The highly anticipated two-door sports car from Kia, called the Forte Koup will be launched in the US market in late summer according to latest report from Kia and will join Kia Motors America line-up as the company’s first-ever two-door coupe.
Based on the same platform as the four-door Forte sedan, the Koup will be available in two trim levels (EX and SX) and will offer a variety of engine and transmission options. Base Forte Koup EX will be powered by a 2.0L inline four-cylinder engine which features continuously variable valve timing (CVVT) and multi-port electronic fuel injection and churns out 156 horsepower.
The 2010 Forte Koup SX variant will feature an upgraded 2.4L four-cylinder Theta engine, which also features CVVT technology and produces a class-leading 173 horsepower!
Transmission options in the 2010 Kia Forte Koup will include four different transmission options. As standard, there will be a five-speed manual transmission or an optional electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission with overdrive for EX models. Higher-end Forte Koup SX models will be available with either a standard six-speed manual transmission or an optional five-speed Sportsmatic transmission.
According to Kia, the Forte Koup body is 2.4 inches lower and 2.0 inches shorter than its sedan sibling, but with the same wheelbase as Forte sedan, Koup provides comfortable seating for up to five passengers.
The suspension of the all-new Kia Forte Koup has been tuned by Kia engineers in the US and has been set up to deliver responsive handling and a smoother ride quality and refinement than competitors such as Scion tC. To appeal those buyers with sportier driving preferences, Kia will also offer the 2010 Forte Koup SX with sport-tuned suspension wich reduces body roll, improves handling and provides more spirited ride.
Pricing for the US market Forte Koup has yet to be released. Just for a comparison, in Canada, the 2010 Kia Forte Koup EX starts at $18,495 (Canadian dollars), while the upper range Forte Koup SX costs $21,495 (CND!).
In the same country the Forte EX sedan starts at $17,995, while Forte SX sedan costs $20,995, meaning the difference between sedan and coupe varies aproximately $500. I expect to see a very similar pricing difference in the US market as well.
July 10th, 2009 at 9:19 pm
Still looks s t u n n i n g =D
THEY NEED TO BRING THIS TO THE UK!!!
July 10th, 2009 at 9:20 pm
The Blue Koup is gorgeous
July 10th, 2009 at 10:10 pm
Kia doesn’t plan to bring it to the UK, but you guys get diesel engines and the face-lifted procee’d lucky brits!
July 10th, 2009 at 10:20 pm
Let’s make a deal! The UK can have the Forte Koup if the US can have diesels in return. That way we are all happy!
July 11th, 2009 at 1:24 am
oooohhh i would love to sell diesel in the usa!
July 11th, 2009 at 2:46 am
I drove a diesel powered Cee’d when I was in Korea, it is really smooth and faster than anything Kia has here in the US.
July 11th, 2009 at 11:29 am
Greg da chajee, they should put that engine in a Sportage and sell it in the US. Hyundai/KIA seems dead set on their US strategy being Direct Injection Turbos and Hybrids.
July 11th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
Wow, looks stunning in Santorini Blue. All I can say, when they bring it to Aus, GIVE US THE 2.4L!!!
July 11th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
Its the marketing office they don’t think it will sell.. People are crazy over mileage suddenly, it will sell..
July 11th, 2009 at 4:12 pm
I really don’t care for Kia’s marketing office. If I worked in that office, I could probably double their sales. Kia’s marketing office is full of worried idiots.
July 12th, 2009 at 6:26 am
KIA Could be a nice family brand if they rounded it off with Diesel Trucks. Hyundai/KIA should consider being like GM in the 80s bringing out those Diesels. I bet they would get a lot more family sales if they sell their 40+ MPG Diesel Trucks (Sportage/Tuscon) they Sell in Europe, along with their superb line of Small cars.
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According to John Krafcik, Martin1491, Hyundai/KIA will sell its American Products in North America, China, Korea, and Austrailia Only. Its only a matter of time before you guys down under get the 2.4L Mate.
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Everybody else will get Hyundai/KIAs European Products.
July 12th, 2009 at 11:53 am
HyundaiSmoke, I sure hope so. I mean as I said previously, the Mazda3 and Lancer are offered with 2.5L and 2.4L engines along with the standard 2.0L engines as well. Can’t see why KIA won’t follow suit, just their’s will be better
.
July 14th, 2009 at 3:22 am
Hyundai/KIA should put a fork in it and buy the rest of Mitsubushis stock, and use the name Mitsubishi as a Tuning company only.