The Hyundai-Kia Theta (G4KC) is a gasoline 4-cylinder automobile engine
family. This is the third all-aluminum engine of Hyundai Motor Company
debuted in the fourth-generation Hyundai Sonata sedan(codenamed NF) and Kia
Optima (codenamed MG).
It features hollow stainless-steel DOHC with powder-metal cam lobes,
pent-roof combustion chamber and shimless bucket tappets in the cylinder
head. BorgWarner Morse TEC supplies the complete set of timing system that
uses the company's proprietary silent timing chains.
CVVT(Continuously-variable valve timing) works on the intake side.
The aluminum alloy engine block, which is formed using high-pressure
die-cast method, has a unique Metaldyne-supplied cassette-type balance
shaft module with a two-stage oil pump built-in. In the lower-end, the
block is reinforced by a ladder frame. Other notable features include
fracture-split sinter-forged connecting rods and stainless-steel exhaust
manifold.
Theta's EMS(engine management system) software is EMS-II from Siemens VDO
and the 32-bit PCM(Powertrain Control Module) calculates the amount of
intake air by utilizing a contamination-proof hot-film type MAF(mass air
flow) sensor.
Chrysler Corporation began production of a modified version of Theta,
dubbed World Engine, in Dundee, Michigan in October 2005. Chrysler
engineered their own air intake system and exhaust manifold which is made
of gray cast iron. The World Engine also differs in the EMS as it measures
the amount of intake air indirectly using a MAP sensor, another cost-saving
feature of the Chrysler-modified engine.
Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama (HMMA) is currently building a Theta II
engine shop on the grounds of their Montgomery, Alabama automobile factory.
The shop will build only the Theta II engine for both the Hyundai plant and
the new Kia Plant in West Point, GA. It is scheduled to be completed by
August 2008.
The engine is used in:
HYUNDAI-KIA
Kia RONDO
Kia OPTIMA
Hyundai SONATA
Hyundai GENESIS COUPE 2.0
MITSUBISHI (4B1)
Mitsubishi LANCER
CHRYSLER
Dodge Caliber
Jeep Patriot 4x2
Jeep Compass 4x2
Friday, 16 December 2011
Thursday, 15 December 2011
All About Cars Naza Citra 2 Rondo
If you visited the Naza-Kia stand at the KL International Motorshow in 2006, you would have seen a concept MPV called the ‘Multi-S’. By then, Kia had already decided the Rondo would be the next generation of the Carens, a model which was adapted by Naza-Kia to be the Naza Citra in 2005. At that time, it was unknown if Kia would let Naza-Kia adapt the next generation of the Carens as a continuation of the Citra line or the Citra (second generation Carens) would remain in production for some time. 
The decision to continue selling the original Citra is because it is priced lower than the new Citra II and it has been Naza’s best-selling model, averaging almost 700 units a month in 2007 and about 600 units a month this year. The Citra II is a notch up in image and costs more so Naza-Kia reckons that it can extend its reach a bit further upmarket while maintaining its share of the lower end of the compact MPV market.
It was very refreshing to note that the Naza CEO had no issues about the association with the Kia product, even acknowledging it in his speech – a great contrast to the mentality of a certain very senior person in the company in 2005 who demanded that an article (written by me) on the Citra be amended to exclude any suggestion that the Citra was related to the Carens, asserting that it is ‘a unique Naza design, nothing to do with Kia’. She even demanded that a picture of the Kia Carens, included in the article, be removed! Thankfully, that very senior person is no longer working in the company (obviously, it was not the late Tan Sri Nasimuddin SM Amin being referred to).
As mentioned earlier, 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.
The shift lever is on a panel which extends from the base of the centre console and might be a bit of a stretch for some people. To maximise utility space, the parking brake is operated by a foot pedal next to the brake pedal, instead of the usual lever between the seats.
The climate control system is automatic in the more expensive EXS version and manually controlled in the EX version but both versions have additional vents behind the centre console box between the seats to bring cool air to the rear occupants. There are no vents for the third row but it is rare to find such a provision in this class of MPV too.
The three rows of seats can be adjusted in various ways to create different configurations according to needs. The two rear seats (which still seem a bit low like in the Citra I) can be easily folded flat and if more floor space is needed, the second row can also be folded flat. With seven people on board, though, luggage space is rather limited.
Click Here To see the available options in naza
Kia Multi-S concept MPV at KLIMS 2006
As it turns out now, both approaches have been taken: Kia has provided Naza-Kia with the rights to adapt the 3rd generation Carens (also known as Rondo in the US market) into a model called the Citra II Rondo and at the same time, the original Citra will still be assembled and sold alongside the new generation (also assembled locally).The decision to continue selling the original Citra is because it is priced lower than the new Citra II and it has been Naza’s best-selling model, averaging almost 700 units a month in 2007 and about 600 units a month this year. The Citra II is a notch up in image and costs more so Naza-Kia reckons that it can extend its reach a bit further upmarket while maintaining its share of the lower end of the compact MPV market.
Citra I will still be on sale alongside Citra II
"Steady sales of the Citra have proven that Naza-Kia‘s 7-seaters are popular choices for Malaysian customers. To further increase customer choice in this segment, Naza-Kia is adding the new Citra II Rondo, positioned between the Citra and Ria, to be a serious contender in the crossover segment," said SM Nasarudin, CEO of the Naza Group of Companies, at the launch this morning.It was very refreshing to note that the Naza CEO had no issues about the association with the Kia product, even acknowledging it in his speech – a great contrast to the mentality of a certain very senior person in the company in 2005 who demanded that an article (written by me) on the Citra be amended to exclude any suggestion that the Citra was related to the Carens, asserting that it is ‘a unique Naza design, nothing to do with Kia’. She even demanded that a picture of the Kia Carens, included in the article, be removed! Thankfully, that very senior person is no longer working in the company (obviously, it was not the late Tan Sri Nasimuddin SM Amin being referred to).
