Kia Clarus GC 1.8i 16V (116 Hp) Automatic
Overall Rating
Kia Clarus:
The Kia Credos was Kia's first self developed mid-size family sedan, which went on sale in South Korea in 1995, and in Australia in 1998. The Credos is based on the fifth generation Mazda Capella/Cronos, which was also sold as the Mazda 626.
It was powered by one of four gasoline engines. Initially, three engines are offered, depending on the trim: 1. 8-litre Kia T8D engine; 2. 0-litre Mazda FE SOHC engine; and 2. 0-litre Mazda FE-DOHC engine. A fourth engine, a licensed version of 2. 0-litre V6 DOHC Rover KV6 engine, was available with the facelifted version from 1998 and on, which also added a station wagon variation, called the Parktown in its native Korea, where it was a commercial flop....(Read more on Wikipedia)
GC Overview:
Kia Clarus (GC). With 152 Nm of torque, it offers ample pulling power. Weighing only 1250 kg, it’s quite light. Front‑wheel drive delivers efficiency and easy handling. Acceleration is relatively slow (0–100 km/h in 13.9 s). The top speed reaches 178 km/h. A four-door car with a separate trunk, ideal for families and daily commuting. Seating for 5 makes it ideal for daily use.
The Clarus performed poorly in Euro NCAP tests, receiving only 1.5 stars with a significant risk of serious injury, highlighting a major safety concern for occupants.
1.8i 16V (116 Hp) Automatic Verdict:
Performance Verdict
The automatic transmission significantly dulls the 1.8L engine's performance, resulting in a sluggish 0-100 km/h time of 13.9 seconds.
Fuel Economy
Fuel consumption increases to 11.0 l/100 km combined with the automatic, negating much of the 1.8L's inherent efficiency advantage.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- • Affordable purchase price
- • Spacious interior and boot
- • Relatively simple mechanics
- • Decent fuel economy for manual 1.8L
Cons:
- • Poor Euro NCAP safety rating
- • Uninspired driving dynamics
- • High fuel consumption for automatic variants
- • Dated interior design
Specifications:
Specifications are compared to those of the previous generation(K9A: 1996 - 1998).
| General: | |
|---|---|
| Brand: | Kia |
| Model: | Clarus |
| Generation: | GC |
| Modification (Engine): | 1.8i 16V (116 Hp) Automatic |
| Start of production: | 1998 |
| End of production: | 2001 |
| Powertrain Architecture: | Internal Combustion engine |
| Body type: | Sedan |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 4 |
| Engine: | |
|---|---|
| Power: | 116 Hp @ 5750 rpm. Same horsepower |
| Power per litre: | 64.7 Hp/l [35mm more] |
| Torque: | 152 Nm @ 4500 rpm. |
| Engine Model/Code: | T8 More details about the engine T8 |
| Engine displacement: | 1793 |
| Number of cylinders: | 4 |
| Engine configuration: | Inline |
| Number of valves per cylinder: | 4 |
| Fuel injection system: | Multi-port manifold injection |
| Engine aspiration: | Naturally aspirated engine |
| Valvetrain: | DOHC |
| Engine oil capacity: | 4 l |
| Engine layout: | Front, Transverse |
| Cylinder Bore: | 81 mm mm |
| Piston Stroke: | 87 mm mm |
| Compression ratio: | 9.5:1 |
| Performance: | |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type: | Petrol (Gasoline) |
| Fuel consumption (economy) - urban: | 15 l/100 km |
| Fuel consumption (economy) - extra urban: | 8.7 l/100 km |
| Fuel consumption (economy) - combined: | 11 l/100 km |
| Emission standard: | Euro 2 |
| Acceleration 0 - 100 km/h: | 13.9 sec |
| Acceleration 0 - 62 mph: | 13.9 sec |
| Maximum speed: | 178 km/h |
| Weight-to-power ratio: | 10.8 kg/Hp, 92.8 Hp/tonne |
| Weight-to-torque ratio: | 8.2 kg/Nm, 121.6 Nm/tonne |
| Acceleration 0 - 60 mph: | 13.2 sec |
| Space: | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight: | 1250 |
| Trunk (boot) space - maximum: | 784 l |
| Trunk (boot) space - minimum: | 444 l |
| Fuel tank capacity: | 60 l |
| Size: | |
|---|---|
| Length: | 4731 mm mm [35mm more] |
| Width: | 1770 mm mm [Same width.] |
| Height: | 1420 mm mm [Same height.] |
| Wheelbase: | 2659 mm mm [Same wheelbase.] |
| Front track: | 1500 mm |
| Rear (Back) track: | 1500 mm |
| Minimum turning circle (turning diameter): | 10.6 m [above average] |
| Powertrain: | |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain Architecture | The Internal combustion engine (ICE) drives the front wheels of the vehicle. |
| Drive wheel | Front wheel drive |
| Number of gears | 4 |
| Transmission type | Automatic |
| Front brakes | Ventilated discs [Best for performance and cooling.] |
| Rear brakes | Disc [above average] |
| Assisting systems | ABS (Anti-lock braking system) |
| Steering type | Steering rack and pinion |
| Power steering | Hydraulic Steering |
| Tires size | 195/65 R14 |
| Wheel rims size | 14 |
| Front suspension | Coil spring |
| Rear suspension | Coil spring |












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