2005 Kia Spectra

All-New Spectra and Spectra5 are Latest Chapters In Kia Safety Story

Completely Redesigned Compact Sedan and Five-Door Hatchback Continue the Automaker's Commitment to Offer Class-Leading Safety Features In Each of its Vehicles
In just a few short years, Kia Motors America (KMA) has delivered on a promise to offer Ú.S. consumers high-quality, competitively priced vehicles that are packed with an impressive array of safety equipment. New generation products such as the Sedona minivan, the Sorento mid-size SÚV, the Amanti large premium sedan, as well as the upcoming all-new 2004 LD Spectra? compact sedan and 2005 Spectra5 hatchback, are confirmation that the Kia brand is an excellent choice for car buyers who place a high priority on safety.

Kia's safety legacy began in 2002 when the Sedona became the company's first vehicle to receive a five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The Sedona was one of just four minivans to be awarded five-star ratings in both frontal and side impact crash tests for the 2003 model year. Meanwhile, the Sorento was one of only three new SÚV's in 2003 to be awarded the federal government's highest safety rating of five-stars in side impact crash tests administered by NHTSA.

Following on the heels of the strong safety ratings garnered by Sedona and Sorento, last year Kia launched the Amanti premium sedan with an unprecedented level of safety for a vehicle in its class, featuring eight supplemental restraints, including full-length side curtain airbags, anti-lock brakes, anti-pinch windows and active front headrests.

Today, Kia is preparing to launch the next-generation Spectra and Spectra5, vehicles that will further support Kia's growing reputation as a company that places an emphasis on safety in all aspects of its product design.

Available as a four-door sedan in two trim levels, LX and EX, and the Spectra5 hatchback, the all-new Spectra was completely redesigned from the ground up and comes equipped with a list of standard and available safety features that will make it stand out from the crowd in a hotly competitive compact-car market.

'The new Spectra sedan and hatchback will exceed expectations with their high levels of quality and class-leading array of safety features not traditionally found in the compact segment,' said Peter M. Butterfield, president and chief executive officer, Kia Motors America. 'Úsing safety as an accelerator, Kia's goal over the next few years is to become the first manufacturer to offer side curtain airbags as standard equipment on all of our models and we are making huge strides toward that objective.'

The all-new Spectra offers six standard airbags, including full-length side curtain airbags, dual front seat-mounted side airbags, and dual advanced front airbags. The Spectra sedan will be the lowest-priced vehicle in its segment with standard full-length side curtain air bags, as well as the lowest priced car in the Ú.S. to offer this feature as standard equipment.

To ensure that the front air bags are deployed properly, sensors controlling the front supplemental restraints determine whether the seat belt is buckled and gauge the severity of a frontal impact before deployment. An additional occupant sensor for the front passenger seat measures factors such as seat position and passenger weight for the safe airbag operation.

Each new Spectra comes equipped with standard four-wheel disc brakes – a rarity in this class. The 2004 Spectra can be equipped with anti-lock brakes as optional equipment on the EX trim level and the Spectra5 five-door

Other safety features include: front seatbelt pre-tensioners and force limiters, 3-point seatbelts for all five seating positions, Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) and child safety door latches.



The Spectra sedan and Spectra5 are built in Hwasung, South Korea. While the four-door can be seen in showrooms now, the Spectra5 five-door model will be available later this summer. The all-new Spectra compact sedan has a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) starting at $12,620.

Kia Motors America, the Ú.S. sales, marketing and service arm of Kia Motors Corp. in Seoul, South Korea, offers a full line-up of vehicles, including: Rio subcompact sedan and Rio Cinco wagon; 4-door and 5-door Spectra compact sedans; Optima midsize sedan; Sorento midsize SÚV; Sedona minivan; and Amanti large premium sedan. (concept carz)

Source - Kia

Kia Adds Spectra5 Sport Tuning to Spectra Sedan

Spectra SX Is Most Recent Addition To The New Spectra Lineup
When Kia Motors America (KMA) introduced the all-new Spectra5 five-door last year, it was billed as 'the sportiest Kia ever.' Today, the Spectra5 shares that title with the newest addition to the growing Kia product portfolio, the 2005 Spectra SX sedan, which shares the sport-tuned suspension and aggressive styling elements of the Spectra5.

Following in the footsteps of its five-door sibling, the new Spectra SX is highlighted by a sport-tuned, four-wheel independent suspension, which has been tuned with specific spring and shock rates, bushings and larger stabilizer bars, and 16-inch wheels and tires for better steering response and turn-in. Front and rear stabilizer bars are standard on all Spectra models, a rarity in the compact class, and aiding handling is a precise rack-and-pinion steering system equipped with engine-speed-sensitive power assist.

Additional equipment includes a strut tower bar (M/T models only) for a stiffer chassis and better handling, rear spoiler, fog lights, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob with perforated leather, sport fabric on the seats and door panels and metal-finish trim throughout the interior, including metal pedals.

'The Spectra SX is the latest example of our company's commitment to offer well-built, high-value vehicles that are fun to drive,' said Peter M. Butterfield, president and chief executive officer, Kia Motors America. 'The Spectra SX was designed to stand out from the crowd and provide a level of driving excitement not found on previous Kia sedans.'

