INTRODUCTION
Kia adds new Cerato Hatch to line-up
After the successful launch of the Cerato Sedan and Cerato Koup in 2009, Kia is proud to introduce a third member to the Cerato family – the 5-door Hatch, to strengthen its representation in what is arguably the world’s most important market sector – the ultra-competitive C-segment. It has been designed to challenge competitors like the Toyota Auris, VW Golf 6, Mazda 3 and Hyundai I30.
“The latest Cerato Hatch is designed to appeal especially to those consumers with young families who prefer a hatch for its style and enhanced practicality,” comments David Sieff, National Marketing Manager, Kia Motors South Africa.
“The availability of this body style for our C-segment model will enable Kia dealers to meet the needs of a broader range of customers. This derivative will boost total Cerato sales to an even higher level in our local market, with a view to accelerating market share in this segment for KIA Motors South Africa”, adds Sieff.
As well as its all-new body shape, the new Cerato Hatch model introduces styling, equipment, refinement and technical improvements, which now also features on the 2011 Cerato Sedan and 2-door Koup.
The new Cerato Hatch has the same overall width, height and wheelbase as the Sedan, but the rear overhang is reduced by 190 mm, as is the overall length, so the 5-door model is 4,340 mm long. Despite its more compact dimensions, the hatch’s cargo volume of 550 litres (SAE) is highly competitive in its class, and is an improvement of 135 litres on the 4-door Sedan. The Cerato 5-door Hatch is available in either at 1.6 EX or 2.0 SX model.
2. STYLING AND DESIGN
Progressive, sporty, European styling for the latest Kia
At its introduction during early 2009, Kia’s new Cerato Sedan raised C-segment car design to a new level of sophistication. Now, Kia’s international design teams, under the direction of Chief Design Officer Peter Schreyer, have re-visited the corporation’s best-seller to create the new Cerato Hatch.
KIA designers and engineers concentrated on 7 key areas while developing the Cerato Hatch: dynamic driving, impressive fuel economy, improved ride/handling balance, great cabin comfort, enhanced overall safety, the introduction of frontline technologies and maintained functionality.
The roof, rear side panels, C-pillar, tailgate, rear bumper, light clusters and two-tone spoiler are all new. At the front, bold styling incorporates a new radiator grille, new lower air-intake grille and new-shape fog lamps. The door mirrors are new, with LED repeaters, and re-styled ‘double five-spoke’ 16-inch alloy wheels on the 1.6 EX and 17-inch alloy wheels on the 2.0 SX are standard.
The rear combination lamps, which have etching-processed lenses, are split across the tailgate shut line and a sporty rear diffuser on the 2.0 SX model allows the exhaust tailpipe to be displayed.
3. COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE
State of the art features enhance spacious cabin
Kia is sure that the New Cerato Hatch’s interior will please customers with its generous proportions, two-tier dashboard design, high-quality fit, discreet metal-finish accents and high-tech features.
Every New Cerato Hatch driver will be able to create the ideal driving environment thanks to the multi-adjustable seats and the tilt and reach adjustable thick-rimmed three-spoke leather-trimmed steering wheel that incorporates several minor controls.
Incorporating elements of Kia’s developing design DNA, the ‘three-cylinder’ instrument cluster has clear and precise graphics. The 2.0 litre features a ‘Super Vision’ cluster with red mood lighting and a ‘message centre’ digital information display at the bottom of the cluster. This display gives information about fuel level, engine temperature, door- or trunk-open alerts and fuel consumption. When the reverse gear is engaged on the 2.0 litre, the RPAS (Rear Parking Assist System) is activated and the message centre also displays a plan-view graphic showing the vehicle in relation to any obstructions.
The centre stack is designed to appear to ‘float’ above the dashboard and presents heating, ventilation, audio and auxiliary controls in logical horizontal bands, with a premium audio system. The stack features ‘Negative LCD’ illumination which brings a red glow to the cabin interior and reflects Kia’s developing design identity.
Every New Cerato Hatch is equipped with a six-speaker audio system (two dash-top tweeters and four door speakers), a radio/CD player with MP3, as well as iPod® and USB connectivity. Remote controls for the audio system are mounted on the steering wheel.
The interior on the 1.6 litre is finished in a classy Black one-tone fabric while the 2.0 litre is fitted with leather interior. Contrasting tastefully with the cabin trim is a soft metal finish – for the interior door handles, steering wheel, door trims, transmission console and centre stack.
For maximum versatility, the New Cerato Hatch’s rear seat backrest is split 60/40 and folds almost flat to extend available trunk space. .
Exciting features include a folding key with keyless entry and a leather ‘boot-type’ gear lever gaiter is fitted, together with a chrome edge trim around the twin cup holders. Steering wheel ‘paddle shifters’ are available with the automatic transmission on the 2.0 SX model.
For maximum cabin versatility, this model’s rear seat cushion and backrest are split 60/40 with the cushion flipping forwards and the backrest folding down to create a completely flat cargo floor. Although the overall height of the Cerato Hatch and Sedan is the same, the extended roofline of the 5-door creates an extra 20 mm of rear headroom, and cargo space is increased by 135 litres from the Sedan to 550 litres.
