All-new Cerato twins to boost Kia sales in Europe
· Bold new Kia entry to Europe’s largest market segment
· Choice of 5-door hatchback and 4-door sedan body styles
· Introduction of two common-rail diesel engines
· More space, refinement, safety, economy and performance
· Modern, advanced technology, family car with European appeal
The all-new Kia Cerato models, the five-door hatchback and four-door saloon, which go on sale across Europe this summer, are hugely significant introductions for the ambitious Korean company. Kia is currently Europe’s fastest-growing automotive brand and the Cerato is a highly competitive entry into the popular and all-important C-segment of the European market.
For the first time in this segment, Kia will be offering customers a choice of gasoline and diesel engines in the Cerato. The 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre diesel engines feature common-rail technology for the optimum balance between performance, economy and clean emissions. Cerato will be Kia’s first diesel-powered passenger car, as previously the company has marketed diesel engines only in MPV and SUV models. Kia is confident that the Cerato range will attract more than 30,000 European customers annually within two years of its launch.
Styled to attract modern, image conscious consumers, the 4340 mm Cerato hatchback is a car that perfectly matches Kia’s ‘young, sporty and friendly’ brand aspirations, while the longer 4480 mm sedan has a crisp elegance and a distinctive coupe-like profile. The Cerato is a high volume product designed to achieve stronger market penetration globally and particularly to increase the appeal of Kia’s C-segment offerings in Europe.
The Cerato continues the recent Kia tradition of introducing new models which are thoroughly modern, attractively stylish, and technically sophisticated, while retaining the marque’s strong adherence to the value-for-money ethic. Sorento, Opirus, Picanto and now Cerato, confirm that Kia has great appeal to European customers and, together with sister company Hyundai, is on course to become a ‘Top 5’ global car maker by 2010.
Taller, wider and shorter than the Shuma it replaces, the new Cerato has a much longer (2610 mm) wheelbase, and offers significantly more cabin space than its predecessor. Both Ceratos offer 1,087 mm of front legroom and 898 mm at the rear, with 1,400 mm of shoulder room (front) and 1,370 mm (rear). Front headroom is 1,017 mm, while rear is 985 mm (hatchback) and 970 mm (sedan). Compared to the Kia Shuma which the Cerato replaces, headroom is up by 12mm (front) and 14 to 29 mm (rear) and rear legroom is improved by 25 mm – even though the new car is between 30 mm (sedan) and 170 mm (hatchback) shorter than the previous model.
Customers can choose from two body styles, two equipment levels (LX and EX), two gasoline engines (1.6 and 2.0 litres) with manual or automatic transmission, and two diesel engines (1.5 and 2.0 litres) both with manual gearboxes.
The iron block, aluminium head, four cylinder gasoline engines are fitted with double overhead camshafts and 16-valves. The 1.6 produces 105 ps, while the 2.0 unit features CVVT (continuously variable valve timing) which boosts power at low and medium revs), and generates 143 ps.
The all-new 1.5 CRDi diesel engine, which produces a maximum of 102 ps, will be available from Autumn 2004 and will deliver ‘best-in-class’ performance and fuel economy with 235.4 Nm of torque. The 2.0 CRDi diesel engine is available from launch. It is based on the power unit used in the Kia Carens, and develops 112 ps (82.5 kW) and a massive 245.2 Nm of torque at just 2,000 rpm.
Cerato manual transmissions come with five speeds, while the ‘adaptive’ automatics are four-speed units featuring electronic wizardy that matches the transmission’s characteristics to the customers’ driving style.
All-new, the two Cerato bodyshells are not only torsionaly stiff (to ensure European standards of ride, handling and steering), and skilfully constructed (to achieve excellent occupant protection) but they are also built to the highest standards of accuracy to ensure levels of refinement and fit-and-finish that match the best-in-class among rival European-built cars.
Ceratos are also light enough to achieve highly competitive performance and fuel economy results. Acceleration times for the Cerato models (to 100 kph) range from 9.0 sec (2.0 gasoline) to 13.0 sec (1.6 Auto), and top speeds from 208 kph (2.0 gasoline) to 173 kph (1.6 Auto). Combined fuel consumptions range from 5.5 l/100 km* (1.5 diesel) to 8.3 l/100 km (2.0 Auto), while CO2 ratings spread from 128 g/km* (1.5 diesel) to 198 g/km (2.0 Auto).
The chassis has fully independent suspension, precise rack and pinion steering, and disc brakes all round with ABS, EBD and BAS for maximum stopping power. Based at Kia’s German R&D Centre, a fleet of prototype Cerato cars was road-tested all across Europe to fine-tune the suspension and ride characteristics to achieve the best ride-handling set-up for European tastes.
In Europe, every Cerato will come fitted with Bridgestone tires. The five-seater cabin is equipped with dual front airbags, and depending on model, front side airbags and full length side curtain airbags.
An eye-catching addition to the Kia range in hatchback and sedan form, the Cerato represents a winning blend of style and function, with an electrifying combination of comprehensive features and unbeatable value. The LX model equipment includes: tinted windows, ABS anti-lock brakes, 60/40 split folding rear seat, centre console storage box, electric front windows, four two-way audio speakers and three-point seatbelts for all five occupants.
The higher-specification EX model builds on the LX by adding numerous items, including: twin front fog lamps, heated door mirrors, remote central locking and theft alarm, driver’s seat height adjustment and lumbar support, rear seat folding central armrest, rear cup holders, twin front-mounted audio tweeters, overhead console with map lights and sunglass holder and courtesy ‘puddle lights’ in the front doors.
Extra-cost optional equipment includes: traction control, trip computer, cruise control, automatic light control, active headrests, full automatic air conditioning, heat-reflective solar glass, powered glass sunroof, leather upholstery and a choice of 15 inch or 16 inch alloy wheels.
Cerato gives Kia a pair of bright new contenders in the battle for C-Segment sales – attractive newcomers with all the right credentials to be a success. The C-Segment is a uniquely significant sector, forming the core of almost every global market and represents a solid, though highly competitive, high volume sales opportunity.
While the five-door hatchback Cerato will be the predominant choice among customers in Europe, the four-door sedan will do well in several European countries. It is sleeker than traditional three-box designs and the folding rear seats give it genuine load-carrying versatility. The sedan is destined to become Kia’s top-selling model in North America with anticipated sales of 120,000 units annually in that region.
Designed at Kia facilities in Korea, the USA and Europe, and manufactured in Korea, the new Cerato is the result of more than 40 months intensive work and a total investment cost of approximately €220 million. Conceived to give Kia a tough new challenger in the C-Segment, the Cerato is destined to play a major role in the brand’s continued rapid grow in Europe and all around the globe.
2005 Kia Cerato #1