FORTE AWARDED ‘CAR OF THE YEAR’ BY POPULAR US-BASED ONLINE AUTOMOTIVE RESOURCE
Kuala Lumpur, December 8, 2009 - The 2010 all-new Kia Forte was recently named “Car of the Year” by US-based vehicle information website, NADAguides.com due to its attractive styling, value and extensive list of class-leading features.
The Kia Forte was earlier awarded by NADAguides.com as “Car of the Month” for the month of August and was chosen ahead of eight other vehicles for the Car of the Year honour.
NADAguides.com’s Car of the Month programme provides consumers in the US with useful commentary, information and reviews on new cars, trucks and SUVs and showcases vehicles that offer impressive fuel economy, safety features and amenities.
“Not many cars can boast a full package when it comes to design features, price, performance and fuel economy, but the Forte leaves a lasting impression with all that and more,” said Michael Caudill, automotive expert for NADAguides.com.
The 2010 Forte was launched by Naza Kia Sdn Bhd, a unit of the Naza Group, in November and has already received a positive response from Malaysian consumers.
“In Malaysia, the initial response to the Forte has been overwhelming, mirroring its debut in other countries. This Car of the Year award won by the Forte is further testament to the superiority of its design, quality, safety and performance over its competitors,” said SM Nasarudin SM Nasimuddin, Joint Group Executive Chairman of the Naza Group.
The all-new 2010 Forte’s Car of the Year award from NADAguides.com is the second such award it has picked up this year. In June, the Forte was awarded “Best Model of the Year” at the Frost & Sullivan Asia Pacific Automotive Awards.
In Malaysia, Naza Kia is offering the all new Forte in either a 1.6L or 2.0L variant. For the 1.6L model, consumers are given the choice of either the entry level EX variant or the higher specification SX variant.
The Forte 1.6L EX, priced at RM75,800.00, features dual airbags, anti-lock braking system (ABS), 15-inch wheels, active headrests, electronic chromic mirrors and a radio/CD player with USB iPod connectivity.
The higher specification Forte 1.6L SX, which is priced at RM81,800.00, features, among others, an electronic stability control package which comprises electronic brake- force distribution, cornering brake control, brake assist system, traction control system and anti-lock braking system.
Other features include 17-inch alloy wheels, a six-CD changer with iPod connectivity, an iPod cable, UV cut glass, push start ignition, smart key system and full auto air- conditioning system.
Both the Forte 1.6L EX and SX are fitted with a four-cylinder 1,591 cc DOHC CVVT petrol engine that delivers an output of 124 PS at 6,300 rpm and 156 Nm of torque at 4,200 rpm and are mated to a four-speed automatic transmission with shiftronic. Published fuel consumption figures (combined urban and extra-urban) for the Forte 1.6EX and SX are 7-litres and 7.1-litres per 100km respectively.
The Forte 2.0L SX variant features a four-cylinder 1,998 cc DOHC CVVT petrol engine with an output of 156 PS at 6,200 rpm and 194.2 Nm of torque at 4,300 rpm.
The Forte 2.0L SX, priced at RM93,800.00, comes with all of the features in the Forte 1.6L SX variant as well as side and curtain airbags, motor-driven power steering, leather seats and a rear parking assist system. It comes with the same four-speed automatic transmission with shiftronic that is fitted in the Forte’s 1.6L variants. The combined urban and extra-urban fuel consumption for the 2.0L SX is 7.8 litres per 100 km.