Kia Motors, an automobile concern from South Korea, is pursuing a balanced technical policy. The company is consistently expanding its presence in the global market. The updated Kia Serato model is in demand among Russian motorists.
Approval concept
Every tire fitter knows that a tough competitive environment has developed in the automotive market in Russia. Over the past three decades, significant changes have taken place here. The South Korean company Kia Motors has built a clear strategy in marketing and technology. The Kia-Cerato illustrates this approach. Following the approaches and algorithms of car companies from America, Europe and Japan, the Koreans outlined their development plan. For the layout of the plan, it was required to process huge layers of information, conduct research and development work.
After lengthy and detailed testing, top managers determined that the car should have the following characteristics:
· High reliability;
· Safety;
· Profitability.
At the same time, the potential owner must be provided with the widest possible choice. For this, a set of additional options is formed. The MTBF must correspond to the data contained in the vehicle passport. To ensure the undertaken obligations, the company creates a network of service centers in the territory of the importing country.
Models of the first generation Kia-Serato appeared on the market in 2003. The car was sold in Australia, Brazil, the countries of the European Union, Russia and the USA. It is interesting to note that at that time in cars for Russia there was no option for heated seats. Within a few months, this oversight was eliminated. Since March 2009, Russian drivers have been able to buy the second generation Cerate. The car has slightly changed its appearance. The body has become 3 cm longer and 4 cm wider. The design of the rear suspension has been significantly changed.
The third generation of Kia-Serato 2013-2016 was already produced at a Russian enterprise. From that moment on, people living within the Russian Federation were able to purchase a popular car in the same configuration as in Australia or the United States. It is important to note that the updated design of the car was developed in the American branch of the Kia Motors company. Currently, the designers are working on the next version of the vehicle, fully adapted to local operating conditions.
Engine and chassis
A detailed description of each Kia-Serato model is given in the instruction manual. The owner receives this instruction after purchasing the machine. Before going to a car dealership, it is useful for a potential buyer to see not only bright photos of the car. You need to know that the third generation models are equipped with a gasoline engine of two modifications. The first with a volume of 1.6 liters and a capacity of 130 hp. The second is 2.0 liters and 150 hp.
Fuel consumption in the first version is 7.5 liters in urban conditions. On the highway, this figure is reduced by one liter. A more powerful engine "requires" from 8.5 liters in the city and 7.5 on the highway. There is no particular need to install a powerful engine on a light car. In this case, the company is trying to find a suitable motor for the total cost of the car. It follows from this approach that the more powerful the engine, the higher the price of the model.
As practice shows, in Russian conditions, not very high-quality gasoline is still found at gas stations. Safety experts recommend filling the fuel somewhere at the same gas station. A five-speed manual gearbox is installed with a lower engine power. For a larger engine, a four-speed automatic transmission is provided. Front and rear disc brakes.
Comfort of the car
Requirements for the comfort of the passenger compartment and ergonomic parameters are the highest today. The driver and passengers want to feel comfortable and at ease while driving. The kia cerato salon is designed taking into account all the capabilities and functions currently available. The steering column, adjustable in height and reach, allows the driver to lock it in the optimal position for himself. The power steering makes driving much easier.
The tire pressure sensor signals an imbalance that has occurred. Electric windows on all doors make it easy to adjust the convection flow in the passenger compartment. Air conditioning allows you to create a suitable atmosphere inside, no matter what the weather is outside. There is another important option - there is a heating system for the front seats. It is possible that in future versions this function will be extended to the rear seats.
The cabin has a standard audio system of four speakers - two on the front doors, and two on the rear shelf. The front seats have soft head restraints. When the need arises to increase the volume of the trunk, the rear seats fold down easily. In this position, the volume of usable space is 500 liters.
Safety system
Already in the basic configuration of the Kia-Serato, the vehicle security system is built taking into account the main factors that pose a threat to the vehicle and people. Central locking is the first line of defense against unauthorized entry into the salon. When driving, the rear doors are locked. This is important in cases where children or elderly citizens are in the car. Traction control system prevents the car from skidding when driving on slippery roads. The ABS mechanism redistributes the load on the wheels during emergency braking.
On the third generation model, pneumatic airbags are installed for both the driver and all passengers. The pillows are deployed in a frontal or side impact. The seat belts are pretensioned. When driving, the driver and passengers must always wear seat belts. If you neglect this rule, then when the airbags are deployed, they turn into a source of injury. To facilitate driving in low visibility conditions, Cerato has two parking sensors - in front and behind. These devices allow the driver to carefully park the car in a small area.
Driving in heavy traffic, the driver is unable to track the situation in the so-called "blind spots". A special monitoring system warns the driver of the presence of obstacles in these areas. The Era-GLANAS electronic communication device provides reliable communication with the emergency service operator.
Options and prices
Responsible car owners, before purchasing a vehicle, carefully choose a set of options that will appear at their disposal. At the moment, the basic configuration "Standard" and the extended "Comfort" are in demand. Practice shows that the basic equipment is quite enough for residents of large and medium-sized cities. All the necessary options are presented in it. The cost of a car starts from 1 million 100 thousand rubles.
The price of a car in the "Comfort" configuration is from 1 million 400 thousand rubles. In this version, the vehicle is equipped with an on-board computer, automatic climate control, traction control system. If we objectively compare these options, then the increase in price is justified by additional functions that facilitate the operation of the car.
