Korean manufacturers aren’t renowned as producers of sports cars. Over the past 20 years, and especially during the previous decade, Kia has focused on well-packaged volume products that offer great value for money. It’s succeeded admirably, but where could it improve?
In June 2010, CAR tested the first-generation Cerato Koup, the company’s maiden attempt at a sports coupé. While impressively made and beautifully designed, that first version was a case of “close but no cigar”. However, last month we tested the sedan version of that vehicle’s successor and were left thoroughly impressed (so much so that it fought offsome formidable rivals).
Taking its cue from its hatchback and sedan siblings, the all-new Koup derivative represents a marked aesthetic improvement over its two-door predecessor. And that is a major plus in itself, because the previous-generation Koup’s sharp angles and straight edges lent the Korean contender an air of sportiness that little else at the asking price of just over R200 000 could match.
The new Koup still looks handsome, but the rounded edges and increased dimensions (this model is taller, wider and longer by comparison) endow it with a grown-up appearance. The bumpers have been puffed slightly, and instead of the narrow head- and taillamps that did service before, the Koup has adopted more bulbous lighting elements. On closer inspection, small details such as the narrower tiger-nose grille and carbon-look detailing on the bumper and wide airdam, which is split by a carbon-look crossbeam, create a significantly more aggressive expression than those of ordinary Ceratos. Frameless doors, gloss black mirrors and multi-spoke 18-inch alloys are hallmarks of the Koup’s profile, while at the rear the same carbon-look detailing features on the diffuser, as do dual exhaust tailpipes.
The Koup also boasts a similar cabin to those of the recently launched sedan and hatchback Ceratos – with perceived quality that some members of the CAR team described as “best to come out of Korea”. The grades of plastic feel substantial and even the faux-carbon trim that lines the outline of the facia (and even the front seats) is smart. The front chairs are quite large and have soft bolsters that allow even larger-framed occupants to find a comfortable seating position with ease. Some team members remarked, however, that the driver’s seat doesn’t drop low enough.
Both driver and front passenger benefit from safetybelt extenders that pivot from the B-pillars. Should access to the rear bench be required, the extenders can be swivelled back to make ingress easy. Some taller members of CAR’s test panel successfully performed the sit-behind-self tests with comfort thanks to the generous legroom afforded aft of the front seats and the rear bench being situated as close to the rear as the Koup’s sloping roofline allows. The configuration is slightly detrimental to luggage room, which is less than you’d expect judging by the substantial rump.
To many, the biggest news around the introduction of the new Koup is the debut of Kia’s first turbocharged petrol engine. One of the biggest criticisms of the normally aspirated 2,0-litre four-cylinder in the Koup’s predecessor was that its performance didn’t live up to the vehicle’s extroverted looks. The new motor with direct injection produces a handy 152 kW at 6 000 r/min and 265 N.m of torque from 1 750 r/min to 4 500. A marked improvement in the Koup’s mid-range punch, which allows swift overtaking at a flex of the right-side foot (instead of gearing down as was required before), is mmediately apparent. On the test strip (with engine speed hovering round the 3 000 r/min mark before take-off), the Koup accelerated from to 100 km/h in 8,56 seconds – which is just under a second short of what Kia claims for the benchmark sprint.
Unfortunately, the short gearing of the six-speed manual gearbox doesn’t allow the Koup to reach triple digits in second gear, therefore wasting valuable time with a further gear change. But this Kia isn’t an uncompromising sportscar – it simply has enough grunt to make the daily commute and the occasional weekend blast more exciting. It’s barely perceptible when the motor comes into boost, so the power delivery is fairly linear and there’s enough torque low-down to allow for 60 km/h cruising in sixth gear. We also managed an average of just 8,2 litres/100 km on our standard fuel-run test – bettering the CAR fuel index by almost half a litre.
Something that blighted the team’s experience is that the clutch felt too light to modulate properly. Next to full-bore dumping of the clutch, the best way to manage a quick getaway is to slip the clutch slightly (which could result in wear in the long run). If you don’t, the Koup is prone to stalling. Once you get going, it is fun to stir the Koup’s manual gearbox, which is characterised by short throws and positive shift action, and feels pleasing thanks to a stubby gearlever, while the metal-covered pedals are also quite inviting to dance on. The MacPherson-strut front and torsion-beam rear suspension setup is similar to that of more humdrum Ceratos, meaning it has a firm but wellcontrolled ride.
However, the wide 225/40 Nexen rubber that wraps the 18-inch alloys shrieks with minimal provocation. In an attempt to engender further driving pleasure, Kia added three modes to the Koup’s electric power-steering system. While the setup feels suitably weighty at urban speeds, it’s artificially heavy at parking pace, exactly where it should be much lighter. We see no advantage to this system over a well-developed setup with a single default setting.
Otherwise, the Koup offers neutral handling, with predictable understeer that can easily be corrected.
Test Summary
The new Cerato Koup is a likeable product from a manufacturer that’s needed an evocative vehicle which would capture the imaginations of spirited motorists. The Koup shouldn’t be mistaken for a performance vehicle, though, or as an alternative to a C-segment hot hatch. Instead, think of it as a grand tourer for the average man. It’s got just enough oomph, looks good and provides features that some rivals can’t match at this price point.