Incorporating continuously variable valve timing (CVVT) and multi-port fuel injection, the Spectra SX is powered by a new 2.0-liter DOHC engine that produces 138 horsepower and 135 lb.-ft. of torque. A smooth-shifting five-speed manual transmission is standard, while an electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission is available as an option.

In addition to metal pedals and new sport fabrics, the Spectra SX offers an impressive list of standard features including: air conditioning, AM/FM/CD audio system with six speakers, power windows, power door locks with remote keyless entry, power heated outside mirrors, and a height-adjustable steering column. Optional equipment includes cruise control, sunroof and ABS brakes.

Pricing for the 2005 Spectra SX starts at $15,250 for the five-speed manual and $16,225 for the four-speed automatic.

Like all vehicles sold by Kia Motors America, the Spectra SX is covered by Kia's 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty. Available in three trim levels - LX, EX and SX - all Spectra models are built at Kia's Hwasung manufacturing facility in South Korea.

Source - Kia

Kia Spectra5 Named One of the 'Top 10 Coolest Cars Under $18,000' by Kelly Blue Book

All-New Sport Hatch Delivers Cool Personality In A Stylish, Affordable Package

Kia Motors America's 2005 Spectra5 five-door was named one of the 'Top 10 Coolest Cars Únder $18,000' (www.kbb.com/cool) by Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com editors. Based on the expert opinions of the Kelley Blue Book editorial team, selection was based on price, design, style and performance as well as extensive research and test drives of vehicles selling at or below $18,000 during the week of April 18, 2005.

'This new-for-05 Spectra offers station wagon-like versatility and space in an inexpensive-to-buy and reasonable-to-maintain package,' said kbb.com editors. 'The big plus is its lengthy warranty coverage.'

With a starting MSRP of $15,250, the all-new five-door comes equipped with many features including a sport-tuned four-wheel independent suspension with gas pressurized shocks, front and rear stabilizer bars, 16-inch wheels and low-profile 205/50 Goodyear RS-A tires and a front strut tower bar* – the first ever on a Kia.

The Spectra5 also contains sporty design touches such as front and rear spoilers, side sills, rear valence, fog lights, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob with perforated leather, sport fabric on the seats and door panels and metallic finish trim throughout the interior, including metal pedals. It is powered by a new 2.0-liter 16-valve DOHC engine incorporating continuously variable valve timing (CVVT) and multi-port fuel injection to produce 138-horsepower and 136 lbs.-ft of torque**.

'We're ecstatic that Kelley Blue Book has named the 2005 Spectra5 to its exclusive list of ‘cool' cars under $18,000,' said Kia Motors America president and CEO Peter M. Butterfield. 'This reaffirms our belief that Spectra5 delivers style, performance, safety features and value to our customers. And to make sporty driving fun for sedan lovers, we've just introduced the new Spectra SX, which has all the special features of the '5' added to the sedan, including sport-tuned suspension, interior tweaks and body kit,' added Butterfield.

Like all Kia vehicles, the Spectra5 is covered by a 10-year or 100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty.

About Kia Motors America

Kia Motors America is the Ú.S. sales, marketing and service arm of Kia Motors Corp. in Seoul, Korea. The full line of Kia models including the Sorento midsize SÚV, Sedona minivan, Amanti premium large sedan, Optima midsize sedan, Sportage compact SÚV, Spectra compact sedan and Spectra5 hatchback as well as the Rio subcompact sedan and Rio Cinco five-door wagon are available at more than 600 retailers nationwide.

About Kelley Blue Book

Source - Kia

Kia Announces Pricing for All-New 2005 Spectra5

Sport-Tuned, Feature-Packed 5-Door Combines A Highly Competitive Price With Class-Leading Standard Safety Features, Interior Volume
Kia Motors America (KMA) announced pricing for the all-new 2005 Spectra5 five-door hatchback today with a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) starting at $14,995 . The all-new, 'sport-tuned' and aggressively styled Spectra5 arrives at Kia dealerships across the country later this month. The destination charge will be $540 per vehicle.

'Featuring a sport-calibrated suspension and class leading safety equipment, the Spectra5 adds another key dimension to our brand as we continue to grow,' said Peter M. Butterfield, president, Kia Motors America. 'Combine these key attributes with an aggressively priced vehicle and we are confident it will stand out from the crowd and meet the needs of our young, active target audience.'



Building on the fundamentals of its highly regarded sedan sibling, the Spectra5 features class-leading safety equipment and offers best-in-class passenger room at 98.1 cubic feet, larger than its key competitors, the Mazda3, Ford Focus ZX5 and Toyota Matrix. The Spectra5 comes equipped with six airbags, including dual advanced front and front seat-mounted side air bags, and full-length side curtain airbags. A new aluminum block, 2.0-liter 16-valve DOHC engine incorporates continuously variable valve timing (CVVT) and multi-port fuel injection to produce 138-horsepower and 136 lbs.-ft of torque.

Available in a single trim level, the Spectra5 offers an impressive list of standard features including: air conditioning, AM/FM/CD audio system with six speakers, power windows, power door locks with remote keyless entry, power heated outside mirrors, rear wiper/washer, and a height-adjustable steering column. Inside, modern forms and a two-tone color scheme create a clean, integrated look to complement the Spectra5's sport cloth seats and metallic finished trim on the center stack and around the door handles.

Source - Kia