Kia officially launched the long-awaited five-door version of its popular Forte in the Canadian market today. Marketed as the Forte5-Door, the new hatchback builds on the popular Forte compact sedan and Forte Koup by employing another practical yet modern iteration of the platform.

“The Forte5-Door is another key ingredient to the design-led transformation that Kia Motors is currently in the midst of” said Maria Soklis, Chief Operating Officer (COO) Kia Canada Inc. “The Forte5-Door provides Canadians the practicality and utility that is expected from our already successful Forte line-up”.

READ MORE for the full article and the official press release.

The Forte5-Door retains almost all styling cues from the successful Forte sedan, including a front fascia design that has been adapted by the sedan and Koup for 2011. The Forte5-Door completely differentiates the rear view from the Forte sedan. The rear of the vehicle includes a two-tone bumper on the SX package complemented by an integrated chrome exhaust tip as well as wrap around, multi-layer composite rear tail lamps. Available outside mirror LED turn signals and unique 16″ and 17″ alloy wheels also complement the look of the Forte5-Door.

The upscale interior of the Forte5-Door is replete with an impressive list of standard and optional equipment. Standard features on the base LX model include six airbags, anti-whiplash front headrests, power windows and locks, four speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio with AUX and USB inputs, voice activated Bluetooth, and steering wheel audio controls. The EX model adds two more speakers, telescopic steering wheel, and heated front seats. The top-of-the-line SX model adds Sirius satellite radio, automatic climate control, leather trimmed interior, supervision instrument cluster, and metallic interior accents. Push-button keyless start, navigation, rear-view camera, and auto-dimming interior mirrors are available on the SX Luxury trim.

The 2011 Forte5-Door door has two engine offerings including the 2.0-litre Theta II and the 2.4-litre Theta II engine. The 2.0L engine produces 156 horsepower and 144 lb.ft of torque. Tne larger 2.4L generates a hearty 173 horsepower and 168 lb.ft of torque. Both are mated to a standard 6-speed manual tranny or an available 6-speed auto.

In Canada, the 2011 Forte5-Door starts at $16,995 for the LX model. The EX model stickers at $19,195, while the SX model starts at $22,495 and tops out at $26,195 for the SX Luxury with automatic transmission.

Your Kia Dealer in Red Deer, Scott Kia has all the latest 2011 models, along with a huge inventory of used cars, trucks and SUV’s. Let us find the perfect new or used car in Red Deer for you today. Check us out at www.scottkia.ca

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Kia Canada releases official information on the 2011 Kia Forte sedan and Forte Koup.

Those waiting for the official information about the 2011 Kia Forte sedan and Forte Koup to pop up to the web, read this post! Earlier today, Kia Canada released full information on the 2011 Kia Forte range and its improvements.

As expected, the 2011 Forte line-up has been taken to a new, higher level by offering the six-speed automatic or manual transmissions on both models, the 2011 Forte sedan and the 2011 Forte Koup. In addition to powertrain upgrades, the automaker also made some styling tweaks to the 2011 Forte line-up.

Exterior styling tweaks include redesigned fog-lights, updated outside mirrors with LED turn-signals, LED tail-lamps and new 16-inch alloy wheels. Read more about the upgrades made to the 2011 Forte line-up in the official press release published after the jump…

2011 Forte Sedan and 2011 Forte Koup set new benchmark with significant powertrain upgrades in the compact car segment

The powertrain change for 2011 provides competitive fuel economy ratings with its 2.0-litre offering and 2.4-litre engine in its class. “Fuel economy is top of mind with Canadians and providing world class fuel efficient vehicles is part of our winning formula”.

The 2011 Forte Sedan offers exceptional fuel economy. The 2.0L four-cylinder engine offers 8.1 litres/100km in the city and 5 .7 litres/100km on highway when mated with the all-new six-speed manual transmission and 8.0/5.5 litres/100km (city/highway) with the optional six-speed automatic.

The more potent 2.4L engine offers fuel economy at 9.2/6.2 litres/100km with the six-speed manual and 9.0/6.2litres/100km when paired with the six-speed automatic transmission.

