2008 KIA SPECTRA AND SPECTRA5

Kia's Compact Entry Offers Class-Leading Safety, Spaciousness and a Host of Standard Features

In an ever-growing and increasingly competitive segment, the Kia Spectra and Spectra5 continue to prove their mettle and gain ground on long-standing class leaders such as the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic. Style, substance and class-leading safety features combined with exceptional value have garnered the Spectra model line numerous awards since being redesigned in 2006. Considered a 2007 'Best Bet' by The Car Book in the Compact category and receiving two distinctions from Edmunds.com ('Consumers Most-Wanted – Wagons under $25,000' and 'Top 10 Cars under $15,000'), the Spectra sedan and five-door will only continue to further impress consumers and media in 2008.

Following Kia's core philosophies of providing value, safety, warranty and fun to the driving experience, the Spectra lineup is available in several trim levels (LX, EX, and SX four-door; SX five-door) and offers a host of standard amenities to appeal to a wide range of consumers.

Polished Performance

Spectra and Spectra5 vehicles are powered by a 2.0-liter DOHC four-cylinder engine, which features Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) and multi-port electronic fuel injection. Producing 138 horsepower and 136 lb.-ft of torque , the Spectra lineup offers a more powerful punch than stable mates Toyota Corolla and Ford Focus. Outfitted with a standard five-speed manual transmission for 2008, the option of an automatic transmission extends to the LX four-door sedan making the electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission available for all trim levels.

Built on a front-wheel-drive unibody frame, standard equipment coil springs and stabilizer bars complement an independent front suspension featuring MacPherson struts and an independent dual link rear suspension to provide the optimal balance of ride comfort and engine responsiveness. An engine-speed-sensitive, power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering system adds the finishing touch for precise handling. In keeping with the sporty essence of the SX model line, a sport-tuned suspension and strut tower bar come standard to offer a tighter grip for more spirited driving.

Stylish Surface

Larger than Kia's entry level Rio, the Spectra lineup personifies a more grown-up exterior body with smooth, clean lines yet hints at the below-the-surface complexity of youthful spirit. All trim levels feature body-color exterior door handles, body side moldings and rear garnishes to create a sleek canvas on which to outfit aggressive subtleties such as clear-lens halogen headlights.

LX and EX models smile at onlookers with a newly designed front grille, which is presented with a sportier blend of black and chrome. SX models are fitted with an aggressive black mesh grille and the addition of fog lights, a wing-type rear spoiler (SX four-door models only), side sills as well as unique front and rear fascias. Sixteen-inch, five-spoke alloy wheels matched with 205/50R16-sized premium tires complete the bold SX look. Fifteen-inch wheels and 195/60R15-sized tires are standard on LX and EX equipped models.

Inviting Interior

High-quality full cloth-trimmed seats are merely quiet echoes to the Spectra and Spectra5's host of standard features that scream behind-the-wheel comfort and convenience. A six-way adjustable driver's seat, tilt steering column, 60/40 split-folding rear seat, rear defroster and dual 12-volt power outlets in the center console are driver-conscious luxuries standard on every vehicle. Music aficionados are not forgotten either with an AM/FM/CD stereo featuring six speakers and an auxiliary audio input jack (new for 2008) for MP3 player connectivity as standard features. EX and SX models offer additional touches such as: power windows and door locks; remote keyless entry; air conditioning; dual front and rear cup holders; and floor mats.

Upgrades for the Spectra and Spectra5 SX models include an interior fashioned with metal-finish trim and sport-cloth seats with matching door panel inserts. A leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather-wrapped gearshift knob, metal sport pedals and cruise control are other standard features. An AM/FM/MP3 stereo with a six-disc in-dash CD changer and a power sunroof also are available as SX-only options.

Comfortably Cavernous

Considered compact by its overall dimensions, small does not equate to the Spectra and Spectra5's true sense of size. With the four-door sedan boasting 97.0 cubic feet of passenger volume and the five-door providing a welcoming 98.1 cubic feet of passenger volume, the Spectra line offers more breathing room than the Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, and Ford Focus. Storage space does not take a backseat either with an ample 12.2 cubic feet of cargo volume available in the Spectra, while 18.3 cubic feet is offered in the Spectra5. When the 60/40-split rear seats are folded flat, storage capacity in the five-door expands to 52.8 cubic feet.

Superior Safety

Earning a five-star frontal crash safety rating by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) , Spectra and Spectra5 provide class-leading safety with an extensive, across-the-board list of standard technology, which includes: dual front advanced airbags, dual front seat-mounted side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, front and rear three-point seatbelts, front seatbelt pretensioners and force limiters; Lower Anchors & Tethers for Children (LATCH), and a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS).

Four-wheel solid disc brakes also are standard on EX and SX models while a four-sensor, four-channel antilock brake system (ABS) is an available option on SX four-door and five-door vehicles.

To complement its standard safety features, the 2008 Spectra and Spectra5 are backed by Kia's comprehensive warranty program, which offers unprecedented consumer protection with a 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, a five-year/60,000-mile limited basic warranty, a five-year/100,000 mile limited anti-perforation warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile 24-hour roadside assistance plan.

Kia Motors America – the sales, marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation in Seoul, South Korea – offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 630 dealers throughout the United States.

by Kia

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 U.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 SUV, 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 SUV'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. 'Using 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 U.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.

Kia is committed to offering consumers the highest levels of safety and value in each of its products, and plans to continue designing and manufacturing vehicles that will support that ideal. New products, including the all-new Spectras, will continue to deliver high safety ratings, helping Kia close the perception gap between today's product and yesterday's image, differentiate from the competition and continue to grow in sales volume and brand recognition.

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.

by Kia