Kia Cerato Launch at Pavilion

[Automobile]

The revolutionary Kia Forte has been in the Malaysian market since November 2009 and four (4) years on it was time for a new model to take Kia to the next level. Dubbed the baby K5 or the K3, the new Kia Cerato was a highly anticipated car ever since photos and news of it has been leaked out over the past few months.

So I headed over to Pavilion KL for the launch of this new C-segment sedan and to see what all the fuss was about.

258824_552522988127506_816752877_o — The Forte replacement model – the new Kia Cerato (pronounced se-ra-to)

218208_552522574794214_467230042_o — I headed upstairs to take this shot before the event started

1040896_552522668127538_696992697_o — Finally after the customary speeches, the new Kia Cerato was unveiled!

1064181_552522831460855_1257026409_o — Cerato features detailed styling with masculine lines that are aerodynamically-sleek and purposeful, with a sense of fluidity and elegance.

1053286_552523341460804_2107543712_o — The front suspension is fitted with Macpherson Strutsto improve ride quality while the rear suspension is fitted with a coupled torsion beam axle for increased stability. The Cerato comes with ESC, Brake Assist Control (BAS), Traction Control System (TCS), Brake Assist System (BAS), six-airbags, passenger airbag switch, frontal collision and side collision sensors, ISOFIX lock-in child seats, safety power windows and sunroof with speed sensing auto door lock and impact sensing auto door unlock. The Cerato is fitted with a Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) next-generation braking system that operates in tandem with the ESC to safely negotiate asymmetrical driving situations such as when one side of the car runs over a wet surface and loses traction.

1039753_552523371460801_1706347238_o — The LED rear combination lamps improves the Cerato’s visibility and brightness and definitely stands out from other cars.

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1039868_552523674794104_1320227676_o — The 1.6 variant comes with halogen projector headlamps while the 2.0 gets HID with auto-levelling function.

1015008_552522914794180_1913704194_o — Both variants get the 215/45 R17 rubbers on the 17″ alloy rims

1053404_552523571460781_521996026_o — Kia’s signature ‘Tiger Nose’ radiator grille features a geometrical lattice pattern while the LED Daytime Running Light (DRL) provide optimal visibility during the daytime. It also has automatic electric folding mirrors with LED side repeaters. Now this is something you’d expect in a super saloon or high-end car, the Smart Welcoming Light system automatically sense the Smart Key approaching and and lights up the puddle lamps while pocket lights illuminate the door handle so there will no longer be any groping in the dark! How cool is that?

1040376_552523691460769_472084729_o — There are 2 engine variants namely the Kia Gamma 1.6 MPI D-CVVT Engine which produces 130 PS and 157 Nm of torque while the 2.0 Nu D-CVVT Engine produces 161 PS and 194 Nm of Torque. Both are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with a A/T knob for a refined and sporty look.

1048456_552523424794129_1416372518_o — The Cerato features a motor-driven power steering (MDPS) with flex steer system that comes in three settings: Comfort, Normal and Sport with audio and hands-free functionality, push start ignition, Bluetooth connectivity, a 4.3” touch screen TFT-LCD with rear view camera display and audio controls as well as AUX and USB connectivity, 10-way power driver seat with memory functionality, dual zone full auto air-conditioning with cluster ionizer, rear air vent, glove box cooling, front and rear parking assist system, an auto defog system that is automatically initiated when the sensors detect misty conditions. This car is loaded for bear when it comes to features!

1014895_552523524794119_1795826239_o — The 2.0 variant has a couple of premium features such as leather seats, a sunroof and a supervision cluster with a 4.2-inch full-colour TFT-LCD as well as an air-ventilated driver’s seat to cool your back/ butt on a hot day/ long drive.

738329_552523331460805_654962972_o — Naza Kia Malaysia also held a pre-launch contest titled ‘What is Project C’ campaign where one lucky winner would walk away with one unit of 1.6 variant. The contest, which was held from 20th May 2013 until 13th June 2013, required contestants to solve five clues that were each revealed at different time phases and displayed on the ‘What is Project C’ website. The contest garnered daily traffic of 61,000, a total of 3,227 entries were received and the top 50 finalists shortlisted had to submit a tagline for the Cerato to win the grand prize. Here’s the beaming winner with his prize!

“The Cerato has been one of the most highly-anticipated model launches in Malaysia and will play a key part in growing Naza Kia Malaysia’s sales volume this year.

“With the Cerato, we will be able to tap into the growing C-segment market,” said Datuk Hafiz Syed Abu Bakar, COO of Naza Kia Malaysia.

“For 2013, we are targeting to increase our sales volume by 8% to 13,345units and the Cerato will play a significant part in achieving this target,” said Datuk Hafiz.

The Cerato will be available in Clear White, Glittering Metal, Bright Silver, Temptation Red and Golden Beat.

The on-the-road price for the Cerato 1.6 is RM99,888 while the on-the-road price for the Cerato 2.0 is RM118,888 and comes with a five-year unlimited mileage warranty.

I haven’t had a chance to test-drive the Cerato however looking at the specs I’d say that it is a very decent platform loaded with tons of features which presents quite a value for money deal for it’s price tag of under RM100k (the 1.6 variant).

*For those of you who would still like to own a Forte, there are a couple hundred units left so hurry over to the nearest Kia showroom before they run out for good!

More info at http://www.kia.com

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