Kia has officially released the details of the all-new 2009 Kia Forte, which will eventually replace the Kia Spectra in the US.
The 2009 Kia Forte is powered by a 124 horsepower 1.6L engine. Kia plans on offering a 2.0L 4-cyl and a diesel engine in the near future.
From the official pics the Kia Forte is going to feature a USB and AUX ports for your iPods, a start/stop push button, Bluetooth and heated seats. It’s far better than the current Spectra we have here in the US. Let’s hope it gets here soon…
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SEOUL, Aug 21 – Kia Motors Corp., South Korea’s No. 2 carmaker, unveiled its new Forte compact sedan Thursday, hoping that the fuel-efficient car will help boost sales amid higher fuel prices.
The new model, which goes on sale next week, is the latest entrant to the country’s 1.6-liter vehicle segment and marks the automaker’s newest model after another 1.6-liter version of Cerato was released in November, 2003.
The Forte, equipped with a gasoline or diesel engine, will compete with the Avante by Hyundai Motor Co. (KSE:005380), the SM3 by Renault Samsung Motors Co. and the Lacetti by GM Daewoo Auto & Technology Co.
The new Kia model generates 124 horsepower, and the company plans to add a 2-liter engine later.
The price for the Forte ranges from 11.9 million won (US$11,300) to 19.6 million won, depending on accessories and engine types, it said.
The automaker, an affiliate of Hyundai Motor Co. (KSE:, said it aims to sell 50,000 units domestically and 170,000 units overseas next year. For this year, Kia Motors targets the sale of 30,000 units. Annual sales for the model will rise to 250,000 annually from 2010, it said.
Kia Motors revamped its lineup to boost sales by redesigning its minicar Morning, mid-sized sedan Lotze and new Mohave sport-utility vehicle. It also plans to add a small crossover vehicle, known as Soul, later this year.
Kia Motors last month raised its domestic sales target to 364,000 units this year from 327,000, fueled by strong sales of its Morning mini-car.
