SMART DESIGN The Forte has European inspired looks

A KOUP FOR KIA Seen here is the Kia Koup concept car, could this be a precursor to a production version of a two door coupe variant of the Forte?

By Justin Lee

KIA HAS RECENTLY released images on its forthcoming small sedan called the Forte.

The car sports the brand’s new design language that premiered on the Koup concept shown at the New York International Auto Show. It looks smart and contemporary with clean uncluttered surfaces and flared front wheel arches along with Kia’s new corporate grille. There is also a distinctive swage line running from the base of the A pillar to the rear of the car.

Little information is known about the car but what can be confirmed is that it will have a 1.6-litre engine and a choice of two transmissions, a five-speed manual and a four-speed automatic.

Sources at Cycle and Carriage Kia have revealed that Forte name will only be used in Korea and that the car will continue using the Cerato name when it lands in Singapore. The launch date is targeted for the end of this year or early next year.