4. REFINEMENT Clever engineering minimizes NVH
While designing and engineering the New Cerato Sedan, Kia’s research and development team concentrated on maximizing the vehicle’s refinement and minimizing NVH (noise, vibration and harshness).
Now, during development of the 2011 Cerato Hatch, as well as the 2011 Cerato Sedan and Koup, further NVH improvements have been achieved. Additional sound-dampening foam is fitted in the A, B and C-pillars and the luggage bay side panels, the exterior cowling top panel is a heavier gauge steel, the interior dash-top padding has thicker insulation, the rear parcel tray has extra insulation and the trunk carpet is made from a heavier density material.
5. ENGINES AND TRANSMISSIONS Petrol engines with six-speed transmissions
Kia’s new Cerato Hatch will be available with a choice of two DOHC four-cylinder petrol engines featuring CVVT and four valves per cylinder. The larger 1,998 cc Theta II power unit generates 114.7 kW @ 6200 rpm with impressive torque of 194.2 Nm @ 4300 rpm and propels the hatch to 100 km/h in 9.1 seconds, with a top speed of 190 kph.
The smaller 1,591 cc Gamma engine produces 91.2 kW @ 6300 rpm and torque of 156 Nm @4200 rpm, while acceleration to 100 km/h takes 10.3 seconds.
As standard, both engines are mated to a six-speed manual transmission with ‘high’ top gear ratios for reduced engine revs and improved fuel economy. As an alternative, both engines are available with a six-speed automatic transmission equipped with a gate-type shift pattern and offering the driver fully automatic or Sport modes. Steering wheel ‘paddle shifters’ are standard on the 2.0 A/T SX model.
6. SUSPENSION AND RUNNING GEAR Fun to drive handling, sharp steering and a fun ride
Kia chassis engineers worked hard to give the Cerato Sedan a sophisticated ride/handling balance that ensured a smooth ride, and fun-to-drive characteristics. The Cerato Hacth features MacPherson strut front suspension and a CTBA (Coupled Torsion Beam Axle) rear suspension. The rear shock absorbers and coil springs are mounted separately to minimize intrusion.
Electric power-assisted steering (MDPS – Motor Driven Power Steering) is standard on all models. For powerful and stable braking, all Cerato Hatch models are equipped with 280 mm ventilated front discs and 262 mm solid rear discs.
7. SAFETY Equipped with ‘active’ and ‘passive’ systems
Like its 4-door and 2-door siblings, the new Cerato Hatch presents buyers with a range of state-of-the-art safety systems and equipment. The Cerato Hatch comes standard with ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) and EBD (Electronic Brake Force Distribution), as well as dual front, side and full-length curtain airbags. Active headrests are also standard on all models, as well as impact sensing auto door unlock sensor and speed sensing auto door lock.
The new Cerato Hatch is engineered to perform and maintain the highest safety standards
Editors Notes
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All the styling, comfort and technical improvements making their debut this year on the 2011 Kia Cerato Hatch are also be applied to the Cerato 4-door Sedan and Cerato Koup 2-door models as upgrades for the 2011 model year.
8. STANDARD EQUIPMENT Kia Cerato Hatch 1.6 Exterior
- 16-inch alloy wheels and 205/55 R16 tyres
- Chrome exterior door handles
- Body-colour bumpers
- Manual-levelling adjustable headlamps
- Front and Rear fog lamps
- High-mounted stop light
- Rear spolier
Comfort & Convenience
- Electric Motor-driven Power Steering
- Steering wheel mounted audio controls
- Trip computer
- Central door locking with speed sensing auto-lock
- Electric front and rear windows with auto-down on driver side
- Electric Chromic Mirror (ECM)
- Height adjustable driver’s seats
- Keyless entry
- Manual air-conditioner
- 60/40 split rear seat
Interior
- Three-spoke leather trimmed steering wheel and gear knob
- Tilt and telescopic adjustable steering wheel
- Metallic paint finish to fascia, console and door garnish
- Chrome interior door handles
- Radio & CD player, AUX/USB/iPod input jack & 6 audio speakers
- 12V socket
Safety & Security
- ABS and EBD
- Front and rear disc brakes
- Driver and front passenger airbags
- Side airbags and full-length curtain airbags
- Four height-adjustable head restraints
- Dual front active head restraints
- Engine immobiliser
- Auto impact door unlock
- Speed sensing auto door lock
Kia Cerato Hatch 2.0 -additional factory-fitted equipment over Cerato Hatch 1.6
- 17-inch alloy wheels with 215/45 R17 tyres
- Chrome exhaust tailpipe
- Auto Cruise Control
- Alloy pedals
- Supervision instrument cluster with built in message centre
- Leather seats
- Dusk-sensing automatic light control
- Rear parking-assist reversing sensors
- Auto Climate Control
9. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
2011 Kia Cerato 5-Hatch
Body & Chassis
Five-door, five-seater hatch with all-steel unitary construction bodyshell. Choice of two transversely mounted petrol engines driving the front wheels via a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.
