Kia Motors has announced that its compact Forte sedan has received a "Top Safety Pick" status for 2010 by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. This is the third model from the Hyundai/Kia line-up to receive this prestigious title for 2010, with the other two being the Kia Soul and the all-new Hyundai Sonata.
It is important to note that this rating only applies to Forte's built after October 2009, as the automaker made revisions to the car's B-pillar and roof to qualify it for the award.
For a vehicle to qualify for the rating, it must score the top rating of Good in frontal-offset, side-impact, and rear-impact crash tests. New for 2010, a car must also score a good rating in its roof-strength test that measures occupant protection in the case of a rollover. The car must also be equipped with electronic stability control (ESC), standard equipment in the Forte.
With the new standards implemented for 2010, there are only 31 vehicles in the market that qualify for the Top Safety Pick, a low number compared to that of 2009. Other cars in the compact segment that earned the top rating are the Volkwagen Golf, Toyota Corolla, Subaru Impreza, Scion xB, and Nissan Cube. Honda Civic's equipped with optional stablity control also earned the award.
[Source: Kicking Tires]
The Kia Forte line-up has just received a new member to sit next to the sedan and Koup versions: a five-door version that will go on sale in October.
The 2011 Forte 5-door version will be available will all the options from the sedan, but will also include a new front grille, alloy wheels, lower valence design, center console, paddle shifters, push-button start and navigation.
Under the hood there will be a choice of the 2.0 and 2.4-liter engines and a new six-speed manual or automatic transmission.
Basically, Kia has taken the Forte and Koup, added a fifth door, and made some additional minor adjustments. Voila, a whole "new" car.
Continue reading for Kia's short press release and more hi-res images.
Excerpt from Kia Press Release on NYIAS
Also making its world premiere in New York is the Forte (’Cerato’ in some markets) five-door. Keeping in line with the stylish and practical Forte compact sedan and first-for-Kia Forte Koup, the Forte five-door adds another attractive option to the Forte family.
Forte five-door builds on the popular Forte compact sedan and bold Forte Koup by employing another practical yet modern iteration of the platform. Lower and firmly set on its haunches, Forte five-door carries with it all the amenities of the Forte line and introduces a new front grille, alloy wheels, lower valence design, center console, paddle shifters, push-button start (already available in Forte line-up outside of North America) and navigation (available in North America only) in addition to the enhanced practicality of a fifth door for a distinct appearance and intentional practicality.
Depending on country, Forte five-door is available with three efficient gasoline engines - 1.6-litre, 2.0-litre or 2.4-litre - and a new six-speed manual or automatic transmission. North American consumers will have a choice of the 2.0 and 2.4-liter engines while customers outside of North America will be able to choose from the 1.6 and 2.0-liter powerplants.
