Detroit show: Extra Kia Cerato facelift revealed

KIA has pulled the covers from its facelifted Cerato hatchback at the North American International Auto Show revealing a second, sportier looking version, alongside the four-door sedan that was revealed in South Korea in November last year.

While the sedan embraces a more conservative and milder update, the freshly revealed hatchback is clearly targeting a different audience with larger airvents, muscular front bumper, sharpened and more pronounced splitter, bigger wheels and a red flash.

The South Korean car-maker is yet to officially confirm which versions of the Cerato are destined for the Australian market, but it is understood that the version recently revealed in Detroit is close to what will be offered Down Under.

Like the sedan, the hatchback will come as standard with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine but it is not known if the hatch will get a sportier version compared with the four-door's more frugal focused Atkinson cycle engine which replaces the previous 1.8-litre unit.

For American customers wanting extra punch, the SX hatchback will be offered with a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-pot and the option to pair it with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. A six-speed manual gearbox is the standard offering.

In the United States market the hatch will also be available in entry-level LX and mid-range EX levels of specification, although the Australian versions are likely to retain their S, S Premium, Si and SLi variant names when the facelifted Cerato arrives early 2016.

Along with its new look, the hatch introduces new technology for the popular small car, with keyless entry, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and lane-change assistance available optionally on any Cerato including the base LX.

The EX will bring the most significant updates to technology, with LED tail lights, leather seats with heaters in the front row, keyless start, welcome lights, while the UVO entertainment system has a 7.0-inch touchscreen and is Apple CarPlay and Android compatible – although this may not be available for Australian versions.

The sportiest SX adds to the EX equipment with 18-inch wheels, the body embellishments highlighting exhaust trims and the option of an interior Orange Colour Pack, which brightens the cabin with orange leather seat inserts and matching stitching.

More details including power, performance and local specifications are expected closer to the Australian launch.