2014 Kia Cerato Koup shows new face at 2013 NY Auto Show

The snazzy 2014 Kia Forte Koup, known as the Cerato Koup in the GCC, was revealed at the 2013 New York International Auto Show. The third member to the Forte line-up will join the sedan and five-door models when it goes on sale at the end of 2013.

The show car was the top-of-the-line SX variant. It showed off the swept-back head lamp clusters that stretch deep into the front-side fenders and a highly-raked windshield. The LED DRLs upfront and LED tail lights add sophistication to the overall look, while the rear valance with twin chrome exhaust tips reflects its sporty intentions. Much of the design can be attributed to Kia’s U.S. design studio in California.

The interior of the Forte Koup features white-on-black gauges, chrome accents and carbon-fibre-like textures splashed all over.

Like the 5-door sibling, the Koup will be offered as both a base EX trim and a superlative SX trim. The EX comes with 16-inch alloy wheels with 205/55R-16 tyres, rear camera, Bluetooth, Sirius Satellite Radio (U.S. only), leather-wrapped steering wheel with controls, “FlexSteer” adjustable steering-firmness, tilt and telescopic steering column, power windows, and LED positioning headlights with fog lights. The SX adds 18-inch wheels with 225/40R-18 tyres, dual chrome exhaust tips, and LED tail lights. The SX also gets an aggressive front fascia with larger bumper and grille openings, black gloss grille inserts, larger front brakes, alloy sport pedals, front and rear seats with carbon-fibre-like accents.

Both trims offer optional HID headlights, navigation system with HD Radio, sunroof, heated steering wheel, 10-way adjustable power driver’s seat, heated front seats and cooled driver’s seat, leather upholstery, SmartKey with push-button start, electric chromatic rear-view mirror and dual-zone automatic climate control.

The Forte SX gets a turbocharged 1.6-litre GDI turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that produces 201 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 264 Nm of torque between 1,750-4,500 rpm. The same engine is employed on the Hyundai Veloster Turbo. It powers the front wheels via a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission. Alternatively, you can have the cheaper Forte EX variant with a less-eager 2.0-litre GDI powerplant that produces 173 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 209 Nm of torque at 4,700 rpm. The automatic transmission is the sole option on the EX. It is unlikely that these engines will be offered in the GCC-spec Cerato Koup, if it comes here.

The Forte Koup features a sport-tuned suspension with a McPherson strut setup in the front and a torsion-beam rear arrangement.

Pricing will be announced closer to the on-sale date later this year.

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