Kia Cerato Koup goes on sale in Australia. Attractively styled and loaded with 2.0L gasoline engine, the 2010 Cerato Koup starts at $23.690 (AUS $).
Kia Motors has launched its first-ever, two-door coupe, called the Cerato Koup in Australia. Building on the success of the new Cerato sedan, which has been on sale in the country “down under” from January 2009, the Cerato Koup offers performance, ride and handling that’s even more responsive than the sedan.
Despite its sporty appearance and lower roofline, the 4.48 m long Koup has a wheelbase of 2650 mm and offers extraordinary passenger and luggage space, highly competitive levels of equipment and state-of-the-art active and passive safety.
Standard equipment on the Aussie-spec Kia Cerato Koup includes 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS system, 17-inch alloy wheels with 215/45 R17 tyres, 6 air-bags, active front headrests, keyless remote central locking, MP3 compatible CD player with Power Bass, air conditioning, “Super Vision” cluster with rear parking assist display, Traction Control System-TCS, repeater lamps on door mirrors and other features.
Unlike the North-American Koup model, Aussie-spec Kia Cerato Koup is available with a choice of one gasoline engine only. The 2.0L four-cylinder Theta II engine delivers a highly competitive power rating of 115kW and 194Nm peak torque at 4.300 rpm.
From standstill, the 2.0L engine can propel the all-new Cerato Koup to 100 km/h in low 9.3 seconds and to its top speed of 190 km/h. The engine in Cerato Koup is mated to 5-speed manual transmission, but buyers can also choose an optional 4-speed automatic gearbox. A more spirited 2.4L engine, which is fitted to the Koup in the States and Canada, is unlikely to make it to Australia any time soon.
Pricing for the 2010 Kia Cerato Koup starts well below $25.000 (Aus $). Entry-level Cerato Koup, with five-speed automatic gearbox, costs $23.690, while four-speed automatic transmission equipped Cerato Koup clocks in at $25.690. [Source: Kia Australia]
September 25th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
Everyone is saying they need to bring the 2.4L + 5-speed auto to Australia, even as an option.
September 25th, 2009 at 3:37 pm
Once the Koup proves to be popular choice among consumers and when it reaches certain levels of sales, Kia probably will introduce more options for the Koup.
September 25th, 2009 at 6:34 pm
Well personally I’m happy with the 2.0L that comes with the sedan. But seems people on sites I visit, Australian’s are wanting “performance to backup the looks” but as I said, doesn’t really bother me.
September 25th, 2009 at 6:43 pm
This is similar to our pro_cee’d model. The pro_cee’d looks like a 200hp cr, but it only has 140! People want more power and I just don’t get Kia, why they still hesitate to bring a car like that to the market.
September 26th, 2009 at 12:52 am
The 2.0 ltr produces simiar power to a 2.4 anyway. Martin is correct about the four speed auto.
September 26th, 2009 at 1:05 am
That’s strange… I saw a red Koup last month in Sydney (Strathfield, where all the Koreans live) and it had the two tone 17″ wheels. I knew it wasn’t out but I thought I had missed something. So if it just came out here, what was that car doing here?
September 26th, 2009 at 5:08 am
I saw a Forte (4 door) in January, five months before its USA launch, near the Ann Arbor tech center. Sydney seems to be a good place for some kind of Kia office. My mom and I drove around a red SX Forte 6 speed (manual) all day today. The clutch sucks. I can drive a five speed (manual) Spectra or Optima without a single problem, as can my mom, but we both kept stalling the Forte. Although the first Forte 6 speed was without a problem…..weird.
September 26th, 2009 at 5:18 am
Hmm, yeah, it seems to me that the 6 speeds in the later delivered Fortes are worse than the earlier ones. Last week I drove one, and it was terrible! The five speed in the Soul is good though.
October 1st, 2009 at 5:20 am
I have to agree with Adam, I drove one of these and IMO they are an impressive car… the 2.0 litre engine feels energetic and willing.
The problem is the manual box and clutch are just fighting each other… rarely have a felt such a weird clutch feel and the gearbox has a slightly sloppy uncertain notchiness.
That’s it. If they offered a six speed auto I’d go for it.