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Cl-on Forte K Story and photos by Jim Robinson Metroland Media LOS ANGELES: Kia's slogan is "The Power To Surprise" and they've done it again with the 2014 Forte Koup. The Kia Forte Koup was one of the first designs of Peter Schreyer whose styling acumen vaulted him to industry stardom, and most recently to president, the first non-Korean to head the compàny. The idea was simple enough. Take the Forte sub-compact and make it a sporty car with the now famous signature "Tiger Mouth" grille, a swoopy coupe roofline and a ton of content. The 2014 Forte Koup as it is officially known (we'll just call the Koup from here on) shares almost everything mechanically with the 2014 ForteS, five-door hatchback that was launched simultaneously with the Koup in California. But they are really two different cars, thanks to what the engineers can do with suspension and drive trains, as I was to find out. The Forte5 will be dealt with as a separate story be- cause of the difference in temperament between the two, but also the vast array of cohtent. Looking at both cars sitting side by side during the Canadian press preview, you knew they were the same under the skin but they looked different, which is sure to make dealers happy when buyers come in and wander around the showroom.Obviously the Forte5 and Koup are aimed at divergent demographics. oup 2014 a coup mirr îll AM vh ne second generation 2014 Kia Forte Koup is the new boy on the compact sporty car segment block with a starting price of $20,995 for the EX and $23,695 for the SX (shown) both with a choice of six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions. Kia says it is one of the three brands (the other two being Mazda, Scion) attracting the youngest buyers in Canada. The average age of a Kia buyer is 46. The Koup buyer is 43. Besides standout style, what's included on the car and price are dealmakers or breakers for this group. There are two Koup trim levels beginning with the entry level EX that starts at $20,995 and comes with standard amenities sure to attract this buyer profile. Some of these include: UVO infotainment with rear camera display, dot-matrix type LCD cluster, leather- wrapped steering wheel, FlexSteer, auto folding outside cor Kia ors and LED front positioning head- S.. le SX that starts at $23,695 includes! rything on the EX then ups the ante with2 nch wheels as opposed to 17-inch on EX, aggressive front fascia with larger iper and grille openings, black glossL. a inserts and outside mirrors, larger(. t brakes, alloy sport pedals, Smart key 0 LED taillight technology. 0 le EX uses Kia's latest direct injection litre inline DOHC four-cylinder with 171 nd 154 lb/ft of torque equipped with an Duse designed six-speed manual trans- *sin. Opting for the six-speed automatic or $120to uastce pi efore it was released for use, this en- was rün for 300 hours at the redline wed by another 20 hours at 10 per centi Ve redline. e SX pumps up the ponies with a 1.6-litre twin turbo inline four-cylinder with 201 hp and 195 lb/ft of torque. Again, a six-speed man- ual is standard with the six-speed automatic available for $1,200 more. Suspension is MacPherson struts up front and a rear twist beam with the Koup getting a sportier set up than the Forte5. I am pleased Kia thinks a manual transmission is important. Yes, it is cheaper than an automatic but so much more fun. It gives a sense of control you just can't get with an Continued on page 48 4. NEED TO GET THE WINTER OUT &L W4,ý*W 4.. OF YOUR VEHICLE? WE CAN HELPI. TLT-fýý Window rintinu, flust Check Ne NI COMPIete AUtOMOtiVe Det8ifinq 905-875-3367 410 Industrial Dr», miito. WE-ARE HERE!