UPDATED: More spy photographs showing the Chinese-specification Kia Cerato/K3’s interior have been discovered. The shots show a more conservative design compared with the Cee’d, and looks like a more natural evoluation from what we have in the current Cerato.
PREVIOUS STORY: Though Kia’s current-generation Cerato has hardly been around forever, this Korean brand is on such a rapid expansion drive that South Africa will likely see an all-new model by the end of this year.
As these renderings and spy images suggest, the new model features the next evolution of ace designer Peter Schreyer’s trademark style language, as it was recently shown for the first time on the K9 luxury car and new European-market C’eed. Overall, the lines are softer… less chunky.
It would also appear that the Cerato (or Forte/K3 as it is known elsewhere), will move closer to the C’eed in overall design, potentially to the point where the C’eed could be the new Cerato five-door hatch. Certainly, it would appear that much of the front-end and interior are similar.
Little technical detail is known at this stage, but like Hyundai, we know the Koreans are eager to bring their latest-generation 1,6-litre GDI direct-injection engines to South Africa. The new Cerato will battle the likes of Toyota ageing Corolla, the Cerato’s smash-hit cousin, the Hyundai Elantra, and the Chevrolet Cruze.
At this stage there is no sign of a new Kia Cerato Koup.