Koup joins Kia style drive
October 23, 2009
Slip into the Kia Cerato Koup expecting it to be a Korean Celica equivalent and you're going to be disappointed, the brand concedes.
"Cerato Koup has not been designed as a a tarmac burner," Kia New Zealand boss Tod McDonald warned yesterday before we slipped behind the wheel for an afternoon drive out of the swank Hyatt Coolum resort up-coast of Brisbane.
"But it has been designed to give better performance than the sedan."
He's right. The Koup is not as sporty to drive as it is to look at. The wide, aggressive stance that'll claim attention in town is not ultimately backed up by equally racy handling and performance.
Kia says it has also re-engineered the suspension system to give the coupe improved handling over the sedan. There's a thicker anti-roll bar, re-calibrated suspension and revised steering. But all that means is that, away from smooth seal, it tends to bump and fidget.
They could have gone further, of course. The 2008 concept car that previewed the Koup featured all-wheel drive and a turbocharged engine, but the production car sticks with the sedan's front-drive layout and underwhelming 115kW 2.0-litre naturally aspirated engine, married to either a five-speed manual or a four-stage auto.
The only thing they've done to the mechanicals is re-tune the exhaust to bring in a hint of braaaap. It kinda does, but is hardly soulful.
So it's not that fast, doesn't sound like a Ferrari and you don't need to go far along the winding mountain roads that comprised a good 60 percent of our drive to discover the chassis lacks finesse, too.
And, yet, we're thinking ..... so what? Even though it's probably more suited to the cafŽ circuit than the race track and even though it's a two-door car (and, apparently, no-one buys those), we're left with the impression the Koup will do good things for Kia NZ.
That's for two reasons. The first is that it is an unbelievably good deal.
How much would you expect to pay for a 2.0-litre car packed with equipment and delivering head-turning style? If it came out Japan, you'd be looking at the high 30k region. If it came out of Europe, even more.
But, of course, it's a car designed by a European (ex-Audi man Peter Schreyer), primarily for United States' tastes (North America being a key market) and is built in a truly modern plant in South Korea. The design employs all the lastest technologies and build techniques developed by parent Hyundai, now a member of the global top 10 carmakers club.
So what would you pay? Well, it starts at $27,990 - in other words, less than a high-grade Honda Jazz supermini - and tops out at $33,990. Mid-grade Corolla money.
The base price buys the manual-only LX model, with cloth trim, air conditioning and a pumping stereo with full MP3 integration. Fog lights, remote door locking, steering wheel-mounted audio and cruise control functions, tilt and reach adjustable steering wheel and sunglasses holder also feature.
The more expensive model is the SX, which swaps the 16-inch alloys for 17s, and gets full leather trim. The sound system includes a 6-CD changer and the SX also comes with a power sunroof, reverse warning sensors and automatic climate control, as opposed to the LX model's manual system. The manual and auto SX are the same money.
The second reason why it'll work is because cheap price doesn't translate to a cut-price feel. Trim materials are very good - it picks up in-cabin enhancements that'll go into the 2010 Cerato sedan - and it looks like a million bucks. Or Korean Won. Whatever.
Kia is on a real product role at the moment and Koup, plus the chunky Soul that launched earlier this year, both conform to an ambitious plan for Korea's second-biggest brand to re-invent itself as a design-led, youth-inspired vehicle manufacturer.
Obviously, that idea mightn't work as well in Kiwiland as in some other markets, simply because in our country there aren't too many kids able to afford even cars in this price band. Expect most buyers to be 'young at heart' but at least in their fourth decade of life.
Koup also separate itself from the pack-not to mention sister company Hyundai - and the Auckland-based importer yesterday could cite just two cars that might be considered rivals. Both are Volkswagens; the now very old Beetle and the still very new - and very stylish - Scirocco.
While it is clearly derived from the Cerato, the only piece of the sedan's sheetmetal carried over to the Koup is the bonnet. It has a strong face, incorporating the now familiar Tiger Face signature, though just as appreciated is its sleekness from behind, where the squashed rear taillights make it stand out from the sedan.
The Koup stands 60mm lower (from a 50mm lowered roofline and 10mm lowered suspension) than the Cerato sedan and is 50mm shorter and 10mm narrower, while retaining the same 2650mm wheelbase.
The interior design is near-identical to the Cerato sedan but with a few upgrades. The leather steering wheel features red stitching and driver and front passenger are treated to bucket seats offering more support. Sports alloy pedals feature.
Front interior space is barely changed from the Cerato sedan, but rear seat passengers will notice a difference, though the six-footer who positioned himself in the back of one car didn't need to be a contortionist to do so.
At 328 litres, boot capacity is down 50 litres on the sedan yet Kia has still managing to fit in a full-sized alloy spare wheel.
Like we say, it's more brisk that ballistic. The manual is fastest through the 0-100kmh sprint, clocking 9.3 seconds against 10.5 for the auto. Both top out at 190kmh. The engine runs out of puff if the revs are allowed to drop below 2000rpm, and gets quite fizzy when taken to the redline. On the bright side, at least the fuel-economy is above average, with an overall average of 7.2 litres per 100km claimed.
In addition to being quite stiff, the suspension sometimes seems to act in slightly discordant manner, a result of it relying on a simple and outmoded twist-beam rear axle and not the more sophisticated independent suspension now common in this category,
The steering also feels heavy and vague, and is inconsistently weighted, while the brake pedal is overly firm and grabby. The automatic gearbox, carried over from the sedan, gets too busy and the engine sounds and feels less inspiring than it does with the manual.
So all in all, it's hardly a remarkable car to drive. But it will be a good thing to be seen in so, while it will struggle to keep up with appearances, the Koup will probably work out quite nicely.
