A first for Kia

At LotPro.com we see that Hyundai-Kia’s Kia division unveiled its first production hybrid electric vehicle, the Forte Liquid Petroleum Injection (LPI) Hybrid in Seoul today, July 15th.

Based on the Forte 4-door sedan, the Forte LPI Hybrid joins its sedan sibling and the Forte Koup as the third member of Kia’s newest nameplate. According to information supplied by Kia, the company invested approximately $180 billion over a period of 25 months in order to develop the Forte LPI.

Drivetrain

The Forte LPI Hybrid is powered by a 1.6-liter “Gamma” engine, specifically engineered by Kia to run on liquid petroleum gas, coupled to a continuously variable transmission. The CVT, unique to the hybrid, is equipped with what Kia is calling special “E-gear” (Eco Drive) electronics that enable the transmission to make automatic adjustments in order to ensure maximum fuel efficiency.

The other half of the Forte’s hybrid system consists of an electric motor, inverter, converter and 180V lithium ion polymer battery. The system is augmented by Kia’s Idle Stop and Go (ISG) function, which switches off the engine during idle to further reduce emissions and improve fuel economy. The system also is active when the driver applies the brakes after running the vehicle for more than two seconds at speeds of 5.6 miles per hour or higher.

Exterior modifications

In addition to its unique drivetrain, the Forte LPI is the recipient of a number of body modifications designed to cut down on aerodynamic drag. LPI-specific front and rear bumper skirts, aluminum wheels and a small rear lip spoiler are the most obvious differences. Kia has also added underbody covers to the engine compartment and most of the passenger compartment that result in a Cd of just 0.26 for the LPI, as compared to 0.29 for all other Forte sedans.

Inside, the LPI boasts of what Kia calls its “full-digital SuperVision” instrumentation which, for all you Clark Kent wannabees out there, includes an “Eco Guide” function that will encourage drivers along the road to greenness with an “Eco Driving Point” icon.

While both the engine and the electric motor are activated when the ignition is turned on, only the engine will actually power the vehicle when cruising. The battery is designed to store energy created using regenerative braking and will be used solely to power onboard vehicle accessory systems.

The envelope, please

The results of all this green technical wizardry enable the Forte LPI Hybrid to return a fuel efficiency rating of 42 miles per gallon and CO2 emissions of 99g/km, qualifying it as a Super Low Emissions Vehicle (SULEV).

As of this writing, Kia has no firm plans to export the Forte LPI Hybrid outside the home market in Korea, although the press release announcing the hybrid did state that, “feasibility studies are being conducted to assess consumer interest and potential demand in markets that possess liquid petroleum refueling infrastructure.”

 All images courtesy of Kia Motors Corporation

Forte part deux

Less than one month after the introduction of the Forte sedan, Kia has released its third salvo for 2009 in the guise of the Forte Koup. At LotPro.com we take note that this is Kia’s first-ever two-door coupe and marks the automaker’s next step in competing with the big boys in quality, performance and – dare we say – design, as well.

Based on its sedan sibling, the Koup version shares the same 104.3 inch wheelbase, but the 2-door body is 0.4 inches narrower, 2.0 inches shorter and 2.4 inches lower than the sedan. Speed-sensitive power steering is standard and the Koup sports a 33.9 foot turning radius with 16” wheels which stretches to 35.4 feet when it is equipped with 17” alloy wheels.

Standard equipment is anything but

All Koups feature Bluetooth® connectivity through the use of steering wheel-mounted controls which enable voice-activated and hands-free operation for all compatible cell phones. Audio controls, also located on the steering wheel, also come standard as well as USB and auxiliary input jacks located on the center console offer full iPod®/MP3 controllability via either the audio head unit or (this is getting repetitious) steering wheel-mounted controls. SIRIUS satellite radio and three months of complimentary service is also standard.

Trim levels

Two engine choices as well as four different transmissions are offered. The EX version comes with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with CVVT that produces 156 horsepower and 144 lb.-ft. of torque and is available with either a standard 5-speed manual transmission or an optional electronically-controlled 4-speed automatic transmission.

