BIG DATE ON KIA CALENDAR
KIA CERATO
The Cerato sedan launch next month rates as the most important on the calendar for Kia, which is trying to maintain the drive-away starting price of $19,990 on its popular small car. The carry-over 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine is good for 112kW/192Nm and is backed by sixspeed manual and automatic transmissions.
What is new — and more expensive — is the bigger body and improved infotainment and safety tech. This Cerato has been stretched to liberate cabin space and allow for the Stingeresque sculpted long bonnet. It’s slightly wider and higher and boot space increases to 430L. Inside there’s an eight-inch touchscreen, smartphone mirroring and, depending on spec, wireless smartphone charging. All versions get autonomous emergency braking and safety gear should extend to active cruise control, blind-spot alert and lane-keep assist.
MAZDA6
Updates should enhance the mid-sizer’s reputation as a good-looking car. The exterior styling looks more resolved and the improved cabin treatment gives the sedan a subtle but stylish makeover.
Don’t expect the current $32,490 starting price to stand when the cars hit dealerships next month. Along with the looks, Mazda has boosted the kit across the range in response to customers wanting higher-specified cars.
As a result, all Mazda6s will have a six-speed automatic transmission, autonomous emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. The full safety suite will be standard on top- spec versions, which will also use the 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo from the CX-9 SUV, in which it is good for 170kW/420Nm.
The 2.5 turbo will join the existing 2.2-litre turbo diesel and naturally aspirated 2.5-litre petrol engine, which now has cylinder deactivation under light throttle loads.
Top-spec Atenza versions are tipped to go close to $50,000 but will include traffic sign recognition, airconditioned seats trimmed in leather, 19-inch alloys, timber highlights and a customisable 7.0-inch digital instrument display.
FORD MUSTANG
Specification and prices are up for the latest iteration of the wildly popular pony car. Entry to the club is $49,990 for the four-cylinder manual while V8 prices now start at $62,990 and top out at $74,800 for the convertible — the good news for V8 fans is the facelift brings more than just added bling.
The 5.0-litre gets a boost of 33kW/26Nm and now pumps 339kW/556Nm to the rear wheels via a 10-speed automatic. The 2.3-litre four-cylinder turbo keeps power at 224kW but torque increases by 9Nm to 441Nn.
All versions pick up revised suspension, with adaptive dampers a $2750 option.
LED lamps are fitted all-round and the Mustang now uses a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display and eight-inch infotainment screen.
Ford has also fitted new active safety software, including autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lanekeeping assist and adaptive cruise control. The additions earned the sports car an extra safety star — to three out of five.