2018 Kia K3 – all-new Cerato Forte sketches released

2018 Kia K3 – all-new Cerato Forte sketches released

Click to enlarge

Kia has released official sketches of the all-new Kia K3 and it looks rather stunning, even after our auto tone down mechanism kicked in, as it must for sketches. K3 is the Korean domestic market name for our Cerato, so this is a preview of the upcoming next-generation Kia Cerato, also known as the Forte in some markets.

The sketches depict a well-proportioned sedan with an aggressive outlook. The new face is fresh, but still unmistakably Kia thanks to the trademark tiger nose grille that’s now slimmer. The prominent nose is flanked by swept back headlamps that sport rather distinctive four-point LED daytime running lights surrounding the main beam. Engorged side air intakes leave no space for fog lamps, which are housed in the central lower intake.

2018 Kia K3 – all-new Cerato Forte sketches released

Click to enlarge

The curved roofline takes us to the back, which is very smart looking. Once again, the LED signatures are distinctive, with a never seen before motif that looks much like an actual signature. A thin chrome garnish connects the lamp housings, which are part of a large sculpted upper area. A diffuser and faux vents fill up the blanks below.

There’s also a sketch of the new K3 Cerato Forte’s dashboard, which shares zero elements or influences with the outgoing car. It’s a nice minimalist design that will remind many of Mazda (the latest Accord goes the same route too), but they all take after Audi.

2018 Kia K3 – all-new Cerato Forte sketches released

Click to enlarge

Word is that the new Cerato will be more in line with the new Kia Cee’d, which was previously a Euro-centric model. We’ve already seen undisguised spyshots of the new five-door hatchback, and it appears that both C-segment models have a similar face and eyes, once you mentally replace the uber-aggressive bumper here with something more feasible.

Like what you see? The Honda Civic FC is the current undisputed champion of the C-segment, capturing the imagination of younger folks in a way that the previous FB and the Toyota Corolla didn’t. Can the all-new Kia Cerato do something about it?

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Danny Tan

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

 

Comments

  • 12yrsold on Jan 11, 2018 at 12:54 pm

    K3 or some call it Audi copycat looks Gud. This KIA will sell in numbers just like previous K3 if only Naza improved its services & distribution centers.

    The looks alone(assuming it stay) are way better than the current Altis. The Civic IMO are way over-rated & some are piss off with some service center & the parts are pricey too.

    The Koreans are already on par with the Japanese if not better judging by the numbers of vehicles sold worldwide. They say Sales numbers don’t lie.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 20 Thumb down 9
  • Gabriel on Jan 11, 2018 at 1:36 pm

    WOW!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
  • Bernard on Jan 11, 2018 at 1:41 pm

    Hidden due to lowcomment rating. Click here to see.

    Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 165
  • John Baoteng on Jan 11, 2018 at 2:47 pm

    You see that Proton?

    That’s how you should design the Preve properly.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 9
  • BbalingBiru on Jan 11, 2018 at 2:55 pm

    Fantastic tail lamp design, but… the arrows point to the wrong side!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 5
  • Rosli Jumin on Jan 11, 2018 at 3:42 pm

    Wow so beautiful…..this is why Kia and Hyundai sell 8 million cars globally….their designs are so choon.

    Proton….Tiara, Juara, Savvy designs…..hmmmmmm

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 9
  • Korean has improved significantly with their car design while the fellows in Japan are still sleeping.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 0
  • Very nice design, hope it drives well and have high quality material for the interior. And Naza please price it correctly.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
  • dewaSemut on Jan 11, 2018 at 5:45 pm

    Been driving this K3 2.0 since 2014 and I am a satisfied owner. This upcoming gen looks very promosing I must say.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 0
  • Kiaforte on Jan 11, 2018 at 6:43 pm

    I am using kia forte with this new kia model and design for sure I will buy one.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 0
  • Wow! I like the X-eye headlight LED design!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • Kuinosan on Jan 12, 2018 at 8:08 am

    Kia is doing quite a good job coming out with a strong line up of cars, but that cannot be said about Naza though. They are pretty bad in selecting models to be sold here in our market, and tens to delay introduction of new models too. And their after sales service are not doing enough to give the confidence to new Kia customers.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • applegreen on Jan 12, 2018 at 8:55 am

    Later on there must be GT version with V8 artificial sound

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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