Kia Canada reveals all-new 2014 Forte compact sedan and refreshed 2014 Sorento Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) at Montreal

Kia Canada reveals all-new 2014 Forte compact sedan and refreshed 2014 Sorento Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) at Montreal International Auto Show

    --  All-new 2014 Forte sedan offers upscale features, a sleek
        European-inspired design while being longer, lower and wider
        than the previous generation
    --  Redesigned 2014 Sorento Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) welcomes an
        all-new platform, powertrain, sophisticated styling cues and
        significant enhancements to ride, handling and comfort

 

MONTREAL, Jan. 17, 2013 /CNW/ - Kia Canada Inc. hosted the Canadian reveals of 
the all-new 2014 Forte compact sedan and the redesigned 2014 Sorento SUV at 
the Montreal International Auto Show. Both vehicle nameplates are an integral 
part of the Kia Canada product portfolio, accounting for over a third of the 
brand's national sales. The all-new 2014 Forte sedan blends definitive 
exterior styling, a refined modern interior and state-of-the-art technology 
with new levels of performance and safety. The 2014 Sorento SUV brings more 
refinement, increased power and cutting-edge technology to the highly 
competitive crossover market. Both vehicles are expected to arrive at 
dealership across Canada in Spring 2013.

"The all-new 2014 Forte and redesigned 2014 Sorento will provide Canadian's 
two diverse products that continue to exceed our customers' expectations in 
every way," said Maria Soklis, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer 
(COO), Kia Canada Inc. "Both nameplates have historically been recurrent sales 
successes in the Kia Canada portfolio, and with the significant enhancements 
we expect these two world-class vehicles to continue to resonate with 
Canadians."

All-new 2014 Forte sedan:

The 2014 Forte arrives with a bold new style, a host of features and a new 
powertrain line-up that come together to complete a well-rounded package.

Designed to Impress:

Beginning with the 2014 Forte's prominent, eye-catching wide-body design, the 
vehicle extends longer, wider and lower than the outgoing model with the 
wheels dramatically placed on the outside corners, increasing the wheelbase. 
The sleek hood line flows elegantly down to the latest iteration of Kia's 
signature grille, flanked with available distinctive LED positioning lights 
and unique available high-intensity discharge (HID) headlights. Along the 
sides, the new Forte sedan displays what Peter Schreyer, President of Hyundai, 
Kia Design Center, calls "dynamic muscularity". You can see it clearly in the 
wind-swept roofline and the strong character lines that flow along the doors 
of this exciting new generation of Forte. The all-new Forte will be offered 
with 15-inch steel wheels on the base trim, and available 16-inch and 
machine-finished 17-inch alloy wheels on higher trims, each accentuating the 
exterior lines of the vehicle differently. Wraparound, multi-dimensional 
available LED frosted taillights characterize the Forte sedan's new style, 
while the aerodynamically designed trunk delivers sporty sophistication.

All-new Powertrain:

The Forte sedan's sporty and elegant styling is matched by its performance. 
Two new engines are available for the 2014 model year: a 1.8-litre 
four-cylinder engine rated at 148-horsepower, available with a six-speed 
manual or six-speed automatic transmission, and a 2.0-litre Gasoline Direct 
Injection (GDI) engine producing 173-horsepower, available with a six-speed 
Steptronic automatic transmission. The 2.0-litre GDI engine will offer 
available steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters. The 2014 Forte sedan will 
feature Flex Steer electric power steering - a system that allows the driver 
to select a steering setting - Comfort, Normal and Sport - to match their 
driving style. Together with a stiffer body, a re-tuned suspension system and 
the new, wider stance, the Forte becomes a fun-to-drive vehicle, more than 
ever.

Welcoming Interior:

The interior of the new Forte is inspired by nature's ebbs and flows, with 
available soft-touch materials lending an elegant feel to the cabin. Standard 
features include Bluetooth® hands-free connectivity, satellite radio, power 
windows and locks, AUX/USB inputs, trip computer, a tilt and telescopic 
steering wheel with wheel-mounted audio controls. The Forte's occupants are 
also welcome to a host of available luxury features. Available soft-touch 
materials are an impressive hint at luxury leading to an available top-grain 
leather steering wheel and shift knob, which matches the available leather 
seating. Other available luxurious options include: automatic climate control, 
air ionizer, enhanced LCD/TFT Supervision cluster, smart key push button 
start/stop, proximity puddle lighting, navigation, 10-way power memory heated 
and cooled ventilated driver seat, heated rear seats, rear air ventilation and 
a heated steering wheel.

Safety and Technology:

Additionally, the new Forte sedan's stiffer body contributes to its safety, 
with the extensive use of high-strength steel to reinforce the cabin area. Six 
standard airbags, a four-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Brake 
Assist Control (BAS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Hill Assist Control 
(HAC) and standard Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) that automatically 
intervenes when it senses understeer or oversteer, all help to ensure the 
utmost safety of the vehicle's occupants. The Forte sedan welcomes Kia's next 
generation platform of UVO, termed "UVO 2.0", which includes software 
refinements.

