The Kia Forte Koup enters its second generation for 2014 with all-new styling and updated driving dynamics that should make it a worthy challenger to the Honda Civic and other compact two-doors. Kia announced this week that the Forte Koup will be sporting something to give it an even sharper edge as well: an available turbocharged engine.
The 2014 Forte Koup SX is available with a 201-horsepower 1.6 liter turbocharged four-cylinder. That’s almost a thirty-horse bump compared to the standard 2.0 liter four-cylinder. The direct-injection turbo is borrowed from the Hyundai Veloster Turbo and others, and is available with a choice of six-speed manual or automatic transmissions. The six-speed autobox features paddle shifters. The MacPherson strut front, torsion-beam rear suspension has not been changed much, but a similar setup provides entertaining performance in the Veloster Turbo so the Forte Koup should prove to be reasonably tossable.
The horsepower boost helps to back up sporty, upscale looks that give credence to the notion that an affordable car doesn’t have to look cheap. The Forte Koup SX sports eighteen-inch wheels and a unique front fascia, with wider air intakes and a black grille inset. At the rear, faux carbon fiber trim decorates the valance. The carbon fiber theme is carried over to the interior, where the seats and dash are accented with the same pattern. The Forte Koup’s interior is handsome, with a few sporty touches compared to the elegant-commuter style of the Forte sedan. A backup camera, Kia’s UVO eServices connectivity, SiriusXM satellite radio and heated seats are standard equipment.
