2014 Kia Forte - First Photos

Although offering no new facts regarding its platform mechanicals or powertrain components, we now have confirmation of what we'll see in the exterior redesign of the new-for-2014 Kia Forte. Like the teaser illustrations released earlier, these official factory photos show the automaker's global best-selling model will introduce an even edgier interpretation of Kia's current design language.

The automaker has confirmed that the 2014 Forte is longer, lower and wider than the vehicle it replaces, and that this compact front-drive sedan will arrive with a more spacious and even better appointed passenger compartment. Collectively, those attributes should help it meet the ever-intensifying challenge of primary foes like the Chevrolet Cruze, Dodge Dart, Honda Civic, Mazda3 and Toyota Corolla as well as its corporate cousin, the Hyundai Elantra. On sale here early next year, the 2014 Kia Forte sedan will ultimately be joined by a coupe and a 5-door hatchback with at least some version or versions expected to boast a combined EPA fuel economy rating of 40 mpg or better.

 

Courtesy of KBB.com

Happy Monday fans, here is Monday Maintenance tip for you!

Tired Tires

Tires wear out, but they also time out. The tire industry says tires are toast after five years, but they're selling tires. It all depends on heat, sunlight and ozone conditions. There's little argument from any pundits that after seven years those black donuts are dried and better off holding down a farmer's tarp than carrying your family around. If you're not sure how old your tires are, a tire shop can read the date code stamped into the sidewall.

The new 2013 Kia Optima SX is limitless! Take a glimpse of the stylish midsize sedan with 18" chrome wheels and an electronic parking brake and prepare to be amazed.

2014 Kia Forte Teased Ahead Of 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show

The current Kia Forte, known as the Cerato in other markets, is a pleasantly styled and attractively priced alternative to the likes of the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla in the compact segment. Penned in Kia's California design studio, the current Forte first launched in sedan trim as a 2010 model and was later joined by new coupe and hatchback bodystyles.

While not unattractive, the current Forte lacks the design flair of the newer Kia Optima or even its C'eed cousin sold overseas, which doesn't help the Korean compact stand out in its class.

The car you see here is the all-new 2014 Kia Forte, in its sedan bodystyle, which is set to make its official world debut at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show in November before going on sale shortly after.

You can really see the resemblance in the front end, as the new Forte embraces Kia's bolder winged grille and aggressive character line design motifs. The lower valence looks familiar, too, with the same exaggerated openings for fog lights.

Charged with penning the rather stylish look is Kia design boss Peter Schreyer, who has introduced a much more premium look to Kia's lineup, with his most recent design being the K9 (recently renamed Quoris) flagship sedan.

The 2014 Forte is said to be longer, lower and wider than the outgoing model, which should promise more space inside, and will once again come in the choice of sedan, coupe and hatch bodystyles.

The current Forte features a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivering fuel economy as high as 27/36 mpg city/highway. We suspect a drivetrain with similar specifications will be offered in the new generation.

The Forte is one of Kia's most important models. With sales of 445,000 units worldwide in 2011, the compact car is Kia's most popular model and by the looks of this new generation should continue that tradition.

Courtesy of MotorAuthority.com

Welcome back to the work week fans! Here is a Monday Maintenance Tip for you!

Brakes need to be replaced when the lining on your brake pad or brake shoe is worn down past the minimum thickness specified by the car manufacturer or state law. You can have your brake linings checked at any normal service shop or at a brake specialist.

Hey fans, we want to know, where is your ultimate vacation destination? Is it a tropical paradise? Or a European adventure? Let us know!

Rio Bravo: Upgraded 2013 Kia Rio SX Coming This Fall

With the new Kia Optima SX Limited signaling some definite upscale aspirations in the midsize sedan segment, the 2013 Kia Rio SX—in both sedan and hatchback configurations—will start showing a similar approach to the subcompact category when it arrives this fall. Now, the SX designation isn’t new. In fact, it’s been the name of Kia’s range-topping trim level for years. But what is new is a much higher level of amenities that should help draw customers away from cars like the Ford Fiesta Titanium and give Kia an early foothold in the near-premium subcompact niche.

2013 Kia Rio SX: Features and Functions

Perhaps the biggest enhancement to the SX package for the 2013 model year is the addition of Kia’s UVO telematics system as a standard feature. UVO is sort of the Kia equivalent of Ford SYNC, and in the Rio SX it will provide voice control over the car’s audio and phone functions, including online music streaming and hands-free calling. It won’t offer access to mobile apps in the way SYNC AppLink does on the Fiesta Titanium, but the UVO system on the Rio SX does provide an integrated rearview camera, something that’s missing on the Ford.

Other Rio SX advantages over the Ford include a standard six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters—the Fiesta Titanium’s standard transmission is a five-speed manual—and sporty-looking metal pedals, which are optional on the Ford.

Then there’s the kind of premium creature comforts one would expect from a top-of-the-line entry, such as a leather interior, Kia’s Supervision meter cluster, a soft-touch dash, 17-inch alloy wheels, power-folding exterior mirrors with integrated turn signals, and a subtle application of chrome around the grille. Kia designers also made a notable effort to brighten up the vehicle’s light treatments. Thus, the Rio SX wears standard fog lights and new automatic on/off headlights, and showcases LED illumination for its positioning lights, taillights and front accent lights. Dual exhaust tips and the de rigueur sport-tuned suspension are part of the price of admission, too.

With this feature list, it’s no surprise there aren’t many options on the 2013 Kia Rio SX, but a power/tilt sunroof, heated front seats, push-button start and a nav system are among the available add-ons. And it’s worth pointing out that the seat warmers and easy-start system are standard on the Fiesta Titanium.

Also, even though drivers shouldn’t expect any powertrain changes in the Rio SX, the good news is that that means they can expect the same EPA marks of 30 mpg city/40 mpg highway achieved by the rest of the Rio lineup.

Courtesy of Autobytel.com