The Forte will prove to be a cut above competitors with its enhancements 
throughout its all-new exterior, interior, performance, safety and technology.

Redesigned 2014 Sorento SUV

The redesigned Georgia-built 2014 Sorento SUV has undergone significant 
change, with a new look, upgraded interior packed with impressive technology 
and an all-new powerful V6 engine proving that the exterior beauty runs more 
than skin deep. The 2014 Sorento arrives with all-new front and rear styling, 
enhanced interior design and a new available engine.

Muscular Exterior:

The fresh look of Sorento begins at the front with a new bumper and new 
lighting designs. Restyled headlights feature available integrated LED 
positioning lights, available HID headlights and vertical-style fog lights. 
Along the side, the Sorento offers a choice of new 17- and 18-inch alloy 
wheels or a 19-inch chrome wheel design. At the rear, a new tailgate, now 
available with a power open/close function, is flanked by new taillights and 
vertical red reflectors that mirror the shape and positioning of the front fog 
lights. The tail lights on the range-topping model will incorporate the same 
LED frosted look as found on the all-new 2014 Forte, adding a premium finish. 
The rear end of Sorento is capped off with an available spoiler, adding a 
sporty flair to the vehicle.

Potent Powertrain:

The proven 2.4-litre gasoline direct injection (GDI) four-cylinder engine 
continues on as the standard engine on the LX model. For 2014, an all-new 
available 3.3-litre GDI V6 can be found in the Sorento, delivering an 
estimated 290 horsepower and 252 pound-feet of torque - more than the 
3.5-litre V6 it replaces. Ride and handling benefit from enhanced front and 
rear suspension systems with dynamic dampers, reengineered subframes and 
bushings. A new, available Flex Steer electric power steering system allows 
the driver to select a steering setting - Comfort, Normal or Sport.

Refined Interior:

The 2014 Sorento's enhanced interior is a pleasing blend of improved 
ergonomics and comfort refinement, advanced technology and redesigned surfaces 
that reflect Kia's design leadership. Heated front seats are standard on all 
Sorento models and are joined by new, available heated second-row seats. For 
those who enjoy the experience of open-air driving, the 2014 Sorento is 
available with a new, larger panoramic sunroof that lends an even airier feel 
to the cabin. Comfort has always been a strong point with Sorento. That 
continues on the 2014 model and begins with extensive use of sound-isolating 
technologies and insulation materials to help keep road, engine and wind noise 
to a minimum.

Similar to the outgoing model, Sorento will be available in five and seven 
passenger configurations. The new platform provides more legroom for 
second-row passengers, and for third-row occupants in seven-passenger models. 
The 2014 Sorento's enhanced interior is a pleasing blend of improved 
ergonomics and comfort refinement, advanced technology and redesigned surfaces 
that reflect Kia's design leadership.

Safety and Technology:

Safety for the 2014 Sorento has also been enhanced, as a full complement of 
six airbags continue as standard equipment. These are joined by a new, 
standard Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) system that automatically 
intervenes in understeer and oversteer conditions, and an available blind-spot 
detection system to warn if a vehicle is in the "blind spot" when signaling 
lane changes. For the driver, available refinements include an all-new colour 
LCD instrument cluster with analog gauges and the latest generation "UVO 2.0" 
Powered by Microsoft® infotainment system, similar to the all-new 2014 Forte 
sedan - providing hands-free, voice-activated control of Bluetooth®. UVO 
includes a centre-stack LCD touch screen that doubles as the rearview-camera 
monitor. Also available is an all-new navigation system.

The 2014 Forte sedan and Sorento SUV will be on display at Kia Canada's 
Montreal International Auto Show pavilion from January 18 - 27, 2013, at the 
Palais des congrès de Montreal, level 7.

Kia Canada Inc. (www.kia.ca - www.facebook.com/kiacanada) a maker of quality 
vehicles for the young-at-heart is a subsidiary of Kia Motors Corporation 
(KMC) which was founded in 1999 and sells and services high quality, class 
leading vehicles like the Soul, Forte, Optima and Sorento through a network of 
180 dealers nationwide. Kia Canada Inc. employs 161 people in its Mississauga, 
Ontario headquarters and four regional offices across Canada, with an all-new 
state-of-the-art facility to open in Montreal shortly. Kia's brand slogan "The 
Power to Surprise" represents the company's global commitment to surprise the 
world by providing exciting & inspiring experiences that go beyond 
expectations.

Cathy Laroche  Public Relations Manager  Kia Canada Inc.  T: 514.554.6415 
C: 514.554.0843 E: claroche@kia.ca

Daniel Ponzini  Public Relations and Events Coordinator  Kia Canada Inc.  
T: 905.755.6414 C: 647.462.8986 E: dponzini@kia.ca 

SOURCE: KIA Canada Inc.

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CO: KIA Canada Inc.
ST: Quebec
NI: AUT SHOW NP 

-0- Jan/17/2013 15:00 GMT