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A A Bin Hindi, the sole distributor for Kia Motors in Bahrain, has launched the new 2009 Kia Cerato at its showroom in Khamis.
The sedan features a creative and sporty design boasting advanced technology aimed at bringing together quality, luxury, and convenience for drivers and passengers.
Its design reflects a futuristic vision for Kia vehicles and is powered by 1.6L and 2.0L engine versions, which according to Mohammed bin Hindi, general manager of A A Bin Hindi, shows the car manufacturer's new direction. "Kia is now more focused on the quality of cars than just the price range," he said.
Kia Motors, a subsidiary of Hyundai Kia Automotive Group, is South Korea's second largest automobile manufacturer.
Its designers and engineers concentrated on key areas while developing the new look Cerato including styling, performance, fuel economy, handling balance, cabin comfort and overall safety alongside the introduction of new technologies and maintained functionality.
The car is available with a choice of manual or automatic transmissions, offering a varied selection of exterior and interior colours, a broad choice of equipment and trim levels and a vast range of factory-fitted optional extras.
With its shorter front overhang, chiseled surface composition, wedge profile and crisp trunk contours, the 4.5-metre long Cerato's sharp exterior styling aims to convey a powerful and dynamic image that exudes speed.
Company officials explain that they are certain the Cerato's interior will please customers with its generous proportions, two-tier dashboard design, high-quality fit, discreet metal-finish accents and high-tech features.
Customers will be offered a choice of three equipment levels - LX, EX and SX - plus a wide range of options.
It is equipped with a four-speaker audio system (four door speakers) and offers the option of a six-speaker audio system (two dash-top tweeters and four door speakers), plus a choice of three radio/CD players and the option of MP3 and iPod connectivity. Remote controls for the audio system are mounted on the steering wheel.
For maximum versatility when accommodating people and cargo, the Cerato's rear seat backrest is split 60/40 and folds almost flat to extend available trunk space, an increase by 17 per cent on the previous model.
The new car has also concentrated on maximising the vehicle's refinement and minimising noise and vibration.
Kia's new Cerato is available with a choice of two DOHC four-cylinder petrol engines featuring CVVT (continuously variable valve timing) and four valves per cylinder.
Both engines feature all aluminum construction and are offered with a choice of either manual or automatic transmission.
It also features a dashboard mounted engine, Start/Stop button and Smart Key technology.
Kia Motors says it is determined to achieve the highest levels of 'active' and 'passive' safety for people using its products.
Active safety technologies include ESC (electronic stability control), RPAS (rear parking assist system). In addition, ABS (anti-lock braking system), CBC (Cornering Brake Control) which monitors and adjusts brake-force distribution left/right during violent evasive manoeuvres and EBD (Electronic Brake-force Distribution).
The Cerato can be equipped with up to six airbags as standard - depending on the market, including dual front airbags, dual front side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags (linked to rollover sensors as well as impact sensors) offering head protection to all occupants.
The on-road price for a standard model is BD5,500 and the fully loaded model is BD6,800. For more information on all Kia models, contact the Kia showroom in Ma'ameer on 17702560, Manama showroom on 17408000 or log on to the website www.binhindi.com
