2015 Kia Cerato Koup Turbo Previewed @ 1 Utama, Est. From RM150k

Liked what you saw from the 2015 Hyundai Veloster Turbo? Well, Naza Kia Malaysia has duly responded with its own turbocharged coupe, in the form of the 2015 Kia Cerato Koup Turbo.

Yes, folks, stop rubbing your eyes, the Cerato Koup Turbo is actually here to take over from the long-gone Forte Koup 2.0L, and will be headed to a showroom near you. Naza Kia Malaysia has confirmed that the car will be launched in Malaysia very, very soon, and has given it an estimated price of RM150k – a price that’s highly likely to undercut the Veloster Turbo’s starting price of RM153k.

*Read our Quick Review of the Cerato Koup Turbo here

Performance:

Powered by a similar 1.6-litre T-GDI (turbo-gasoline direct injection) from its Hyundai cousin, the Kia Cerato Koup Turbo does however make more power, being rated for 204PS and 265Nm of torque, leaving it with an officially top speed of 222km/h, and a 0-100km/h sprint in 7.4 seconds.

Unlike the local-spec Veloster Turbo, the Cerato is equipped with a standard six-speed torque converter automatic transmission – the same kind you get from a regular Kia Cerato in Malaysia.

Speaking to Naza Kia Malaysia’s team, we understand that the Cerato Koup does also benefit from larger brakes and a reworked suspension, in line with Koup Turbo’s athletic nature.

KEY SPECS: 2015 Kia Cerato Koup Turbo 1.6 T-GDI

• Price: RM150k estimated
• Engine: GAMMA 1.6-litre T-GDI (Turbo Gasoline Direct Injection)
• Transmission: Six-speed torque converter automatic
• Power: 204PS @ 6,000rpm
• Torque: 265Nm @ 1,750 to 4,500rpm
• 0-100km/h: 7.4 seconds
• Top speed: 222km/h

Exterior Styling:

The Veloster of course has one extra door for rear passengers, courtesy of its 2+1 configuration, whereas the Cerato Koup features a full-on coupe body style, with just two doors, slooping roofline, and frameless doors.

Anyhow, the Cerato Koup introduces a much newer exterior design language from Kia, with its narrower signature ‘Tiger Nose’ grille, and large front bumper-grille combo with redesigned fog lamps. HID projector headlamps with LED daytime running lights are specified as standard.

Other key traits about the vehicles exterior include 18-inch alloy wheels in a five, twin split-spoke design, an electric-powered sunroof, a sporty rear diffuser, a boot-lid spoiler, and twin exhaust tailpipes.

Interior Design:

A quick glance at the dashboard reveals nearly no changes between this and your regular Cerato. However, with all four-door Cerato variants recently moving on to feature eight-inch LCD touchscreens, it looks like the new Koup has settled for the older two-DIN 4.3-inch touchscreen LCD with rear-view camera display.

Elsewhere, the front seats are a combination of leather and fabric upholstery, while the rear seats are fully wrapped in perforated leather. The steering wheel features the same cruise control, audio and Bluetooth control buttons, with of course the company’s Flex Steer button, which lets you choose from three different steering weights: Sport, Normal, Comfort.

Apart from the accommodation of lengthier doors and redesigned rear seat access, the Kia Cerato Koup remains largely identical to the regular Cerato in the inside.

But speaking of its new coupe accommodations, Kia has included various comfort items such as the seat-belt extenders for front drivers (something every coupe driver will appreciate), and as we’ll elaborate on in the review section of this article, rear passengers really have a lot to appreciate in the back.

Safety features:

Typically generous with its list of active and passive safety features, Naza Kia Malaysia has equipped their Koup Turbo with as much goodies as its normally-aspirated siblings feature.

Six airbags, ABS, EBD and Brake Assist are a given, further bolstered by Kia’s enveloping Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) umbrella, of which includes: Electronic Stability Control, Traction Control, Hill-Start Assist, Speed Sensing Auto Door Lock and Impact Sensing Auto Door Unlock.