Kia Cerato

Kia Cerato
Overview
Manufacturer	Kia Motors
Production	2003–present
Body and chassis
Class	Compact car
Layout	Front-engine, front-wheel-drive
Chronology
Predecessor	Kia Sephia
Successor	Kia Forte Kia Cee'd (Europe)

The Kia Cerato (also known as Kia Spectra in the USA) is a compact car produced by the South Korean automaker Kia Motors since 2003. In 2008, the Cerato was replaced by the Kia Forte, however, the "Cerato" name continued on in some markets.

First generation (2003–2008)

First generation (LD)
Overview
Also called	Kia Spectra (North America)
Production	2003–2008 2003–2009 (export)
Model years	2004–2009
Assembly	China: Jiangsu (Yangcheng Plant) South Korea: Hwasung (Hwasung Plant)
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door sedan 5-door hatchback
Powertrain
Engine	1.6 L I4 (gasoline) 2.0 L I4 (gasoline) 1.5 L CRDi I4 (t/c diesel; 2003–06) 1.6 L CRDi I4 (t/c diesel; 2006–09) 2.0 L CRDi I4 (t/c diesel)
Transmission	4-speed automatic 5-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,610 mm (102.8 in)
Length	2003–06 sedan: 4,480 mm (176.4 in) 2006–08 sedans: 4,500 mm (177.2 in) 2003–06 hatchback: 4,341 mm (170.9 in) 2006–09 hatchback: 4,350 mm (171.3 in)
Width	1,735 mm (68.3 in)
Height	1,470 mm (57.9 in)

The Kia Cerato was introduced in South Korea in 2003, sharing a platform with the Hyundai Elantra (XD) and using Hyundai's Beta II (G4GC) (CVVT-enabled) four-cylinder engine.

It replaced the Sephia/Mentor saloon and Shuma hatchback.

In North America, the "Spectra" name was used when introduced for the 2004 model year, with "Spectra5" designating the hatchback. In Europe, the Cerato was replaced by the Kia Cee'd.

• 

  2004–2006 Kia Spectra SX sedan (US)

• 

  2004–2006 Kia Spectra5 SX (US)

• 

  2003–2006 Kia Cerato LX sedan (Germany)

Facelift

In 2006 a facelift version was introduced, including revised "GEMA" engines. Stylistically, the bumper and headlamps lost their pronounced crease near the grille area, the trunk lid became more rounded, and the taillights were reshaped.

• 

  2007-09 Kia Spectra EX sedan (US)

• 

  2007 Kia Spectra5 hatchback (US)

• 

  2007 Kia New Cerato EX sedan (US)

Second generation (2008–2013)

The second generation Kia Cerato was launched in South Korea in late 2008 under the Kia Forte name – a name that was used in most international markets. The "Cerato" name has been retained in some markets, such as Australia, South Africa and Brazil. In Singapore, the second generation model is badged "Kia Cerato Forte".^[1]

Third generation (2013–present)

In July 2012, Kia unveiled the next-generation Cerato as the Korean-market Kia K3.^[2] The sedan will be sold in the United States as Forte, available starting from mid-2013. A coupe and five-door hatchback will be released later on.

The new Cerato will be produced in South Korea at Kia's Hwasung Plant.

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kia Cerato.

v t e Kia Motors, a division of Hyundai Motor Group, road car timeline, 1970s–present
Type	1970s										1980s										1990s										2000s										2010s
	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3
City car																															Visto					Picanto							Picanto
																																											Ray
Subcompact					Brisa												Pride
						Brisa II / K303																			Avella						Rio						Rio						Rio
Compact	124																			Capital																		cee'd						cee'd
																							Sephia						Sephia					Cerato						Forte
Mid-size																		Concord										Credos					Optima					Optima				Optima
Full-size										132																			Enterprise						Opirus							Cadenza
										604													Potentia																					Quoris
Sports car																											Elan
Compact SUV																									Sportage											Sportage						Sportage
																														Retona
Mid-size SUV																																		Sorento						Sorento
																																							Mohave
Mini MPV																																								Venga
Compact MPV																														Joice										Soul
																														Carens			Carens					Carens
Large MPV																														Carnival							Carnival
Pick-up											Bongo							Wide Bongo														Bongo Frontier			Bongo
Minivan																	Besta										Pregio
Bus																														Combi
																															Granbird									Granbird

v t e Kia Motors, a division of Hyundai Motor Group, North American road car timeline, 1994–present
Type	1990s						2000s										2010s
	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4
Subcompact								Rio					Rio						Rio
Compact car	Sephia				Sephia												Soul
							Spectra					Spectra					Forte				Forte
Mid-size car								Optima/Magentis						Optima/Magentis				Optima
Full-size car											Amanti										Cadenza
Compact SUV		Sportage										Sportage						Sportage
Mid-size SUV										Sorento								Sorento
																Borrego*
Compact MPV														Rondo*							Rondo*
Minivan									Sedona					Sedona							Sedona
* only available in Canada since 2010.