By Park, Byeong-jun
Kia Design Center
The first two-door coupe from Kia Motors, Forte (Cerato) Koup is distinct from the Forte (Cerato) sedan in many aspects, from design to color. The main concept behind color development was to come up with a “powerful, eye-catching color.” The idea was to maximize the young and dynamic image of the Koup.
Attention-grabbing red could very well be the color most commonly associated with a sporty car. Solid, striking red which exudes the sensual allure of a sports car has come to life in the Koup’s “Racing Red.”
Glossy black trims grace the front bumper molding, radiator grille, fog lamp housing, door handles and side mirror. The resulting “red & black” look projects an arresting yet refined dynamism. Black, silver and titanium grey were chosen for the wheels to present a solid and sophisticated image.
The Koup also boasts a unique interior color scheme. A red leatheresque material envelops the dashboard and door trim for a stylish and sporty feel.
Red stitch detailing adorns the bucket seats, door armrest, steering wheel and floor mats. Aluminum pedals are another element that emphasizes this car’s sporty concept.
Bright metallic colors were used for the center fascia and door trim for a stronger, more polished look.
An upgraded version of the lighting speaker featured in Kia Soul was applied to Koup’s door trim speakers. The speaker ring resembles chrome molding, but when you turn on the audio, the lighting will pulse in tune with the music.
As you can see, the diverse color and trim elements come together to create a distinctive identity for the Forte (Cerato) Koup that sets it apart from the Forte (Cerato) sedan.
Forte (Cerato) fans can look forward to the Forte (Cerato) hybrid which results in a marked improvement in fuel efficiency. The car will also feature different cues in Kia’s singular design characteristics. Featuring an innovative style and attractive colors, the third addition to the Cerato (Forte) family will be a symbol of “eco dynamic design.” It will soon be coming your way!
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August 11th, 2009 at 9:44 pm
Very, very nice job with the Koup. I love it, but am a little uncertain about the options in the United States. Will the United states have the red interior trims like shown above? Also, when will we have the navigation system and automatic temperature control as shown above? Those are the features that we would want in our Koup, please deliver, thank you!
August 12th, 2009 at 4:10 am
I really hope the red dash and door trim are available on the U.S. version. All-black interiors can get a bit tiresome. I like that the sedan comes with a “Coffee” brown option, for example.
I also don’t think that the U.S. version will get the black side mirrors, which is a shame. It’s a great look for this car.
August 12th, 2009 at 9:04 am
Why is it that it seems the more I drive this car the smoother it gets?
August 12th, 2009 at 9:27 pm
Hello!
Great website, i enjoy it very much!
Q/When can the Cerato/Forte-Hybrid be sold in Australia, we are very keen for this vehicle here!
Thanks
August 15th, 2009 at 10:48 am
You guys should offer navagation with the leather package for N. America . It seems most of it rivals have it. It’s already rare and turning heads too . If this rare and stylish car looks like an everyday Civic why is it the Forte turns heads and Civics don’t?
August 16th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
@jtz
Your car is being broken in. All the rough engine parts are being polished by friction.
August 17th, 2009 at 1:48 pm
Am really looking forward to the Koup. Sure hope they offer the semi-colored interior in the USA.
Was impressed with the sedan and expect even more excitement from the Koup. Have not seen it in the metal and flesh yet, but the hardcopy propaganda brochure is appealing.
When will it be available to U.S.A. consumers ?
Any chance a 5 foot 3 inch man can fit into the Koup ? I fit in the sedan a.o.k., but have to wait and see on the difference the seat andle and a difference of 1.3 inches in headroom makes.
I’m a bit disappointed that the closest dealer without A.D.M. second sticker is 300 miles away in another state. Not the factories fault at that.
Can the pulsing glow ring around the lower audio speaker be disabled in case of driving late at night on a cloudy dark out-of-the way hinterland ?
Thanks for putting competitive pressure on the other guys.
Hope to drive a Koup soon and eventually off the lot to my garage.
Also noticed a 1K rebate on the sedan in early August, but that seems to have disappeared.
Leo Henton
Seattle, WA 98118 USA
August 17th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
I need to ready my typing better. Was so excited I inserted a typo.
What are the chances a 6 foot 3 inch driver can fit in the Koup ?
August 17th, 2009 at 7:56 pm
Leo – From the reviews we’ve seen, the Koup has been described as being very spacious, so I don’t think you’ll have much trouble. But, have a look & feel for yourself at your nearest dealership!! (And let us know!)
August 18th, 2009 at 8:01 am
The glowing ring can vary by four intensities, it can stay always on, mood (where it pulses back and forth), music (where it bounces to the bass of music), and you can turn it off. It is really clever.
