The Kia Spectra, also called Kia Cerato is some of the global markets, is a small family car / compact car developed by the Korean automobile maker Kia Motors. In 1999, it was offered as a hatchback, but it underwent several changes during 2004-05, and soon became the top seller in United States. Here’s an insight to various generations of Kia Spectra.
First Generation Kia Spectra (2000–2004)
Kia Spectra entered the global markets in 2000; initially it was offered only in United States and Korea. It was developed only in hatchback form, and marketed as Kia Shuma and Kia Sephia, in US and Korean markets respectively, substituting the old Sephia hatchback. It was designed based on Kia’s earlier top-selling hatchback, the Mentor.
After many years, Kia introduced the slightly modified model, under the label Shuma II / Spectra Wing. Its descendant Kia Cerato was labeled as the Sephia II / spectra.
Shuma was designed with 1.8 L and 1.5 L fuel injected 4-cylinder petrol engines.
In 2002, Arab American Vehicles (AAV) developed the Spectra in Cairo. Performance figures of 2000-2004 Kia Shuma/Spectra with various engine variants were as follows.
It reached 100 km speed in 11 seconds with 1.6L DOHC engine, while 1.8L DOHC engine allowed the vehicle to do the same within 9.8 seconds, and 0-60time reduced further to 8.9 seconds with 2.0L DOHC engine.
Coming to the trim levels, the vehicle was available in slightly improved SX, base level S, and the top-line GSX trims.
Second Generation Kia Spectra (2004–2009)
In 2004, Kia Spectra was designed on the same platform of the Hyundai Elantra. The hatchback edition was called the Spectra5, and it was sold under the label Kia Cerato in Chile, Korea, Australia, and Singapore.
The 2nd generation Spectra was available in North American market, but not in UK and European markets.
2004 Kia Spectra
2004 Kia Spectra used Hyundai’s Beta II G4GC (CVVT-enabled) engine, with the help of which, the vehicle reached 100 kmph mark in 10.8 seconds, attaining a top speed of 116 mph in case of manual transmission. With automatic transmission, it could touch only 111 mph with the same engine.
Mid-Generation Facelift
The U.S version of Kia Spectra got a mid-generation update, and GEMA engines. The headlamps and bumper lost their distinct at the grill area; the taillights were modified, and the trunk lid was rounded further.
For 2009, the new Kia Cerato was introduced as Kia Forte at the Chicago Auto Show. It is same as the Kia Cee’d in US, though not the one revealed in European markets.
The new Forte is designed based on the Kia KOUP concept that is a two-door coupe. The vehicle will also be provided as a four-door sedan edition, and the coupe edition will follow soon as well.
