Disguised Kia Forte Koup spotted in Korea

Kia Forte Koup has had a successful US premiere at the New York Auto Show last week. Even before the auto show closed it’s doors, the Koup has been selected as a best vehicle at the auto show by a reputable US automotive website, MSN Auto who has praised the Koup for impressive exterior styling, value and overall potential to help move the automotive industry forward. 

The 2010 Forte Koup is sportier variant of Kia Forte sedan and is Kia’s first two-door coupe model ever. Aimed at younger buyers, it was originally unveiled as a KOUP concept car at New York Auto Show last year and now, only 12 months later, a production model has made it’s official unveiling.

The two-door Koup is scheduled to go on sale already this year, sometime by the end of summer Kia says. Initially, it will only be available in the Korean, US and Canadian markets, but later it’s sales is expected to spread and reach global markets such as Australia, South East Asia and Middle East. According to Kia it will not be on sale in Europe, where Kia has a sporty pro_cee’d that is built on the same platform.

This exciting Kia model is expected to be a tuner-friendly car and a popular choice among tuner crowds. As you can see below, modifications such as lower coil springs or a set of aftermarket alloy-wheels makes the vehicle look even more stunning, while it’s four-cylinder engines, when in the hands of the right tuner, can turn this car into a real Honda (Civic) killer. [Photo source: KMSA]

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It was previously thought that Kia Motors unveiled a production-ready Soul hybrid at Shanghai Auto Show, but soon after the wraps were taken off it became clear that the company has brought the same concept version to China as it was displayed at Paris Auto Show last year.

Visually, the Soul hybrid concept does not differ much from a production model. As a matter of fact, the sole difference that one can find is the transparent bonnet which allows auto-show-visitor to take a sneak peak preview at Kia’s advanced hybrid powertrain, that could soon become a production reality and could be applied to some of the compact and sub-compact Kia cars.

Inside the cabin, the Soul hybrid concept differentiates by having a digital circular dials and an orange-black two tone interior combination. The rest has been kept unchanged.

The Soul hybrid is powered by 1.6L gasoline engine coupled to 20 hp electric motor and CVT transmission. According to Kia, it returns an average fuel consumption of 4.9L/100km or 48MPG - US and brings carbon dioxide emissions down by 26 percent to just 117 g/km.

Kia Soul hybrid also features an innovative Idle-Stop-Go (ISG) system that automatically switches the engine off -when the car is stopped in a heavy traffic- and on again when the traffic moves. The ISG technology has just recently been applied to the cee’d hatchback and is already on sale in Europe. [Image source: Auto.Sohu.com ]

2010 Kia Sorento engines

At the Seoul Auto Show Kia unveiled it’s next generation Sorento crossover. The all-new Sorento is making  huge step forward in terms of design, refinement and powertrain options. When Sorento goes on sale later this year it will be available with a variety of fuel efficient diesel, gasoline and LPG powered engines. In general, there will be four of them, but availability of the various engine will depend on market and region.

The eco-friendly 2.2L R-diesel engine is equipped with third-generation common-rail fuel injection system and satisfies strict Euro 5 emissions standards. Thanks to the use of advanced technology, the engine out-performs most of diesel engines from rival brands. It generates a maximum power of 200 horsepower and 435Nm of torque.

Gasoline power will come from 2.4L and 3.5V6 engines. The upgraded 2.4L inline four-cylinder Theta II engine will be used as an entry-level Sorento engine in the US market. It features Continuously Variable Valve Timing - CVVT technology and generates 175 horsepower and 23.0 kgm of torque.

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One of my Korean colleagues sent me a candid photo of an unknown prototype vehicle that has been spotted in South Korea just recently. Since it’s been caught in Korea, the prototype must be belonging to one of the Korean car brands. Besides Kia and Hyundai, it’s possible that the vehicle is also badged either as Daewoo, Samsung-Renault or Ssangyong.

Majority of exterior body parts, including badging on rear trunk-lid, which could possibly reveal us it’s origin, have been covered with heavy camouflage. But the black plastic vinyls applied to the car are typical Hyundai-Kia coverings used to hide the final shape touches of the group’s future vehicles. That indicates us this could in deed could be one of the upcoming future Hyundai-Kia mid-sized four-door sedans.

I did a quick research on some of the upcoming mid-size sedans from Korean carmakers. In the works are next generation Hyundai Sonata, Kia VG, Hyundai Grandeur, Kia Optima, Renault-Samsung SM5 and Daewoo Leganza sedan. Based on some visible design elements and other facts (read below) I narrowed my choice to two vehicles: the 2011 Kia Optima (TF) and 2010 Hyundai Azera (HG).

Next generation Optima sedan, is rumored to make it’s official debut late in 2010 or early 2011, so I think it’s still a bit early to see prototypes doing the real-life testing. Based on the B-pillar design, which is similar to the one at Hyundai Genesis sedan, it seems more likely that this is an all-new Hyundai Grandeur (Azera in the US). The new Grandeur, codenamed HG, is expected to be unveiled sometime next year, just a few months after it’s sibling Kia VG  model.

