The Korean company KIA is seriously engaged in getting rid of its image of "a manufacturer of modest cars with an unremarkable design." As a result, five new models of the brand's cars should appear on the Russian market in 2009, all in a new style. Here is one of the main novelties of KIA - the golf-class "Serato" sedan.
By the way, KIA already has a very successful model in the golf class - this is the cee’d. But cee’d is a "hatchback" and "station wagon", and the only sedan in this class was the obsolete "Spectra" for a long time. And now it was replaced by a new "Cerato" (second generation). And in 2009 (as you can see from the new "Soul") KIA does not skimp on exterior design - the three-volume KIA Tserato looks very modern and far from cheap. And from some angles it even looks like the new sedan Honda Civic and other leaders of the C-segment.
By the way, for the attractive design of KIA Cerato, first of all, you need to thank Peter Schreyer, who previously was engaged in the design of the Audi TT and Volkswagen Beetle, and several years ago he moved to KIA. His task was to make the exterior of this car as emotional as possible, moderately sporty and, most importantly, memorable. And, we can say that he succeeded. And the shape of the radiator grille and headlights of the novelty was adopted as a "corporate identity" and, over time, will be applied to other KIA models.
The test drive of the new KIA Cerato took place in Marrakesh (Morocco), where satisfactory quality asphalt mountain roads abound in turns, and if you leave the highway, you will find yourself on a dirt road. In short, you can ride, but you need to make sure that the local fauna (and this is not only cats and dogs, but also turtles) does not climb under the wheels.
For the "second Cerato" you can choose between two 4-cylinder engines (petrol only): 1.6 or 2.0-liter.
The 1.6 engine (126 hp) can be aggregated with both a 6-speed "mechanics" and a 6-speed "automatic" (since 2011, earlier it was an archaic 4-speed "automatic" and an old 5 -th step "mechanics").
For the 2.0 (150 hp), only an automatic transmission is offered. Further, we will consider a car with a 1.6-liter unit and a manual transmission = "Comfort" equipment (the most affordable on the Russian market).
The first thing worth noting is that the Cerato 2 with the "junior" motor, due to its small mass, accelerates to "hundreds" in just ~ 10 seconds (with the "automatic" it is already ~ 11.5 seconds).
The power of the 1.6-liter engine is quite enough, but if the car is well loaded, then at low revs its 126 hp. seem slightly lethargic. However, on the serpentine, they can be "spurred" at almost any moment by lowering the gear. But on a more difficult, not asphalted ascent - here you will need to play with the clutch (in this respect, "mechanics", again, is preferable).
The chassis settings of the 2nd generation Cerato are commendable: the car reliably follows a given trajectory. The roll in corners is moderate, and the electric steering wheel gives you a clear road feel. Yes - you can drive this foreign car in a sporty style, but you had to pay for such handling with comfort. Its suspension cannot be called soft. On potholes, the car noticeably shakes, and on the "stones" the wheel arches of the "second Serato" turn into a "percussion orchestra".
Sound insulation, by the way, leaves much to be desired, but this is typical for cars of this class and can hardly be “written down”. As, however, and very harsh plastic in the cabin.
Otherwise, the layout and interior design of the KIA Cerato can be called successful. Adjustments in the driver's seat and steering wheel create sufficient range for a comfortable fit for the driver. The road can be seen perfectly - the thin front struts do not spoil the visibility. The devices are recessed into deep wells, readings from them are easy to read.
On the back sofa, KIA Cerato, of course, does not indulge in spaciousness, but three people of average height and build can easily accommodate this way.
The trunk here is decent, for its segment, volume and with a full-size spare wheel under the raised floor.
Specifications 1.6 MT (AT):
- Maximum speed, km / h - 19
- Acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h, s - 10.3 (11.5)
- Fuel consumption (city / highway / mixed), l - 8.6 / 5.5 / 6.6 (9.5 / 5.6 / 7.0)
- Engine volume, cm3 – 1591
- Fuel type - AI-95 gasoline
- Number of cylinders - 4
- Arrangement of cylinders - in-line
- Engine power supply system - multipoint injection
- Engine location - front, transverse
- Number of valves per cylinder - 4
- Compression ratio - 10.5
- Bore and stroke, mm - 77.0 × 85.4
- Maximum power, hp / kW at rpm - 126/91/6200
- Maximum torque, N * m at rpm - 156/5200
- Transmission: mechanical, 6 gears (automatic hydromechanical, 6 gears)
- Drive type - front
- Length x Width x Height, mm - 4530 x 1775 x 1460
- Clearance, mm - 150
- Wheel size - 195/65 / R15
- Front track width, mm - 1557
- Rear track width, mm - 1564
- Wheelbase, mm - 2650
- Trunk volume min / max, l - 415
- Gas tank volume, l - 52
- Full weight, kg - 1860 (1864)
- Curb weight, kg - 1236 (1261)
- Suspension (front and rear) - independent, spring
- Brakes (front and rear) - disc
Price four-door KIA Cerato 2 on the Russian market in 2011 varies from ~ 630 thousand rubles for "Comfort" (1.6 MT) to ~ 810 thousand rubles for "Prestige" (2.0 AT).
