Following its introduction in the Korean market last August, Kia unveiled the U.S. spec Forte at the at the 2009 Chicago Auto Show. Due to go on sale in the States in late spring or early summer of 2009, the Forte sedan will replace the (very) forgettable Spectra in Kia's North American lineup. Available in three trim levels, the Forte LX and EX are powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 156HP and 144 pound-feet of torque, while the range-topping SX features an upgraded 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine delivering an output of 173HP.
The Forte LX and EX 2.0 are offered with two transmission options, a standard five-speed manual transmission or an optional electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission. The more powerful SX 2.4 comes with a standard six-speed manual transmission and an optional five-speed automatic transmission with Sportmatic.
While pricing and detailed information on the standard equipment will be announced closer to the launch date, Kia said that all Forte sedans will come with a standard four speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system outfitted with SIRIUS Satellite Radio capabilities with three months complimentary service, an auxiliary audio input jack and USB port for connecting personal MP3 players and Bluetooth connectivity. The EX and SX packages also add a standard six speaker surround audio system and steering wheel controls.
In terms of safety features, Kia has equipped all Forte sedans with two-stage airbags, front seat-mounted and side curtain airbags, four-wheel disc brakes with an antilock brake system (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC) and traction control (TCS), and a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) as standard.
