Segment: Small
Production years: 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001
In 1998, Kia introduced the second generation of the Shuma on the European market, while the U.S. received a better car named Sephia or Spectra, depending on the bodywork version.
Kia designed the platform of the Sephia's first-generation and continued its progress along with the introduction of the 1998 Shuma/Sephia lineup. The young Korean carmaker took a bolder step on the second generation and drastically changed the design and the interior. Maybe not for a better one, but nevertheless different.
Just by looking at its front, some might think of a scaled-down four-eyes Taurus, which was already on the market for two years. But the Shuma was addressed to other markets. The U.S. customers received a more conventional design approach on the Sephia, the Shuma's sibling. From its sides, the European version showed its rounded body panels and shaved edges. Its three-box design shape was slightly altered by a wider C-pillar and the tall, short trunk.
The interior was quite interesting for the Korean carmaker. Its rounded shapes of the dashboard resembled those installed on the Ford Contour/Mondeo, with the driver surrounded by the instrument cluster and the center stack. Kia used to work with Mitsubishi and was inspired by its rounded buttons for the climate control, but placed them lower, harder to reach by the driver. In the back, the car offered just enough room for two passengers, while three were already too many.
Under the hood, Kia used a licensed-built Mazda engine and its own 1.8-liter unit. Both were paired to a standard five-speed manual.
ENGINE SPECS - 1.5L 16V 5MT (88 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1498 cm3 |
Power: | 65 KW @ 5000 RPM 88 HP @ 5000 RPM 87 BHP @ 5000 RPM |
Torque: | 100 lb-ft @ 4000 RPM 135 Nm @ 4000 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 13.2 gallons (50.0 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 111.8 mph (180 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 13.8 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 175/70R13 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 176.37 in (4480 mm) |
Width: | 67.32 in (1710 mm) |
Height: | 55.9 in (1420 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 57.48/57.48 in (1,460/1,460 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 100.78 in (2560 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 11.6 cuFT (328 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.3 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2370 lbs (1075 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3527.4 lbs (1600 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 22.4 mpg US (10.5 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 37.3 mpg US (6.3 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 29.8 mpg US (7.9 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 185 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 1.8L 16V 5MT (112 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1793 cm3 |
Power: | 82 KW @ 5800 RPM 111 HP @ 5800 RPM 110 BHP @ 5800 RPM |
Torque: | 112 lb-ft @ 4500 RPM 152 Nm @ 4500 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 13.2 gallons (50.0 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 121.8 mph (196 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 10.6 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 185/65R14 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 176.37 in (4480 mm) |
Width: | 67.32 in (1710 mm) |
Height: | 55.9 in (1420 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 57.48/57.48 in (1,460/1,460 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 100.78 in (2560 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 11.6 cuFT (328 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.3 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2383.2 lbs (1081 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3527.4 lbs (1600 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 18.7 mpg US (12.6 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 33.6 mpg US (7 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 25.8 mpg US (9.1 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 216 g/km |