Kia has released renderings of a Los Angeles Motor Show-bound concept that will showcase the upcoming 2013 Cerato.
We’ve seen pictures of the 2013 Kia Ceed, which gave us some indication of how the new Cerato would pan out, but now the Korean carmaker’s PR division has released a pair of sketches teasing the car ahead of its official debut.
The sketches show a more smooth-skinned and mature approach to Kia’s normally more aggressive design language and may hint at the company adopting new aesthetic stance, much like Hyundai’s recent announcement that it is evolving its approach to styling cars in what it terms “Fluidic precision.”
Stylistically, the 2013 Cerato features a more purposeful stance accentuated by a rising beltline, narrow glazing, sculpted flanks and a more coupe-like profile. The front end still features the company’s signature ‘Tiger nose’ grille treatment flanked by swept-back headlamps with what look like eyelid elements at their apexes.
At present there hasn’t been any indication of a coupe model joining the 2013 Cerato line-up, but given the positive reaction that the current coupe’s styling garnered from many spheres, it’s a model that would translate very well into this new styling direction.
The engine line-up has not yet been confirmed, but there are suggestions that the new Cerato could either utilise a revised version of the current 2,0-litre petrol unit, or possibly will dispense with that engine in favour of a direct-injection 1,6-litre petrol unit similar to that featured in the Hyundai Veloster.
The 2013 Cerato will make its official debut at this year’s Los Angeles Motor Show at the end of November with global sales commencing early next year.