The Kia Cerato Reinforces The Rise Of Kia
Published: 19th August 2004
Kia Cerato
For the first time in this segment, Kia will be offering customers a choice of petrol and diesel engines in the Cerato. The initial line-up will feature the 1.6GS and 1.6LX 5dr hatchback and the 1.6LX saloon. The 1.6LX 5dr hatchback is also available with automatic transmission. The 2.0SE saloon will join the line-up before the end of the year and three 1.5-litre diesel derivatives (1.5CRDi GS and LX 5dr hatchbacks and 1.5CRDi LX saloon) are expected to be available from November. The final pricing on the diesel models will be announced later.
There are two modern four cylinder petrol engines on offer both with double overhead camshafts and 16-valves. The 1.6-litre produces 105ps, while the 2.0-litre unit features for the first time in a Kia engine, CVVT (continuously variable valve timing), which boosts power at low and medium revs, and generates 143ps.
The new four cylinder 1.5-litre common-rail diesel engine offers class leading power and torque and will be Kia’s first diesel-powered passenger car, as previously the company has marketed diesel engines only in MPV and SUV models.
Styled to attract modern, image conscious consumers, the Cerato is the latest product intended to move Kia towards its ‘young, sporty and friendly’ brand positioning. Clinics carried out with existing and prospective customers for this type of car have shown that the styling of the car is seen as confident, with a hint of sportiness, compared to other cars in this sector, and juxtaposes well with the traditional Far Eastern attributes of high build quality and reliability.