Those are just my thoughts based on the image we got here. Now let me hear yours!

Kia Soul hybrid spotted in China

Earlier today, we brought you latest Kia news from Shanghai Auto Show where the company has officially unveiled it’s Forte sedan and Sorento crossover to Chinese public. Before the auto show officially kicked off, someone spotted the Kia Soul hybrid, which has apparently been put on display alongside the afore-mentioned duo of vehicles.

It was in Paris when Kia first displayed it’s Soul hybrid. At that time, the vehicle was still in the concept form, but the company stated it could reach the production very soon. Kia Soul hybrid concept has been applied with Kia’s 1.6L gasoline engine mated to a continuously variable transmission -CVT and 20 horsepower electric motor.

It has also been equipped with Idle Stop&Go - ISG system and regenerative braking. The Soul hybrid concept has been designed to offer fuel consumption in the range of 48 mpg and a CO2 figure of 117 g/km.

Since this Soul hybrid differs from the one we have seen in Paris by not having the transparent bonnet, some of the automotive media believe it to be a production-ready Soul hybrid rather than a concept car. [Source: Auto.Sohu.com]

Kia Motors unveils an all-new Forte sedan and Sorento crossover at the 2009 Shanghai Motor Show.

In the first three months of the 2009, Kia has experienced sales growth in China. To keep the sales numbers rising, it was announced the company will add a few new models to it’s China line-up.First expected to hit the Kia dealerships across China are the all-new Forte sedan and Sorento crossover.

Both of them have made their official Chinese premiere today at Shanghai Motor Show and both will play crucial role in Kia’s future growth in China market. While the 2010 Sorento will be imported from South Korea, the Forte sedan will be made locally by Kia’s China joint venture called Donfeng Yueda Kia. The new Forte will be built at Kia’s plant located in Jiangsu province that has a maximum capacity of producing 300.000 cars annually.

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The 2010 Kia Forte Koup has not even gone on sale and yet the vehicle has already won it’s first prestigious accolade. The attractively stylized Forte Koup, which made it’s official US premiere at the auto show event in New York has been named as a Best in Show vehicle by the editors of a reputable US automotive website MSN Autos.

The all-new Kia Forte Koup has been recognized for its sleek styling and extensive offerings for a good value. In addition, Kia’s first ever two-door coupe has also been noted for its competitive power and fuel efficiency.

“As the New York Auto Show offers a number of concept and production introductions, we are pleased that MSN Autos recognized Forte Koup as a ‘Best in Show’ for its bold styling and immense value,” said Michael Sprague, VP of Marketing at Kia Motors America.

Based on the same platform as the four-door Forte sedan, the Forte Koup comes available in two trim levels (EX and SX), and features a muscular yet sophisticated design. Powering the Forte Koup are a choice of two four cylinder engines, a 2.0L with 156 hp and 144 lb-ft of torque (EX models), or a 2.4L delivering 173 hp and 168 lb-ft of torque (SX models).

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Kia Motors reports March 2009 sales numbers

Kia Motors Korea released their monthly sales report, revealing us it’s global sales result for the month of March 2009. Unlike some of it’s main competitors Kia manages to keep it’s sales numbers rising during the economic slowdown. In March 2009, the Korean second-largest car company sold 125.738 new vehicles globally The number represents a slight increase over the last year’s 124.767 sold units (Kia sales in March 2008)

Kia sales by region

General markets, China and South Korea remain the top performing markets. In March, Kia sold 22.546 units in General markets (+19%), 14.540 units in China (+11%) and 30.043 vehicles in South Korea (+6%). Thanks to the new Soul, Kia also increased it’s US sales by 0.9% (28.279 units). Particularly strong in March was the sales in Africa and Middle East where Kia posted a whoping 70 percent year-on-year sales increase (14.192 units sold).

Cumulatively, in the first quarter of 2009, Kia experienced the largest sales gain in General markets, selling 62.957 units (+ 20.1%), while the North American and Korean markets showed cumulative year-on-year sales increases of 1.5% (79.494 units sold) and 6.7% (79.406 units sold).

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The 2010 Kia No3, YN, cee’d plus…caught without heavy camouflage for the first time. [More spy shots @ Worldcarfans]

These are the latest spy shots of the upcoming Kia Forte Koup, codenamed XK. The Forte Koup is a two-door compact car built on the same platform as the European cee’d hatchback. It has been officially unveiled yesterday at the auto show in New York, where Kia released full details on it’s powertrain specification and equipment levels.

Find more info and official images here: 2010 Kia Forte Koup

Kia has unveiled the 2010 Forte Koup yesterday during it’s official press concference at the auto show in New York. The two-door variant of Forte sedan, which is expected to hit the US Kia dealers in late summer of this year, is a very important new product from Kia Motors as it represents the next step in the evolution of Kia’s design and provides a blend of sporty and emotional appeal.

Find a complete coverage and details on the 2010 Kia Forte Koup here.

Kia Soul sales booming in Europe and elsewhere in the world…

It was expected that Kia Soul will be very popular among car shoppers around the world and first reports coming from Kia indicate that it’s sales are actually booming. Especially in Europe, where Soul has been on sale since late January and has been in a great demand.

