cerato SLi: $22,990
Cerato SLi: $24,990

Design

"The future of Kia products lies in balance, clarity and purpose," says Peter Schreyer, the global design officer at Kia.

The design of the new Cerato is claimed to be both balanced and clear in its purpose, which shows off an elegant new face and a smooth body shape.

The new car is 30mm longer, 40mm wider and 10mm lower than its predecessor and features a wheelbase extended by 40mm to comfortably accommodate five adults.

It has a high boot line, with a subtle in-built lip spoiler to give the rear a very aerodynamic look that is matched by Cerato's low drag coefficient of 0.29.

The wedge-like character lines give Cerato a streamlined, aggressive and exciting profile according to Kia, while being able to comfortably accommodate five people in the cabin and up to 415 litres of luggage in the boot.

"Kia is a brand underpinned by quality and reliability. Now on top of that comes this emotional element of distinctive design," adds Schreyer.

The Cerato is the first of many new models that adhere to Peter Schreyers design philosophy.

Powertrain

Power for the new Kia Cerato comes from a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine.

This DOHC engine is codenamed Theta II and features continuously variable valve timing (CVVT) to improve response under full throttle and reduce consumption at part throttle.

Vital statistics are 115kW of power @ 6200rpm and 194Nm of torque @ 4300rpm. Kia claims this makes it the class-leader in the power stakes in the small car class.

As well as 115 kilowatts of power, the engine is Euro IV compliant and is mated to a short-throw 5-speed manual. There is also a 4-speed automatic gearbox with the choice of Sportsmatic manual-shift capability.

Performance wise, the Cerato can speed from zero to 100km/h in 10.5 seconds when coupled to the 4-speed auto, achieving the same feat in 9.3 seconds with the 5-speed manual and onto a top speed of 200km/h.

The Cerato's economy figures are also good, with a combined fuel consumption of 7.9 litres/100kms for the automatic gearbox and 7.8L/100km for the manual version.

According to Kia, the Cerato can cover 660 kilometres on a single fill of 91RON regular unleaded fuel in its 52-litre fuel tank.

It's also got a Green Vehicle Guide rating of 4.5 stars, emitting 186 grams per kilometre of CO2 with the manual gearbox (187 g/km for the four-speed automatic).

Safety

The new Kia Cerato range comes as standard with six airbags (dual SRS front airbags; side front SRS airbags and full-length curtain SRS airbags) plus active headrests and seatbelt pre-tensioners for front seats.

Disc brakes on all four wheels with ABS, EBD, and Brake Assist also make the cut.

Stability control is only standard on the range-topping SLi model, but can be added via the option pack for the Cerato S models.

Every new Cerato has a three-point safety belt for all five seating positions.

Interior

Kia reckons the interior of its new Cerato is "stylish" and "high-tech" and features things like a two-tier dashboard, a 3-spoke steering wheel, and speed sensing door locks that automatically lock once the vehicle has reached a speed of 40 km/h.

A driver's seat height adjuster is standard, as are 60:40 split fold rear seats, tilt and telescopic adjust steering column and a rear centre armrest.

As well as a plethora of cup holders and storage bins, the Kia Cerato also gets a 6-speaker stereo (MP3 compatible) with CD player and an auxiliary input for external audio devices, plus a USB audio input with iPod compatibility and speed dependent volume control.

Standard features are as follows:

Kia Cerato S

• 2.0-litre CVVT engine (115kW)

• 5-speed manual gearbox

• Optional 4-speed Sportsmatic automatic gearbox

• Manual air-conditioning

• 15" steel wheels with 195/65 R15 tyres

• Power, heated door mirrors

• Power windows (front & rear)

• Dual SRS front airbags

• Front side SRS airbags

• Curtain (full-length) SRS airbags

• Active front headrests

• Keyless remote central locking

• 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), EBD (Electronic Brake force Distribution) and Brake Assist

• MP3 compatible CD player with Power Bass

• Auxiliary input (for external audio device)

• USB audio input with iPod compatibility

• Repeater lamps on door mirrors

• Speed-sensing auto door locks

• Tricot cloth trim

• Map lamp with sunglass holder

• 5-year/unlimited kilometre warranty (private use)

Kia Cerato S (Option Pack) - same as Cerato S, plus:

• Electronic Stability Program

• Traction Control System

• Remote audio controls (steering wheel-mounted)

• Cruise control

Kia Cerato SLi - same as Cerato S, plus:

• Electronic Stability Program

• Traction Control System

• Remote audio controls (steering wheel-mounted)

• Cruise control

• 17-inch alloy wheels with 215/45 R17 tyres

• Front fog lamps

• Chrome grille, door handles and rear garnish

• Chrome tipped rear muffler

• Climate control air conditioning

• Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob

• 'Super Vision' cluster with rear parking assist display

• Four ultrasonic rear parking sensors

• Auto light control system

• Jersey knit trim

• Metallic paint console, upper cover and door trim

• Six-function trip computer

• Exterior temperature display

The new Cerato has a braked towing capacity of 1,200kg and a long 5-year warranty: with the new model Kia seems to have turned a new leaf, both in terms of technology and design.

This new model represents the first of a new line of vehicles that could turn the company's reputation around.

Related Links:
- Kia Soul'ster Concept (2009)
- Kia Kue Concept (2007)
- Kia cee'd (2007)
- Kia Multi-S (concept)
- Kia Sportage (2005)
- Kia Kue Concept (2006)