Kia claims the fuel economy of the 2011 Forte Koup is not sacrificed for sportiness. The 2.0L engine offers 8.3/6.0 litres/100km (city/highway) when mated with the six-speed manual transmission and 8.0/5.7 litres/100km (city/highway) with the optional six-speed automatic. Those opting for the more powerful 2.4L engine also can expect an economical 9.2/6.2 litres/100km with the six-speed manual and 9.0/6.4 litres/100km when paired with the six-speed automatic transmission.

Kia designers also made some changes to the 2011 Forte sedan line-up to include the common use of the Forte 5 Door front fascia on the sedan, redesigned integrated fog lights and outside heated mirrors with LED turn-signals and new 16″ aluminum wheels.

Moving to the interior, the centre console has been upgraded which includes a new design, leather shifter boot, chrome lined cup-holders and outside temperature display found on the LX “Plus”, EX and SX.

Across the Forte line-up, additions have been made available to the SX trim to include paddle shifter on the SX automatic transmission; Smart Key with push button start ignition on the SX Luxury automatic transmission, automatic light control, and voice activated navigation on the SX luxury and electrochromic auto-dimming mirror on the SX.

The 2011 Koup also receives an upgrade on the rear taillights by offering an available LED rear combination lamp which provides a more stylish, sporty and upscale image. The centre console has been upgraded which includes a new design, leather shifter boot, chrome lined cup-holders and outside temperature display on the 2011 Koup.

Kia also administered a variety of NVH (Noise Vibration and Harshness) improvements, such as adding additional sound dampening material throughout the Forte lineup as part of their continuous improvement objective.

2011 Forte Sedan LX, EX, SXtrim information

Price: Forte LX starts at $15.995
Engine: 2.0L, 4-cylinder engine, 156hp
Transmission: 6-speed manual and optional 6-speed automatic
Standard features include: 6 airbags, active front headrests, 4-wheel disc brakes, ABS, ESC, power windows and locks, power heated outside mirrors, four speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio with AUX and USB inputs, voice activated Bluetooth, steering wheel audio controls, tilt and steering wheel, 15″ steel wheels with wheel covers.

Price:  2011 ForteEX starts at $18,495
Engine: 2.0L, 4-cylinder engine, 156hp
Transmission: 6-speed manual and optional 6-speed automatic
Standard features include (in addition to LX): 16″ alloy wheels, auto off headlamps, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, 6 speakers audio, keyless entry, manual air conditioning, windshield wiper de-icer, heated front seats, steering wheel mounted cruise control, outside mirror with integrated turn signal, sunroof is an available option.

Price: 2011 Forte SX starts at $21,795
Engine: 2.4L, 4-cylinder engine, 173hp
Transmission: 6-speed manual and optional 6-speed automatic
Standard features include (in addition to EX): 17″ alloy wheels, front fog lights, Sirius satellite radio, trip computer, automatic air conditioning, leather seats, leather wrapped gear shift knob and steering wheel, power sunroof, auto light control, supervision instrument cluster, alloy sport pedals.

SX – Luxury Trim offers Navigation, Electrochromic mirror, smart key with push button ignition start (only on Automatic transmission)

2011 Forte Koup
EX – Starting at $18,995
2.0L, 4-cylinder engine, 156hp
Transmission: 6-speed manual and optional 6-speed automatic
Standard features include: 6 airbags, active front headrests, 4-wheel disc brakes, ABS, ESC, power windows and locks, power heated outside mirrors, keyless entry, air conditioning, heated front seats, cruise control, six speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio with AUX and USB inputs, voice activated Bluetooth, steering wheel audio controls, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, 16″ alloy wheels and exterior chrome door handles, front fog lamps and optional tilt and sliding sunroof.

SX – Starting at $22,295
2.4L, 4-cylinder engine, 173hp
Transmission: 6-speed manual and optional 6-speed automatic
Standard features include (in addition to EX): 17″ alloy wheels, sport tuned suspension, automatic climate control, power tilting and sliding sunroof, leather seats, leather wrapped steering wheel and gearshift knob, alloy sport pedals, trip computer, paddle shifter (automatic only), Sirius satellite radio (includes 3 month free trial) and supervision instrument cluster.

SX Luxury trim Offers Navigation, Electrochromic mirror, smart key with push button ignition start (only on Automatic transmission), LED rear lights.

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