U.S. Spec 2010 Kia Forte Sedan Introduced in Chicago: 37 High-Res Photos

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.

2010 Kia Forte - Spectra Coupe Prototype Spied for the First Time

Thanks to the crew over at "Kia-World", we have the first spy shot of the 2010 Kia Forte / Spectra / Cerato Coupe that is scheduled to hit U.S. showrooms sometime in the third quarter of 2009, according to an earlier statement made by Lee Hyun-soon, president of Hyundai-Kia Motors' R&D division. The Kia Forte Sedan based coupe model is essentially the production version of the Kia KOUP Concept that broke cover at the 2008 New York Auto Show. From what we can tell by the camouflaged prototype, the production model's styling looks like it will remain close to the concept.

Power is expected to come from a variety of 4-cylinder engines. Depending on the market, the new model will be available with 1.6- and 2.0-liter gasoline engines as well as a 128 HP 1.6-liter turbo diesel and a top-of the line turbocharged 2.0-liter gasoline unit producing somewhere north of 200HP for the sportiest version of the front-wheel-drive Coupe.

Source: Kia-World , Via: Worldcarfans

New Kia Cerato Makes Australian Debut in Sydney

Kia chose the 2008 Sydney Motor Show that runs from October 9 to 19 to perform the Australian premier of its new Forte sedan (see pictures here) that will be called Cerato in the land Down-Under. Due for release in the Australian market in early 2009, the Cerato will be offered with a new 2.0-litre gasoline engine. Kia is still working on the final specification and pricing for the Australian model but the Korean automaker's officials claim that the Cerato will feature a great value-for-money price. -Continued

2009 Kia Forte Sedan Official Images

These are the first official images of the 2009 Kia Forte that will replace the Spectra, or as it’s called in Europe and other markets, the Cerato. Information is sketchy for the time being, but we do know that the sedan model will enter the U.S. market by mid-2009, followed later in the year by a Coupe version based on the Koup Concept.

Unless you paycheck comes from Kia or Hyundai, the Forte’s design brings to mind the Honda Civic (especially the front-end) and if you've had one or two glasses of French wine, you may even find a couple of similarities with the long-gone Citroen Xsara in the styling of the car’s rear quarters. -Continued

Via: Thecarblogger , Source: Kia