The upgraded SX trim comes equipped with a 2.4-liter 173 hp four and the choice of either a 6-speed manual as standard or an optional 5-speed automatic transmission with manumatic capabilities. SX-trimmed Koups also feature sports seats trimmed in red stitching, tilt and telescoping steering column, speaker lights (a’la the Soul), leather-wrapped wheel and shift knob, and metal-trimmed pedals. Both the SX and the EX trims will offer the option of a tilting power sunroof.

The Bottom Line

While sharing its interior and bits of outside trim (not a single body panel is shared) with the sedan, the Koup brings even more style to the Forte line as well as the C-segment in general. With EPA estimates of 25 mpg city/34 mpg highway for the 2.0-liter, with either transmission, or 23 mpg city/31 mpg highway (automatic) and 22 mpg city/32 mpg highway (manual) for the larger 2.3 four-pot as well as a class-leading 90.7 cubic feet of interior volume, the new Forte Koup makes Kia a major player. So from all of us here at LotPro.com, a hearty “kongratulations” to everyone at Kia!

photos courtesy of Kia Motors America

For Kia fans, the wait is over as the company used the New York Auto Show to globally debut the new Forte Koup. Based on the Forte sedan – which will be available in dealer showrooms this summer and replaces the current Spectra model, the coupe version is slightly shorter in length and lower in height than its sedan counterpart. The Koup also gives Kia a boost in the styling department, as the vehicle sports one of the slickest designs of any vehicle in its class.

Here is the press release from Kia:

(SEOUL) April 9, 2009 – With performance-inspired, aggressive and sleek styling, Kia Motors America (KMA) today globally debuted the 2010 Forte Koup production vehicle during a press conference at the 2009 New York International Auto Show (NYIAS).  Joining the Forte family in the Kia lineup, the company’s first-ever two-door coupe embodies the brand’s current bold design direction first seen on the concept version of the Soul urban passenger vehicle in 2006.

“On the heels of the introductions of the Soul and Forte sedan, Forte Koup represents the next exciting step in the transformation of Kia design and offers a blend of sporty and emotional appeal,” said Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing, KMA.  “We believe our new design evolution coupled with standard Kia value and safety features will continue to attract customers to the Kia brand.”

Curb Appeal

Unlike the South, gas prices will rise again

Hotlanta may be great and the overall economy may be much better south of the Mason-Dixon Line, but the war of northern aggression was lost in 1865 and no amount of battle re-enactments can change that fact. But while the Old South will never return, the same can’t be said for higher gasoline prices.

With that indisputable fact in mind, we present eight small vehicles that were recently introduced at the Geneva Auto Show that have a good chance of being available in these United States sometime in the near future.

In alphabetical order they are:

Alfa Romeo MiTo GTA

If Chrysler and Fiat ever get together, there is a distinct possibility that the Italian carmaker’s Alfa division will eventually join the party. The recently-introduced MiTo GTA is built to go head-to-head with the likes of the MINI Cooper S John Cooper Works Edition. Its 1.75-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine produces 240 horsepower as well as a front-wheel torque-vectoring system to tame torque steer.

Chevrolet Spark

Designed by GM’s Korean subsidiary Daewoo, the Spark will replace the Chevrolet Matiz in Europe and be marketed below Chevy’s current entry-level vehicle, the Aveo. Based on the Beat concept vehicle, it will be equipped with either a 1.0-liter engine or the current 1.2-liter four-cylinder engine currently found in the Aveo. Expect a European rollout in 2010 and North American availability sometime in 2011.

Fiat 500 C

The 500C is the convertible version of Fiat’s iconic Nuovo 500. The 500 C features a power cloth top that uses an intact door pillar and frame as a track for the rearward-sliding top, this design results in a more rigid body while at the same time eliminating the blind spot found in both the MINI and New Beetle convertibles.

