'More Exciting' Kia Forte is Coming Says Product Manager
It feels like Kia has taken on a whole new personality following the introduction of the Stinger sedan.
The all-new Kia Stinger was named AutoGuide.com‘s 2018 Car of the Year, and the Korean automaker followed up the sports sedan with a redesigned Forte at the 2018 Detroit Auto Show. Sporting a sleeker look with some Stinger influences, the new Forte is more about economy than performance, with a 147-horsepower engine underneath the hood. So while it has a sportier appearance than its predecessor, the Forte is more about its 35-mpg fuel rating than it is about excitement.
But perhaps that’s going to change, as Derrick Ty, product manager for Kia Forte, recently told Motor Trend that a more exciting version is in the works. Naturally Ty didn’t disclose very many details, as automakers hardly comment about future products, but he did confirm Kia isn’t done with the Forte just yet. “We have more exciting products that are coming that I can’t speak of,” he said.
SEE ALSO: Kia Compares its New Forte with a… Lamborghini Aventador
What he did promise is that the new Forte is just a taste of what’s to come and that “there’s a pretty good thing coming our way.” As for what’s more exciting? Motor Trend speculates Ty could have been alluding to earlier discussions that focused on the Stinger’s liftback design and whether that would find its way to future Kias. There’s a possibility the more exciting model is a hatchback of sorts.
Last year at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the Korean automaker unveiled the Proceed Concept, a stunning wagon we couldn’t keep our eyes off of. So needless to say, we wouldn’t argue if Kia decided to put that concept into production, making it a Forte variant in the U.S. And while we’re dreaming, Kia shouldn’t hesitate to borrow the Hyundai Veloster N’s powerplant and give the Forte 275 hp.
[Source: Motor Trend]
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Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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I need for Hyundai/Kia to buy Chrysler and save the brand. Sergio doesn't give two *&*$@ about the history of the brand and future products to support it.
Doubt we'll see the 2.0T that's in the i30N in the Forte, but likely will see the 1.6T-DCT combo that's in the Elantra Sport.