Test drive Kia Cerato (Spectra) Sedan 2008 - 2009 sedan

Cerata Korean

Notes are only seven, the number of letters is limited by the framework of the alphabet. How to create, create a new one in such a strict framework?
Perhaps there is another way of development. Take the appearance of the new Kia Cerato: there is nothing fresh in it, but who will say that the family sedan does not fit into the surroundings of the metropolis?! Yes, and a remake of another Japanese or a German cannot be called a car.
So - success?
Frankly, in the photo the car looks better than in life. When the press services supplied journalists with the first images, they had another car: aggressive, slightly angular, more weighty, or something. You can argue for a long time how they achieved such an effect as they chose the desired angle, processed photos, but to the question why? It is not difficult to answer. Of course, in order not to get lost (albeit virtually) against the backdrop of European competitors, which the model from the model becomes more massive, and put pressure on a potential buyer not only by EURONCAP stars and the choice of engines, but also by a skewer of designer chips.
When the car is not in the focus of the camera, but the retina, there is no trace of Korean aggression. But there are pleasant laconic lines and verified proportions, which clearly did not reach the past generation Cerato. And if only the proportions so, after all, it increased inside the place! Mainly for baggage (volume 415 liters), and in the driver's place it became a little more spacious.
However, the last merit is rather ergonomics, and the new corporate style of KIA. What is it, Cerato salon? The new, modern, unique is from a press release that draws attention to well -read, stylish devices in deep wells (they really are like that), high -quality decoration materials (not everywhere) and bright design solutions. We noted the lack of space for the elbows (you’ll look at the shoulder of the fellow traveler!), The slightly respected chairs and the steering wheel of leather, but without bonds in the zone grip. But it pleased the decent quality of the assembly, which is typical for most modern KIA.
The main complaint on visibility is a huge rear stand that blocks a significant viewing area when moving, for example, in reverse. Remember the lessons in a driving school: you need to navigate the mirrors! Which, by the way, are very small.
The Cerato motor was getting hold of the Kia Sedo neighbor, and scolding (as well as praising) this unit is not a special desire. Let's start with a positive motor completely travels to our one and six. One has only to overcome the short first gear, and now you are already in the wake of some kind of torque, you are picked up to 4,500 on a tachometer.
Of course, Cerato is heavy for 156 Newton meters. This is felt primarily by the inhibited reaction to the accelerator and slowly promoting the crankshaft, which provokes a tangible pause between the pressed and went. Normal behavior for a small city hatchback, but from a sedan at a cost of 600,000 you involuntarily expect more.
Otherwise, the engine demanded some psychological adaptation. Inelastic horsepower does not forgive errors in the selection of gears 124, leaving the driver in some tension. If you get used to the non -aggressive driving manner imposed on you by a car, then you will probably evaluate sensitive, sharp brakes that practically do not have a free move, and you will get a heavy steering wheel as a bonus that is not completely devoid of feedback. The chassis is new
Kia Cerato may well wear a more powerful power plant for example, 2.0 or even 2.4-liter engines that are available to customers in the USA. So far, we still have to enjoy the weakest version, rejoicing only on the low declared fuel consumption of 6.6 liters in the mixed cycle of movement.
Not so long ago, in an interview with our magazine, General Director Hyunde Motor CIS, Kerry Cho, talked about the strategy of conquering a Korean manufacturer of a Russian buyer. The essence came down to the following: to release several new products and at the same time freeze prices, thereby not increasing, but retaining the pre -crisis share of the market. There are resources for this, and then, they say, an increase in loyalty, strengthening the image, and you see, a couple of years later from the taiga to the British seas, Hyundai and Kia are stronger.
Will Kia Cerato strengthen the company's image? Today, the model is perceived as not cheap, not yet prestigious: with this approach, Russian prospects are vague.
But if you recall that the same recognized leader of the Ford Focus golf class in recent months changed the price tag more often than the Eurovision scene of the performers, then it is easy to guess that the alignment of forces may change even faster.

Author: Alexander Mikhailov
Photo: Roman Ostanin
   
   
 

Source: Wheel magazine [May 2009]