Test drived Kia Forte Koup

[Ryosuke]

Still find the Forte interior full of hard plastic. In fact everything is hard plastic except the gear knob, steering wheel and seats. If anyone is looking at the Forte 2.0, my opinion is the Mangentis has much better interior built quality, size and comfort at a few Ks more only.

 

 

magentis is more on luxury, comparable to hyundai sonata.

for forte, it's target on for different category buyers.

[Ryosuke]

just to share, review on the koup from sgcarmart http://www.sgcarmart.com/news/review.php?AID=145

on the looks.

[Fcw75]

If buying this car, should definitely get a manual transmission.

[macrosszero]

They should bring in a 2 litre with stick shift option to at least live up to the aggressive looks. Otherwise the designers are let down by the beancounters in bringing in only underpowered models.

[macrosszero]

Just to add on, it looks like there is a ~160hp 2 litre version available from Kia's website. Good news then, but it probably costs $70k too.

 

The front still looks like the FN Civic Type R and Toyota Allion, the side profile actually reminds me of the Alfa Romeo GT, and the rear end reminds me of a fusion of Alfa 156 and '09 Golf hatchback in the brake light arrangement. Still, it manages to work together reasonably well, even if originality isn't quite there.

[Ryosuke]

They should bring in a 2 litre with stick shift option to at least live up to the aggressive looks. Otherwise the designers are let down by the beancounters in bringing in only underpowered models.

 

but then the pricing would be different.

their strategy is to target on budget buyers going for looks and not the oomph.

 

they(Koup) cant be going into the type r mkt.their engineers are still not up to it.

Edited October 18, 2009 by Ryosuke

[Jetabout777]

Great effort on Kia with this "sports" coupe. However, I am quite puzzled with this picture on the review: Exhaust

 

Seems like the twin exhaust is a dummy

[Zze121]

but then the pricing would be different.

their strategy is to target on budget buyers going for looks and not the oomph.

 

they(Koup) cant be going into the type r mkt.their engineers are still not up to it.

 

Cheap,good looker and good FC is always the selling point, only small pool of ppl looking for oomph...and if they do Kia will not be on the list.

 

[Alfisti168]

They should bring in a 2 litre with stick shift option to at least live up to the aggressive looks. Otherwise the designers are let down by the beancounters in bringing in only underpowered models.

according to sgcarmart, it is selling at 66,999 now.

[Babyt]

if u drive this on the road, will ppl comment behind 'aiya this sport car cant run la, cheap somemore...action nia'

 

thats wat my frens think of tuscani haha.

[Pigkachu]

I feel its a good 1st car for someone who wants something sporty.

[Stary]

Test driven the car today...I test drive the 2L auto version because didn't want to wait for the 1.6 version. The queue is very long for the 1.6

 

Even on the 2L version, I didn't find the power. The throttle from start is not as responsive as I would expect from a 2L. But it was amazingly quiet and the handling is not bad.

 

I think on the 1.6L, it will feel even more laggy from start.

 

However, on looks wise, interior or exterior it's really hard to beat. And that 5 years unlimited warranty is just out of the world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Watwheels]

I'm puzzled by the similar styling to the Forte and Magentis. It hardly stand out from the two. The only draw is perhaps a better interior(more colour) and 2-door but it will be hindered by the 2-door car insurance premium(they dun care whether the car is performance or not). Anyway I think it will be a rare sight. If this car is targeted at budget, most budget car buyers prefer a more practical 4-door rather dan just 2, a more budget insurance premium and a more budget priced tires(17" are not exactly budget).

 

Anyway I'm just guessing.

[Kelpie]

if u drive this on the road, will ppl comment behind 'aiya this sport car cant run la, cheap somemore...action nia'

 

thats wat my frens think of tuscani haha.

 

Just few years back, the Top Gear fellow commented that Tuscani was the world slowest coupe.

 

Regards,

[Kelpie]

Test driven the car today...I test drive the 2L auto version because didn't want to wait for the 1.6 version. The queue is very long for the 1.6

 

Even on the 2L version, I didn't find the power. The throttle from start is not as responsive as I would expect from a 2L. But it was amazingly quiet and the handling is not bad.

 

I think on the 1.6L, it will feel even more laggy from start.

 

However, on looks wise, interior or exterior it's really hard to beat. And that 5 years unlimited warranty is just out of the world.

 

They used to give 10 years warranty in State.

 

Regards,

[Ithunk]

how is the drive? is it fun.....

[Revolc81]

according to sgcarmart, it is selling at 66,999 now.

 

the price list i got from yesterday:

 

1.6L (M) - $57,999

1.6L (A) - $60,999

 

2.0L (M) - $66,999

2.0L (A) - $69,999

 

And this is after discount for in-house financing and insurance

[Amazon777]

Even on the 2L version, I didn't find the power. The throttle from start is not as responsive as I would expect from a 2L. But it was amazingly quiet and the handling is not bad.

 

Sat in the 1.6L Auto and find the road noise pretty bad, SE said is from the exhaust. Engine like roaring. Not sure is the soundproofing adequate? You sure the 2L is quiet?