Kia Motors unveils Forte 5-door with 1.6L GDI turbocharged engine

Kia Motors America (KMA) unveiled the new Forte 5-door SX equipped with a new 1.6-liter gasoline direct-injected (GDI) turbocharged four-cylinder engine at the Chicago Auto Show. With output of 201 hp (150 kW) and torque of 195 lb-ft (264 N·m of torque, the Forte 5-door SX is the most powerful Forte from KMA to date. The Forte 5-door is expected to go on sale in the third quarter of 2013, and pricing will be announced closer to launch.

2014 Forte 5-door. Click to enlarge.

The Forte 5 door is presented in two trim levels, EX and SX, with two distinct engine choices. The EX is equipped with a 2.0-liter GDI four-cylinder engine putting out 173 hp (129 kW) and 154 lb-ft (209 N·m) of torque through a 6-speed automatic transmission. The performance-oriented SX comes standard with the 1.6-liter turbo, a first for the Forte line.

The1.6-liter engine features double overhead cams with dual continuously variable valve timing to help improve efficiency and performance.

The SX also offers buyers the chance to pick their own gears with a standard 6-speed manual transmission, or they may opt for the 6-speed automatic featuring steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters.