Kia's All-New 2005 Spectra5 Makes U.S. Debut in New York

Five-Door Hatchback Is Sportier Sibling of Korean Automaker's Compact Sedan

NEW YORK, April 8 -- When Kia Motors America (KMA) unveiled the completely redesigned 2004 Spectra(1) compact sedan earlier this year in Detroit, it promised a sportier follow-up later in the season. Today, at the New York International Automobile Show, that promise was fulfilled as the fastest growing Korean automaker pulled the wraps off the 2005 Spectra5, an all-new, sport-tuned and aggressively styled five-door hatchback version of the Spectra sedan.

Building upon the strong foundation provided by its sedan sibling, the Spectra5 features class-leading safety equipment and adds a new sport-tuned, four-wheel independent suspension and 16-inch wheels and tires for better steering response and turn-in, a strut tower bar -- the first ever on a Kia -- for a stiffer chassis and better handling, and design touches such as a 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 Spectra5 was designed to be the sportiest Kia ever," said Peter M. Butterfield, president and chief executive officer, Kia Motors America. "As our brand continues to grow it was imperative to develop the Spectra5 not just as a complement to the four-door sedan, but rather a fun, exciting vehicle that stands out from the crowd and meets the needs of our young, active target audience."

The 2005 Spectra5 will take its place alongside its sedan counterpart in Kia's growing product portfolio, and is the automaker's most recent new product designed specifically to attract a broader spectrum of American consumers to the brand. Kia believes the sporty Spectra5 will eventually comprise 30% of Spectra sales in the U.S.

Designed to be Different

Inside and out, the Spectra5 looks dramatically different than the four-door Spectra sedan, although the two vehicles share the same new platform, providing a longer wheelbase and increased overall width and height from the previous generation vehicles.

Adding a sportier, more extroverted personality to the sculpted exterior design of the sedan, the Spectra5 features an assertive front end highlighted by a black mesh grille and black-out headlights, a deeper, more aggressive front spoiler, fog lights and rear valance and spoiler. The Spectra5 maintains the sedan's sharp crease-line that runs below and parallel to the green house, as well as the distinctive, muscular arches at each fender, complimenting its wide, aggressive stance and its standard 16-inch, eight-spoke alloy wheels.

Like its sedan counterpart, the Spectra5 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's cargo capacity of 18.3 cubic feet is significantly larger than the previous generation five-door Spectra.

Safety is a Priority

The all-new Spectra5 follows Kia's brand philosophy of offering best-in-class safety equipment, including:

     *  Six standard air bags, including dual advanced front and front
        seat-mounted side air bags, and full-length side curtain air bags.

     *  Standard four-wheel disc brakes, with four-sensor, four-channel
        anti-lock brakes available as optional equipment.

Additional 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.

Tuned To Be Sporty

Incorporating continuously variable valve timing (CVVT) and multi-port fuel injection, the Spectra5 is powered by a new 2.0-liter DOHC engine that produces 138-horsepower and 135 lbs.-ft. of torque.(2) The Spectra5 offers more standard horsepower than many competing vehicles in the segment, including the Toyota Matrix, and Ford Focus ZX5. A five-speed manual transmission with improved shift linkage is standard, while an electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission is available as an option.

A new, sport-tuned four-wheel independent suspension provides the Spectra5 with an athletic stance, while the addition of a strut tower bar provides additional torsional rigidity for better handling.

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.

A Dynamic Package

Available in one 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 metal-finish trim on the center stack and around the door handles. Adding to its sporty look and feel, the Spectra5 also features a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, as well as metal pedals, a first for Kia.

The 2005 Spectra5 is built in Hwasung, South Korean and will be covered by Kia's 10-year or 100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty. Pricing will be announced closer to the vehicle summer 2004 launch.

Safety Press Release

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.

Kia Motors America, the U.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 SUV; Sedona minivan; and Amanti large premium sedan.

  (1) The Spectra sedan is sold as "Cerato" in Asian and European markets

  (2) PZEV-SULEV engine on A/T models in CA, MA, ME, NY and VT provides
      132-horsepower and 133 lb.-ft. of torque