Koup times two

KIA will reposition its two-door Cerato Koup in January by adding a new SLS premium model and by decreasing price and specification of the Koup SLi.

The new two-tier line-up will also arrive with important upgrades and refinements recently introduced to new Cerato Hatchback, such as six-speed transmissions, electric power steering and local suspension tune.

The new premium model, the Cerato Koup SLS, will feature leather interior, power glass sunroof, LED tail-lights, metal-look interior finish, electro-chromatic rear-vision mirror and chrome-coloured door handles.

The SLS also takes the trip computer, rear parking sensors, climate control and 17-inch alloy wheels that are standard in the outgoing MY2010 Koup SLi – but are not included in the revamped MY2011 Koup SLi, leaving it with manual air-conditioning and 16-inch alloy wheels.

Both models will feature the six-speed manual transmission (with the six-speed auto option, which will include steering wheel-mounted paddle-shifters), electric power steering, Australian tuning for dampers, springs, sway bars and steering, Bluetooth and a folding ignition key fob (in place of the current separate remote).

While SLi buyers lose some features, they will gain on pricing for the relatively no-frills MY2011 SLi, as the new entry-level Koup will be $700 cheaper as a manual and $500 less for the auto.

The Cerato Koup does not represent big volume for Kia, but has already exceeded sales expectations for 2010. At launch last year, Kia executives were hoping for around 800-900 sales per annum and it has already sold 937 units to the end of September.

2011 Kia Cerato Kouppricing:
SLi	$22,990
SLi (a)	$25,190
SLS	$26,990
SLS (a)	$29,190