Last year at the New York Auto Show Kia showed off the Koup, which had obvious design links to the Forte but was still good enough to make our top 10 concept cars of 2008. This week was back in New York Kia to show off the production version of the Forte Koup, and we’re happy to report it hasn’t changer much from the concept.
The idea for the car is simple: a sleeker coupe look for the sharp Forte sedan. That also means the engine lineup won’t change from the sedan. The Koup will be available with either a 156 hp 2.0-liter or 173 hp 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. Both engines are mated to either a six-speed manual or a five-speed automatic transmission.
So what makes this car so special? Well, although Kia has not released pricing for the Forte Koup, we’re operating under the assumption that it will be in line with the rest of Kia’s budget-minded lineup. That means a car that looks better than a Honda Civic coupe (opinions vary) with plenty of money left over. The after-market is going to have a field day with this one.
Press release after the jump.
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Already a name in the automotive industry, the Mitsubishi Lancer will be offered four different trim levels for 2010, with output ranging from 152 HP and going all the way up to 237 HP with prices ranging from $14,790 to $27,190.
The Lancer DE and SE versions are powered by a 2.0 Liter DOHC MIVEC (Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing Electronic Control system) four cylinder engine pumping out 143 HP at 6,000 RPM and 143 lb-ft of torque at 4,250 RPM. The GTS version will get a 2.4 Liter DOHC MIVEC four cylinder making 168 HP and 167 lb-ft of torque, finally the top of the line Ralliart model gets a turbocharged and intercooled 2.0 Liter four cylinder boosted to 237 HP and 253 lb-ft of torque.
The 2010 Lancer features a a shark nosed front end, distinct wedge like profile and crisp, taut lines. Each model is now equipped with Active Stability Control (ASC) and an anti lock braking system (ABS) as well as electronic brake force distribution (EBD) all standard.
Full details after the jump.
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Although we couldn’t bring you pricing for the all new Fiesta yesterday when it was unveiled at the L.A. Auto Show, now we can tell you how much you will have to pay to get into a brand new 2011 Ford Fiesta. According to the blue oval’s official web page, the base model Fiesta S Sedan starts at only $13,995. The slightly more well equipped four door Fiesta SE Sedan will set you back $14,995 and the five door hatchback comes in at a slightly higher $15,795 and starts as an SE version and goes all the way up to $16,995 for the heavily optioned SEL trim level. However the top of the line for 2011, Ford Fiesta SES hatchback that comes with creature comforts like push button starter and bluetooth tips the scales at $17,795. Now that may sound a bit expensive for such a small car, but Ford is trying to dispel the notion that small means cheap and instead focuses on proving customers with an excellent sense of value, something the Fiesta offers by the boatload.
All models of the 2011 Fiesta will be powered by Ford’s new 1.6 Liter DOHC inline four cylinder engine that makes an estimated maximum output of 119 HP and 109 lb-ft of torque that can achieve a very efficient 40 MPG with either a standard five speed manual or with Ford’s new slick shifting six speed automatic that acts like a manual and is guaranteed to save you even more at the pump. At the moment Ford gave no word about pricing on a factory hot rod Fiesta a model that we expect to see in the 2012 Fiesta lineup.
Suzuki announced prices for the 2010 Kizashi sedan which will go on sale in December 2009. Prices will start from $18,999 for a well-equipped entry-level Kizashi S and from $21,749 for AWD version.
The Kizashi SE FWD will range from $21,499 to $22,749 and the GTS version from $22,499. The prices for the SLS will range from $24,399 for FWD M/T to $26,749 for AWD CVT. The top of the line, the CTS AWD CVT will be priced at $24,849.
Standard options will include: leather seats, power passenger seat, heated front seats, auto dimming rear view mirror with Homelink®3 Universal garage door opener, heated outside mirrors, automatic rain sensing wipers, automatic headlamps and rear proximity sensors.
Press release after the jump.
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Hyundai has just announced pricing for the 2010 Elantra Touring. Set to go on sale in the third quarter of 2009, the 2010 Elentra Touring will be priced from $15,995 for a very well-equipped entry-level GLS model and will go up to $18,995 for the top-of-the line SE model.
Standard equipment on the 2010 model includes: air conditioning, power windows, heated mirrors, power door locks, remote keyless entry with alarm, four-way adjustable driver’s seat and plenty of storage compartments.
The optional Popular Equipment Package on the GLS adds roof rails, a telescopic steering wheel, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, trip computer, eight-way driver’s seat with lumbar support, dual illuminated vanity mirrors, sliding sunvisors, seatback pockets, retractable cargo cover, fog lights, illuminated ignition and a premium cloth interior with cloth door panel inserts.
Press release after the jump.
