New Kia Spectra5 hatchback to replace liftback predecessor?

Sole distributor and franchise-holder for Kia vehicles in Malaysia, Naza-Kia Sdn Bhd will be launching the Spectra liftback (facelift of first gen Sephia) replacement model soon in hatchback form, badged as Spectra5.

Pictured below is the true 2nd generation Kia Cerato hatchback, albeit in USDM form. The new Cerato has been available since 2005 but has undergone a facelift this year.

While understandably sleeker and more up-to-date than the older Spectra 1.6 (pictured below), it is still somewhat baffling as to why the hatch is picked over the booted Spectra, as seen in the last image.



Watch this space for more details as local distributor Naza-Kia officially unveil this budget C-segment vehicle soon...

Note: The Cerato is no longer on sale in the UK as the Kia Cee´d has replaced it.

New Kia Spectra5 spotted on PLUS N-S highway:
http://paultan.org/archives/2007/08/06/kia-spectra5-on-the-north-south-highway/