August 18th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
Thank you Pamela and Greg for your recent answers above. I hope the colored interior also makes it to the USA.
I have seen and driven the Forte Sedan. It IS very spacious. It is impressive. I fit in the Forte Sedan easily. Have yet to see a Forte Koup (in the flesh and metal at hand) yet. I’ve got my hopes up.
I really like this blog. I like the additional technical details that are provided. I understand the average consumer might get disoriented if too much technical detail is in the brochures at the retail dealers.
However, so far I have not seen any unnecessary comprimises in getting the job done reasonably. As a matter of fact, there are some pleasent surprises in the details.
Also, a note of thanks to the folks that properly arranged the (gas, brake) pedals for my size 14 feet. It is greatly appreciated.
The local dealers had to ball-park, roughly estimate how long it would take to order then deliver the specific model and trim I finally decide on. I estimated a 5 to 6 month wait. The dealer(s) indicated a 2 month wait. That seems impressive.
If I understand correctly a Kia Forte Koup (or Sedan) can be obtained in SX trim without a moonroof. Excellent.
I think your team’s efforts have raised the standard of excellence in this and the next higher market segment.
A subtle suggestion for a topic for a future blog discussion: “Supply Chain relationships, modern Korean business relationships”. Second discussion: Could you share the quantity of prototypes that fleshed out the tooling and trade studies ?
Leo Henton
Seattle, WA 98118 USA
just a consumer, formerly an automotive engineer in Michigan in the mid-1990’s.
August 18th, 2009 at 1:56 pm
And, oh by the way … the way I shop for cars is that I don’t wait until I need a replacement. I usually visit a various dealer once or twice a month on a slow day for them. There is only (one) handful of models that I think twice about after exiting the dealer. I always decide if I like the car first (regardless of price), then evaluate price as a secondary consideration. So presently Kia Forte is at the top of my list. The remainder of the list is: smallest Volvo, a few of the Volkswagens, and perhaps a used (late) 2008 Dodge Caliber R/T AWD (but that is at the bottom of the list). There are some pretenders that appeared to be contenders, but didn’t make the first cut due to size limitations: Suzuki SX-4 AWD and Suburu AWD.
I noticed with considerable interest that the American journalists, car bloggers etc. drove Forte Koup in very heavy rain in Korea in June 2009. There have not been any American journalists that were concerned about performance in the heavy rain. Very good.
Probably don’t need AWD in 95% of circumstances or more in my location in drizzly Pacific NorthWest with some snow on the passes.
I’m assuming that due to the drizzle and snow that SX trim is preferable to EX trim. Or if one was to select EX trim, make sure to have a minimum of a second set of all-weather tires in the Winter. Your recommendation ? Am I understanding the situation correctly ? EX is the first model in the overall public market with something called “silica” tires for fuel economy efficiency. Works great in Southern California desert I assume.
Thanks for your time in reading thru these comments.
Figure there might be 100 lurkers or more on internet for every person who comments. So in case other rfeaders have questins like mine, I post.
Feel free to edit for clarity, relevance and length.
Leo Henton
Seattle, Washington state, USA
August 18th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
Hi auscars,
Sorry for late reply.
We haven’t decided to sell Forte LPI Hybrid model yet.
Let’s wait until the decision made. : )
August 18th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
Hi Greg,
Thanks for your visit and interest in Kia Forte Koup.
We have forwarded your concern to Kia Motors America’s product manager.
I hope you will meet the Forte Koup with your desired features!
Thanks.
Colin
August 20th, 2009 at 4:40 pm
Dear Leo Henton,
Thank you for your suggestions, we will certainly take them into consideration. If there are other bloggers who would like to know about the same topic, we ask for their vote through this comments section, too!
We appreciate your comments and hope the BUZZ continues to provide you with the details you are looking for.
August 29th, 2009 at 12:49 am
Hello Colin:
I am well beyond the target age for the Koup. But I plan to get one! The dealer here in New York USA has my deposit. There still is very limited information about the Koup and options, and certain trim configurations seem to be “mandated by the factory. I’m reminded of Hery Ford “Black” Model T. “You can order any color you want, as long aas it’s Black!”. Kia seems to be following this with the packages it has created for the individual markets. I realize that in the US market the vehicle has to conform with many regulations about fuel economy and safety. But why not give us a choice from the “global menu” of options for the Koup?
In my reading it seems the Canadaian SX trim coupe is sold with a mandatory moon roof. I’m 6 foot three inches tall, and many cars seem to “rub” my bald spot atop my head! The trim and structural changes for a “roof window” prevent me from considering some vehicles. Glad I’m not a Canadian customer!
