Kia reportedly uses higher-quality plastics and materials in the cabin, endowing it with an upscale ambience said to be far more confidence inspiring than its price should allow. The list of optional equipment is highlighted by a hi-fi system with navigation, plus standard driver and passenger airbags.
Under the hood, Kia will be offering four engines that bring two firsts to the company name. Two gasoline engines, featuring variable valve timing (one of the firsts) can be had. A small 106 horsepower, 1.6 liter inline four is available, but our shores are more likely to see the 2.0 liter inline-four which produces 143 horsepower and 137 lb-ft of torque. This engine, when equipped with the standard five-speed manual, can reach a top speed of 207 km/h.
The other two engines available are common-rail turbodiesels of 1.5 liters and 2.0 liters in displacement. The larger of the two produces an impressive 113 horsepower. If these come to North America at all, it won't be until 2006 when low sulfur diesel hits the pumps.
All four engines can be had with either a five speed manual or a four speed automatic transmission that drives the front wheels.
The new Spectra is the latest in an impressive line of 16 new models planned to be introduced by 2007, including the subcompact Picanto city car, a successor to the Rio sedan/5-door, as well as a junior-sized off-roader to slot in under the award-winning Sorento.
On this subject Kia COO Yong-Hwan Kim stated, "The Sorento has done an outstanding job of raising the profile of Kia around the world." Kim continued, "The Cerato and the Picanto A-segment car, which we unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, will take that to the next level by building significant volumes, especially in the U.S. and Europe."
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| The higher-quality plastics and materials reported to be found in the new Spectra's interior are impressive for the price. (Photo: Kia Motors) |
The other two engines available are common-rail turbodiesels of 1.5 liters and 2.0 liters in displacement. The larger of the two produces an impressive 113 horsepower. If these come to North America at all, it won't be until 2006 when low sulfur diesel hits the pumps.
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| Kia will be offering four engines for the updated Spectra, but the two turbodiesel powerplants won't come to North America till at least 2006. (Photo: Kia Motors) |
The new Spectra is the latest in an impressive line of 16 new models planned to be introduced by 2007, including the subcompact Picanto city car, a successor to the Rio sedan/5-door, as well as a junior-sized off-roader to slot in under the award-winning Sorento.
On this subject Kia COO Yong-Hwan Kim stated, "The Sorento has done an outstanding job of raising the profile of Kia around the world." Kim continued, "The Cerato and the Picanto A-segment car, which we unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, will take that to the next level by building significant volumes, especially in the U.S. and Europe."