By Phil Alex
Via: Irmaododecio
Stylistically, the hatchback conversion of the Forte is far less adventurous than you'd expect from a company that has churned out some interesting designs lately including the Optima and Sportage.
We don't have photos of the interior yet, but Kia's release makes word of a revised center console, new paddle shifters for the automatic transmission and the addition of a push-button start.
Kia said that when the Forte hatch goes on sale later in the year, North American consumers will have a choice of the 2.0 and 2.4-liter engines while customers in other markets will be able to choose from the 1.6 and 2.0-liter powerplants.
The aesthetics of the Koup are beefed up with a five-piece bodykit that includes a pair of front lip spoiler, chunky side skirts and a discreet boot lid spoiler. The two-door model's looks are complemented by a set of neat 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Yokohoma S-drive tires, and 'R' branded badges and door sills.
While the R treatment does nothing to the Koup SX's 173-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, it does add a sport exhaust, AEM air filter, new springs that lower the ride height by 1.3'' and a strut bar to improve handling.
The 'R' package will be available in Canada as a dealer-installed kit starting from mid-May.
Via: Forteforums
At this week's SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Kia unveiled a racing version of the new Forte Koup with which it will compete in the 2010 GRAND-AM KONI Sports Car Challenge Series in the Street Tuner (ST) class, thus marking the firm's first ever racing efforts on U.S. soil. The Korean automaker has teamed with the Kinetic Group to build and campaign two Forte Koups that will be driven by Andy Lally and Nic Jönsson."We researched every form of auto racing in the U.S. to find a fan base that was aligned with our target demographics, and found GRAND-AM to be the perfect fit," said Michael Sprague, vice president of marketing, Kia Motors America.
The front-wheel drive Forte Koup will compete in the GRAND-AM Koni series against a variety of production-based race cars from the U.S., Europe and Asia.
Following in the footsteps of its mother company, Hyundai and its recently launched Elantra LPI Hybrid, Kia has introduced its first commercialized hybrid - electric car onto the Korean market. As its name suggests, the Forte LPI Hybrid utilizes the same drivetrain with the Elantra that comprises of a 1.6-liter LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) engine, a 15kW and 105Nm electric motor and a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). The hybrid system is also equipped with Kia's Intelligent Stop and Go system. F
urthermore, the Korean automaker's engineers honed the Forte sedan's aerodynamics by applying different front/rear bumper skirts, aluminum wheels and rear spoiler as well as using a special cover for the lower part of the engine room and centre floor. These changes resulted in a lowered air resistance of 0.26 Cd, compared to 0.29 Cd for the standard, petrol-powered Forte sedan.
The Forte LPI Hybrid has a combined fuel efficiency of 17.2km per liter of LPG which Kia says is the equivalent of 21.5km/liter (50.6mpg US, 60.7mpg UK or 4.7lt /100 km) in a standard petrol engine.
While the LPG-hybrid version of the Forte won't be making it to other markets outside Korea, Kia said that it the company is currently working on petrol-powered and plug-in hybrids that are likely to arrive in European showrooms by 2013.
Kia has announced pricing for its new entry in the compact-car segment, the 2010 Forte sedan. The Spectra's replacement is available with two engines and three trim levels with prices ranging from $13,695 for the entry-level Forte 2.0 LX to $18,195 for the 2.4 SX Auto. The Forte LX and EX are powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 156HP and 144 pound-feet of torque that can be matted to either a standard five-speed manual gearbox or an optional electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission. 
The range-topping SX model features an upgraded 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine, which delivers 173 horsepower, and is offered with a standard six-speed manual gearbox or an optional five-speed automatic transmission with Sportmatic.
In terms of fuel economy, the 2.0-liter engine returns 25/34 mpg (city/highway) when mated to either the five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmissions, while the 2.4-liter engine turns out 22/32 mpg when paired with the six-speed manual and 23/31 mpg with the five-speed automatic.
The standard features on the basic LC model include ABS with brake assist and EBD, electronic stability control, tire pressure monitoring system, 195/65 R15 tires with wheel covers, an audio system with CD, MP3 and USB capability, Bluetooth hands-free connectivity with steering wheel-mounted controls and front, side and curtain airbags.
The EX model adds power windows and door locks; remote keyless entry, air conditioning, map lamps, steering wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls, tweeter speakers, dual front and rear cup holders and floor mats.
Aside from the larger engine, the SX model a few more standard features, including a black interior with sport cloth fabric adorned with red stitching, a telescoping steering column, the so-called "Supervision gauge cluster" - whatever that means, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob and metal-finish trim and pedals.
Continuing its long-term assault on the market, Kia blew the covers off the production version of the Koup concept that was unveiled during last year's New York Auto Show. The Korean automaker's first-ever two door coupe model is based on the new Forte Sedan with which it shares the mechanical hardware as well as the interior design. On the outside, it's another story as Kia has come up with a sharp looking design featuring a lower stance and a series of unique styling cues that differentiate the Koup from the sedan. 
And while it's evident that the Kia's small coupe bears a few design similarities with Honda's European Civic hatchback (front) as well as from the Acura RSX (rear), overall, the 2010 Forte Koup looks pretty neat.
"On the heel of the introductions of the Soul and Forte sedan, Forte Koup represents the next exciting step in the transformation of Kia design and offers a blend of sporty and emotional appeal," said Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing, KMA. "We believe our new design evolution coupled with standard Kia value and safety features will continue to attract customers to the Kia brand."
Built on the Forte sedan's front-wheel drive platform, the Koup comes with a wheelbase of 104.3 inches, an overall length of 176.4 inches, an overall width of 69.5 inches and overall height of 55.1 inches, meaning that it's slightly shorter in length and height than its four-door counterpart.
Like the Forte sedan, the Koup will be offered with two four-cylinder gasoline engines, a 2.0-liter unit for the EX model producing 156 horsepower and 144 pound-feet of torque and a 2.4-liter unit for the SX that delivers 173 horsepower and 168 pound-feet of torque.
Both models are available with two transmission options, a standard five-speed manual transmission or an optional electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission for the 2.0L EX, and a standard six-speed manual transmission and an optional five-speed automatic transmission with Sportmatic for the 2.4L SX.
Kia said that the 2.0-liter engine offers 25mpg city and 34 mpg highway with either tranmssion while the more powerful 2.4-liter engine is rated at 22mpg city and 32 mpg highway with the six-speed manual and 23/31 mpg when paired with the five-speed automatic transmission.
Sales in the U.S. are expected to start later in the year.
