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Kia Clarus GC 2.0i 16V (133 Hp)
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 171 Nm of torque, it offers ample pulling power. Weighing only 1234 kg, it’s quite light. Front‑wheel drive delivers efficiency and easy handling. Acceleration is relatively slow (0–100 km/h in 10.9 s). The top speed reaches 195 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.
2.0i 16V (133 Hp) Verdict:
Performance Verdict
Offers adequate performance for daily driving with a respectable 133 Hp and a 0-100 km/h in 10.9 seconds, making it suitable for highway cruising.
Fuel Economy
Fuel consumption of 10.3 l/100 km combined is average for a naturally aspirated 2.0L engine of its time, but can be high in urban settings.
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): | 2.0i 16V (133 Hp) |
| Start of production: | 1998 |
| End of production: | 2001 |
| Powertrain Architecture: | Internal Combustion engine |
| Body type: | Sedan |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 4 |
| Engine: | |
|---|---|
| Power: | 133 Hp @ 6000 rpm. |
| Power per litre: | 66.6 Hp/l |
| Torque: | 171 Nm @ 4100 rpm. |
| Engine Model/Code: | FE [Same engine] More details about the engine FE |
| Engine displacement: | 1998 |
| 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: | 4.3 l |
| Engine layout: | Front, Transverse |
| Cylinder Bore: | 86 mm mm |
| Piston Stroke: | 86 mm mm |
| Compression ratio: | 9.5:1 |
| Performance: | |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type: | Petrol (Gasoline) |
| Fuel consumption (economy) - urban: | 13.9 l/100 km |
| Fuel consumption (economy) - extra urban: | 8.1 l/100 km |
| Fuel consumption (economy) - combined: | 10.3 l/100 km |
| Acceleration 0 - 100 km/h: | 10.9 sec |
| Acceleration 0 - 62 mph: | 10.9 sec |
| Maximum speed: | 195 km/h |
| Weight-to-power ratio: | 9.3 kg/Hp, 107.8 Hp/tonne |
| Weight-to-torque ratio: | 7.2 kg/Nm, 138.6 Nm/tonne |
| Acceleration 0 - 60 mph: | 10.4 sec |
| Space: | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight: | 1234 |
| Max. weight: | 1770 |
| Max load: | 536 |
| 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 | 5 |
| Transmission type | Manual |
| 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 | Wishbone |
| Rear suspension | Coil spring |
The hidden gems or the annoying flaws? Expose the truth about the Kia Clarus!