Très Bien: Kia to Launch Sportier Forte Koup SX-R in Canada

The good: the new Kia Koup has just gotten a bit sportier as the Korean automaker has announced a new 'R' package with styling and performance accessories for the SX model. The bad: the 'R' package is available only to Canadian buyers

The aesthetics of the Koup are beefed up with a five-piece bodykit that includes a pair of front lip spoiler, chunky side skirts and a discreet boot lid spoiler. The two-door model's looks are complemented by a set of neat 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Yokohoma S-drive tires, and 'R' branded badges and door sills.

While the R treatment does nothing to the Koup SX's 173-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, it does add a sport exhaust, AEM air filter, new springs that lower the ride height by 1.3'' and a strut bar to improve handling.

The 'R' package will be available in Canada as a dealer-installed kit starting from mid-May.

Via: Forteforums

Kia Forte Koup to Enter Grand-AM Koni Challenge Racing Series

At this week's SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Kia unveiled a racing version of the new Forte Koup with which it will compete in the 2010 GRAND-AM KONI Sports Car Challenge Series in the Street Tuner (ST) class, thus marking the firm's first ever racing efforts on U.S. soil. The Korean automaker has teamed with the Kinetic Group to build and campaign two Forte Koups that will be driven by Andy Lally and Nic Jönsson.

"We researched every form of auto racing in the U.S. to find a fan base that was aligned with our target demographics, and found GRAND-AM to be the perfect fit," said Michael Sprague, vice president of marketing, Kia Motors America.

The front-wheel drive Forte Koup will compete in the GRAND-AM Koni series against a variety of production-based race cars from the U.S., Europe and Asia.

2010 Kia Forte Koup Hits U.S. Roads, Starts from $17,290

Just as the all-new Forte Koup begins to arrive at U.S. dealers, Kia released full pricing on its small coupe model. As you may have suspected, two-doors less does not equal a lower price as the Koup starts off at $17,290 ($16,595 + $695 destination fee) for the base EX model with a 156HP 2.0-liter engine coupled to a five-speed manual gearbox, or $800 more than the equivalent Forte EX sedan.

Those looking for more power can opt for the Koup SX that comes with a 2.4-liter four-banger producing 174 horsepower as well as a 6-speed manual and a sportier suspension set up. Prices for the SX begin from $18,390 including delivery fees.

If you prefer not to change gears manually, there's a five-speed automatic transmission that will cost you an extra $1,000 on both the EX and SX. Detailed pricing and optional packages in the image below.

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2010 Kia Forte Koup Hits U.S. Roads, Starts from $17,290

Just as the all-new Forte Koup begins to arrive at U.S. dealers, Kia released full pricing on its small coupe model. As you may have suspected, two-doors less does not equal a lower price as the Koup starts off at $17,290 ($16,595 + $695 destination fee) for the base EX model with a 156HP 2.0-liter engine coupled to a five-speed manual gearbox, or $800 more than the equivalent Forte EX sedan.

Those looking for more power can opt for the Koup SX that comes with a 2.4-liter four-banger producing 174 horsepower as well as a 6-speed manual and a sportier suspension set up. Prices for the SX begin from $18,390 including delivery fees.

If you prefer not to change gears manually, there's a five-speed automatic transmission that will cost you an extra $1,000 on both the EX and SX. Detailed pricing and optional packages in the image below.

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VIDEO: Kia Forte Koup Tears Up Animated Streets in New Promo Film

It's been a while since we last heard something new from Kia in concern of its Forte Koup, which made its world debut at the New York Show this past April. But today, the Korean automaker released this racing game-like animated promo film that shows off the firm's first-ever coupe model. In the States, buyers of the Forte Koup will have a choice of two four-cylinder engines, an entry-level 2.0-liter unit with 156 horsepower and a more potent 2.4-liter unit that makes 173 ponies. Hit the jump to watch the video.

VIDEO: Kia Forte Koup Tears Up Animated Streets in New Promo Film

It's been a while since we last heard something new from Kia in concern of its Forte Koup, which made its world debut at the New York Show this past April. But today, the Korean automaker released this racing game-like animated promo film that shows off the firm's first-ever coupe model. In the States, buyers of the Forte Koup will have a choice of two four-cylinder engines, an entry-level 2.0-liter unit with 156 horsepower and a more potent 2.4-liter unit that makes 173 ponies. Hit the jump to watch the video.

VIDEO: Kia Forte Koup Presentation from New York Auto Show

One of the most significant debuts at the 2009 New York Auto Show is Kia's first ever two-door coupe, the 2010 Forte Koup that will be available in the States from this summer with a choice of two four-cylinder engines, a 2.0-liter unit with 156HP and a 2.4-liter producing 173HP. If you hit the jump you can watch the media presentation of the Forte Koup from the New York Show that includes a short 'walkaround' with Tom Kearns, Chief Designer of Kia Design Center America.

2010 Kia Forte Koup makes Global Debut in NY: 60-High Res Photos

Continuing its long-term assault on the market, Kia blew the covers off the production version of the Koup concept that was unveiled during last year's New York Auto Show. The Korean automaker's first-ever two door coupe model is based on the new Forte Sedan with which it shares the mechanical hardware as well as the interior design. On the outside, it's another story as Kia has come up with a sharp looking design featuring a lower stance and a series of unique styling cues that differentiate the Koup from the sedan.

And while it's evident that the Kia's small coupe bears a few design similarities with Honda's European Civic hatchback (front) as well as from the Acura RSX (rear), overall, the 2010 Forte Koup looks pretty neat.

"On the heel of the introductions of the Soul and Forte sedan, Forte Koup represents the next exciting step in the transformation of Kia design and offers a blend of sporty and emotional appeal," said Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing, KMA. "We believe our new design evolution coupled with standard Kia value and safety features will continue to attract customers to the Kia brand."

Built on the Forte sedan's front-wheel drive platform, the Koup comes with a wheelbase of 104.3 inches, an overall length of 176.4 inches, an overall width of 69.5 inches and overall height of 55.1 inches, meaning that it's slightly shorter in length and height than its four-door counterpart.

Like the Forte sedan, the Koup will be offered with two four-cylinder gasoline engines, a 2.0-liter unit for the EX model producing 156 horsepower and 144 pound-feet of torque and a 2.4-liter unit for the SX that delivers 173 horsepower and 168 pound-feet of torque.

Both models are available with two transmission options, a standard five-speed manual transmission or an optional electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission for the 2.0L EX, and a standard six-speed manual transmission and an optional five-speed automatic transmission with Sportmatic for the 2.4L SX.

Kia said that the 2.0-liter engine offers 25mpg city and 34 mpg highway with either tranmssion while the more powerful 2.4-liter engine is rated at 22mpg city and 32 mpg highway with the six-speed manual and 23/31 mpg when paired with the five-speed automatic transmission.

Sales in the U.S. are expected to start later in the year.