For the coupe version, see Kia Forte Koup.

Kia Forte (sedan)

Manufacturer	Kia Motors
Parent company	Hyundai Kia Automotive Group
Also called	Kia Cerato
Production	2009-
Assembly	Hwasung, South Korea
Predecessor	Kia Spectra
Class	Compact
Body style(s)	4-door sedan
Layout	FF layout
Engine(s)	1.6L Gamma I4 2.0L Theta II I4 2.4L Theta II I4
Transmission(s)	CVT 4-speed automatic 5-speed manual 6-speed manual 5-speed automatic
Wheelbase	2,650 mm (104.3 in)
Length	4,530 mm (178.3 in)
Width	1,775 mm (69.9 in)
Height	1,460 mm (57.5 in)
Related	Kia KOUP Kia cee'd Hyundai Elantra Hyundai i30 Hyundai Tucson iX

The Kia Forte is a compact car manufactured by Kia Motors. In 2009, it replaced the Spectra in North America.

Contents 1 First generation (2009-) 1.1 Kia KOUP (2008) 1.2 Forte sedan (2009-) 1.3 Forte Koup (2009-) 1.4 US models 1.4.1 Koup 1.5 Canada models 1.6 Forte Furuidi (2009-) 1.7 Forte LPI Hybrid 1.8 Engines 1.9 Transmissions 1.10 Equipment 1.11 Receptions 1.12 Marketing 2 Motorsports 3 References 4 External links

[edit] First generation (2009-)

The Forte shares the same platform as the Kia cee'd.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Kia KOUP (2008)

The Kia KOUP was a concept vehicle for the Kia Forte. It included panoramic-view glass roof, carbon fiber chin spoiler, lamp lenses, cowl panel, side-view mirrors, rear bumper insert and rear diffuser; Brembo brakes, Supervision instrument panel, eight speakers, Bluetooth-enabled navigation system with Map On Demand (MOD), 2.0-liter Theta II twin scroll turbocharged direct injection engine rated 290hp, Continuous Damping Control, six standard airbags, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), 245/40ZR19 tires, adaptive front lighting and cruise control.

The vehicle was unveiled in 2008 New York International Auto Show.^[1][2]

[edit] Forte sedan (2009-)

The Forte sedan was designed by Kia chief design officer Peter Schreyer, former lead designer for Audi.^[3][4] It is based on the Kia KOUP Concept, a two-door coupe, and was designed in Kia's California design studio.^[5][6]

US model was unveiled in 2009 Chicago Auto Show.^[7][8]

Korean model went on sale in 2008-08-22.^[9]

[edit] Forte Koup (2009-)

The 2010 model year vehicle was unveiled at the 2009 New York Motor Show. The production vehicle includes choice of 2.0-liter DOHC four-cylinder engine or 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine.^[10]

[edit] US models

The LX and EX include a 2.0L CVVT engine and a standard 5-speed manual transmission (optional 4-speed automatic transmission). The SX has a 2.4L engine with a 6-speed manual or optional 5-speed automatic transmission.^[11] The EX comes with updated features such as air conditioning, power windows and door locks, cruise control, six speaker radio, a key fob with keyless entry, and turn signal indicators on the side mirrors are added to the standard features of the LX.^{[citation needed]} The SX replaces the tires and wheel covers, adds a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift gear, a tilting & telescoping steering column, sport-cloth seats, and a metallic finish to the interior. Later production models have Soft-Touch panels on the armrest and door, as well as on the dashboard.

[edit] Koup

An optional Leather Package is available on both EX and SX trims. When combined with the EX trim the Leather Package adds leather seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob and heated seats. When paired with the SX trim, it includes leather and heated seats in addition to the standard leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob.^[12]

[edit] Canada models

The Forte model sold in Canada has similar specifications and equipment as the U.S.-market model. Some differences include a standard moonroof on the SX trim (an option on the U.S. model), the EX's steering wheel adds a telescoping option (once standard only on the SX trim), an Automatic Climate Control system is standard on the SX (while the U.S. market doesn't have one available), and the EX and SX have chrome-trimmed door handles and rear garnish.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Forte Furuidi (2009-)

It is a version of Forte sedan for Chinese market.

The vehicle was unveiled in Nanjing International Expo Centre.^[13]

Production version included choice of 1.6L Gamma or 2.0L Theta engine.^[14]

[edit] Forte LPI Hybrid

It is a hybrid version for South Korean market. The car is powered by liquefied petroleum gas. It includes a 112-hp 1600cc Gamma LPI HEV engine paired, a lithium polymer battery charged electric motor.

The vehicle was unveiled in Seoul Motor Show.^[15][16]

