Kia Cerato Koup arrives

The local launch of the new Kia Cerato Koup sees the first turbocharged petrol-engine from the Korean manufacturer in Australia. Priced from $27,990 it will be closely followed by the Pro-ceed GT, which promises even more poke behind the wheel.

It’s "the first but not the last turbo" to enter the Australian market says Kia Australia Chief Operating Officer Tony Barlow addressing the Australian media this week.  Keen to set the Korean manufacturer as a 'challenge brand' Barlow says "this is just the start of the turbo for Kia in Australia."

This second-generation Kia Koup is offered to Australian buyers with two engines – a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated and the game-changing 1.6-litre twin-scroll turbo engine, first seen in Australia in sister-brand Hyundai's Veloster SR Turbo.

Both are available with six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions.  The turbo-powered T-GDi is shared with the Hyundai Veloster SR Turbo, and delivers 150kW/265Nm.

"In delivering this car we're not ignoring the substantial number of customers who, while they love the look of the car, feel that they don't need the extra urge of a turbo. Those buyers will be well served by the 129kw naturally aspired 2.0-itre GDI option," says Barlow.

The entry-level Kia Cerato Koup Si models gets the 2.0-litre non-turbo engine and starts at $23,990 and all versions are standard with the manual gearbox. The six-speed automatic attracts a $2200 premium. For full pricing see below.

Kia is saving any further roll-out of their turbocharged excitement for the upcoming Pro-ceed GT performance hatch due in 2014, and as such there are currently no plans to install the turbo-petrol engine in the current Cerato sedan or hatch models.

The Koup and the Pro-ceed will share the T-GDi engine, but Steve Watt, Kia's Marketing Manger says the Pro-ceed GT "allows us a more aggressive handling package and with that will give us a more highly dynamic character in that car."

The Koup meanwhile splits its personality between dynamic handling and the "long-legged" character seen in the Cerato sedan.

In defining the tuning direction of the new Koup, Jeff Shafer, Kia's Senior Product Manager, describes the intention as "less street-machine, more GT – less race-car, more rally car."

Kia benchmarked the Ford Focus ST, Hyundai Veloster, and Toyota 86 to get the Koup's ride and handling just so. Even entry-level BMW and Audi cars were considered, as they shaped the character of the new Koup.

Standard features on the new Kia Koup include front and rear parking sensors, keyless entry, power windows, rear view camera, Bluetooth connectivity, rear air-vents, cloth seats, six airbags, stability control, anti-lock brakes, and 17-inch alloy wheels with a full-sized alloy spare wheel.

Top-shelf Kia Koup Turbo models get the stronger engine, plus 18-inch alloy wheels with a full-sized spare, bigger brakes, alloy pedals, faux leather seat accents, LED daytime running and brake lights and push-button engine start. An optional Touring Pack ($2200) buys dual-zone automatic climate control, leather seats and a DVD player with 7-inch colour touch screen infotainment system.

The Cerato family is Kia’s best-selling model range globally, with over 2.5 million sales since the models debut in 2004. The introduction of the turbocharged Kia Koup offers an affordable entry-level performance vehicle, with day-to-day livability.

While initial sales may be a fairly even playing field, Kia believes the naturally aspirated Koup will out-sell the turbocharged engine in the long run.

We put the Kia Koup through its paces this week and will post a first drive shortly.

Kia Cerato Koup pricing:
1.6-litre T-GDi Turbo   $27,990 ($30,190 w/Touring Pack)
2.0-litre GDi Si             $23,990

(automatic transmission adds $2200 for all models)