Enhancements Inside and Out Improve Sporty Compact Sedan and Five-Door
10/31/2006
Kia
For 2007, the Kia Spectra compact sedan and Spectra5 five-door enter their fourth year on the market by offering exterior and interior upgrades to all trim lines (LX, EX, SX and Spectra5 SX five-door). Both vehicles continue to offer sporty styling, class-leading safety and a plethora of standard features all at a tremendous value.
In 2006, Spectra was named the "Most Delightful Vehicle of 2005" by Strategic Vision in the Small Car Segment, a Consumer Guide "Recommended Buy" and a "Best Buy" by Consumers Digest. Spectra also was named one of the "Greenest Cars for 2006" by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE). In the 2005 J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study (IQS), the Spectra sedan was ranked second in the Compact Sedan Segment, with a better IQS score than its key competitors, including the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Ford Focus and Mazda3. The Spectra sedan also received Consumers Digest's coveted "Best Buy" award in 2005, and the Spectra5 was named one of the "10 Coolest Cars Under $18,000" by Kelley Blue Book.
Available as a four-door sedan in three trim levels - LX, EX and sport-tuned SX - or as the Spectra5 SX five-door, the Spectra model lineup continues to offer a comprehensive list of standard and available safety features that make it stand out from the crowd in a hotly competitive compact-car market.
The Spectra SX sedan and Spectra5 SX five-door are the sporty image leaders for the Spectra lineup and feature class-leading safety equipment, a sport-tuned, four-wheel independent suspension and newly designed 16-inch wheels and tires for better steering response and handling. Other standard features include cruise control, a strut tower bar for a stiffer chassis and better turn-in, and sporty design touches such as unique front and rear fascias and fog lights. Standard enhancements inside the cabin include a new black interior with sport fabric seats and door panels, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob with perforated leather, metal-finish trim throughout the interior and metal pedals.
The Spectra and Spectra5 SX follow Kia's brand philosophy of offering best-in-class safety equipment, with the use of six standard airbags, including dual advanced front air bags, front seat-mounted side airbags, and full-length side curtain airbags. Four-wheel disc brakes and a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) are standard on all Spectra models, with four-sensor, four-channel anti-lock brakes available as optional equipment for the Spectra SX and Spectra5 SX models
Additional safety features include: an impact-absorbing steering column, front seatbelt pre-tensioners and force limiters, three-point seatbelts for all five seating positions, Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) and child safety door latches.
Spectra offers one of the roomiest interiors in its class with 97 cubic feet for the sedan and 98.1 cubic feet for Spectra5 SX. When it comes to cargo capacity, Spectra5 SX offers 18.3 cubic feet while the Spectra sedan's large trunk offers 12.2 cubic feet of storage space.
Incorporating Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) and multi-port fuel injection, the Spectra and Spectra5 SX are powered by a 2.0-liter DOHC engine that produces 138 horsepower and 136 lb.-ft. of torque¹. A five-speed manual transmission is standard, while an improved electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission is available as an option on EX, SX and Specrta5 SX.
Spectra's suspension layout uses MacPherson struts in front and a multi-link design in the rear, and was carefully tuned to achieve the optimum balance between a comfortable ride and responsive handling. Front and rear stabilizer bars are standard on all Spectra models and handling is aided by a precise rack-and-pinion steering system equipped with engine-speed-sensitive power assist.
A sport-tuned four-wheel independent suspension provides both the Spectra SX and the Spectra5 SX with an athletic stance, while a strut tower bar provides additional torsional rigidity for better handling and quicker turn-in.
Like all of Kia's vehicles, each model features an impressive list of standard features inside and out, including: auto-off headlights, AM/FM/CD audio system with six speakers including door-mounted tweeters, height adjustable steering column, tachometer, six-way adjustable driver's seat, digital clock, dual 12-volt power outlets in the center console, height-adjustable front seat belt anchors, tinted glass, rear window defroster and dual map lights with sunglasses holder.
The Spectra EX, SX and Spectra5 SX models also offer such standard equipment as air conditioning, power windows, power door locks with remote keyless entry and dual body-color heated power outside mirrors. Optional equipment includes a four-speed automatic transmission with overdrive, cruise control, rear spoiler and a body kit that adds a front spoiler and rear valence.
Like all Kia models, Spectra and Spectra5 SX are covered by Kia's comprehensive warranty program, which offers unprecedented consumer protection. Included in the package are a 10-year or 100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, a five-year or 60,000-mile limited basic warranty and a five-year or 100,000-mile anti-perforation warranty. A five-year/60,000-mile roadside assistance plan is also part of the comprehensive coverage program.
Kia Motors America - the sales, marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corp. in Seoul, South Korea - offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 630 dealers throughout the United States. For more information visit www.kiamedia.com
¹ 132-hp and 133 lb.-ft. of torque for SULEV engine on A/T models in CA, MA, ME, NY and VT.