Kia Forte LPi hybrid sedan - Kias first-ever mass produced hybrid car - launched in South Korean market today.

Four months after its official inaugural public debut, which happened during the Aprils Seoul auto show, and a deluge of amateur spy shots, Kia has finally launched its long anticipated Forte LPi hybrid sedan.

The 2010 Kia Forte LPi hybrid is the groundbreaking eco-friendly Kia vehicle and the very first mass produced hybrid car from the second largest Korean car maker. It belongs to a highly acclaimed Forte family, consisting of gasoline and diesel powered Forte compact sedan and a sporty two-door Forte Koup (scheduled to go on sale in the US market in late summer) and shares its liquefied petroleum injection hybrid powertrain technology with Hyundais Elantra LPi hybrid, which went on sale in Korea a few days ago.

Developed over a period of 25 months, the Forte LPi hybrid comes at just about right time as fuel-efficient models gain popularity amid a global economic slowdown. Unfortunately though, the Forte LPi hybrid, which cost Kia approximately $180 million to develop, will be produced exclusively for Korean market. In the first year, Kia aims to sell around 2,000 units of its compact hybrid sedan, while sales may rise to 5,000 units in 2010.

The heart of the Forte LPi hybrid is a 1.6L Gamma LPi (Liquid Petroleum Injected) engine (LPi) mated to the Continuously Variable Transmission -CVT and a hybrid system comprising an electric motor, converter and lithium ion polymer battery. A combination of 1.6L Gamma engine and continuously variable transmission delivers powerful performance and fuel savings.

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My name is Jamayl (Ja-mail) but many know me as JTZ.  I recently traded in my 2004 Kia Optima for a 2010 Kia Forte and love every bit of it.  I find the Forte to be stylish, roomy, and have features I still have to get used too.

Even though this is my third Kia, the Forte is my first to actually have style.  It has a muscular look to it in the front, side and rear.  The style not only satisfies me but it draws reactions around others on the road as well.

For example, Kia owners on the road give me thumbs up or smile.  In fact, when I test drove this car, a black Kia Spectra was next to me full of four young adults.  One of the guys in the back touched the driver on the shoulder to let him know that there was a Forte right next to him.

When he saw it, he first slowed down and gotten behind me so he could see the back.  Then, he drove next to me in the next lane. They all looked toward my car. And one of them rolled the window down and stuck his hand out cheering me on. A few intersections later, the black Spectra had taken off with tremendous speed just after loud music was heard from the black car.

Also, there was one time I was making a left turn on a green light.  I drove up to the intersection so that I can have a guaranteed left turn regardless if the light turns red or not.  The car that was on the other side making their left turn was the last generation Scion XB.

The driver gave me an envious look.  I could imagine him seeing my Kia with the Audi like headlights, Kia’s new face and muscular look with the left turn signals from the headlight and on the mirror blinking on and off on and off giving off more attention.

He hurriedly made his left turn because he couldn’t stand to see what he saw; as a result, after my positive response from the guy with the Spectra and now this, I knew that I was not the only one that was turned on by the Forte’s attractions.  I smiled thinking to myself, Boy if this brings this much attention on the road, how will people react when they see Kia Forte Koups?

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Following the official US unveiling, Kia Forte compact sedan has now been launched in China. Kia will build it at its brand-new China manufacturing plant owned by Kia Motors and Dongfeng Yueda company.    

Kia Motors announced today that it has launched the Forte compact sedan in China market. The official launching ceremony was held at Nanjing International Expo Centre in front of 600 invitees. The all-new Forte sedan made its first appearance at Shanghai Auto Show in April and it received rave reviews from local automotive media, as well as auto show visitors.

The China-built Forte has been praised for its refined and dynamic exterior design, ample interior space and cutting-edge features that surpass the local market’s expectations. The all-new Forte sedan is a very important car for Kia as the company wants to strengthen its presence in China market. With the slew of new models including Forte compact sedan, the company plans to establish itself as an affordable premium automaker and a leading car brand in the world’s largest car market.

The C-segment Forte sedan is a strategic model for the brand globally but also has a special significance in China where Kia has seen its new car sales increasing by more than 13 percent so far this year. The China-produced Forte will be sold under the name Fu-Rui-Di (sounds funny, doesn’t it!?) but according to Kia, the name combines Chinese characters for luck, auspiciousness and advance. The name alludes to a car designed for those who lead the road to success.

Kia will manufacture the new Forte sedan at one of its two China manufacturing plants in the Jiangsu province. When compared to the US-spec Forte sedan, the China-built model received some exterior and interior styling updates along with its convenience features to better satisfy the China consumer tastes.

