The new Citra II is adapted from the latest Kia Carens/Rondo and is a full model change. It rides on Kia’s MG platform which is also used for the latest Optima sedan and also has the 2-litre petrol engine with CVVT (continuously variable valve timing) which puts out 145 ps at 6000 rpm and 189 Nm of torque at 4250 rpm. The engine is the GEMA engine which was jointly developed by Hyundai, Kia, Mitsubishi Motors and Chrysler. Claimed performance with the standard 4-speed electronic automatic Shiftronic transmission (manual sequential shift also possible) is 11 seconds for 0 – 100 km/h and a top speed of 190 km/h.
Sharing the platform with the Optima means it has a front suspension consisting of MacPherson struts hinged off a subframe and 2700 mm away (wheelbase), a rear suspension with a multi-link layout. Surprisingly, the wheelbase is 20 mm shorter than that for the Optima and in fact, the Citra II has a smaller ‘footprint’ than the Optima. However, its roofline is much higher, which tends to give it a somewhat bulbous profile but the explanation is that generous interior headroom was an important consideration.
Disc brakes are fitted to all four wheels and ABS +EBD is standard. There are two wheel sizes – 6Jx15 for the EX version and 6.5Jx16 for the EXS version. Locally-made Goodyear NCT5 tyres are standard rubber.
A lot of effort has gone into bringing down noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) in the Citra II and sources of NVH in both the bodyshell and the powertrain were directly addressed. One example: the use of a dynamic damper, continuously-variable valve and resonance chamber along the exhaust system cuts down NVH significantly. The use of a morse-type timing chain also reduces noise while providing a more durable timing chain.
Keen to make a strong impression in Europe, Kia has given a lot of attention to safety, which European customers are very concerned about. The Citra II gets all the structural features which make the bodyshell strong and both front occupants have the additional protection of airbags. All seven persons in the cabin get seatbelts and head restraints. Also rare in this class is the impact-sensing door unlock system which makes it easier for rescuers to get injured occupants out after an accident.
At RM84,888 (RM4,000 more for the EXS version), the Citra II Rondo is certainly going to challenge the Nissan Grand Livina but Naza-Kia is not looking at beating the Nissan since their target for the Citra II is around 200 units a month (the Grand Livina does about a thousand units a month). It would probably also appeal to Toyota Avanza owners who want to move up but who do not want to get a much bigger MPV like the Innova. With its passenger car platform and dynamics, it should also be an easy transition for those who are moving from a sedan to a MPV.
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