Mandatory leather seating in Canada for SX trim levl. The SX package needs seat side bolsters to keep the driver centered. the leather seating doesn’t appear to have the bolsters to provide that “cocoon” feel for the driver.
The SX package appears to offer a great range of included “options”. Really nothing is left to order as optional equipment. But individual tastes vary, and many in the United Strates are used to “customizing” thier vehicles. Kia doesn’t appear to be willing to allow customers to “mix and match” any options.
Since this vehicle is sold world wide, it would be nice to have the latitude to “personalize” “my” vehicle. Granted some items can be added to the vehicles at the dealer level, but given the great range of geography in the US market, and the diversity of personal taste across 50 states, why does Kia prevent it’s customers from “ordering” a car exactly as they want it?
Tom
September 3rd, 2009 at 7:11 pm
Hello Thomas,
Thank you for your interest in Kia Forte Koup.
We have forwarded your opinion about the Koup’s choice for options and Kia Motors America wanted us to share the following with you.
Here it is:
Regarding the question concerning personalization, we do offer accessories to address individual tastes. Factory feature options, however, need to be controlled to minimize complexity; otherwise we couldn’t manage all the possible combinations. In other markets, customers can order a vehicle to spec, and then wait 2 to 3 months for the vehicle to be completed. In the U.S. however, we forecast, build stock to the forecast and customers buy from that stock
I hope this answer helps you to understand our position in the marketplace. Since there are many after-market personalization options, we are able to provide quality vehicles at competitive prices around the world this way.
Thanks!
Colin
September 24th, 2009 at 12:03 am
WOULD THEY PRODUCE A VERSION OR THE KIA KOUP FOR NORTH AMERICA WITH THE 2.0 LITER TURBOCHARGE ENGINE???
September 26th, 2009 at 9:14 pm
Cerato seems to be a great looking car that can match it with most. How about it comes with the six speed automatic gearbox you have available. That would just put the icing on the cake for me. When your company does that i will consider buying a Cerato.
September 27th, 2009 at 3:06 pm
hey does anyone know if they will come out with a spoiler for the Koup. Im so excited to see this car but i was hoping for more accessories like an upgrade in stereo and such things does anyone know there plan on anything like that??
Have been waiting for the Koup now since June and cannot wait for the SX version to get out on the lots i know ill be camping there if i have to to be the first to test drive that car
September 29th, 2009 at 5:12 am
I think the car looks very smart and confortable in the inside.
October 12th, 2009 at 6:59 pm
Hello Andre,
First of all, we are very sorry for our late answer.
About your question, we haven’t decided to provide 2.0L Turbocharger engine for Cerato (Forte) Koup.
Thanks,
Colin
October 12th, 2009 at 7:02 pm
Hello John,
We are really sorry for late answer.
A 6-speed transmission is on the radar for Cerato (Forte) & Cerato (Forte) Koup.
Thanks,
Colin
October 12th, 2009 at 7:08 pm
Hello Jerred,
Installation a spoiler for Cerato (Koup) hasn’t been decided yet.
Due to the Cerato (Forte) Koup’s design, it might be difficult to install a spoiler at trunk lid.
If you take a look at the Cerato (Forte) Koup’s trunk lid where the place a spoiler would be installed, you might understand why it’s difficult.
Thanks!
Colin
October 12th, 2009 at 8:57 pm
Thanks kia buzz , great work kia .
i loved the Koup & i wanted to know if it’s coming to the middle east market where i live in Dubai, U.A.E or not ?
and if the answer is yes , is there a specific date ?
October 26th, 2009 at 8:54 am
Hello A.Jaber,
We are very sorry for our late reply to your comment.
The Cerato Koup will be launched in UAE. We are not sure the specific date yet, but it might happen in December this year.
Thanks,
Colin
November 7th, 2009 at 4:22 am
I’m Canadian and bought a Forte Koup EX with a Moon roof and I still love it after just a few months. My only thing I’m not impressed with is the 4 gear auto, it should come with a 5 speed. I only zip around the city so I guess it really doesnt matter too much. The 2.0 Liter engine has just the perfect pep for day to day driving so “Good job Kia!!”
One question, Is kia going to offer an AFTERMARKET turbo? That would be great!! Maybe something with 6 to 8 pounds of boost to kick it up to 180 or 190 horsepower with out straining the engine too much? If the turbo would be considered, would be be sold by independant vendors or sold directly by Kia?
Thank you!
December 17th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
love it…..
btw..when is it gonna launch in malaysia?
can’t wait….got ot have it…
the sedan have been launched here last month with an overwhelming response.