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Official Kia Forte website updated with additional information and several new images. Base US-spec Kia Forte starts at $13.695. 

Kia Motors America has updated it’s official website with more details on it’s all-new 2010 Forte sedan. Since many of us have been anticipating Kia to release more information on it’s all-new Forte sedan, these updates are very welcome and come in line with the official Forte press introduction.

The US official press introduction is held in Seatle and will last from June 8th to 13th. Major US automotive media will be heading to Seatle to gather detailed information on the car, and more importantly get behind the wheel of the 2010 Kia Forte sedan. As a mather of fact, right now, there’s a “wave one” going one, with the first group of journalists taking the streets of Seatle to fully experience what 2010 Kia Forte sedan has to offer.

2010 Kia Forte price

Official pricing for the 2010 Kia Forte has not been officially released yet, but thanks to our dear friend and very enthusiastic Kia fan we can now reveal the accurate US-spec Forte pricing information. Thanks for the pricing info, Greg!

In addition to offering attractive exterior styling, up-to-date mechanics and great driving dynamics, Kia Forte also surprises with a very competitive pricing, which should make it even more tempting to buy. 

As you can see below, base Kia Forte LX, equipped with 5-speed manual transmission and 156-horsepower four-cylinder engine starts at a very affordable $13.695. Base price for the Forte EX starts at $15.795. Forte SX with more potent 2.4L Theta II engine starts at $17.195 (manual transmission) and tops off at $18.195 for the model equipped with 5-speed automatic transmission.

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The 2010 Forte sedan released in South Korea, Korean-spec Forte model gets new engine, minor technical and equipment enhancements! 

Kia announced it has released a 2010 model year Forte compact sedan at it’s home Korean market. As of now, the Forte has only been available with 1.6L four-cylinder diesel and gasoline engines (South Korean market), but from now on, the customers will also be able to choose from a more potent 2.0L gasoline engine, generating 156 horsepower and 19.8 Nm of torque.

The 2.0L Theta engine features a Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) and multi-port electronic fuel injection, enabling the engine to provide greater performance and fuel economy. According to Kia’s statement, it’s new gasoline engine provides a class leading performance and fuel economy numbers!

When equipped with 4-speed automatic transmission, the 2.0L engine achieves 25 mpg in the city and 34 mpg when highway driving (NOTE: 4-speed automatic is the only automatic transmission available in South Korean market, while in the States, Forte will also be available with 5-speed automatic).

In addition to the all-new, 2.0L four-cylinder engine, the 2010 Forte also benefits from suspension and steering enhancements resulting in improved driving and ride dynamics.

The 2010 model year KDM Forte also receives a host of equipment and trimming upgrades, as well as some technical enhancements. Interior of the 2010 Forte now more techno-look with steering wheel, doors and dashboard receiving metallic interior accents. The 2010 Forte equipment upgrades include a start-stop push button and a backup camera connected to the rear view mirror.

Price for the 2010 Korean-spec Kia Forte, equipped with the 2.0L Theta engine, starts at 17.49 million Won and rises to 18.89 million Won for the more generously equipped models. Base Forte model, equipped with 1.6L engine and 4-speed automatic tranny costs around 13 million Won. [Source: Kia Korea]

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After the pompous official unveiling, the upcoming Kia Forte LPI hybrid has been caught out in the open. Kia first introduced the Forte hybrid car at the 2009 Seoul Auto Show earlier this year and at the same time, the company also introduced it’s new eco-friendly sub-brand, called Eco-Dynamics.

The Eco Dynamics brand will find it’s place on new Kia vehicles with environmentally-pleasant technologies. Those include cars and crossovers equipped with ISG (Idle Stop and Go) systems, hybrid electric powertrains and fuel cell stacks. First to bear the Eco Dynamics logo will be the 2010 Kia Forte LPI hybrid.

Kia’s first ever mass produced hybrid car will be powered by a mild-hybrid system consisting of 1.6L LPI (Liquefied Petroleum Injected) Gamma engine - producing a crop of 114-horsepower - and electric motor that generates additional 20 horsepower. Mated to the CVT transmission, the Forte LPI hybrid will average an estimated fuel economy of 4.7L/100km. 

On the outside, the Forte LPI hybrid differentiates itself from it’s non-hybrid variant with radically redesigned front and rear fascias. In front, Forte hybrid features a slightly redesigned Kia corporate grille and a bumper with attractive fog lights design, while at rear, there are new LED technology equipped tail-lights, lip spoiler and a revamped rear bumper. Inside the Forte hybrid features a navigation display and a Super Vision instrument cluster for hybrid system data. 

