- Fuel-efficient 1.8-litre petrol engine
- Spacious interior
- Engine performance only adequate
- Poor dynamics
- Seats lack support
- Low quality of interior fit and finish
Overview
Released in May 2001, the Kia FB Spectra was a small, five-door hatchback. Manufactured in Hwasung, South Korea, the front-wheel drive Spectra was powered by a 1.8-litre four cylinder petrol engine mated to either a four-speed automatic or five-speed manual transmission. The Mazda-sourced 1.8-litre ‘BP’ engine had a cast iron block, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 9.5:1.
Mechanically, the FB Spectra was largely unchanged from its Mentor/Shuma predecessors, although the chassis was strengthened and had redesigned load paths. Furthermore, the FB Spectra was fitted with new springs, dampers and a low-speed compression control valve in the front suspension for greater ride comfort; brake pad area was also increased for greater braking performance.
The FB Spectra was 4525 mm long, 1720 mm wide, 1415 mm tall and had a 2560 mm long wheelbase. The Spectra had MacPherson strut front suspension and independent, dual lateral link rear suspension.
| Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spectra | 1.8-litre petrol I4 | 4sp auto, 5sp man. |
82 kW at 5000 rpm | 152 Nm at 4500 rpm |
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for the Kia Spectra was limited to a driver’s airbag and front seatbelt pretensioners.
Features
Standard features for the Kia Spectra included a six speaker sound system with CD player, air conditioning, central locking, power windows, power mirrors, a tilt-adjustable steering wheel and an immobiliser.
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