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.”

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The Kia Spectra, last redesigned for 2004, is the oldest model in Kia’s range. In tacit acknowledgement of the Spectra name’s lack of cachet, its replacement is called Forte. Debuting at the 2009 Chicago auto show, the 2010 Kia Forte is dressed in sheetmetal that looks strikingly similar to that of the current Honda Civic.

The Forte is offered in three trim levels: LX, EX, and SX, and the latter sports a newly offered 2.4-liter inline-four with 173 hp and 168 lb-ft of torque. Buyers cross-shopping the Kia should take note that the 2.4 offers more horsepower than the 2010 Mazda 3 s and Toyota Corolla XRS. The SX comes with 17-inch wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, and larger front brakes than lesser Fortes. LX and EX models receive a 2.0-liter four with 156 hp and 144 lb-ft of torque, up 18 hp and 8 lb-ft from the outgoing Spectra. Opting for the LX or EX yields customers their choice of a five-speed manual or an optional four-speed automatic transmission, while the SX offers a standard six-speed manual or an optional five-speed auto. A Fuel-Economy Package will also be offered on the 2.0-liter that includes the five-speed slushbox and low-rolling-resistance tires with “aero enhancements,” which Kia says will result in 36 mpg on the highway.
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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.

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Just the other day, we were all looking at a teaser pic and speculating wildly, and now, here it is. Kia dropped official images of its Spectra successor, the Forte, on the interwebs, and it is one sharp little car. The styling that the Forte introduces is Kia’s new look, from the pen of Peter Schreyer, also responsible for the first-gen New Beetle and TT. The face of the Forte combines chunkily-flared front fenders with a new corporate grille, and there’s a distinctive depression down the lower part of the flanks that works well with the prominent swage line to lend a stone-hewn look to the car. The term Forte in musical notation means “play loud,” but this new Kia is restrained and maturely drawn. Additionally, the two-door variant of the Forte should look even better.
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