The facelifted Kia Cerato GT hatchback has been revealed for the brand’s home market in South Korea, ahead of an Australian launch in late May or early June.
It’s our first look at the updated Cerato hatch – known in Korea as the K3 – revealed in a bright red finish and with more subtle changes compared to its sedan equivalent.
Headlining the GT’s spec sheet is what’s under the bonnet, a carryover 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol developing 204PS (150kW) at 6000rpm and 265Nm at 1500-4500rpm.
While the powertrain is virtually unchanged, the Korean-market K3 GT picks up new LED headlights, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment display, and Michelin Pilot Sport 4 performance tyres.
Additionally, the K3 GT continues to exclusively offer a more sophisticated multi-link rear suspension system over the standard K3/Cerato’s torsion beam rear.
There’s new driver assistance tech available on the GT as well as core models – including navigation-based adaptive cruise control, lane-following assist, blind-spot assist and safe exit warning.
Non-GT versions of the Korean-market Kia K3/Cerato use a 1.6-litre petrol engine mated to the company’s ‘IVT’ continuously-variable transmission.
Outputs for this engine are 90kW at 6300rpm and 154Nm at 4500rpm. Australia should continue with an updated version of the current 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated petrol with outputs of 112kW/192Nm.
What’s unclear at this stage is whether the Cerato will use the Hyundai i30 Sedan’s 117kW/191Nm 2.0-litre MPi motor with a six-speed conventional auto or move to the Seltos SUV’s 110kW/180Nm 2.0-litre petrol with Kia’s Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT).
The updated 2021 Kia Cerato line-up is scheduled to arrive in local showrooms during late May or early June, debuting the company’s new logo in Australia.
It’s likely the existing four-variant line-up will continue – S, Sport, Sport+ and GT – though final pricing and specifications are still to be confirmed.
CarExpert is waiting to hear back from Kia Australia with more local details, so stay tuned for all the latest.
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