SEOUL, South Korea — Kia Motors formally rolled out its all-new 2009 Forte sedan, which will replace the Cerato in the Korean domestic market and the Spectra in selected overseas markets.
At the car's launch here, Hyundai said it expects to sell around 220,000 Fortes, with annual volume growing to 250,000 by 2010, including 170,000 exports to such markets as Russia, Central Europe, the Middle East and Latin America.
In Korea, the Forte offers buyers a choice of 1.6-liter four-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines, with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder slated for such markets as North America. Prices in the Korean domestic market will start at just over $11,000 when the car goes on sale next week at local Kia dealers.
Among the new car's features are a navigation system with voice recognition, push-button start/stop, side curtain airbags and stability control.
Kia has not said whether the U.S. model will carry over the Spectra name or shift to the Forte name when it begins arriving in early 2009.
What this means to you: The Forte already is receiving favorable reviews in local media. — Jonathan Cho, Correspondent
At the car's launch here, Hyundai said it expects to sell around 220,000 Fortes, with annual volume growing to 250,000 by 2010, including 170,000 exports to such markets as Russia, Central Europe, the Middle East and Latin America.
In Korea, the Forte offers buyers a choice of 1.6-liter four-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines, with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder slated for such markets as North America. Prices in the Korean domestic market will start at just over $11,000 when the car goes on sale next week at local Kia dealers.
Among the new car's features are a navigation system with voice recognition, push-button start/stop, side curtain airbags and stability control.
Kia has not said whether the U.S. model will carry over the Spectra name or shift to the Forte name when it begins arriving in early 2009.
What this means to you: The Forte already is receiving favorable reviews in local media. — Jonathan Cho, Correspondent
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mazda4 says:
01:03 AM, 11/16/2009
I had 2009 Kia Forte Si and I have the following notes:
1- Noisey engine at High RPM.
2- Loud noise when shifting the gear to the reverse in AT gear.
3- Tough suspention in general and weak suspention in the rear wheels.
Otherwise it is a good car and I will get use to it