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The Kia Forte line-up has just received a new member to sit next to the sedan and Koup versions: a five-door version that will go on sale in October. The 2011 Forte 5-door version will be available will all the options from the sedan, but will also include a new front grille, alloy wheels, lower valence design, center console, paddle shifters, push-button start and navigation. Under the hood there will be a choice of the 2.0 and 2.4-liter engines and a new six-speed manual or automatic transmission. Basically, Kia has taken the Forte and Koup, added a fifth door, and made some additional minor adjustments. Voila, a whole "new" car. Press release after the jump. Press release Also making its world premiere in New York is the Forte (’Cerato’ in some markets) five-door. Keeping in line with the stylish and practical Forte compact sedan and first-for-Kia Forte Koup, the Forte five-door adds another attractive option to the Forte family.  Forte five-door builds on the popular Forte compact sedan and bold Forte Koup by employing another practical yet modern iteration of the platform. Lower and firmly set on its haunches, Forte five-door carries with it all the amenities of the Forte line and introduces a new front grille, alloy wheels, lower valence design, center console, paddle shifters, push-button start (already available in Forte line-up outside of North America) and navigation (available in North America only) in addition to the enhanced practicality of a fifth door for a distinct appearance and intentional practicality.  The new 5-door hatch is scheduled to be launched in October. 10 comments: Kia Forte Five-Door I think the exterior is quite handsome as I definitely see quite a bit of Civic Si Coupe in its detailing along with a bit of Audi A5 in the roofline/greenhouse and rear end treatment. The interior however is a letdown just like the sedan. It’s presentation and level of perceived quality is very down market and the tactile refinement of the controls seems to be on a similar scale.
 I am happy with my 12 year old Jeep GJ. Yes there have been repairs along the way but the vehicle looks like new, drives like new, and is solid. Live in Nh and I need something to withstand road salt.
 I do give Kia a thumbs up as it’s a great starting point and a great effort but I think it needs to be injected with a bit more drivetrain development/refinement and it needs to possess a higher level of tactile refinement, perceived quality and all around visual presentation of the cabin. Hopefully Kia can address some of these issues in the MMC and fully address those issues with the next FMC.
 I’d like to see the i30, Mazda 3, Ce’ed and focus come face to face and declare which is better hatch.
 Looks bolder and faster than the hyundai i30 - elantra HB, good looking HB but the diffuser looks awful and the Side skirts are missing.
 More aggressive than the mazda 3 but the hood looks boring. Just a plain sheet of metal without design.
 Wow, even Kia is going very sporty. I don’t know if I would be a fan of paddle shifting system for regular cars (not for racing) but it does make the experience really sporty. Anyhow, this looks like a good car to compare with some cars from Honda and Mazda (don’t know about Subaru or Ford as they will leave this car for sure) and its going to be really interesting to see who is the best.
 Lovely KIA should also made an RS version of this like the KOUP RS, better looking than the i30 and ce’ed because of the Grille and headlamps are very aggressive.
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Posted on
02.15.2011 @ 23:18