Ford Iosis Max concept

Ford’s latest concept vehicle is said to be the design precursor to the next generation C Maxx and Focus vehicles. Unlike the Focus, the Iosis Max has design cues that lean more towards crossover styling (rear sliding doors, no B pillars). Of special interest is the engine – a new 1.6-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost unit which delivers 180 horsepower through the use of turbocharging and direct injection. Also part of the mix is an auto-start-stop system with the whole delivering a 20% increase in fuel economy over conventional engines with similar power.

Hyundai i20 3 door

Though the i20 hasn’t received as much press as many of the aforementioned models, it may be the first to reach our shores. In Hyundai’s hierarchy, it is below the i30 (sold here as the Elantra) and, as it is about the size of the Accent, it may very well replace that model here in the States. Over in Europe, it is available with four engines – two gas and two diesel and while we may not see the diesels, either of both of the gas engines might make it here – a 1.4-liter or a 1.6 liter.

Kia No. 3 concept

Kia is on a roll as of late. It will debut a new vehicle, the Soul, later this spring along with a replacement for the Spectra called the Forte. The No. 3 concept is a small MPV designed to compete with the likes of the Honda Fit. While the production version of the No. 3 will likely be seen in Europe, Kia’s plans for the vehicle in North America are not known at this time.

MINI John Cooper Works convertible

Coming less than two months after the introduction of the new MINI convertible, the John Cooper Works edition is equipped with a 1.6-liter turbocharged direct-injection engine that produces 208 horsepower and 192 lb.-ft. of torque. Top speed is 146 mph and accelerating from a stop to 60 miles an hour takes only 6.6 seconds. Due to go on sale next month, the base price has been set at $34,950 and EPA numbers are 26 city/34 highway.

2010 Volkswagen Polo Mk V

If VW’s sales continue to hold up and gas prices move up from their current $2 per gallon mark, the U.S. is likely to see the latest generation Polo. VW dealers have been clamoring for an entry-level vehicle for some time and the Polo would certainly fit the bill. Standard equipment includes electronic stabilization as well as a full compliment of airbags. Power comes from a number of engines that includes a 1.2-liter twin-turbocharged direct injection gas engine that produces 103 horsepower and a claimed 43 mpg as well as a 1.6-liter turbocharged diesel engine with 88 horsepower and 62 mpg.

Koreans are the new Japanese

The Korean automakers are rapidly becoming to the new millennium what the Japanese automakers were to the 70’s and 80’s. Back then, Honda, Toyota and Datsun rode the wave of relatively cheap labor and high quality to establish themselves as the brands to beat in the low to midsize passenger car segment.

And just as those brands became mainstream, the Korean automakers Hyundai, Kia and Daewoo (which failed on its own but has a presence in GM-branded models) were quick to follow in their footsteps. Although there were initial issues with quality and durability (the initial Japanese vehicles, you’ll recall, rusted hideously), these were addressed with better quality and some of the longest and most comprehensive new vehicle warranties in the industry.

And just like the Japanese, the initial Korean offerings were, shall we say, somewhat lacking in the styling department. That has also changed in recent years. The new Hyundai Genesis sedan, while somewhat derivative, is quite striking and the coupe variant has the aggressive looks of a serious performer.

New Kia Concept

Kia, for its part, has not been sitting idly by as its sister company grabs all the glory. The new Soul, soon to be in dealer showrooms, is a genuine competitor in the mini hauler segment now occupied by the Scion xB and the soon-to-be-available Nissan Cube while the new Forte sedan is scheduled to replace the forgettable Spectra sometime this summer.

As part of this new product onslaught, Kia introduced a mini-truck concept, the Soul’ster, at this year’s NAIAS and today, the company announced that it is about to introduce a second concept, this one an MPV, at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show on March third. Here is the press release from Kia:

(SEOUL) February 24, 2009 — Kia will be displaying an all-new MPV concept, a range of Idle Stop & Go cars and an innovative hybrid at the 79th Salon International de l’Auto which opens in Geneva on 3 March.  There will be a total of 18 vehicles on the Kia stand [Stand 5231, Hall 5] including three models making their first appearance in Switzerland – the Kia Soul, upgraded 2009 Kia Sportage compact SUV and upgraded new-look 2009 Kia Optima sedan.

