Kia Sephia

Kia
Kia Sephia GTX notchback (1996-1999)
Sephia
Production period:	1992-1999
Class :	Compact class
Body versions :	Limousine , station wagon
Engines:	Petrol engines : 1.5–1.8 liters (59–82 kW)
Length:	4253-4360 mm
Width:	1692 mm
Height:	1390 mm
Wheelbase :	2500 mm
Empty weight :	1055-1233 kg
Previous model	Kia Capital
successor	Kia Shuma

The Kia Sephia (in some markets Kia Mentor) was a compact class passenger car from the automobile manufacturer Kia Motors .

Production started in autumn 1992 in Hwaseong , Korea , and sales in Europe and the USA followed in early 1994. The Mazda 323 of the BG series, launched in 1988, served as the basis . At first, the Sephia was only available as a notchback, which limited the buyers. From the end of the 1990s, the lack of a diesel offer also became noticeable.

With the comprehensive model upgrade in the summer of 1994 (available in Germany from mid-1996), a hatchback variant was added (“Sephia Leo” on some markets). This was already planned for the first model and was presented at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1993, but the management decided on a later market launch. The new model received a more modern front and an interior adapted to the Kia Clarus . On the safety side, ABS and a passenger airbag were available for the first time, the former optional until recently. The internal model abbreviation FA was not affected by the revision.

In 1998 the self-developed second generation made its debut, which was only available as a notchback model under the name Sephia. It was accompanied by a visually independent hatchback model, which was introduced in the USA under the model name Spectra. In Germany, however, both were sold as Kia Shuma from the start . At the beginning of 1999 the sale of the Sephias in Germany ended.

The first generation of the Sephia was available with a 1.6 l engine (80 hp) until the facelift, then with a 1.5 l version of the same power and optionally a 1.8 l freewheel engine (112 hp) . The latter, however, shortened the sprint to 100 km / h by only one second. It was an in-house development that appeared in the Kia Clarus in 1995 and was only available in the hatchback model. A peculiarity that Kia kept with the Sephia successors until 2004 - just like the updated version of the engine.

The Sephia was available with the equipment designations SLX (base, recognizable by the unpainted bumpers), GTX and GLX. The latter was more of a model name as it was identical to the GTX line, but included the 1.8-liter engine. The SLX variant took the option of ABS, electric window and mirror adjustments, and eliminated the otherwise standard rev counter, radio remote control and rear heating under the front seats as well as the interior lights with reading lamps, the height-adjustable driver's seat and the rear headrests. The immobilizer, which is also no longer included, fits in with this.

Sephia (1992-1996)

• 

  Kia Sephia notchback

• 

  Rear view

• 

  Kia Sephia SLX (basic equipment)

Sephia (1996-1999)

• 

  Kia Sephia SLX notchback

• 

  Rear view of the Sephia SLX notchback

• 

  Kia Sephia SLX hatchback

• 

  Kia Sephia Notchback (US version)

model	Displacement	power	Max. Torque	Valves per cylinder
Kia Sephia 1.6 B6 SOHC (1994-1996)	1597 cc	59 kW (80 PS) at 5000 rpm	127 Nm at 3500 rpm	2
Kia Sephia 1.5 B5 SOHC (1996-1999)	1498 cc	59 kW (80 PS) at 5500 rpm	120 Nm at 2500 rpm	4th
Kia Sephia 1.8 T8 DOHC ( details , photos ) (1996-1999)	1793 cc	82 kW (112 hp) at 5800 rpm	152 Nm at 4400 rpm	4th

Web links

Commons : Kia Sephia  - collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Page no longer available , search in web archives: equipment
2. ↑ [1] Sephia 1.6 engine data
3. ↑ [2] Sephia 1.5 engine data
4. ↑ [3] Engine ID Sephia 1.8
5. ↑ [4] Sephia 1.8 engine data