2013 All-New Kia Forte Shows Up In Los Angeles With Segment-Leading Looks

The 2013 all-new Kia Forte has been unveiled in the U.S. for the first time, under the spot lights of the Los Angeles Auto Show. We are sounding like a very broken record now, but here goes again: Kia has penned a head-turning car that is likely the best-looking car in its segment. Designed at Kia's Design Center in Irvine, California, under the direction of Peter Schreyer, the Forte looks much like a compact but no less handsome version of the bigger, D-segment car, the Optima.
The upcoming Kia Forte is 30 mm longer, 5 mm wider and 25 mm lower than the current Forte, though the outstanding dimension could be the 51 mm lengthening in wheelbase to 2700 mm. Yet another highlight is the new electric power steering, which can be opted with the Flex Steer system that comes with three settings: Comfort, Normal and Sport.
The U.S. market does without the 140 HP, 167 Nm 1.6-litre GDI engine launched in the K3 in South Korea. On offer are instead a 1.8-litre engine producing 148 HP at 6500 rpm and 178 Nm at 4700 rpm, as well as a 2.0-litre GDI engine delivering a high output of 173 HP at 6500 rpm and 209 Nm at 4700 rpm. A six-speed automatic gearbox is paired to either engine, and is probably the sole choice for Malaysians when the Forte launches.