All-new, the Kia No 3 Concept Car redefines the small MPV genre by creating a beautiful car that is also fun-to-drive.  The concept features a unique extended windscreen and panorama glass roof with a diagonal supporting bar, an automatic sun visor and the new ‘face of Kia’ displays the front grille, head lamps and brand logo in a new constellation.  The 159.25 inch long concept is finished in matte Titanium Grey with contrasting gloss-white accents.

Kia cee’d ISG

The new Kia cee’d ISG (Idle Stop & Go) models, which offer up to 15% fuel savings in city driving, are now on sale in many countries across Europe.  Kia’s innovative ISG system automatically switches the engine off when the car is stopped in traffic and restarts the engine instantly when the driver wishes to move off.  Kia cee’d ISG cars are available with a choice of 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre gasoline engines and each of the three cee’d family body styles – five-door hatchback, five-door sporty wagon and three-door pro_cee’d.  The 1.4-litre ISG models at Geneva have a 137 g/km CO2 rating.

Kia cee’d Hybrid

Kia Motors has produced a fleet of prototype Kia cee’d Hybrid cars especially for testing and evaluation in Europe.  The cee’d Hybrid uses an upgraded powertrain with Kia’s Gamma 1.6-litre gasoline engine, mated to a 20 hp, 77.5 lb.-ft. AC synchronized electric motor, a CVT transmission and the new ISG (Idle Stop & Go) system.  Kia calculates that the cee’d Hybrid accelerates to 62 mph in 11.8 seconds and can reach a top speed of 115 mph.  The prototype achieves fuel consumption of 49 mpg and a CO2 figure of 109 g/km – down 25% compared to the standard 1.6-litre gasoline cee’d.

250,000 sales by 2010

According to the press release, Kia expects to sell over 200,000 Fortes in 2009 and as many as 250,000 by 2010 including exports to Europe and South America.

In addition to its improved styling, the Forte features an optional navigation system, push-button start/stop with smart key and stability control.

Korean market Forte will have a choice of 1.6 liter engines

Although details were not available on which engines will power the new North American Spectra, Kia released the specifications on the first 2 engines that will power the vehicle in Korea.

The first is a 1.6 liter gas engine. This version produces 124 hp. and 159 lb-ft. of torque. Gas mileage is said to be a combined 30-plus mpg with the automatic transmission.

A 1.6 liter common-rail direct-injection diesel will also be offered. This variation will offer 128 hp. and a combined fuel economy rating of 39 mpg.

Here in North America, the new model will feature a version of the 2.0 liter CVVT engine found in the current Spectra sedan.

Along with the engine specifications, Kia also released the dimensions of the new sedan which are 4530mm (178.35 inches) in length and 1775mm (69.88 inches) in width. These specs represent an increase of 1 inch in length and 2.56 inches in width.

Name will not change in U.S.

Although the new model will carry the name “Forte” in the Korean domestic market, there are no plans at this time to bring the name over to the North American market. Instead, according to sources at Kia, the export name will remain “Spectra” here as well as “Cerato” in other markets.

Korean market Forte will have 2 1.6 liter engines

Although details were not available on which engines will power the new North American Spectra, Kia released the specifications on the first 2 engines that will power the vehicle in Korea.

The first is a 1.6 liter gas engine. This version produces 124 hp. and 159 lb-ft. of torque. Gas mileage is said to be a combined 30-plus mpg with the automatic transmission.

A 1.6 liter common-rail direct-injection diesel will also be offered. This variation will offer 128 hp. and a combined fuel economy rating of 39 mpg.

Along with the engine specifications, Kia also released the dimensions of the new sedan which are 4530mm (178.35 inches) in length and 1775mm (69.88 inches) in width. These specs represent an increase of 1 inch in length and 2.56 inches in width.

Name will not change in U.S.

Although the new model will carry the name “Forte” in the Korean domestic market, there are no plans to bring the name over to the North American market.
Instead, the export name will remain “Spectra” here as well as “Cerato” in other markets, according to sources at Kia.