Kia Koup turbo for Oz

Kia has confirmed it will release both naturally aspirated and, for the first time, turbocharged versions of its new Koup in October.

Announced at tonight’s launch of the third-generation Cerato hatchback, the news confirms the new Koup – which was first revealed at the New York motor show in April, will be Kia Australia’s first turbocharged performance model.

Previously, the European-oriented Pro_cee’d GT hot hatch, which goes on sale here in the first quarter of next year, had been confirmed as the first turbo-petrol Kia to be sold Down Under.

The new-generation Koup will complete Kia’s Cerato small car family, following the launch of the sedan in April and the hatch this month – both priced from $19,990.

The existing Cerato Koup is available in two naturally aspirated 2.0-litre petrol grades, opening with the $23,990 Si and closing with the $27,225 SLS.

Expect the new Cerato Koup Turbo to be priced from around $30,000, pitching it directly at the Veloster SR Turbo, which is priced at $31,990 and employs the same engine, from sister company Hyundai – as well as Toyota’s rear-wheel drive 86 coupe (from $29,990).

Like the Veloster SR Turbo, expect the Koupe Turbo to be available in a single specification with six-speed manual and automatic transmissions (not a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, as in the standard Koup), plus more aggressive front and rear bumpers, a black gloss grille insert, larger front brakes, alloy sports pedals, 18-inch alloy wheels, LED lighting, chromed exhaust outlets carbon-look seat inserts.

While the standard Koup should come with Kia’s latest 129kW/209Nm 2.0-litre GDi petrol four, the performance flagship will pack the Hyundai-Kia group’s 152kW/265Nm 1.6-litre GDI turbo-four (as seen in the Pro_cee'd GT hot-hatch), making it the most powerful Koup ever.

“[The Kia Koup turbo] is the final chapter of the Cerato launch story but it’s also the first chapter in the new generation of Kia excitement. I can confirm today that the new Koup, to be launched in a couple of months time, will pioneer turbo power for Kia in Australia.” said Kia Australia Chief Operating Officer Tony Barlow.

“The Koup turbo will be just the first example of Kia’s future plans to keep our customers satisfied and delighted.”

In other future Kia model news, the Korean brand has fast-tracked the Australian launch of the facelifted Optima medium sedan (from the first quarter of next year to this November) and the redesigned Soul – from the first half of 2014 to late 2013.

Both models made their global debuts alongside the latest Koup at this year’s New York show.

Rounding out the latest flurry of new model activity will be an all-new Carnival people-mover. Due to emerge at the New York show next April, the redesigned Carnival will mark the renewal of Kia’s entire model range.

Expect it to replace Australia’s most popular people-mover in the fourth quarter of next year.

What’s coming from Kia:
New Cerato hatch – August
New Cerato Koup, including turbo version – October
Facelifted Optima – November
New Soul – late 2013
Pro_cee’d GT – first quarter 2014
New Carnival – late 2014

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