According to Kia, the Forte hybrid LPI will be the first hybrid car in the world to use a Lithium Polymer battery pack, which will be supplied by Korean LG Chem, the same company charged with supply the battery pack for the upcoming Chevy Volt. The Kia Forte LPI hybrid electric vehicle is scheduled to go on sale in South Korean market in August this year.  

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2010 Kia Forte Koup review 

Kia has always sold based on value-for-money, which, if boiled down turns out to be PRICE. I’ve been a motor head all my life and have always been Eurocentric. Honda sort of captured my imagination for a while, when they were still building the NSX, Integra Type R, EF8 CRX SiR and other sporty models. But Kia has always been a bargain basement brand; the brand people who couldn’t afford Japanese makes went out and bought.

Lately, however, Kia has moved up market. I began to notice that their fit and finish was improving. Floor carpets that layed down flat with no air pockets, A, B and C pillar inner panels which fit flush with the headliners, even door gaps, trunk and hood gaps which lined up equally. Hmmm, looks like Kia was beginning to give Honda and Toyota a run for the money!

However, would I still DESIRE one? Nope. None of the models had that I’d seen had that ‘Object of Desire’ factor which pulled me in like a CRX SiR or Golf GTi would. That was before I drove the Forte Koup.

It was late in April 2009 and I found myself at Namyang R&D Centre in South Korea, part of a group of Malaysian journalists brought over by the Malaysian distributor, Naza Kia Sdn. Bhd. to test drive the Forte, Forte Koup and Forte ‘Eco Dynamics’ Hybrid. The R&D guys were obviously every excited over showing us their ‘technology’ so they threw in the Borrego FCEV too!

Kia’s R&D team, which is shared with Hyundai (that’s how they get costs down), consists of 8.000 people across the world, in Namyang, Mabuk (Eco Technology), Kia Design Centre Europe (Frankfurt), Europe Technical Centre (Russelheim) India Engineering Centre (Hyderabad), California Proving Ground (Mojave Desert), America Technical Centre (Michigan), Kia Design Centre and America Design & Technical Centre (Irvine, California) and even a Japan R&D Centre in Chiba, Japan which concentrates on electronic and hybrid development.

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Test drive of the 2010 Kia Forte SX 6-speed manual and LX 5-speed manual

I had an appointment this morning to test drive both EX and SX manual versions of the 2010 Kia Forte. It turned out that there was no EX available, and I drove a base LX with the 2.0L and 5-speed manual. This is an acceptable subsitute for the EX, as LX and EX only differ in equipment level and tire size.

The test loop I chose was fairly complete, with a lot of badly broken pavement on local roads, followed by highway driving, including a long uphill section. I drove the test loop with the LX first, then switched to the SX and drove over the same course. Here are the highlights:

Engine
Although the 2.0L (LX, EX) is adequate, the 2.4L in the SX feels markedly stronger. The difference in normal driving is low-end torque. There is not much below 3000 rpm with the 2.0, while the 2.4 has some grunt off the line and pulls strongly from 2500 rpm.

Transmission
Both the 5-speed (LX) and 6-speed (SX) are slick shifting. Throws are short and precise. The 5-speed has the 2.0L engine spinning at 3000 rpm at 120 kmh, which is perfect (not too tall), as there is still a decent throttle response available. On the 6-speed, 5th is almost the same as on the 5-speed, while the 6th gear drops revs to 2500 rpm at 120 km. On the long highway uphill climb, the 2.0 engine needs a downshift in 4th to built momentum, while the 2.4 engine is able to build up speed slowly in 5th.

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2010 Kia Forte vs Mazda3 vs Toyota Corolla comparisson test 

So, I’ve had the chance to spend a lot of time in the new 2010 Kia Forte and put it through paces on course. First off I got to run the 2.0LT LX Forte in an automatic and the 2.4 LT SX in the 6-Speed M/T. There was also a 2010 Mazda 3 and 2009 Toyota Corolla for me to test in comparison.

I’m not even going to talk about Toyota Corolla. That car is antiquated at best. Yes they drive nicely, but not nearly as nice as the other two and the styling and finish is dated already. Toyota needs a redesign.

The Mazda 3 is a nice car. Fit an finish is well done and it drives really nice ( not nicer than the Forte though). It handles well, feels good, and it was a lot of fun through the course. The Key difference between the Forte and the Mazda are what the Mazda doesn’t have. It has less features, less horsepower and torque, and less space, and when it all adds up it costs $6,000.00 more.

And now the Kia Forte…

This car is impressive. What KIA did to change it’s face with the SOUL, it has done again with the FORTE. Aside from the course I also got to take it out for a one hour road and highway test drive. (continue your read after the jump!)

