Kia Spectra

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Kia Spectra

Manufacturer:	Kia Motors
Production:	2000—present
Predecessor:	Kia Sephia Kia Shuma
Successor:	Kia Cee'd
Class:	Compact car / Small family car
Body style:	5-door hatchback 4-door sedan
Related:	Hyundai Elantra Hyundai Tucson Kia Sportage
Similar:	Honda Civic Mazda3 Mitsubishi Lancer Suzuki Aerio Toyota Corolla Volkswagen Rabbit

First generation

Also called:	Kia Shuma
Production:	2001—2004
Engine:	1.8 L 124 hp I4
Transmission:	5-Speed Manual Overdrive 4-Speed Automatic Overdrive
Wheelbase:	2560 mm (100.80 in.)
Length:	4525 mm (178.10 in.)
Width:	1725 mm (67.90 in.)
Height:	1425 mm (56.10 in.)

Second generation

Also called:	Kia Cerato (Korea and Europe) Kia Spectra5
Production:	2005—present
Engine:	2.0 L 132 hp I4 2.0 L 138 hp I4
Wheelbase:	2610 mm (102.80 in.)
Length:	4480 mm (176.40 in.)
Width:	1735 mm (68.30 in.)
Height:	1470 mm (57.90 in.)

The Kia Spectra, or Kia Cerato, is a compact car / small family car produced by the Korean automaker Kia Motors since 2000. When introduced for the 2000 model year it was a hatchback version of the Kia Sephia and Kia Shuma. In 2002 it replaced the Sephia and Shuma completely, though it was the same vehicle. The 2005 redesign shares the platform of the Hyundai Elantra. The hatchback version is called the Spectra5, and is known as the Kia Cerato in Korea. The car is offered in the European and North American markets, and has a wide range of engines: four for Europe and two for the other markets.

[edit] Trivia

First generation Kia Spectra, five-door hatchback

Top Gear claimed that the Cerato "sounds like a broken musical instrument". In a Season 9 episode of Top Gear, Jeremy Clarkson, James May, and Richard Hammond went on a 'caravanning holiday' to understand the European idea of using caravans (which Top Gear have a reputation for destroying) for leisure. They used a Kia Cerato as a tow car and felt it was not up to the job of towing a caravan. Driven by May, the Cerato and its caravan managed to destroy another campsite and fail to do a 3-point turn. After the caravan was burnt down, the team used the Kia Cerato to tow its scorched shell away.
The Spectra Sedan won the Canadian Car of the Year Best New Economy Car award for 2005.
The Cerato is produced for the Chinese market by the Dongfeng Yueda Kia Automobile Company, a joint venture with Kia.