As mentioned earlier, 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.
Power and torque curves of the 2-litre GEMA engine
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.
Multilink rear suspension
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.
The shift lever is on a panel which extends from the base of the centre console and might be a bit of a stretch for some people. To maximise utility space, the parking brake is operated by a foot pedal next to the brake pedal, instead of the usual lever between the seats.The climate control system is automatic in the more expensive EXS version and manually controlled in the EX version but both versions have additional vents behind the centre console box between the seats to bring cool air to the rear occupants. There are no vents for the third row but it is rare to find such a provision in this class of MPV too.
Vents behind console box send cool air further back
When all seats are used, baggage capacity is rather limited
Other notable features that come with the Citra II are the remote tailgate unlock function, a tripcomputer, LED indicators on the door mirrors, nice deep cupholders, a teh tarik hook and illuminated vanity mirrors. The more expensive EXS version gets you t
he automatic climate control, a roof rack and audio controls on the steering wheel.
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. 
he automatic climate control, a roof rack and audio controls on the steering wheel.
Click Here To see the available options in naza
Wednesday, 14 December 2011
Facts you need to know about Naza Citra II Rondo EX
Here's my thoughts about Naza Citra II Rondo
Naza Kia Sdn Bhd has launched the new Naza Citra II Rondo in Malaysia. The Naza Citra II Rondo is essentially the Kia Rondo which is the replacement model for Carens that the Naza Citra is based on. The Citra will continue to be sold as a budget 7-seater SUV, and the new Naza Citra II Rondo will be positioned between the Citra and the Ria, bringing Naza Kia’s 7-seater offerings up to 3 models.
According to Naza Kia, the new Rondo is built on the D-segment new Kia Optima platform and also shares the Optima’s sweet new GEMA-based 2.0 litre DOHC CVVT engine producing 145 horsepower and 189Nm of torque, mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission with sequential manual shifting. The GEMA engine is a joint project between DaimlerChrysler, Hyundai and Mitsubishi. The 4B11 in the Mitsubishi Lancer is also based on the GEMA family.
Like the Optima, the Rondo rides on MacPherson struts at the front and a multi-link setup with coil springs at the rear. It also has anti-roll bars as standard for both the front and rear axles. It scored 5 stars on the NHTSA frontal crash ratings.
Two equipment levels are available – the Naza Citra II Rondo EX and the Naza Citra II Rondo EXS. The Naza Citra II Rondo EX features foglamps, six-jet windscreen washers, a trip computer, a 6 speaker sound system with a CD player, ABS brakes, dual SRS airbags, a manual climate control system, body-colored door handles, body-colored side moldings and black front grille crossbars packaged with 15-inch alloy wheels wrapped with Goodyear Eagle NCT5 tyres. The Rondo EXS carries over the features from the EX but adds an automatic climate control system, steering wheel audio, a roof rack and 16-inch alloy wheels.
The Rondo’s front row features 1,043mm of headroom and 1,042mm of legroom while the second row (60:40 multifold split bench) offers 1,015mm of headroom and 975mm of legroom. The third row (50:50 split) is naturally less at 887mm of headroom and 800mm of legroom but Naza Kia says this is enough for an average-sized adult. It’s best to head to showrooms and try it for yourself.
Naza Kia Sdn Bhd has launched the new Naza Citra II Rondo in Malaysia. The Naza Citra II Rondo is essentially the Kia Rondo which is the replacement model for Carens that the Naza Citra is based on. The Citra will continue to be sold as a budget 7-seater SUV, and the new Naza Citra II Rondo will be positioned between the Citra and the Ria, bringing Naza Kia’s 7-seater offerings up to 3 models.
According to Naza Kia, the new Rondo is built on the D-segment new Kia Optima platform and also shares the Optima’s sweet new GEMA-based 2.0 litre DOHC CVVT engine producing 145 horsepower and 189Nm of torque, mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission with sequential manual shifting. The GEMA engine is a joint project between DaimlerChrysler, Hyundai and Mitsubishi. The 4B11 in the Mitsubishi Lancer is also based on the GEMA family.
Like the Optima, the Rondo rides on MacPherson struts at the front and a multi-link setup with coil springs at the rear. It also has anti-roll bars as standard for both the front and rear axles. It scored 5 stars on the NHTSA frontal crash ratings.
Two equipment levels are available – the Naza Citra II Rondo EX and the Naza Citra II Rondo EXS. The Naza Citra II Rondo EX features foglamps, six-jet windscreen washers, a trip computer, a 6 speaker sound system with a CD player, ABS brakes, dual SRS airbags, a manual climate control system, body-colored door handles, body-colored side moldings and black front grille crossbars packaged with 15-inch alloy wheels wrapped with Goodyear Eagle NCT5 tyres. The Rondo EXS carries over the features from the EX but adds an automatic climate control system, steering wheel audio, a roof rack and 16-inch alloy wheels.
The Rondo’s front row features 1,043mm of headroom and 1,042mm of legroom while the second row (60:40 multifold split bench) offers 1,015mm of headroom and 975mm of legroom. The third row (50:50 split) is naturally less at 887mm of headroom and 800mm of legroom but Naza Kia says this is enough for an average-sized adult. It’s best to head to showrooms and try it for yourself.
- Naza Citra II Rondo EX – RM84,888
- Naza Citra II Rondo EXS – RM88,888
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