The third-generation Kia Cerato has been launched in Australia with a $19,990 starting price as the South Korean brand targets greater penetration into Australia�??s small car segment.
Cerato is Kia�??s best-selling model globally and locally, though the model still lingers well behind a number of rivals, including the i30 from sister company Hyundai.
Kia, however, has decided not to make a headline with its Kia Cerato pricing, lifting the price of the base model sedan by $600 to only match rather than beat the lowest starting RRPs among its key rivals, the Nissan Pulsar and Toyota Corolla.
The latest Kia Cerato arrives initially as a sedan variant with a hatch (the most popular body style) to follow mid year and Koup two-door version towards the end of 2013.
The sedan, designed in Kia�??s Californian studio, is 30mm longer (to 4560mm), 25mm lower and 5mm wider. The wheelbase grows by 50mm to match the distance between the front and rear axle�??s of the company�??s big SUV, the Sorento.
Front and rear overhangs are also reduced as part of Kia�??s aim to give the Cerato a more dynamic look.
Three trim levels comprising S, Si and SLi again form the Cerato line-up, with two new �??Nu�?? petrol engines replacing the old �??Theta II�?? 2.0-litre four-cylinders.
A 1.8-litre four-cylinder offered with the base model and a more powerful 2.0-litre four for the mid and top level variants. All engines are mated to either a six-speed manual or an optional six-speed auto that costs $2000.
The 1.8-litre four-cylinder offered in the Kia Cerato S model produces 110kW and 178Nm, and delivers 0-100km/h performance of 11.6 seconds with the auto or 10.1 with the manual. Fuel consumption is rated at 7.1L/100km (auto) or 6.6L/100km (manual).
Stepping up to a direct injection 129kW/209Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder sees consumption increase to 7.4L/100km with either transmission but acceleration increase to 8.5 seconds (manual) or 9.3 seconds (auto).
The Kia Cerato S kicks off from $19,990 and includes features such as Bluetooth, trip computer, 16-inch steel wheels (inch larger than old model), cruise control, foglight, USB/iPod compatibility, and front corner and rear parking sensors.
The Si, from $23,990, brings 16-inch wheels with alloy rims, chrome exterior trim, electrically folding side mirrors, rear air vents, push button engine start, 4.3-inch touch screen, and reverse view camera.
At the top of the range, the Kia Cerato SLi costs from $27,990 and adds extras such as 17-inch alloys, leather trim, heated front seats and electrically adjustable driver�??s seat, LED daytime running lights, sunroof, dual-zone climate control, and paddleshift transmission levers.
The Cerato SLi�??s dash also incorporates a TFT (thin film transistor) colour LCD display whereas the S and Si have a simpler LC dot matrix version.
A Navteq sat-nav system is available for the SLi for an additional $1000.
Kia Australia will enter the hot-hatch arena in early 2014 with a three-door turbocharged version of the European version of the Cerato �?" the Cee�??d. The Kia Pro_Cee�??d GT was confirmed recently at the 2013 Geneva motor show.
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