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Nissan today announced details on the 2010 Sentra and Sentra SER, models that come with revised styling, new interior treatments, refined trim and option package content and newly available technology features. Prices for the 2010 Sentra will start from $16,600 for the 2.0 CVT version and go up to $20,080 for the SE-R Spec V.
For 2010, Sentra is offered in six trim levels – 2.0, 2.0 S, 2.0 SR (with sporty exterior styling features), 2.0 SL and two performance-oriented models, SE-R and SE-R Spec V. Under the hood Nissan placed a standard 140-hp 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that can be paired with a 6-speed manual transmission (2.0 only) or fuel-efficient Nissan Xtronic CVT. The SE-R and SE-R Spec V versions are powered by a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that delivers 200 hp.
For 2010 Sentra is being offered with 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, 4-wheel disc brakes with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), Traction Control System (TCS) and specially tuned suspension (SE-R Spec V).
Press release after the jump.
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The Japanese automaker Mitsubishi has just announced prices for the 2010 Lancer Sportback GTS and Ralliart. The GTS version is priced from $19,190 for the five-speed manual transmission, and from $20,190 for the six-speed CVT automatic transmission. The Ralliart version is priced at $27,590.
The Lancer Sportback GTS is powered by a 2.4-liter engine with 168 hp and 167 lbs-ft of torque. The Lancer Sportback Ralliart is powered by Mitsubishi’s 2.0-liter MIVEC turbocharged engine that pumps out 237 hp and 253 lb.-ft. of torque.
Press release after the jump.
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The Japanese automaker Subaru has just announced pricing for the 2010 Impreza lineup. Prices for the fun to drive all wheel drive four and five door models will start at $17,495 for the 2.5i version that comes equipped with 5 speed manual transmission and will go all the way up to $34,995 for the top of the line factory hot rod STI version that comes with a turbocharged and flat four cylinder engine mated to a six speed manual transmission. Whereas the sporty boosted WRX will go on sale starting at $25,495 for a standard model and rises to $27,995 for the more luxurious WRX Premium.
The Impreza 2.5i, 2.5GT and Outback Sport models add a stylish new grill and an attractive new exterior color called Camellia Red Pearl is available exclusively on the 2.5i and 2.5GT versions. The GT models are powered by a 2.5 Liter intercooled turbocharged Boxer engine that produces 224 HP equipped with an Active AWD version of Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive System.
The high-performance 300 HP WRX STI which will be back for 2010 as a hatchback only model will feature the same boxed fenders and black alcantara trim complete with red stitching to dress up the interior as last year’s model.
Press release after the jump.
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The 2009 Ford Focus Coupe is an excellent economy car that features attractive fastback styling that will make you think twice about this car’s role as an econobox. Our Focus gives the impression of being a sports car with its Sangria Red metallic paint, large rear wing and rally inspired 17 inch premium dark painted wheels. However the exterior is only the beginning of the story, it was the interior of our $20,000 Ford Focus Coupe that made us fans of the well finished affordable method of transportation. It’s not the gauges or the synthetic door panels, but the Medium Stone leather seats and Ford’s voice commanded Sync audio system that earned our affection. These are two luxuries that you won’t find in many other $20,000 new cars.
Our Focus is powered by a 2.0 Liter Duratec 16 valve four cylinder engine that makes 143 HP when connected to a 5 speed manual transmission. The blue oval guys claim that the Coupe comes with a sport tuned exhaust as well as a sport tuned suspension, two things we thoroughly enjoyed listening to and putting through its paces. Despite the sporty nature of the Focus Coupe, Ford is already ready for the future CAFÉ standards because our car gets an EPA estimated 35 MPG.
However, no matter how good the Focus is, for some reason U.S. consumers have never been able to focus on the car’s highlights. You have to travel all of the way to Europe where the Ford Focus has earned multiple Car of the Year awards where these automobiles stand for value, sport and convenience. If only Ford could convince domestic consumers how good this car really is, perhaps next year wouldn’t be a Europe only model.
Continued after the jump.
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Given that we’re all living through one of the worst economic times since The Great Depression, it seems that money pinching and budget tightening has become the new fad these days.
So when the topic of purchasing a cheap car surfaces, there aren’t a lot of manufacturers that can offer more for less than the Tata Nano.
With a price tag that comes up to only $2,200 in India, including taxes and fees, the Tata Nano – not to be mistaken for the Macintosh MP3 player - is becoming the latest must-have car of the cash-strapped man.
While it doesn’t look the least bit imposing, the Nano is still less than a quarter of the next set of cheap cars you can find anywhere.
After all, when you strip down the essentials of a car, the most obvious need is for you to be able to get to Point B from Point A, which after all is what we’re all looking for, right?
Continued after the jump.
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