Filed under: Economy, Sedans/Saloons, Kia
Tons of Kia Forte pics hit the web
Click above for more detail shots of the Kia Forte
Kia's new Forte sedan will make its formal debut in Korea any time now, and, as often is the case, some shots have leaked just a bit early, including images of the interior. According to the press release that's pasted after the break, the Asian Forte will come with two separate 1.6-liter four cylinder engines, one gas and one diesel. Both of them pack a bit over 120 horses under the hood while the diesel, as expected, returns better fuel economy. The new Forte will begin at 11.9 million won in Korea -- about $11,300 in U.S. currency -- and reach 19.6 million won when totally loaded. We wouldn't put too much stock in those numbers when the car finally makes it Stateside, as the Spectra that it will replace costs over $13,000 to start. Unlike its Korean counterpart, though, the U.S.-spec Forte will likely be equipped with a larger 2.0-liter engine as its sole powerplant option. We'd imagine all that equipment, including the excellent iPod integration, will make it to our shores, as well.Gallery: Kia Forte leaked detail shots
[Source: Kia-World]
Press Release:
Kia Motors Releases New Forte Compact Sedan
SEOUL, Aug 21 - Kia Motors Corp., South Korea's No. 2 carmaker, unveiled its new Forte compact sedan Thursday, hoping that the fuel-efficient car will help boost sales amid higher fuel prices.
The new model, which goes on sale next week, is the latest entrant to the country's 1.6-liter vehicle segment and marks the automaker's newest model after another 1.6-liter version of Cerato was released in November, 2003.
The Forte, equipped with a gasoline or diesel engine, will compete with the Avante by Hyundai Motor Co. (KSE:005380), the SM3 by Renault Samsung Motors Co. and the Lacetti by GM Daewoo Auto & Technology Co.
The new Kia model generates 124 horsepower, and the company plans to add a 2-liter engine later.
The price for the Forte ranges from 11.9 million won (US$11,300) to 19.6 million won, depending on accessories and engine types, it said.
The automaker, an affiliate of Hyundai Motor Co. (KSE:, said it aims to sell 50,000 units domestically and 170,000 units overseas next year. For this year, Kia Motors targets the sale of 30,000 units. Annual sales for the model will rise to 250,000 annually from 2010, it said.
Kia Motors revamped its lineup to boost sales by redesigning its minicar Morning, mid-sized sedan Lotze and new Mohave sport-utility vehicle. It also plans to add a small crossover vehicle, known as Soul, later this year.
Kia Motors last month raised its domestic sales target to 364,000 units this year from 327,000, fueled by strong sales of its Morning mini-car.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Dan 3:08PM (8/21/2008)
Anyone else catch VAG-inspired center console switches and a Lexus IS-inspired rear end?
Reply
2JZ 3:08PM (8/21/2008)
Biting Honda Civic headlights? and Lexus IS taillights? lamee
Reply
Torrent 5:06PM (8/21/2008)
And posting twice won't make you seem any smarter.
2JZ 3:09PM (8/21/2008)
Biting Honda Civic headlights? and Lexus IS taillights? lamee
Reply
Torrent 3:45PM (8/21/2008)
Dude shut up. I hear these 'looks like' comments on every Kia Forte post. It's really annoying.
Vintage 6:45PM (8/21/2008)
http://fc05.deviantart.com/fs31/f/2008/197/a/b/Kia_Forte_Honda_Civic_Ripoff_by_cash68.jpg
You see these comments because it's true. Duh.
jsjs 11:46PM (8/21/2008)
You will also see "it looks like" comments on virtually every new model that gets revealed (w/ very few exceptions), including BMW and MB these days.
MikeofLA 3:13PM (8/21/2008)
looks good, and it looks like it will have some great options. My favorite being the key less ignition. You don't realize how great it is until you've had it and lost it :(
Reply
geo.stewart 6:08PM (8/21/2008)
215/45 17s not bad.
this is what the cruze has to worry about
bugman7star 3:18PM (8/21/2008)
I think the Forte does the front end much better than the Civic. The interior is a big step up.
Reply
MemphisNET 3:19PM (8/21/2008)
Looking good!
Reply
Spike 3:19PM (8/21/2008)
It looks like they put the wires for heated seats on the outside of seats so you sit directly on the wires.
Probably more efficient that way.
Reply
ASEVENSEE4 3:19PM (8/21/2008)
Homefriggenrun...
This thing already has a lot of premium features in a somewhat fuel efficient package from what I can tell in the pictures, which is what we need now. Navi, push button start, auto climate, auto dimming rear view, BT, gloss black inserts, etc. They just need to bring the driving dynamics up with the MAZDA3 (or close to it) to have a class leader..
Reply
Nightcrawler 3:22PM (8/21/2008)
Is this vehicle related at all to the Elantra? (Not that that would be a bad thing?)
Reply
Bob-omb 5:51PM (8/21/2008)
No. This is (supposedly) going to be on a much nicer, sportier platform, from the Kia Cee'd. It's the same platform, however, that Hyundai will use for its Elantra Touring hatch. Confused yet?
Matt 3:28PM (8/21/2008)
Looks really nice. But: Is there a reason the entire nav system has to be pushed down - and therefore off the centerline - other than to accommodate the emergency flasher button? How bout a nice clock there instead, ala Infiniti/others?
Reply
The Talking Hamburger 3:33PM (8/21/2008)
If this is contains any of the goodness found in the current Hyundai Elantra (even if it's mechanically unrelated), Hyundai/Kia will be moving some metal.
Reply
RG 3:35PM (8/21/2008)
Those seats with the red squiggly lines on them are a joke, right?
Other than that it looks like a pretty decent package, especially for $12k.
Reply
PJ 3:53PM (8/21/2008)
That's a cutaway image showing where the seat-heater coils live.
Benfolio 4:26PM (8/21/2008)
Yes, and the car come with an optional blurry or MISSING steering wheel (see image 24)!