Kia Tasman ute launches in NZ
Stepping into the already crowded ute market, it’s important to bring your best game. Kia look to have done just that with the arrival of its first ute, the Tasman, at a recent event in Wellington.
“It boasts an exceptionally roomy passenger cabin and a more comfortable and sophisticated ride, along with hi-tech steering, new engines and more convenience and safety features.”
Compared with the second-generation, new Cerato is 30mm longer (now 4560 mm), 14mm lower (1435mm) and 5mm wider (1780mm), with the wheelbase extended by 50mm (2700 mm). The boot capacity is increased to 421 litres – among the largest in class.
“Cerato has been one of the most popular models in the world for Kia and once again we are introducing a new model that sets itself apart through outstanding innovation, design and quality,” says Todd McDonald, general manager of Kia Motors New Zealand.
At least 2.5 million Cerato and Forte (US name) cars have been sold worldwide since the first generation went on sale in 2004.
Designed at Kia’s American Design Centre in Irvine, California, the new Cerato has cab-forward styling, a coupe-like roofline, concave door contours and a rising beltline with chrome molding extending into the C-pillar.
Inside are a sweeping new dashboard, with carbon-look trim and soft-touch materials. Interior comfort is enhanced by lowering the cabin floor and the front seats by 26mm and those in the rear by 20mm and by fitting wider front seat cushions with an increased cushion angle for greater comfort and thigh support.
Two all-new fuel-efficient engines are offered in the 2013 Kia Cerato sedan. A high-compression, direct-injected 2L GDI CVVT engine powers the top of the range SX model, delivering 129kW (173hp) @ 6500rpm (+12%) and 209Nm of torque @ 4700rpm (+8%). Other models in the Cerato range (LX & EX) are powered by the 110kW 1.8L DOHC CVVT engine.
Thanks to a lighter kerb weight (down by as much as 70kg), through greater use of high tensile steel, the 1.8 models have a similar power-to-weight ratio to the previous 2L Cerato.
