Introducing The 2010 Kia Forte
Kia Motors has been on a roll of late, having introduced its hip, new Soul vehicle at last November’s Los Angeles Auto Show and then following that up with the cool concept Soul’ster at this year’s NAIAS in Detroit. With the Chicago Auto Show press preview days now underway, Kia is showing everyone that three is indeed a charm by introducing a new compact car, the Forte.
A 2010 model, the Kia Forte will be arriving in Kia showrooms late Spring or early Summer. The Forte will replace the Spectra which is the brand’s best selling model.
With a wheelbase of 104.3 inches, an overall length of 178.3 inches, an overall width of 69.9 inches and overall height of 57.5 inches, Forte offers one of the roomiest interiors in its class with seating for up to five passengers.
The Kia-engineered body achieves high torsional stiffness giving Forte better handling, smoother ride quality and greater refinement than its competitors, with a specially tuned suspension adjusted perfectly for responsive handling on curvy roads.
Forte boasts a class-leading 96.8 cubic feet of passenger volume, while driver and passengers have an impressive 40.0 inches of headroom and 43.3 inches of legroom in the front seats and 37.8 inches of headroom and 35.0 inches of legroom in the rear seats. Forte's trunk also offers an impressive 14.7 cubic feet of cargo space, one of the largest in its class.
EX and SX models offer a number of additional standard luxurious touches including: power windows and door locks; remote keyless entry; air conditioning; map lamps; steering wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls; and dual front and rear cup holders. Forte EX and SX models also include standard cruise control with an optional sunroof and leather-trimmed seats. Also standard on SX models is a telescoping steering column and sport cloth seats adorned with red stitching.
The Forte will be powered by a 2.0-liter DOHC four-cylinder engine producing 156 h.p. and 114 lb.-feet of torque. Transmission choices include a five speed manual or optional four speed automatic. A 2.4L I4 is optional, an engine that Kia says will produce more power than two of its chief competitors, the Toyota Corolla and the Mazda3.
Retail prices haven’t been announced yet, but I would expect that it would be close to what Kia is currently charging for the Spectra which starts at around $14,200.
Clearly, the Forte is a major design improvement over the Plain Jane Spectra, perhaps the right boost the Korean automaker needs to help it be competitive in a tight market.
Source: Kia Motors America
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5 Responses to “Introducing The 2010 Kia Forte”
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February 12th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
The term Forte in music notation means “loud” or “play loud.” Funny then that this new Kia is restrained and maturely drawn. Additionally, the two-door variant looks even better.
February 12th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
Well noted, Ali! Forte also means to excel which is what they may have had in mind when naming the car. Either way, Iike the name and the vehicle’s look.