With the ongoing Chicago Auto Show and Geneva Motor Show on the horizon, you’ll be seeing the word ‘debut’ here a lot. Like a whole lot. To start the ball rolling, the all-new Kia Forte 5-door hatchback has just made its world debut in the Windy City today, with plenty of surprises under its glitzy new sheet metal.
The first of which is its performance. Obviously more performance oriented than before, the Forte 5-door is offered with two powerful engine choices – a 2.0 litre GDI motor with 173 hp and 209 Nm of torque in the base EX model and a smaller but stronger 1.6 litre turbocharged GDI engine (the same one powering the upcoming cee’d/pro_cee’d GT and Hyundai Veloster Turbo) pushing out a full fat 201 hp and 264 Nm between 1,750 and 4,500 rpm in the range topping SX variant.
Both six-speed manual and automatic transmissions are available, the latter with steering-mounted shift paddles. The engine drives the front wheels (18-inchers on the SX shown here) while sports-tuned MacPherson struts up front and independent multi-link rear suspension put all that power to good use.
Sharing very little with its sedan counterpart, the new hatchback gets a more European-influenced design featuring Kia President and global chief of design Peter Schreyer’s smallest and tidiest Tiger grille yet. Edgier from nose to tail, it proudly shows its sporty intentions with glee.
A prerequisite for the powerful engines is the deep air intake positioned below the front grille. The rear gets chiselled dual exhaust pipes and fancy LED lamps. It manages to look more athletic than the car it replaces despite growing in size – it’s lower, longer and wider than before. Interior space gets a big boost too of course, with 657 litres of usable cargo room with the rear seats folded down.
Inside, the Forte 5-door features premium materials and soft touch points to compliment its raft of interior comforts. Chrome accents, carbonfibre-like textures and leather trims all make an appearance.
The outgoing Kia Forte Hatchback never did make it to our shores so don’t hold your breath over the new one coming here. But when it looks this good while packing so much promise, one can’t help but wish that it does.
look very nice indeed. way better than japs design.
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wtf with preve all the time?!
wtf with preve all the time?!
do you know a lot of ppl buy cars based on looks (n at least with decent s
wtf with preve all the time?!
do you know a lot of ppl buy cars based on looks (n at least with decent specs).
preve’s look is only so so IMO.
so fanboi, stop ur irritating postings!
Yeah u and your crappy preve
And Proton is still not the BMW of Asia.. Change your nickname please. Disgrace to BMW.
Proton actually is the BMW of Asia but just in malay aka Banyak Masuk Workshop.
Preve fetish syndrome? This is a common syndrome experience by Malaysian who are forced to buy preve. They have gone crazy because our beloved Gov denied their rights to buy the cars of their dream but instead brainwash them to buy preve.
Preve fetish syndrome? This is a common syndrome experience by Malaysian who are forced to buy preve. They have gone crazy because our beloved Gov denied their rights to buy the cars of their dream but instead brainwash them to buy preve!
First, the Preve launched. Then the new 2nd-gen Forte, but then this new Forte hatchback. Come on, Proton! Where’s your Preve hatchback? Don’t be lagged behind.
Proton’s products take too long to launch, even if they have nice design nice business plan will also lose their element of surprise, by the time Preve hatchback is out, the world has already moved on
new A class design elements? hmm
The lines and cues remind me of the Opel Astra. Very handsome car. Schreyer has done again. Well done!!
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PREVE OR CARLESS!!!!LOL
So handsome. I want one. Is it coming here? Can’t wait to see the new Koup too.
Kia Forten 1.6GDI got turbo, Preve 1.6 also turbo, but one is heaven another one is hell lot of different.
nothing to shout about, that’s GDI engine plus probably twin-charger turboed. preve’s single charger, if cfe has GDI plus another charger, for sure can churn out more power
Let’s see how outdated the Preve Hatchback design will be!
No RV
damn ugly interior…
I wouldnt say its interior is totally ugly. But i would say that if it has such a striking exterior, the interior should live up to similar expectation. I think Peter really need to look into this.
They pay peter for the exterior design only
Interior design by korea mah.
The much better looking, more practicle alternative to the Just weird Veloster Turbo.
And IMO , is even better looking than the sedan version. Yup,
Meh still cannot beat any Proton cars. If not why Proton selling like pisang goreng panas compared to
Kia? Haha.
Actually malaysians have no choice but to buy low-quality-ugly-design Proton cars. The prices of other brands actually very affordable if the govt doesnt apply the current oppresive auto policy.
But malaysian dont care. They indeed love low quality stuffs. They said we must protect Proton until our last breath!!!
can we just comment about the korean car? just give it a break…and BTW, Happy CNY!
wow! 1.6 turbo developing 200hp. that’s really amazing power squeezed from a small engine. one day Kia will push it to 250hp for a 1.6.
Kia/Hyundai turbo engines are well praised by Jeremy Clarkson.It is said their cars can fly
Why Proton cannot design a car like this…
just copy and paste from another car
Yeah, you got the power to surprise, really!!! Bravo KIA !
Even 1st gen of Kia forte is better than new gen preve…
Another Schreyer Copy cat of Polo design by De Silva, get a life you laousy South Chosun Copy Cat.
There are limitations to how far a designer can go with his creativity due to the platform being used (Elantra GT), market needs, customer expectations and current regulations (laws). So a lot of the cars these days are gonna look similar.
Happy and Prosperous CNY to Paul Tan’s crew and staff and all PT readers.
We can differ in car choice and preferences but when it comes to festive and New Year celebrations let us merry together.
Do honk (not race!) when you come across my Proton Preve on N-S highway.
My 328i surely will smoke your junk anytime.
My Golf R will definitely smoke your 328i
I agree with Golfer.
My Bike can smoke all your car.. Muaahaha… BTW WTF with preve… hahaa
I love to see the look on the owners of this rotten cabbage when they trade it in.
All I can say is look at the Hilux parked in front of my shop and you are most welcome to use the soundproof room to shout hailat. I will also provide the King To Nin Jo Pei Pa Kou to soothe their throats
With all due honesty Sam Loo, this model won’t be sold here as Malaysia is primarily a sedan market and in markets where this is sold, they care less about RV.
to be honest. this kia > vw golf (bloody overrated and unreliable)
And preve > kia. Hehe. Do you even own a golf?
somebody pls tell me?
why cars nowaday have a unsymmetrical dashboard? honda’s worse than this anyway.
why do you need a symmetrical dashboard? it’s not like the front passenger has a steering wheel as well.
Paul, have any idea why there is no turbo engine available locally?
bcoz of fuel that we used..same reason for GDi engine that never make it to our shores..turbo definitely need ron97 so with direct injection maybe?,while most of us,even a beemer filled their cars with ron95..n bear in mind,hyundai/kia give huge warranty for their drive train,so incase of the engine failure bcoz of the fuel that we filled(ron95),they gonna loose money
Protong preve goes to amarica better dont,unless can beat kia globally not domestic market in malaysia ,no class mike.Apa ada klass kereta hanya utk rakyat malaysia yg lekat dek proton pooooorah.