Kia Cerato Koup 1.6L Turbo on display at One Utama, will be priced around RM150k



Kia Malaysia has, for the first time, publicly displayed the new Cerato Koup as part of their roadshow at One Utama shopping centre. The Korean company has been relatively quiet of late, especially after their last launch of the Kia Cerato KX last July.

The turbocharged C-Segment coupe is expected to carry a price tag of around RM150,000, putting it squarely against its sister company’s Veloster Turbo – also a Korean C-Segment hot hatch that was recently introduced. They both share the same turbocharged GDi engine, but the Koup makes healthier numbers, as you’ll find out in a bit.OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

First things first. The Cerato Koup’s front fascia is distinctly different from the regular four-door Cerato sedan, bearing a much slimmer Tiger-nose grille, a completely new front bumper and a lower grille that features a faux carbon fibre finish.

Standard features on the outside including HID headlamps with LED daytime running lights (identical to the Cerato), halogen projector fog lamps surrounded by more LED DRLs, 18-inch wheels wrapped with 225/40R18 Nexen NBlue HD tyres, blacked out side mirrors with integrated signal indicators, gloss black/chrome door handles, shark fin antenna and power sunroof. At the back, the Koup gets a different set of tail lamps (LED combination), a new bumper with diffuser, dual exhaust pipes and a reverse camera built on top of the KIA badge.OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Like the previous generation Forte Koup, the doors here are frameless and comes with keyless entry. Upon opening them, you will be greeted by leather upholstered sport seats for all passengers, but the driver gets an additional 2-way lumbar support and seat ventilation. Both front seats are manually adjusted, though.

On the dashboard, you get more carbon fibre inserts on the air conditioning vents and door trims. As for the driver, you get a leather wrapped multifunction steering wheel with the brand’s Flex Steer technology, allowing you to choose between Normal, Comfort or Sport. This simply alters steering weight, so don’t expect any drastic mechanical differences.OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

There’s dual zone full automated air conditioning with cluster ioniser, smart welcoming light system, electrochromic rear view mirror that will display the rear view camera, a 4.2-inch TFT LCD supervision cluster in between the odo- and tachometers, push-start button and passive cruise control.

Now, onto the most fun bit. The Cerato Koup is powered by the said 1.6-litre T-GDi engine that, in this state of tune, makes 201 hp at 6,000 rpm and 265 Nm of torque from 1,750 to 4,000 rpm. Unlike the Veloster Turbo, the Koup will make do with a six-speed automatic torque converter with paddle shifters. This allows the front-wheel driven Koup to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.4 seconds before maxing out at 222 km/h. Fuel consumption is rated at 7.4 litres per 100 km travelled.OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Adding to the list are six-airbags, front and rear parking sensors, ABS with EBD, ESC, Brake Assist, Hill Assist Control and Vehicle Stability Management. Again, the Cerato Koup has an estimated price of RM150,000, and will be offered in the single 1.6L turbocharged mill only. Its official arrival will be within the coming month.


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