As expected, the funky Kia Soul urban crossover has seen a high demand and by now it’s sales have already passed the 5.000 units mark, which represents a number that is 13 percent higher than initial Kia expectations.

The Soul crossover, which is available in Europe with a choice of 1.6L diesel and gasoline engines that both generate 126 horsepower, has also seen a very encouraging sales start in the US market. It went officially on sale in the last days of February and during those two days of the month 46 Soul have been sold.

During March 2009, the US Soul sales has taken off and crossed the 1000 mark barrier. In March 1246 units of Soul were sold in the US market alone and when we add additional 708 units that were sold in Canada we get a number really close to 2000 units. Not bad for a newly launched car and the first full sales month!

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Surprising debut: Kia Forte Koup makes an official global debut in New York 

During it’s official press conference at the 2009 New York Auto Show, Kia Motors America unveiled it’s performance-inspired 2010 Forte Koup production vehicle. The 2010 Kia Forte Koup offers a blend of sporty and emotional appeal and is the company’s first-ever two-door coupe. The vehicle embodies the brand’s current bold design direction first seen on the concept version of the Koup coupe in 2007.

Kia Forte Koup: design

Based on the design styling of the KOUP concept vehicle shown during last year’s show, Forte Koup’s fluid lines and balanced proportions, meant to evoke an emotional driving experience, closely mirror the powerful design cues of the concept vehicle and offer the same aggressive stance with swept-back wrap-around headlamps, aggressive air intakes and a low, sleek profile.

Available in two trim levels (EX and SX), Forte Koup offers a muscular yet sophisticated design. Even from behind, Forte Koup exudes attitude with slim, wrapped tail lights, duel exhaust outlets and a rear diffuser.

Athleticism and convenience are standard for the Forte Koup EX with body-color bumpers, power heated outside mirrors with integrated turn signals and 16-inch alloy wheels outfitted with P205/55R16 tires. The SX trim offers an even sportier profile with 17-inch alloy wheels paired with P215/45R17-sized premium tires.

Kia Forte Koup gallery: part 1

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The 2010 Kia Forte is expected to go on sale in Canada by the end of April. While we are waiting Kia Canada to release some official information on Forte’s trim levels, equipment and pricing details, we will show you two leaked documents that we received in our mail-box earlier today and are revealing some of the awaited information.

According to the leaked pricing documents, the four-door Forte sedan will range in price from $15.695 to $22.195 (Canadian dollar). Featuring an all-new exterior and interior design, the 2010 Forte sedan will be equipped with either a 156 horsepower 2.0L or 174 hp 2.4L Theta four-cylinder engines and four different transmissions (5-speed manual, 4-speed automatic, 6-speed manual and 5-speed automatic). The all-new Kia Forte (in Canadian market) is available in three trim levels: LX, EX and SX.

Base Forte LX offers various standard features such power heated outside mirrors, power windows, power doorlocks, MP3 audio system with AUX and USB input ports, voice activated hands-free Bluetooth connectivity, steering wheel mounted audio controls and a complete safety equipment including 6 airbags, ABS, four-wheel disc brakes and anti-whiplash front headrests.

EX and SX models offer a number of additional features, such as: electronic stability control (ESC), 16 inch or 17 inch alloy wheels, automatic climate control, telescopic steering wheel, exterior chrome door handles, automatic sunroof and more (see the image below!).

The top of the range Forte SX model equipment also includes supervision instrument cluster, leather-trimmed seats, metalic interior accents, leather wrapped steering-wheel, alloy sport pedals and Sirius satellite radio.

Kia Forte pricing:

Forte 2.0L LX
Forte 2.0 LX  5-speed manual transmission - $15.695
Forte 2.0 LX  4-speed automatic transmission - $16.895
Forte 2.0 LX “Plus” 4-speed automatic tranny - $18.195

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Kia Soul awards keep coming…

It was announced today by Kia Motors America that their all-new 2010 Kia Soul has been named as the “Grooviest Interior” on the Ward’s AutoWorld “Interior of the Year” list.

A group of 35 vehicles that are either all-new or have significantly updated interiors for the 2009 or 2010 model years have been evaluated by Ward’s AutoWorld editors. The vehicles were divided into six segments based on price and awarded by points for design, material selection, ergonomics, fit-and-finish, driver information, value, safety and comfort.

Just recently launched it Miami  and on sale since beginning of March, the 2010 Kia Soul was one of only 11 vehicles honored for offering great looks and great value along with extensive safety features, comfort and convenience features.

Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing of KMA said the company has been extremely pleased with Ward’s recognition of the Soul as a youthful, aesthetically pleasing vehicle that offers consumers tremendous value. “As we continue to focus heavily on design, both with the Soul and our upcoming 2010 Kia Forte, we are confident that consumers will recognize our continued commitment to providing stylish vehicles with an emphasis on value, safety and quality” told Michael.

Available with a base price of $13,300and in four trims (Soul, Soul+, Soul! and Soul sport), the Soul offers consumers a highly personalizable vehicle with an equally “groovy” yet user-friendly and practical interior space.

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