2014 Kia Forte’ Set For US Debut in LA

[xcel]

The all-new Forte’ should be one of the highlights of the 2012 LA Auto Show to start off a spectacular Auto Show season.

Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - Sept. 20, 2012

The 2014 Kia Forte – Pricing and EPA have yet to be revealed but expect small prices, plenty of features and big Fuel Economy once it arrives.

Remember the previous two 2014 Kia Forte’ write-ups?

Actual 2014 Forte Exterior Released

The Next Generation 2014 Kia Forte

The US debut of the very much anticipated all-new 2014 Kia Forte’ will occur at his years LA Auto Show Press event on Nov. 28th and 29th. It includes a GDI of some displacement overseas; we do not yet know what it will arrive with here. Kia could have chosen the safe path by installing the already very fuel efficient and inexpensive 1.8L MPFI mill that currently resides within Hyundai’s Elantra family. Kia is not known to play it safe however as that is what makes them such a dynamic company the last few years. In other words, maybe there is an even more fuel efficient 1.8L GDI coming down the pike? We’ll know soon…

Kia compact Forte that could sport mid-size like passenger and cargo volumes like the Elantra will debut alongside a refreshed Sorento with the new and as of yet undisclosed new UVOe Services system.

Afterwards, five more new or updated Kia models will follow with major announcements planned for Detroit, Chicago, and NY.

With the all-new Forte’, Kia may have a shot at surpassing it stable mate Hyundai if they can ramp up supply to meet what I suspect will be brisk (read “HOT as a firecracker”) demand once its released. With the just released Elantra GT taking up much of my editorial time and one of my personal all-time favorite cars, the next big thing could be the upcoming 2014 Forte? Stay tuned as this new entry into the C-segment will probably overwhelm the new upcoming entry's from Nissan in the form of the 2013 Sentra and Honda's new (rushed) interior slated for the 2013 Civic?

[Prozac]

I am waiting to see if they upstage thier Hyundai sibling with more options. These two companies are really making some beautiful and practical cars.

[PaleMelanesian]

I'm waiting to see if they upstage Hyundai with the powertrain. Options I'd prefer to skip, in exchange for a lower price.

[MaxxMPG]

I will add my prediction of a 2.0 liter version of the "Nu" engine, which is already used in the Soul+ and Soul! where it is fitted with multiport injection rather than GDI. The Elantra uses the 1.8L MPFI version of the same engine. It's a bit smaller and lighter than the "Theta" 2.0 liter used in the Optima (and Hyundai Sonata and Tucson GL), and the Nu also has the offset crank, a narrow-bore short-stroke design, and other efficiency optimizations. If they go with the 2.0, they could add GDI although I suspect they'd do that in sync with an Elantra mid-cycle refresh where the Elantra would get the GDI as well. In the Soul, the automatic is the A6GF2, a beefier version of the Rio/Elantra/Accent A6GF1 but with the same ratio setup, so it is possible to approach the EPA numbers of the Elantra, and perhaps beat them if they go for GDI or ISG.

Kia engineers seem to pick and choose carefully from their parts bin and technology text book, and they do so with an eye toward creating unique products. I can imagine they will grimace if the media were to describe their new Forte as "a better looking Elantra" or "like the Hyundai but with sharper steering", or other triggers of sibling rivalry. The two companies necessarily share designs and technologies, but they still create their own unique products (like Soul and Veloster).

I can imagine that the Forte might just include some unique options that its cousin doesn't have, like cooled front seats, heated steering wheel, and possibly the option of a power seat in lower trim versions. Kia offers buyers the choice of outfitting the small Rio and Soul with hi-tech and comfort options that other small cars don't have at any price. There is no reason to doubt they will continue the trend with the Forte. My choice would be the Forte-5 (essentially the cee'd) that I hope should be coming soon.

[RedylC94]

Originally Posted by MaxxMPG

... the Nu also has the offset crank, a narrow-bore short-stroke design, and other efficiency optimizations. ...

???
They've found a way to shrink both bore and stroke without losing displacement?

[MaxxMPG]

Ha! I meant narrow bore and long stroke (undersquare = torquier and more complete combustion) rather than narrow bore and short stroke, which is a great way to make a moped engine.

[WriConsult]

I'm with Andrew. I'd like to see the 5-door, in particular, come in with a somewhat lower base trim level -- and lower price -- than the Elantra GT.

[RedylC94]

Originally Posted by WriConsult

... I'd like to see the 5-door, in particular, come in with a somewhat lower base trim level -- and lower price -- than the Elantra GT.

Same here! Dump the whistles, bells, and frills that aren't actually helpful, but keep the ones that are.

Maxx,
I suspected that's what you meant! Thanks for clarifying. Undersquare = less heat (hence pressure, hence torque) loss to chamber walls.