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Marty Padgett
• Key facts: It’s four doors only this time; SX models get larger four-cylinder engine; Bluetooth and Sirius are standard
• On sale: Summer 2009
• Price: $15,000 (est.)
The 2010 Kia Forte takes a bow at the 2009 Chicago auto show today. Replacing the Spectra in Kia’s lineup, the Forte makes the trip to reality in four-door form only, leaving the buyers of the old five-door Spectra wanting, at least for now. The Forte is the first product overseen in its entirety by Peter Schreyer, the wunderkind hired by Kia to remake the lineup in a more modern vein. Schreyer’s touch shows in a more sophisticated shape, though no one will mistake the Forte for the daring Honda Civic (or the kludgy Ford Focus, for that matter).
The Forte’s basics are the stuff economy cars do best: simple independent suspensions, four-cylinder engines, manual and automatic transmissions. Base cars have a 153-hp four, and five-speed manual and four-speed automatic trannies. The SX edition spools up 173 hp with a 2.4-liter four, and teams it to a six-speed manual or a five-speed automatic.
The 2010 Forte has a smart array of safety gear, including stability control and curtain airbags. And praise be, even the base car has standard Bluetooth connectivity, Sirius satellite radio and a USB input for iPhones and lesser speaking products.
We’ll have more on the Forte later today from the 2009 Chicago show floor. In the meantime, you can read a more complete preview over at our 2010 Kia Forte page, where we’ll be updating with more photos this afternoon.
2010 Kia ForteEnlarge Photo• What is it: Kia’s new compact sedan, replacing the Spectra • Key facts: It’s four doors only this time; SX models get larger four-cylinder engine; Bluetooth and Sirius are standard • On sale: Summer 2009 • Price: $15,000 (est.) The 2010 Kia Forte takes a bow at the 2009 Chicago auto show today. Replacing the Spectra in Kia’s lineup, the Forte makes the trip to reality in four-door form only, leaving the buyers of the old five-door Spectra wanting, at least for now. The Forte is the first product overseen in its entirety by Peter Schreyer, the wunderkind hired by Kia to remake the lineup in a more modern vein. Schreyer’s touch shows in a more sophisticated shape, though no one will mistake the Forte for the daring Honda Civic (or the kludgy Ford Focus, for that matter). The Forte’s basics are the stuff economy cars do best: simple independent suspensions, four-cylinder engines, manual and automatic transmissions. Base cars have a 153-hp four, and five-speed manual and four-speed automatic trannies. The SX edition spools up 173 hp with a 2.4-liter four, and teams it to a six-speed manual or a five-speed automatic. The 2010 Forte has a smart array of safety gear, including stability control and curtain airbags. And praise be, even the base car has standard Bluetooth connectivity, Sirius satellite radio and a USB input for iPhones and lesser speaking products. We’ll have more on the Forte later today from the 2009 Chicago show floor. In the meantime, you can read a more complete preview over at our 2010 Kia Forte page, where we’ll be updating with more photos this afternoon.
Responses (4 total)
By Cyrus EM #1, Posted: 2/11/2009
Great Design
Kia hired Audi's lead designer away a couple of years ago. The results are amazing! The car is a bit too much Acura like but it's a leap from the old Spectra. We will see a lot of these on the roads!
By Cyrus EM #2, Posted: 2/11/2009
Great Design
Kia hired Audi's lead designer away a couple of years ago. The results are amazing! The car is a bit too much Acura like but it's a leap from the old Spectra. We will see a lot of these on the roads!
By gslippy #3, Posted: 2/11/2009
Beautiful
Wow, that is a pretty car. And Kia's specs indicate that it can fit real people inside.
GM: If you produced cars like this, you wouldn't be holding the tin cup.
By Scott #4, Posted: 2/12/2009
Enough bashing
Could we please stop bashing GM in the context of everything. Yes, GM has had some issues, even huge issues, but it makes a lot of great cars. Maybe more would be purchased if people would give it a little credit once in awhile or at least stop bashing the company at every opportunity, even when there is no direct comparison to be made.
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