The 2010 Forte Koup, Kia first-ever two-door coupe, has been named one of the “Best of the 2009 Orange County Auto Show” by NADAguides.com. One of only five vehicles at the show to be honored, this credit comes on the heels of its sibling, the 2010 Forte sedan, being named “Car of the Month” for August by the same online automotive resource.

The most recent addition to the Kia Motors lineup under the brand’s aggressive design-led product rollout, Forte Koup was acclaimed for its bold styling, class-leading power and exceptional standard technology features.

“This honor by NADAguides.com is just another example of how Kia is moving in the right direction by offering consumers a number of appealing qualities in all Kia vehicles, including comfort, styling, technology and safety,” said Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing of KMA. “Forte Koup is yet another huge statement for the brand both in style and in value, and presents us with the exciting ability to reach an entirely new market of automotive enthusiasts.”

NADAguides.com selected the top five vehicles of the Orange County Auto Show based on a concept or production vehicle’s style and features as well as its ability to make an immediate impact on the automotive industry and predict the needs of consumers.

“The Kia Forte Koup follows in the footsteps of the slightly larger four-door sedan with an unprecedented 2.4-liter engine that produces 173 horsepower. Kia is becoming the next big global automotive giant,” said Michael Caudill, automotive expert for NADAguides.com.

Available in two trims, EX and SX, Forte Koup offers consumers an aggressively styled performance-inspired two-door coupe with an abundance of amenities as well as impressive power. All Forte Koup models feature Bluetooth® connectivity with steering wheel-mounted controls that enable voice-activated hands-free operation for compatible cell phones and a six-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system outfitted with SIRIUS Satellite Radio.

For added listening convenience, steering wheel-mounted audio controls also come standard on all models, as well as USB and auxiliary input jacks in the center console with full iPod® and MP3 controllability via the audio head unit or steering wheel-mounted controls.

For those looking for extra punch under the hood, Forte Koup is truly a driver’s car with options of either a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine (EX models), producing 156 horsepower and 144 pound-feet of torque(2) that features Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) and multi-port electronic fuel injection, or an upgraded 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine (SX models), also with CVVT, which delivers 173 horsepower and 168 pound-feet of torque(3), more than the Scion tC. [Source: Kia]

Kia Cerato Koup goes on sale in Australia. Attractively styled and loaded with 2.0L gasoline engine, the 2010 Cerato Koup starts at $23.690 (AUS $).

Kia Motors has launched its first-ever, two-door coupe, called the Cerato Koup in Australia. Building on the success of the new Cerato sedan, which has been on sale in the country “down under” from January 2009, the Cerato Koup offers performance, ride and handling that’s even more responsive than the sedan.

Despite its sporty appearance and lower roofline, the 4.48 m long Koup has a wheelbase of 2650 mm and offers extraordinary passenger and luggage space, highly competitive levels of equipment and state-of-the-art active and passive safety.

Standard equipment on the Aussie-spec Kia Cerato Koup includes 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS system, 17-inch alloy wheels with 215/45 R17 tyres, 6 air-bags, active front headrests, keyless remote central locking, MP3 compatible CD player with Power Bass, air conditioning, “Super Vision” cluster with rear parking assist display, Traction Control System-TCS, repeater lamps on door mirrors and other features.

Unlike the North-American Koup model, Aussie-spec Kia Cerato Koup is available with a choice of one gasoline engine only. The 2.0L four-cylinder Theta II engine delivers a highly competitive power rating of 115kW and 194Nm peak torque at 4.300 rpm.

From standstill, the 2.0L engine can propel the all-new Cerato Koup to 100 km/h in low 9.3 seconds and to its top speed of 190 km/h. The engine in Cerato Koup is mated to 5-speed manual transmission, but buyers can also choose an optional 4-speed automatic gearbox. A more spirited 2.4L engine, which is fitted to the Koup in the States and Canada, is unlikely to make it to Australia any time soon.

Pricing for the 2010 Kia Cerato Koup starts well below $25.000 (Aus $). Entry-level Cerato Koup, with five-speed automatic gearbox, costs $23.690, while four-speed automatic transmission equipped Cerato Koup clocks in at $25.690. [Source: Kia Australia]

Kia Forte Koup price starts at $16,595. Already on sale at your local Kia dealership!

Kia Motors America has released information about pricing details on its striking Kia Forte Koup, which has started hitting the US Kia dealerships a few days ago. Pricing for the two-door Forte Koup, which is available in two trims including (EX and SX), starts at $16,595 (price excludes a $695 destination charge).

The 2010 Kia Forte Koup EX is powered by a 2.0L four-cylinder gasoline engine that features Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) and multi-port electronic fuel injection and generates 156-horsepower and 144 lb-ft. Transmission choices in the Forte Koup EX include a four-speed automatic or five-speed manual gearbox, while estimated fuel-economy for the EX model comes in at an estimated 25/34 mpg (city/highway).

