KIA MOTORS AMERICA PRESENTS All-NEW 2014 FORTE KOUP WITH TURBOCHARGED POWER
201-HP Turbocharged Four-Cylinder Engine is First for Forte Koup SX
- The all-new Forte Koup is the brand’s most powerful two-door yet
- Forte Koup is expected to go on sale in the fourth quarter of 2013
LAS VEGAS, November 5, 2013 – Taking a cue from Las Vegas’ high rollers, Kia Motors America (KMA) is upping the ante for its second-generation Forte Koup, adding turbocharged power to the sporty two-door for the 2014 model. The all-new Koup is part of a completely redesigned Forte lineup for 2014 and features a powerful 1.6-liter gasoline direct injected turbo engine – a first for the Forte nameplate. First unveiled at the 2013 New York International Auto Show, the all-new Forte Koup SX boasts European-inspired design and performance to match with 201 horsepower and 195 lb.-ft. of torque. As equipped, the SX is the most powerful Forte Koup ever. Sales are expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2013, and pricing will be announced closer to the Koup’s launch.
Similar to its Forte5 sibling, the Forte Koup is offered in two trim levels, EX and SX, with two engine and transmission choices. The EX comes equipped with a 2.0-liter GDI four-cylinder engine, and the tarmac-carving SX comes standard with the 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. Both the EX and SX come standard with a 6-speed manual transmission and offer an available 6-speed automatic featuring steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters.
Advanced Technology and Premium Features
In keeping with the rest of the Forte family, the all-new Forte Koup offers an impressive array of amenities and technology. The Koup EX comes standard with 16-inch alloy wheels, UVO eServices with Rear Camera Display1, Bluetooth®2 wireless technology, SiriusXM™ Satellite Radio3, leather-wrapped steering wheel with integrated audio and cruise control buttons, FlexSteer™, tilt and telescoping steering column, power windows and LED positioning headlights with fog lights.
The Koup SX offers standard 18-inch alloy wheels, dual chrome exhaust tips, and LED tail lights. Forte Koup SX also features an aggressive front fascia with larger bumper and grille openings, black gloss grille inserts, larger front brakes, alloy sport pedals as well as front and rear seats with carbon fiber-style accents. The lower front fascia and rear valance also include carbon fiber-look trim.
Both EX and SX trim levels offer optional HID headlights, navigation system with HD Radio™4, sunroof, heated steering wheel, 10-way adjustable power driver’s seat, heated front seats and ventilated driver’s seat, leather-trimmed seating surfaces, SmartKey with push-button start, electric chromatic rearview mirror and dual-zone automatic climate control.
Continuing Kia’s Design Leadership
Created by Kia’s U.S. design studio in Irvine, Calif., the Forte Koup’s sporty two-door profile, swooping roofline, and large 18-inch alloy wheels give it an athletic and aggressive stance that continues Kia’s tradition as a design leader.
The Forte Koup’s swept headlights stretch deep into the front fenders, and the raked windshield and broad shoulders give the front end a sleek, sporty appearance. LED positioning lights add a premium look to the front fascia. At the rear, LED tail lights complete the upmarket appearance, and a rear valance with twin chrome exhaust tips maintains the Forte Koup’s sporty demeanor.
Sporty Cabin with Premium Features
The interior of the Forte Koup features premium materials and soft touch points. Large, easy-to-read, white-on-black gauges nestle deeply into the instrument cluster. Chrome accents around the HVAC controls and optional push-button start, along with carbon fiber-textured materials on the dash and seats, add a sporty touch. A grippy leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob are further evidence of the Forte Koup’s performance intentions. Class-exclusive available features such as front heated seats, a ventilated driver’s seat and driver-selectable electric steering further set the Forte Koup apart from its two-door competition.
Dynamic Driving Experience
Utilizing a 1.6-liter GDI turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the SX is the most powerful Forte Koup ever. Power is seamlessly transferred to the front wheels via a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. The GDI powerplant produces 201 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 195 lb.-ft. of torque between 1,750-4,500 rpm. The advanced powertrain features double overhead cams with dual continuously variable valve timing to help improve efficiency and performance.
The Forte Koup EX comes standard with a 2.0-liter GDI powerplant producing 173 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 154 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,700 rpm. During durability testing, the engines are run 300 continuous hours at redline under full load then for an additional 20 hours at 10 percent above redline under full load.
To help further improve performance, the Forte Koup features a sport-tuned suspension with a McPherson strut setup in front and a torsion beam rear design. The Koup rides on standard 205/55R-16 tires while 225/40R-18 tires are included with the SX trim for an even more sporting driving experience.
Kia: One of the World’s Fastest Moving Global Automotive Brands
Kia Motors America is one of only three auto brands to increase U.S. sales in each of the past four years, and in 2012 the company surpassed the 500,000 unit mark for the first time. With a full line of fun-to-drive cars and CUVs, Kia is advancing value to new levels of sophistication by combining European-influenced styling – under the guidance of chief design officer Peter Schreyer – with cutting-edge technologies, premium amenities, affordable pricing and one of the lowest costs of ownership in the industry. Kia recently moved up in the exclusive ranking of Interbrand’s “Top 100 Best Global Brands” after joining the list for the first time last year, and the company is poised to continue its momentum with seven all-new or significantly redesigned vehicles scheduled to arrive in showrooms in 2013. Over the past decade Kia Motors has invested more than $1.4 billion in the U.S., including the company’s first U.S. assembly plant in West Point, Georgia – Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia – which is responsible for the creation of more than 14,000 plant and supplier jobs. The success of the U.S.-built* Optima and Sorento in two of the industry’s largest segments has fueled Kia’s rapid growth and is complemented by Kia’s comprehensive lineup which includes the Cadenza flagship sedan, Soul urban passenger vehicle, Sportage compact CUV, Optima Hybrid, the Forte sedan, Forte5, and Forte Koup compacts, Rio and Rio 5-door sub-compacts and the Sedona minivan.
About Kia Motors America
Kia Motors America is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 765 dealers throughout the United States and serves as the "Official Automotive Partner" of the NBA and LPGA. In 2012, KMA recorded its best-ever annual sales total and gained U.S. market share for the 18th consecutive year. Kia is poised to continue its momentum and will continue to build the brand through design innovation, quality, value, advanced safety features and new technologies.
Information about Kia Motors America and its full vehicle line-up is available at its website – www.kia.com. For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com. To receive custom email notifications for press releases the moment they are published, subscribe at http://www.kiamedia.com/us/en/newsalert.
* The Sorento and Optima GDI (EX Trims and certain LX Trims only) and GDI Turbo are built in the United States from U.S. and globally sourced parts.
1 The Rear-Camera Display is not a substitute for proper and safe backing-up procedures. The Rear-Camera Display may not display every object behind the vehicle. Always drive safely and use caution when backing up.
2 The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Kia is under license. Other trademarks and trade names are those of their respective owners. A compatible Bluetooth® enabled cell phone is required to use Bluetooth® wireless technology.
3 Sirius services require subscriptions, sold separately after 3-month trial included with vehicle purchase/lease. Subscriptions governed by SiriusXM Customer Agreement at siriusxm.com© 2011 SiriusXM Radio Inc. Sirius, XM and all related marks and logos are trademarks of SiriusXM Radio Inc.
4 HD Radio™ and the HD Radio™ logo are proprietary trademarks of iBiquity Digital Corporation.