Entry to the Cerato range is the ‘S’ model priced at only $18,990 while the range-topping SLi starts at $22,990 – clearly very ‘wallet-friendly’ prices by any measure.
Car Showroom sampled the all-new lineup at the national media preview - which included a cross-section of city and suburban driving around Melbourne - and the Cerato scored top marks for its on-road refinement, sharp handling and comfortable interiors.
The Cerato looks great and is the first all-new Kia production vehicle to emerge from its Korean HQ since the company secured the services of ex-Volkswagen Chief Designer Peter Schreyer. His work will be seen again in September when Kia launches the Koup, a very sharp, hip two-door coupe version of the Cerato that was previewed at international motorshows in 2007.
Schreyer is one of the best of the current crop of designers and his previous credits include Volkswagen’s New Beetle and the acclaimed Audi TT (we know one designer at a rival company who has an Audi TT as his personal car – because he loves the ‘purity’ of its design). At Kia, Schreyer oversees work at design centres in Korea, Frankfurt (Germany), Los Angeles (USA) and Tokyo (Japan).
You will be seeing a lot of new Kias with grilles similar to the Cerato’s as Schreyer is initiating a ‘corporate’ grille to roll-out across the entire range as new models come on stream. This important brand identity strategy is currently seen with some great automotive brands like BMW, Cadillac and Audi.
Kia is claiming class-leading power and torque from Cerato’s new 2.0-litre power plant which delivers 115kW at 6,200rpm and peak torque of 194Nm at 4,300 rpm.
Meeting the Euro-IV emissions regulations, the new engine is from a design family called ‘Theta II’. It’s a contemporary, state-of-the art engine with an aluminium bock and cylinder head and ladder frame which combine for light weight and stiffness.
Transmissions are a five-speed manual or optional four-speed automatic. According to Kia, the manual Cerato will cover 0-100 km/h is 9.3 seconds and has a top speed of 200 km/h.
The national Green Vehicle Guide has scored the Cerato a rating of 4.5 stars, emitting just 186 grams of C02 per kilometre (manual) making it one of the best in class. The official combined fuel consumption is only 7.8 l/100kms.
Safety is a big part of the Cerato story and the entire range is equipped with dual SRS airbags, side front SRS airbags and full-length curtain airbags. Front seats have active headrests (to prevent whiplash injury) and seat belt pre-tensioners. The four-wheel disc brakes have ABS (Anti-lock Barking System), EBD (Electronic Brake for Distribution) and Brake Assist.
The SLi has standard ESP (Electronic Stability program) and TCS Traction Control System) which is optional on other models.
On the road, the Cerato is well-balanced - its ride/handling on some dirt roads and through Melbourne’s well-know mountain twists was impressive.
The front suspension is a clever adaptation of the McPherson strut design with coil springs and gas dampers with solid-mounted subframes and L-shaped lower arms. The system delivers increased castor angle for sporty handling and turn-in while cornering.
At the rear, Kia has employed a coupled torsion beam axle with gas struts. This is an adaptation of a design used by some quality European brands and has the added advantage of minimising intrusion into the boot (which has a capacity of 415 litres). Cerato S models have 15-inch steel wheels while SLi versions gain 10-spoke 17-inch alloys.
Like all new Kias, the Cerato is covered by a 5-year/unlimited kilometre warranty for private buyers (fleet customers get 5years and 130,000kms).
The eye-catching Cerato takes Kia to new levels of design excellence and engineering sophistication. It’s an impressive addition to our small car market.