Stepping up to the SX Forte Koup will cost you $17,695. The Forte Koup SX features an upgraded, 173 horsepower 2.4L four-cylinder engine under its hood and can be mated either to a 5-speed automatic or 6-speed manual transmission.

When paired with 6-speed manual transmission, the Koup achieves an economical 22/32 mpg (city/highway), while equipped with five-speed automatic transmission it offers 23/31 mpg.

Standard on all Forte Koups are Air conditioning, cruise control, tilt steering, 16-inch wheels, remote keyless entry and power windows, locks and mirrors, Bluetooth (for voice-activated hands-free phone connectivity) and a six-speaker audio system with controls built into the steering wheel.

The Forte Koup SX ads 17-inch wheels, fog lights, tilt and telescoping steering column, upgraded cloth seat covers, metal-finish trim and pedals, sport-tuned suspension. Available as an option on all trim levels are a sunroof worth $600 and a $1000 leather-trimmed interior with heated seats in front.

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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.

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This is the very first video commercial for the 2010 Kia Forte Koup. Enjoy watching it!

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Kia Forte Koup press conference held in South Korea. US Forte Koup sales to commence in August 2009. Available on all major global markets, except of Western Europe.

During the last few days, Kia has been stepping it’s press and media activities at different continents across the world with important new model presentations taking place in the USA and South Korea.

Our friends at Kia Motors America have been occupied with the official press & media unveiling of the 2010 Forte sedan over the past few days. A large group of American journalists has been invited to Seattle to meet the stunning Spectra successor in-person and take it for a spin (read: 250 mile road trip).

While Americans have been having fun experiencing the all-new Forte sedan, their Asian colleagues have had an opportunity to take the first look at Forte based two-door sporty coupe. Dubbed Forte Koup, the production-ready two-door Kia coupe has been shown to Korean media during the official press conference today.

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Another day and here we have another news report related to the striking Kia Forte Koup. Among all Kia vehicles, the upcoming Forte Koup has been the most commonly seen car at the blog over the past two weeks with fresh new images hitting the web almost on daily basis. 

During this past weekend you could have seen some cool pics showcasing the hot-looking Forte Koup painted in dark-silver color and equipped with a nicely designed set of 17-inch alloy-wheels. A closer look at Forte’s sexy but revealed a US registration plate, which tells us that the model was obviously a US-spec Kia Forte Koup.

Following those great shots, we have a series of new ones brought to my e-mail box earlier today. Based on the reg-plates, this time, the Koup has been spotted in South Korea while running on a race-track. The purpose of testing is not known, but the Koup you see is obviously undergoing some high-speed race-track testing.

This makes me wonder what if Kia engineers have put a more powerful engine under it’s hood and are now testing the vehicle before it hits the production!? The company has two newly developed turbo engines that could fit the Forte pretty well.

First possible option is the 2.0L turbo engine that has just recently been applied to the 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe and generates 210 hp while the second one, a 1.6L turbo engine with 175 hp is still waiting to make it’s production premiere.

But since the US-spec Forte Koup will have a 2.4L inline four-cylinder engine that produces 174 hp it’s more likely that a possible sporty Koup variant is going to feature the same 210hp turbo powerplant under the hood as you can get in a Hyundai Genesis Coupe.

Except of some rumors we have heard last year, no official words have been released about a sporty range of Kia models so far. Related link: exclusive Kia Forte Koup review 

Here are the latest “spy shots” of the HOT looking Kia Forte Koup. The model has been spotted in a garage of one of the tuning shops. Registration plate attached at rear bumper indicates that this must be the US-spec Forte Koup model.

So far, we have seen many shots of the new Kia Forte Koup and every time I see the car I like it more! Is it just me or it’s the same by you?

Related link: Exclusive Kia Forte Koup review

Sales of the 2010 Kia Forte to commence in South Korean market within a month

Several different Korean car magazines reported yesterday that Kia Motors will put the 2010 Forte Koup on sale in June 11th. As far as we know the afore-mentioned release date relates only to Korean market where the Koup will be on sale first. 

It is still not clear when exactly the sporty two-door model will go on sale in the US and Canada, but some sources state that North Americans should get the Forte Koup by the end of summer. What we have also learned today is the fact that Kia will also put the Forte Koup on sale in global markets such as Middle East, Asia and Australia. However, the Koup won’t be available in Europe as Kia doesn’t want to compete head to head against it’s other hot looking (& very successful) hatch, the three-door pro_cee’d.

As we have been told by a Scudracer (our dear friend who wrote an exclusive Kia Forte Koup review for us), the Koup will deviate greatly from it’s four-door sibling model. Apart from powertrain elements and interior lay-out, the exterior will be completely different with the only exterior body part being shared with Forte sedan is the hood! Everything else is uniquely Koup!

If you’re interested in the Forte Koup, then you can read the very first and exclusive Kia Forte Koup review here.

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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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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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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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.

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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