All New Kia Cerato

The all-new Kia Cerato four-door saloon makes its European debut at the International Motor Show in Brussels today. A significant model for the ambitious Korean company, the 4.5-metre 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 petrol 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. Kia is confident that the Cerato range – both the saloons and the five-door hatchback sister cars, which are scheduled to make their world debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March – will attract more than 45,000 European customers annually within two years of its launch.

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. The Sorento, Picanto and now Cerato, confirm that Kia appeals to European customers and, together with owner Hyundai, is on course to become a ‘Top 5’ global car maker by 2010.

Taller, wider and shorter than the Mentor it replaces in the UK, the new Cerato has a much longer (2610 mm) wheelbase, and offers significantly more cabin space than its predecessor. Customers can choose from different equipment levels (LX and EX), two petrol 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 petrol 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 the summer of 2004. 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 and a massive 245.2 Nm of torque at just 2,000 rpm.