Kia had the all-new Koup parked outside the Gold Coast’s Palazzo Versace Hotel when we departed on the drive program for the Cerato Hatchback media launch.
According to Kia Australia boss Tony Barlow, the Koup (part of the Cerato family) will arrive locally in October.
Apart from the obvious better looks (the all-new Koup looks like a fair-dinkum sporty coupe - nicely rounded rear three-quarters, meaty wheel/tyre combo and a sporty silhouette - whereas the current model was too closely aligned to the Cerato sedan and hatchback).
But the big news is under the bonnet with the all-new Kia Cerato Koup capturing headlines as Kia’s first turbocharged petrol engine. Kia Australia hasn’t released specific details but Kia North America sells the Koup with both naturally-aspirated 2.0-litre (130kW/210Nm) and 150kW/265Nm turbocharged 1.6-litre engines (the latter identical to sister company Hyundai’s Veloster Turbo).
No word on price (the current four-model Koup lineup ranges from $23,390 to $29,190).
That turbocharged 1.6-litre engine will appear again early next year when Kia launches the European-sourced Pro_C’eed GT. A quick glance at European media road tests sees glowing praise for the Kia Pro_C’eed GT so it will be interesting to see if Kia Australia persists with its localized suspension/steering development or takes the Pro_C’eed GT as-is.
