Kia Forte

Started seeing TV adds for it. Missed seeing anything about it before. Anyone in the know ?

lookin at the specs, the 2.4 is the way to go, comes with a 6 speed, 173 horse, pretty slick...

Looks like it may be the genuine article; can't wait to see one "in the flesh".

Not the worst looking thing in the world to have to look at.

4cylndrfury wrote: Not the worst looking thing in the world to have to look at.

looks like new Civic headlights...

Yeah I thought civic as soon as I saw it. Neato.

Yea the only real warning i saw of this thing was a small concept shot of a red coupe called "the coupe" or something. It looked almost exactly like a new civic coupe. The headlights are almost like the jdm civic/acura csx. At least they changed the body a bit so it wasn't a complete clone. 6 speed and 173 hp doesn't seem bad, what's the weight like?

2853lbs for the 2.4L manual.

petegossett wrote: 2853lbs for the 2.4L manual.

Ow, didn't see that one coming

That's less than the current Si. Unlike the current Si, it has torque so you aren't constantly rowing the shifter to keep the engine rev'd.

Hold On Not Done Accelerating

Never seen that one before. Should I add it to the test drive list for my wife?

the 2.0l LX comes standard with manual windows and locks, a/c is an option, 15" tires, that even come with wheels attached, "remote" mirrors, optional floormats.

on the flipside, all models come standard with bluetooth connectivity, usb/aux connections, satellite radio, and a bajillion airbags standard.

it will be interesting to see if a no frills stripper model will sell like people think it will.

Gotta remember both engines are "World Engines" that all tie back to the 2.0T Evo/GenCoupe so there will be engine swaps. I think, between the nice fat torque curves, the features, look and gas mileage both engines will sell like hotcakes.

I know it's on my list.

GameboyRMH wrote:

petegossett wrote: 2853lbs for the 2.4L manual.

Ow, didn't see that one coming

2800lbs is pretty light right now for a new car.

yeah totally 2800 is pretty light. immagine if you do a bit of weight shedding, i immagine that number would fall pretty fast, too

I wonder what number 22 from Chicago thinks of all this?

100 pounds more than my ti.. and 35 hp more

The lx 2.0 models are listed at 2701. 156hp in that motor too... Not too shabby

Decent car, but has some body roll, and the smaller engine is really buzzy over 3,000 rpm.

http://www.edmontonsun.com/autonet/2009/06/26/9939161-sun.html

You have to respect someone who can call Kia and Hyundai "Seoul-brothers."

Don't forget the "Koup" version is coming out in a few months. A stripper manual-everything one with the smaller motor might make a pretty light little car.

I like the styling. It looks like what the Civic would have looked like if the Honda designer wasn't tripping on LSD.

4cylndrfury wrote: Not the worst looking thing in the world to have to look at.

I think it looks better than the civic, look at that hood on the kia, it looks like it's got some really cool stamping going on there.

Piks of the Koup here:

http://jalopnik.com/5205341/2010-kia-forte-koup-you-stay-klassy-kia

Some Forte sedan reviews I've read komplained of numb steering, so hopefully Kia will have the kinks worked out before the Koup hits the streets. Aside from the stupid spelling, the Koup is tempting. It looks like a less-krazy Civik, is much more interesting than the Kobalt, and should be a strong kompetator in its klass. If Kia makes a sport version that's as light as the standard Koup, it may be enough to FINISH THEM in the mortal kombat of racing.

OK, I'm done.

I like the look actually. the only thing that needs be done is debadge the KIA emblems :)