Montreal, Quebec - After the launch of the Forte that replaced the exhausted Spectra, Kia is adding yet another new model to their ever-growing line-up. The Koup is a two-door version of the new sedan, but with some noticeable differences.
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| Whatever version you choose, you get a very striking car that stands out in highway traffic. |
First and foremost, the Koup looks pretty much the same as the Forte sedan, but according to Kia, only the hood is shared between the two; every other body panel is distinct.
And there’s no base model equivalent to the $15,695 Forte LX Sedan. The Koup comes in two trim levels that are both very well equipped for the asking price: the sporty EX, and the even sportier SX.
New for Kia: style
Whatever version you choose, you get a very striking car that stands out in highway traffic. The Koup’s front end resembles its announced arch-rival, the Honda Civic, while the rear’s slanted fascia and integrated deck spoiler hint at—I haven’t been drinking—an Aston Martin.
Suddenly, Kia now has something else to attract people into their showrooms other than low prices: emotion. The new models that they are cranking out have style, have panache; their Chief Design Officer for the last three years is Peter Schreyer, who left the VW/Audi group to join Kia. Schreyer’s artistic talent is responsible for the original Audi TT and VW New Beetle.
Two engines, four transmissions
Under the hood of the EX lies a 2.0-litre, 16-valve inline-4 that produces 156 horsepower and 144 lb-ft of torque, mated to either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic. This version has enough juice to move the car along at a decent clip, while the suspension setup is more touring than sport, which is okay because it offers a comfortable ride.
The Koup SX moves you up to a 2.4-litre engine with 173 horsepower and 168 lb-ft, and both transmissions get an extra gear. The SX is noticeably livelier and has crisper handling while sacrificing a negligible amount of ride quality on the open road. Kia claims 0-100 km/h times of 8.7 seconds.
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| The SX is noticeably livelier and has crisper handling. |
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