[edit] Engines

Model	Years	Engine type	Power, torque@rpm
Petrol engines
1.6L Gamma	2009-	1,591 cc (2 L; 97 cu in) I4 (Gamma)	124 PS (91 kW; 122 hp)@6300, 15.9 kg·m (156 N·m; 115 ft·lbf)@4300
1.6L Gamma (Furuidi)	2009-	1,591 cc (2 L; 97 cu in) I4 (Gamma)	123 PS (90 kW; 121 hp)@6300, 155 N·m (Template:Convert/kg-m lbft)@4200
1.6L VGT Gamma	2009-	1,582 cc (2 L; 97 cu in) I4 turbo (Gamma)	128 PS (94 kW; 126 hp)@4000, 26.5 kg·m (260 N·m; 192 ft·lbf)@2000
2.0L Theta (Furuidi)	2009-	1,998 cc (2 L; 122 cu in) I4 (Theta II)	156 PS (115 kW; 154 hp)@6400, 194 N·m (Template:Convert/kg-m lbft)@4300
2.0L Theta II DOHC CVVT	2009-	1,998 cc (2 L; 122 cu in) I4 (Theta II)	156 PS (115 kW; 154 hp)@6200, 19.8 kg·m (194 N·m; 143 ft·lbf)@4300
2.0L Theta II DOHC CVVT (Koup)[17]	2009-	1,998 cc (2 L; 122 cu in) I4 (Theta II) (G4KC)	156 PS (115 kW; 154 hp)@6200, Template:Convert/kg-m@4300
2.4L Theta II DOHC CVVT	2009-	2,359 cc (2 L; 144 cu in) I4 (Theta II)	173 PS (127 kW; 171 hp)@6000, 227 N·m (Template:Convert/kg-m lbft)@4000
2.4L Theta II DOHC CVVT (Koup)	2009-	2,359 cc (2 L; 144 cu in) I4 (Theta II) (G4KC)	173 PS (127 kW; 171 hp)@6000, 227 N·m (Template:Convert/kg-m lbft)@4000

[edit] Transmissions

Model	Years	Types
Petrol engines
1.6L Gamma	2009-	5-speed manual, 4-speed automatic
1.6L Gamma (Hybrid)	2009-	Continuously Variable Transmission(CVT)
1.6L VGT Gamma	2009-	4-speed automatic
2.0L Theta II DOHC CVVT	2009-	5-speed manual, 4-speed automatic, 5-speed automatic (only available for the EX model with Fuel Economy Package in the U.S)
2.0L Theta II DOHC CVVT (Koup)	2009-	5-speed manual, 4-speed automatic
2.4L Theta II DOHC CVVT	2009-	6-speed manual, 5-speed automatic
2.4L Theta II DOHC CVVT (Koup)	2009-	6-speed manual, 5-speed automatic

[edit] Equipment

An optional Fuel Economy Package adds lighter tires, smart alternator, 5-Speed Automatic transmission, and aerodynamic enhancements to increase fuel efficiency. With the Fuel Economy package, the Forte EX has a 27 mpg_-US (8.7 L/100 km; 32 mpg_-imp) fuel consumption in city driving and 36 mpg_-US (6.5 L/100 km; 43 mpg_-imp) in highway according to United States Environmental Protection Agency.^[18] Automatic transmission models include an "ECO" display on the instrument panel that tells the driver when better than expected fuel efficiency is reached, hoping to influence driving habits toward more efficient operation.

All Fortes come with standard safety features such as ABS, ESC, and seat and side mounted air bags. The standard stereo includes four speakers, AM/FM radio, CD/MP3 player, and Sirius XM Radio. An iPod compatible USB input jack and an auxiliary port for an external music device and steering wheel mounted audio controls are also integrated with the sound system. Bluetooth handsfree technology is also standard.^[18]

[edit] Receptions

• Automoblog.net (92%) link
• About.com (85%) link
• MotorTrend.com (85%) link
• LeftLaneNews.com (84%) link
• Auto123.com (83%) link
• Autoblog.com (82%) link
• Edmunds.com (80%) link
• U.S. National Automobile Dealers Association (NADAguides.com) Awards 2010 Kia Forte and Forte Koup 'Car of the Year' link

[edit] Marketing

Kia has stated that the Forte was specifically designed to target younger buyers attracted to sharper auto designs.^[19]

The Forte is currently being sold in Singapore^[20] and Vietnam(Thaco Group) as the Kia Cerato Forte and Kia Cerato in Australia and Russia.^{[citation needed]} In Chile it was launched as Kia Koup. The Forte Koup is sold as Kia Cerato Koup in Australia.

[edit] Motorsports

• Kinetic Motorsports will be entering two Forte Koups in the 2010 Continental Challenge season.^[21]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Kia Forte page: South Korea, China (Furuidi)
• Kia global Forte/Cerato micro site

v • d • e Kia Motors, a division of Hyundai Kia Automotive Group, road car timeline, 1990s–present
Type	1990s										2000s										2010s
	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0
City											Visto					Morning/Picanto
Subcompact	Pride
					Avella						Rio						Rio/Pride
																					Venga
Compact																		cee'd
					Sephia/Mentor						Spectra/Shuma					Spectra5/Cerato
					Sephia/Mentor					Sephia/Mentor			Spectra/Shuma			Spectra/Cerato				Forte/Cerato
	Capital
Mid-size	Concord						Credos/Clarus					Optima/Magentis					Optima/Lotze/Magentis
Full-size			Potentia
									Enterprise						Opirus/Amanti
																					Cadenza/K7
Sports car							Elan
Compact SUV					Sportage											Sportage
										Retona
SUV														Sorento						Sorento
																			Mohave/Borrego
Compact MPV										Carens			Carens					Carens/Rondo
										Joice/Carstar										Soul
Minivan										Carnival & Sedona							Carnival & Sedona
Pickup truck								Bongo Frontier				Bongo Frontier				Bongo III
Bus											Granbird								Granbird

v • d • e Kia Motors, a division of Hyundai Kia Automotive Group, North American road car timeline, 1994–present
Type	1990s						2000s										2010s
	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0
Subcompact								Rio					Rio
Compact	Sephia				Sephia												Soul
							Spectra					Spectra					Forte
Mid-size								Optima						Optima
Full-size											Amanti
Compact SUV		Sportage										Sportage
Mid-size SUV										Sorento
																Borrego
Compact MPV														Rondo
Minivan									Sedona					Sedona