DETROIT MOTOR SHOW: Kia debuts new Cerato sedan

The third generation Kia Cerato small car revealed overnight at the Detroit auto show has morphed into a mini-me Stinger.

But under the fastback skin the Australian version of the latest Cerato sedan will not come with the new drivetrain technology also being debuted with the car in Detroit.

The Forte, as it is known in the USA, is moving to a second-generation ‘Nu' Atkinson-cycle 2.0-litre petrol engine and continuously variable transmission (CVT) that is claimed to provide a significant fuel economy improvement.

https://www.facebook.com/motoring.com.au/videos/1835218583177901/

But Kia Australia is sticking with the first-generation Nu engine and six-speed torque converter auto offered with the current Cerato.

While the orthodox engine uses more fuel, it is a cheaper drivetrain – partially because the new drivetrain is built in Mexico only -- and delivers more power and torque.

The new Cerato sedan is expected in Australia mid-year and will be joined by a hatchback that has yet to break cover, but should join it in local showrooms by the fourth quarter of 2018.

Kia is expected to continue with the entry-level S grade, but replace Si with Sport and SLi with Sport Plus. It is tipped to later add a GT version for the first time, most likely with a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine.

Pricing is expected to stay close to current levels. Retaining the cut-throat $19,990 entry price for the base-grade S is a priority.

Autonomous emergency braking (AEB) is expected to become standard across the range, while Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will spread from the top models to all variants.

The new Cerato will be a key player in Kia's plans for continued growth in Australia. The current generation is easily the Korean brand's best seller, playing a key role in growing sales by an astonishing 28.3 per cent in 2017.

"We'd like to be five to 10 per cent up on what we have been doing with Cerato in terms of sales," said Kia Australia chief operating officer Damien Meredith.

"In 2019 when we have the first full year of sedan and hatch we expect to top 20,000, but we also expect some growth from Cerato in 2018."

In 2017, 54,737 Kias were registered in Australia and Meredith confined the aim was to grow that beyond 60,000 in 2018.

Apart from Cerato and Stinger, other boosts for Kia's 2018 sales ambitions include updates for Sportage and Optima and a mid-generation overhaul of the Carnival people-mover.

The exterior styling of the new Cerato incorporates a long bonnet and short deck that intentionally evoques the larger Stinger sports sedan.

Overall length has increased by 81mm to 4641mm, while width is up by 18mm and height about 13mm.

The cowl point (the closest point on the rearward edge of the bonnet to the front edge of the vehicle) has been moved back 127mm to give the car a sportier stance.

Other design details include bonnet creases, a new-look ‘tiger-nose' grille, a black valance and what Kia calls ‘Stinger-esque' headlights.

On a more practical level, the extra length allowed the creation of more interior legroom and a bigger boot. Exit and entry is easier and outward visibility improved, Kia claims.

The horizontal dashboard is also Stinger-influenced and is highlighted by an 8.0-inch colour touch-screen, spoked circular air-con vents and more soft-touch points.

The new 2.0-litre four-cylinder produces 109kW of power and 179Nm of torque compared to 112kW and 192Nm for the current engine.

The new unit includes Atkinson-cycle technology and cooled EGR (Exhaust Gas Recycling) system to boost fuel efficiency. The engine can be teamed with either a six-speed manual transmission or Kia's first in-house CVT, dubbed an IVT (intelligent variable transmission).

Kia says the engine and IVT are the first examples of its new efficient ‘Smart Stream' technologies to make it into production and result in a fuel consumption average around 6.7L/100km. In Australia, the combination of 2.0-litre engine and six-speed auto consumes 7.3L/100km.

Like Hyundai's new i30, the new Cerato rides on an updated Hyundai-Kia architecture with additional hot-stamped components and high-strength steels.

The body in white is 16 per cent stiffer and there are new subframe designs that are claimed to improve lateral responsiveness.

Other technical changes include retuning of the electric-assist power steering, reworked suspension geometry to make the car feel more nimble and "evolutionary improvements" to throttle response and brake feel for shorter stopping distances.

There are also new ‘air curtains' below the front bumper that improve aerodynamic performance (although Kia doesn't say by how much).

The dynamics of the new Cerato sedan have already been tuned for local roads by Kia Australia's own tuning team, led by consultant Graeme Gambold. Work is yet to start on the hatch.

Kia is promoting the new car's additional driver assist systems, including bind spot warning, lane keeping assist, forward collision avoidance assist and active cruise control.

Other changes include seats with new frames, increased lumbar support and denser foam, the availability of full LED headlights, wireless charging for Android and some Apple smartphones and a 320-Watt Harmon Kardon sound system.