Kia beefs up Forte sedan for 2014
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The redesigned Forte -- introduced today at the Los Angeles Auto Show -- sits lower, longer and wider than the 2013 version and rides on a new platform. |
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LOS ANGELES -- Kia Motors Corp. is beefing up the Forte compact sedan and loading it with upscale features for 2014.
The redesigned Forte -- introduced today at the Los Angeles Auto Show -- sits lower, longer and wider than the 2013 version and rides on a new platform.
Kia will continue to offer two Forte engine choices -- breaking from competitors that offer their compacts with one powertrain.
Standard will be a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, which also powers the Hyundai Elantra, and produces 148 hp and 131 pounds-feet of torque. An optional 2.0-liter engine with gasoline direct injection -- putting out 173 hp and 154 pounds-feet of torque -- will be offered on higher-end Forte EX models.
The 2014 Forte was designed by Kia's U.S. studio in Irvine, Calif. Kia officials have said the company expects to sell 410,000 units of the Forte, known in South Korea as the K3, globally in 2013 and increase sales to 500,000 units in 2014. The redesigned Forte goes on sale in the United States early next year.
The Forte's U.S. sales have dipped slightly this year to 67,139 through October.
Kia will offer a stop-start system on Ecoversions of the Forte in the United States, a first for Kia in the segment. Standard features include steering wheel-mounted Bluetooth and audio controls. Other notable features in the Forte line include a Flex Steer system that lets the driver select the Forte's steering resistance from "normal," "comfort" and "sport" modes and a standard rear backup camera on EX models.
Fuel economy figures for the Forte have not been released, but Forte models with the 1.8-liter engine should be close to the platform sharing Elantra, which is rated at 28 mpg city/38 highway.
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More than 80 percent of the 2014 Sorento's parts are new or significantly redesigned. |
Sorento update
The Sorento crossover -- Kia's best-seller in the United States until being overtaken by the Optima sedan this year -- has been re-engineered on a new platform.
Kia says that more than 80 percent of the 2014 Sorento's parts are new or significantly redesigned. Other updates include new front and rear fascias, an overhauled interior and an optional new, all-aluminum gasoline direct-injection V-6 engine producing 290 hp and 252 pounds-feet of torque.
A 2.4-liter gasoline direct-injection four-cylinder is the standard engine on LX and EX models.
An eight-inch touch screen with navigation and Kia's second-generation UVO telematics and infotainment system will be offered as an option on the midrange EX and high-line SX trim levels of the 2014 Sorento. Other notable new features include a programmable power rear liftgate, second-row sliding sunshades and a blind spot detection system that Kia says is its first in the United States.
Kia also will offer a range-topping Sorento SX-L trim level starting in the second quarter of 2013 with Napa leather-trimmed seats, wood-trimmed steering wheel, self-leveling Xenon headlights, 19-inch chrome wheels and other upscale features.
Sorento pricing was not available before the show.
Sorento sales have slipped 11 percent this year through October to 97,779 units.
Michael Sprague, Kia's executive vice president of marketing and communications, said in a statement: "With each new vehicle launch Kia is advancing the concept of value to new levels of sophistication and with significant chassis, suspension, powertrain and comfort and convenience upgrades the new Sorento continues that trend."
You can reach Ryan Beene at rbeene@crain.com. -- Follow Ryan on 
