In an Automotive News story about Kia adding former Saturn dealerships to its dealer network on the East Coast, Tom Loveless, vice president of sales for Kia Motors America, mentions in passing that a turbocharged engine might be offered in the 2012 Kia Forte Koup.
And we've got a very good idea where Kia might source that engine: the Hyundai Sonata. Although the redesigned 2011 Sonata starts out with a normally aspirated, direct-injected 2.4-liter engine, it's scheduled to get a turbocharged and direct-injected 2.0-liter inline four for the 2012 model year. And at least in the Sonata, Hyundai is promising upwards of 250 horsepower along with 35 mpg on the highway.
Drop that engine in a Forte Koup, and Kia would have a real sport compact and perhaps a legitimate rival to the Honda Civic Si and Volkswagen GTI.
AN writer Kathy Jackson quotes Loveless as saying a turbocharged engine in the Forte would be "a natural extension if it makes financial sense."
Automotive News (sub.req)
notabigdeal says:
05:34 PM, 12/14/09
Not sure a GTI buyer would be interested in a Hyundai but would be a legit competitor for the Civic Si if they can get the sporting characteristics right.
inlinesix says:
06:22 PM, 12/14/09
It could be a real quick little car with that turbo motor.
subytrojan says:
06:43 PM, 12/14/09
They should throw it into the Hyundai Genesis Coupe too!
breif says:
08:38 PM, 12/14/09
Suby, the GenCouple already has a turbo4. I'm not sure what advantage there would be to swapping WHICH turbo four it gets.
redliner says:
09:38 PM, 12/14/09
Hyundai wants to use the turbo 4 out of the Sonata because its already configured for FWD. The turbo 4 in the Genesis is designed for RWD use, although im sue if they absolutely too, they could make a swap.
subytrojan says:
10:29 PM, 12/14/09
breif, the Genesis Coupe's turbo-four makes only 211 hp and doesn't have direct injection. However, non-DI engines are usually easier to tune.
Commenting using my BlackBerry
sabastian says:
05:56 AM, 12/15/09
They would have to do something about that interior before I would consider it.
isend2c says:
10:56 PM, 04/ 2/10
Now that we know the 2.0 L DI Turbo from the Sonata makes a whopping 274-HP, it would not only make a competitor to the Civic SI, GTI, and the like but also the Mitsubishi Eclipse 3.8 L V6, Mazda MS3, and at minimum a Subaru WRX and Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart, if not the Evo & STI... It would be a pocket rocket if ever there was one. I just with it was for 2011 and not 2012... :(
turbolaser91 says:
09:40 PM, 06/19/10
this car would fly with a turbo set up!!! forget the civic si it would be left in the dust. Even if the forte only got 250hp, hell 230hp and thats all it would take for this car to be quick as hell. It would be like bringing back the DSM with a kia badge!!! They better do it for real!! CAN YOU HEAR ME KIA, MAKE IT TURBO PLEASE!!!
bigquint says:
07:05 AM, 09/ 4/10
I have a Kia Soul now. I've been thinking about trading it in for a Forte, but I want more power. The other car I'm considering is a Jetta GLI. In either case, I'd rather have a 4 door. As much as I like coupes, I'm trying to stick with Kia so I can turn around and get a Camaro.
mml1 says:
08:54 PM, 11/11/10
Just bought a new Forte SX. They'll have to do something about the front wheel traction if they turbo this car--I can slip the front wheels at will (okay, without even trying) in my next SX. In my experience, the car is very light already and does not hold the road well when the road surface is poor. I think the Forte would be very, very skiddish with a turbo without substantial suspension mods... which would probably put it out of the budget of most of us who buy the car.
We'll see. The SX is more than adequate performance-wise, considering that most folks who buy cars in this segment don't have the capability the SX provides.
I'm not sure the Civic Si is all it is made out to be, either... very pleased with the Forte SX.