What this means to you: Less compelling to drive than to look at, but well-priced and positioned.
"Cerato Koup has not been designed as a a tarmac burner," Kia New Zealand boss Tod McDonald warned yesterday before we slipped behind the wheel for an afternoon drive out of the swank Hyatt Coolum resort up-coast of Brisbane.
"But it has been designed to give better performance than the sedan."
He's right. The Koup is not as sporty to drive as it is to look at. The wide, aggressive stance that'll claim attention in town is not ultimately backed up by equally racy handling and performance.
Kia says it has also re-engineered the suspension system to give the coupe improved handling over the sedan. There's a thicker anti-roll bar, re-calibrated suspension and revised steering. But all that means is that, away from smooth seal, it tends to bump and fidget.
They could have gone further, of course. The 2008 concept car that previewed the Koup featured all-wheel drive and a turbocharged engine, but the production car sticks with the sedan's front-drive layout and underwhelming 115kW 2.0-litre naturally aspirated engine, married to either a five-speed manual or a four-stage auto.
The only thing they've done to the mechanicals is re-tune the exhaust to bring in a hint of braaaap. It kinda does, but is hardly soulful.
So it's not that fast, doesn't sound like a Ferrari and you don't need to go far along the winding mountain roads that comprised a good 60 percent of our drive to discover the chassis lacks finesse, too.
And, yet, we're thinking ..... so what? Even though it's probably more suited to the cafŽ circuit than the race track and even though it's a two-door car (and, apparently, no-one buys those), we're left with the impression the Koup will do good things for Kia NZ.
That's for two reasons. The first is that it is an unbelievably good deal.
How much would you expect to pay for a 2.0-litre car packed with equipment and delivering head-turning style? If it came out Japan, you'd be looking at the high 30k region. If it came out of Europe, even more.
But, of course, it's a car designed by a European (ex-Audi man Peter Schreyer), primarily for United States' tastes (North America being a key market) and is built in a truly modern plant in South Korea. The design employs all the lastest technologies and build techniques developed by parent Hyundai, now a member of the global top 10 carmakers club.
So what would you pay? Well, it starts at $27,990 - in other words, less than a high-grade Honda Jazz supermini - and tops out at $33,990. Mid-grade Corolla money.
The base price buys the manual-only LX model, with cloth trim, air conditioning and a pumping stereo with full MP3 integration. Fog lights, remote door locking, steering wheel-mounted audio and cruise control functions, tilt and reach adjustable steering wheel and sunglasses holder also feature.
The more expensive model is the SX, which swaps the 16-inch alloys for 17s, and gets full leather trim. The sound system includes a 6-CD changer and the SX also comes with a power sunroof, reverse warning sensors and automatic climate control, as opposed to the LX model's manual system. The manual and auto SX are the same money.
The second reason why it'll work is because cheap price doesn't translate to a cut-price feel. Trim materials are very good - it picks up in-cabin enhancements that'll go into the 2010 Cerato sedan - and it looks like a million bucks. Or Korean Won. Whatever.
Kia is on a real product role at the moment and Koup, plus the chunky Soul that launched earlier this year, both conform to an ambitious plan for Korea's second-biggest brand to re-invent itself as a design-led, youth-inspired vehicle manufacturer.
Obviously, that idea mightn't work as well in Kiwiland as in some other markets, simply because in our country there aren't too many kids able to afford even cars in this price band. Expect most buyers to be 'young at heart' but at least in their fourth decade of life.
Koup also separate itself from the pack-not to mention sister company Hyundai - and the Auckland-based importer yesterday could cite just two cars that might be considered rivals. Both are Volkswagens; the now very old Beetle and the still very new - and very stylish - Scirocco.
While it is clearly derived from the Cerato, the only piece of the sedan's sheetmetal carried over to the Koup is the bonnet. It has a strong face, incorporating the now familiar Tiger Face signature, though just as appreciated is its sleekness from behind, where the squashed rear taillights make it stand out from the sedan.
The Koup stands 60mm lower (from a 50mm lowered roofline and 10mm lowered suspension) than the Cerato sedan and is 50mm shorter and 10mm narrower, while retaining the same 2650mm wheelbase.
The interior design is near-identical to the Cerato sedan but with a few upgrades. The leather steering wheel features red stitching and driver and front passenger are treated to bucket seats offering more support. Sports alloy pedals feature.
Front interior space is barely changed from the Cerato sedan, but rear seat passengers will notice a difference, though the six-footer who positioned himself in the back of one car didn't need to be a contortionist to do so.
At 328 litres, boot capacity is down 50 litres on the sedan yet Kia has still managing to fit in a full-sized alloy spare wheel.
Like we say, it's more brisk that ballistic. The manual is fastest through the 0-100kmh sprint, clocking 9.3 seconds against 10.5 for the auto. Both top out at 190kmh. The engine runs out of puff if the revs are allowed to drop below 2000rpm, and gets quite fizzy when taken to the redline. On the bright side, at least the fuel-economy is above average, with an overall average of 7.2 litres per 100km claimed.
In addition to being quite stiff, the suspension sometimes seems to act in slightly discordant manner, a result of it relying on a simple and outmoded twist-beam rear axle and not the more sophisticated independent suspension now common in this category,
The steering also feels heavy and vague, and is inconsistently weighted, while the brake pedal is overly firm and grabby. The automatic gearbox, carried over from the sedan, gets too busy and the engine sounds and feels less inspiring than it does with the manual.
So all in all, it's hardly a remarkable car to drive. But it will be a good thing to be seen in so, while it will struggle to keep up with appearances, the Koup will probably work out quite nicely.
What this means to you: Less compelling to drive than to look at, but well-priced and positioned.
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