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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.

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 has introduced Forte LPI hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), it’s first mass production hybrid car, to the South Korean consumers yesterday. In addition to that, Kia also unveiled its new eco-friendly sub-brand, Eco-Dynamics, an initiative which will bring a host of new eco-friendly technologies and models to the international markets.

The Forte LPI hybrid electric vehicle is powered by an economical mild-hybrid drive system consisting of 1.6L gasoline engine and electric motor. The Liquefied Petroleum Injected (LPI) engine generates 114 horsepower, while electric motor brings additional 20 hp. Equipped with this kind of hybrid system and continuously variable transmission, the Forte achieves a very competitive fuel economy rating of 17.2 kilometers per liter of LPG fuel (41 MPG US), which is equivalent to 21.5 kilometers per liter fuel economy in terms of gasoline, the company said.

To differentiate the Forte hybrid from it’s non-hybrid variants and improve the vehicle’s aerodynamics, some changes have been implemented to the existing exterior design. In front,  you will notice a slightly different corporate Kia grille and a restyled front bumper with larger air intake and attractive fog lights design, while at rear, Forte now features a radically redesigned rear bumper and LED equipped taillights. On the inside, Forte LPI hybrid features a Super Vision instrument cluster for hybrid system data and a navigation display.

Kia Forte hybrid will also be the world’s first hybrid vehicle to utilize the highly advanced lithium polymer (Li–poly) battery, which is lighter and smaller but has higher output than nickel-metal hydride batteries. Those will be supplied by Korean battery supplier LG Chem, the world’s fourth largest rechargeable battery producer. The LG Chem will also supply similar battery pack to GM’s Chevy Volt.

Following it’s recent announcement that the company will focus on developing of eco-friendly vehicles, Kia also revealed it plans to bring the first full-hybrid car - probably based on the next generation Optima sedan- to the market in late 2010 and it’s first hydrogen fuel cell powered car in 2012. Expected to hit the global markets in the same year is the plug-in hybrid sedan.

Together with it’s parent company Hyundai Motor Co, Kia plans to spend nearly $6 billion on research and development this year, with majority of money pumped into development of new hybrid and fuel cell electric cars such as Kia Forte LPI hybrid and Borrego FCEV.

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With it’s latest four-door compact sedan, joining the US line-up in the summer this year, Kia wants to play it loud. Fresh and modern styling, roomy interior, advanced powertrain technology and a ton of cool new features are some of the qualities that Kia Forte will use to fight against it’s main Japanese and US rivals.

Replacing Spectra sedan, the Forte is set to at least repeat it’s predecessor’s sales results, achieved over the past few years, but Kia’s officials (and us Kia fans) are hoping Forte can do it’s job even better.

We have published an official Forte press release, issued by Kia Motors America yesterday, that includes Forte’s engine options, vehicle specifications, trim levels, estimated MPG numbers, warranty information, … well pretty much everything one would like to know about a brand new vehicle.

Except of one thing, the press pack lacks pricing and sales date details. Well, it’s still too early for the pricing information, but it is expected to be announced closer to Forte’s sales date. The Forte sedan is slated to arrive in U.S. showrooms by late spring or early summer of this year.

To continue our Chicago Auto Show reports, I’d like to share with you this video, tapped during the official unveiling ceremony of the 2010 Kia Forte. It’s an interesting video featuring a Chicago-blues-band playing an intro “Kia song” and Tom Loveless providing all the juicy Forte details to the media. Have a look and enjoy!

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2010 US-spec Kia Forte sedan

Kia Motors America has released an extensive official press pack for it’s 2010 US-spec Kia Forte sedan ahead of it’s official US debut - slated for the 2009 Chicago Auto Show (starting on February 13th).

First of all, it has been officially announced that from now on, Kia’s all-new compact sedan, which will replace the Spectra, is going to be renamed to Forte. Until last, Kia has kept us guessing whether the Spectra name will be retained or replaced by a brand-new nomenclature. Now we know…

The all-new “head-turning” Forte sedan (pronounced for-tay) blends Kia’s exciting new design direction under the tutelage of Kia Motors’ chief design officer Peter Schreyer,  who has joined Kia in 2006 and has been responsible to incorporate a unique and distinctive styling to all future Kia models ( including Forte) .

“The Forte is an aggressively stylish blend of comfort and practicality – and with a host of standard features it provides the great quality and value that consumers have come to expect from Kia vehicles,” said B.M. Ahn, president and CEO of Kia Motors America and KMMG.

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2010 US-spec Kia Spectra

[Source: Motor Trend]

Click image to enlarge!