Photo: CarPix
Kia released the all-new Forte at the Detroit Auto Show back in January. But this prototype is part of a convoy of test vehicles still undergoing hot weather testing.
A double layer of camouflage obscures all of the design, even though we can still see it's the Forte. However, one feature caught our eye, and that's the fact that two cutouts have been made in the bumper, one for each side.
The regular Forte, the one with the 147 horsepower 2-liter engine and a CVT is supposed to have only one muffler on the right. Why the change? The only logical explanation is that a performance version is on its way.
We can only presume that this is something along the lines of the Hyundai Sport and also a rival for the Honda Civic Si. Power should come from a 1.6-liter turbo with a little over 200 ponies going to the front rubbers via either a manual or one of their autos.
Of course, Kia already has something along those lines, the badly named Forte5 SX Turbo, which is a re-bodied version of the European Kia Cee'd. They launched a new version of that car and are working on a GT model, including one with a shooting brake body.
In an interview at the beginning of the year, Derrick Ty, the product manager for the Kia Forte, told Motor Trend that, "We're not done with Forte, so we have more exciting products. We have more exciting products that are coming that I can't speak of."
At the time, this was interpreted as meaning that the Proceed shooting brake would be sold as a Forte in America. The official was also asked if the 275 horsepower 2-liter turbo from the Veloster N could fit under the hood of this sedan.
Doesn't that sound like a nightmare for Volkswagen and its Jetta GLI? Unfortunately, Kia isn't rushing into it.
The regular Forte, the one with the 147 horsepower 2-liter engine and a CVT is supposed to have only one muffler on the right. Why the change? The only logical explanation is that a performance version is on its way.
We can only presume that this is something along the lines of the Hyundai Sport and also a rival for the Honda Civic Si. Power should come from a 1.6-liter turbo with a little over 200 ponies going to the front rubbers via either a manual or one of their autos.
Of course, Kia already has something along those lines, the badly named Forte5 SX Turbo, which is a re-bodied version of the European Kia Cee'd. They launched a new version of that car and are working on a GT model, including one with a shooting brake body.
In an interview at the beginning of the year, Derrick Ty, the product manager for the Kia Forte, told Motor Trend that, "We're not done with Forte, so we have more exciting products. We have more exciting products that are coming that I can't speak of."
At the time, this was interpreted as meaning that the Proceed shooting brake would be sold as a Forte in America. The official was also asked if the 275 horsepower 2-liter turbo from the Veloster N could fit under the hood of this sedan.
Doesn't that sound like a nightmare for Volkswagen and its Jetta GLI? Unfortunately, Kia isn't rushing into it.
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