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Common rail technology for Kia´s diesel debut
The first Kia passenger car to be available with a diesel engine, the new Cerato range offers customers a choice of not just one diesel, but two, plus two gasoline engines, and five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmissions - depending on model.
Both the new Kia diesel engines feature a common rail high pressure fuel injection system. Rather than relying on indirect injection of the air and fuel mixture, the common rail engine delivers vaporised fuel directly to the cylinders (direct injection), enhancing fuel efficiency to an optimal level. High-pressure fuel produced by the fuel pump is sent to an accumulator. The state of the engine is constantly analysed and monitored by the ECU, which precisely controls timing, quantity, and pressure before injecting fuel into the cylinders.
The performance of the all-new 1.5 CRDi diesel engine available from Autumn 2004, is highly competitive and promises to be one of the best in its class. The 16-valve unit delivers 75 kW (102 ps) of power at 4,000 rpm and 24.0 kgm (235.4 Nm) of torque at just 2,000 rpm. Fuel consumption on the combined cycle is 5.5 l/100 km and the unit´s CO2 rating is 128 g/km (target).
The 2.0 CRDi diesel engine is similar to the 16-valve Kia engine use in the Carens compact MPV. It generates a maximum power of 82.4 kW (112 ps) at 4,000 rpm and torque of 25.0 kgm (245.2 Nm) at 2,000 rpm. Fuel consumption on the combined cycle is 5.8 l/100 km and the CO2 rating is 153 g/km.
Although the 2-litre engine punches out just 7.5 kW (10 ps) more than the 1.5-litre, the two engines have a very different character when fitted to the Cerato. The 1.5 is programmed for maximum fuel economy, while the 2.0 is set up to deliver strong performance. Both diesel engines come with a five-speed manual transmission.
For customers who prefer gasoline to diesel, or require an automatic transmission, a choice of two gasoline engines is available, with manual or automatic transmission.
The all-new 1.6 DOHC gasoline engine is a 16-valve unit, and produces 77.2 kW (105 ps) at 5,800 rpm and 14.6 kgm (143.2 Nm) of torque at 4,500 rpm. It is a proven, reliable design, with competitive performance. On the combined cycle, fuel consumption is 6.9 litres per 100 km and the CO2 figure is 165 g/km with manual transmission, 187 g/km with automatic.
The 2.0 DOHC gasoline engine brings continuously variable valve timing (CVVT) to the marketplace in a Kia for the first time. CVVT employs the engine´s oil flow to alter the position of the twin camshafts in relation to the valves, automatically adjusting the valve timing to boost performance and engine throttle response and to enhance fuel economy and reduce emissions, at low and medium engine speeds.
This 1,975 cc, 16-valve engine generates 105.0 kW (143 ps) at 6,000 rpm and maximum torque of 19.0 kgm (186.0 Nm) at 4,500 rpm, making the Cerato one of the most powerful cars in its class. Fuel consumption is 7.5 l/100 km on the combined cycle, with CO2 of 180 g/km (manual) and 195 g/km (automatic).
A choice of transmissions
All four engines available in the Cerato are offered with a five-speed manual transmission as standard. It is fitted with a hydraulic clutch for smooth, effortless shifting and gear ratios that are optimised to suit the widest range of driving conditions and the best balance between performance and economy. First and second gears feature a double cone synchroniser that reduces friction and offers significantly smoother and quieter shifting. A poppet ball assembly with bearings is installed in the control shaft instead of the shift rail, reducing friction while improving shift smoothness and response.
Available as an option, a new-generation ´adaptive´ automatic transmission specifically developed and tested for the Cerato, is offered on both gasoline engines. The four-speed transmission features a variable force solenoid (VFS) valve system that automatically adjusts the supply of oil via an electronically controlled valve, allowing more effective changes of speed and reduced engine noise.
An electronic controller monitors a range of parameters including acceleration, deceleration, engine speed and oil temperature to ensure optimum, safe gear changes, together with excellent shift quality, quietness, and ease of use. The Cerato also contains a next-generation neural network that uses fuzzy logic circuits to control which gear is to be engaged.
Optimal shift patterns for diverse road conditions are stored in the onboard computer, which can quickly interpret the state of the vehicle and the driver´s intentions to ensure that the transmission is always in the appropriate gear whether ascending or descending.
The automatic transmission also features a shift lock which stops the gearshift being moved out of the Park position without applying the brake pedal. This safety feature plays a crucial role in preventing roll-away accidents caused if the gearshift is accidentally knocked into the Drive position or into Neutral when the engine is switched off.
High top gear ratios for the automatics - 0.685:1 for the 1.6 engine and 0.712:1 for the 2-litre - cut fuel consumption when cruising and reduce noise levels at high speeds, while low first and second gear ratios provide lively acceleration.
Please note that technical and equipment specifications, as well as options availability for the Cerato LX and EX five-door and four-door models may vary country by country. Please check with your local Kia Distributor for final details and prices.
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