Modern trends in the global automotive industry are fully focused not only on the introduction of innovative technologies, but also on maintaining the production of classic models that were able to combine excellent performance, exquisite design and comfort. This is exactly how the Kia Spectra has proven itself, the characteristics of which, by all accounts, are worthy of real respect.
What is special about the South Korean Kia Spectra? This striking representative of the middle class is a five-seater sedan, which was produced by the Kia Motors automobile concern from 2000 to 2004. After that (from 2004 to 2009) Kia Spectra began to be manufactured, including in Russia (at the IzhAvto plant). During this period, 104, 7 thousand sedans popular in our country were produced by the industrial assembly method.
Interestingly, according to many thematic Internet publications in 2002, this model became the sales leader in the United States, which immediately made it a real “bestseller” all over the world. It is also noteworthy that the Kia Sephia (1993-1998) model was sold in the USA under the Spectra name.
And in Russia, an automobile project for the manufacture of a "Korean" was implemented by the SOK group of companies, which has been producing it since 2004 on the industrial base of the IzhAvto plant. In the period 2009-2010, the production of the Kia Spectra was discontinued there. And only in the middle of 2011, within the framework of IzhAvto's obligations to Kia Motors, an additional 1.7 thousand cars of this model were produced. It is quite obvious that the Kia Motors car was especially popular in our country due to the fact that it was able to combine excellent technical and operational characteristics, stylish design and comfort, as well as a democratic level of prices. The unpretentious nature of the sedan and the simplicity of its maintenance against the background of its attractive appearance and relative cheapness were able to fully win the hearts of Russian motorists.
External design of the model
Obviously, many novice car enthusiasts today, who are going to purchase a vehicle for personal use, first of all pay attention to its external design. And in this case, the exterior of the Kia Spectra immediately attracts special attention among the competitive models in its price segment. Indeed, for its design, the most modern solutions were taken, which is clearly visible even from photographs posted on thematic sites on the Internet. The budget car looks very modern and stylish, which makes it quite popular so far.
The elongated and horizontally elongated body of the Kia Spectra evokes the characteristic feeling that it tends to move forward. And this is not
only symbolic perception. In this case, it has a lot to do with elegance, very harmoniously embodied in the formation of a refined exterior, including the lines of the interior.
In addition to the excellent external perception of Kia Spectra, the analysis of its parameters eloquently indicates that the manufacturer paid special attention to the comfort of passengers and the driver, as well as safety. In comfortable chairs, due to lateral support, it is possible to perfectly match the anatomical characteristics of the human back. In addition, the sufficient distance between the front and rear rows of seats allows passengers in the rear to feel very comfortable.
According to the numerous reviews of motorists, who from their own experience were able to convince themselves of all the advantages of this "Korean", it is clear that the manufacturer has carefully provided for all the practical details in the cabin, which directly affect the convenience and comfort. Practical storage pockets, double cup holders with a secure fit, sun visors and much more clearly indicate that the interior is as modern as possible for this type of vehicle.
World production
The Kia Spectra car model in South Korea was produced during 1999 and 2000 under the Mentor name. After that, its production was transferred to North Africa, where in the period from 2000 to 2004 it was produced in two body modifications: a five-door hatchback and a sedan. It should be noted that, unlike the Russian version of the Kia Spectra, these cars were equipped with a power unit with a volume of 1.8 liters.
And various configurations of the African "Korean" included the following devices:
- high-frequency emitters for mirrors;
- regulators of strokes of glass cleaners;
- armrests;
- Cruise control;
- electric sunroof;
- heated front seats;
- air ducts in the rear of the cabin;
- driver's seat equipped with a height adjustment mechanism and lumbar support;
- air quality control system (AQS);
- wood trim.
At the same time, the Kia Spectra GSX was also produced, which, in terms of its characteristics, was more identical to its predecessor Kia Sephia. And in 2003, the serial production of the Kia Spectra started in North America. Then this model was manufactured in Russia under the name Cerato. In 2006, the new Cerato model went into production. Moreover, in North America, its name has not changed, and for complete identification only the SX nameplate was added.
Specifications
Together with the excellent external performance of the Kia Spectra car and the level of comfort in the cabin, we can confidently talk about the worthy internal "stuffing" of this vehicle. In this context, all the benefits are based on the application of modern technological advances in the field of the automotive industry, which are aimed not only at meeting the needs of the car owner, but also at the overall safety of traffic.
Powertrains Kia Spectra belong to the environmental standard "Euro 3". They have a capacity of 101.5 horsepower and a volume of 1.6 liters. The engine is complemented by a manual five-speed gearbox. Fuel consumption is 6 liters per 100 km when driving on the highway and 10.5 liters when traveling in the city. These characteristics are quite consistent with the level of a decent car for comfortable movement in a large city. In addition, the vibration level when driving on uneven surfaces is automatically damped by the use of a special valve that controls the compression of the front suspension.
This model is equipped with front and rear anti-roll bars, and a modern and efficient braking system is equipped with extended area pads. Test drives have shown that the level of safety for passengers and the driver in the Kia Spectra is at the proper height. In addition, it should be noted the excellent handling of the car, which favorably distinguishes it as a fairly thought out and modified vehicle.
Equipment
Since 2006, the basic equipment of the Kia Spectra consists of the following options:
- folding and split back of the sofa (proportions 2: 3);
- a steering column equipped with vertical adjustment;
- spare wheel - full size;
- central locking;
- hydraulic power steering;
- electric drives for all door windows;
- airbags for the driver and front passenger;
- seat belts with pretensioners;
- audio equipment, which includes two door loudspeakers and two in the rear parcel shelf, as well as a telescopic antenna in the left rear fender.
The complete set of Kia Spectra assembled at the Izhevsk Automobile Plant (production stopped in September 2011) includes the following options:
- standard (HA): manual transmission, basic configuration;
- optimum (HB): manual transmission with air conditioning, electrically adjustable and heated mirrors, front fog lights and wheel caps;
- optimum + (HE): ABS is added to the HB configuration;
- premium (HC): automatic transmission, basic equipment and air conditioning;
- luxury (HD): automatic transmission with air conditioning, heated mirrors, front fog lights, ABS, heated front seats, electric telescopic antenna and wheel caps;
- since the end of 2007, cars have been supplied with alloy wheels.
