While Kia surely got its act together in terms of designing, engineering and building vehicles over the past decade or so, the South Korean automaker seems a bit confused when it comes to naming its vehicles.
How else can you explain the fact that its new global compact sedan will have three different names, depending on the region?
In its home market of South Korea, where it was officially introduced this week, it will be called K3, while when it arrives in the U.S. and Canada, we will come to know it as the 2014 model year Forte, and in other markets such as Australia and Brazil, as the new Cerato.
Whatever it is called, the new compact model has adopted the brand’s latest design DNA both inside and out, while offering a raft of new technologies such as a parking assistance system, LED headlamps and Kia’s next generation “telematics” service UVO, which enables drivers to control their cars via a smartphone or other IT devices.
At 4,560mm (179.5 inches) long, 1,780mm (70.1 inches) wide and 1,435mm (56.5 inches) tall, the K3 is 30mm (1.2 inches) longer, 5mm (0.2 inches) wider and 25mm (1 inch) lower than its predecessor. Its wheelbase has also grown by 51mm (2 inches) to 2,700mm, thus improving legroom for passengers.
In Korea, the K3 launches with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine delivering 138Hp (140PS) and 167Nm (123 lb-ft) of peak torque, for a fuel economy of 14 km per liter, which is equal to 32.9mpg US, 39.5mpg UK and 7.1lt/100km.
Kia hasn’t said yet which engines will be offered on the Cerato and Forte models when they go on sale early next year.
The four-door sedan model will be followed by five-door hatchback and two-door coupe variants, none of which are likely to be offered in Europe where Kia sells the Cee’d and Pro_cee’d models.
The automaker aims to sell around 410,000 examples of the K3/Forte/Cerato series in its first year on the market, and increase that number to more than 500,000 vehicles in 2014.
Many thanks to LeoPaul Del R. for the Info and Pictures!
