     2012 Kia Forte Koup SX Luxury R Package. Click image to enlarge |
That being said, the suspension is decently smooth for a sporty coupe with upgraded wheels and lower-profile tires. The Koup does feature the Kia/Hyundai rear end shimmy that has plagued their cars over the past few years. With this suspension issue remedied for the likes of the 2013 Genesis Coupe, Elantra GT, and Santa Fe Sport, I am sure the upcoming 2014 Forte will also become wiggle-free. The 225/40R18 Nankang Ultra Sport NS-II tires were surprisingly grippy around corners in both dry and wet. Acceleration grip is not spectacular, but once up to speed and negotiating a high-velocity corner, the tires just held on. The steering is nicely weighted, linear and direct, but feedback only arrives from bumps in the road and engine vibration, not what the wheels are actually doing traction wise. I had to make a guessing game of ‘when would the Nankangs give up grip’.
With the SX version of the Forte Koup selected, the engine increases in size and power to a 2.4L four-cylinder unit developing 173 hp and 168 lb-ft of torque over the base Koup’s 2.0L I4 with 156 hp and 144 lb-ft. Although this is one of Kia’s older, non–direct injection engines, it still pulls well in the lower rpm range. Once in the higher rpms, the engine does begin to run out of steam, especially on the highway. This engine is not a sporty special like the Honda Civic Si 2.0L, Scion FR-S 2.0L, or Hyundai Veloster 1.6L turbo. It is used for pedestrian applications as well and behaves as such. It is not that quick to rev nor is it the best sounding, which is disappointing, considering the ‘R’ package exhaust. This muffler is loud enough to remind you it is there, but not overbearing. There is no highway drone and it won’t get the neighbours calling in complaints on you every time the Forte Koup is fired up.
Sending power to the front wheels is the choice of a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. Thankfully, my sporty coupe came with the sportier option, the six-speed manual. The shifter takes little effort to engage, as does the clutch. Both feel loose, though, and feature too much play for my liking.
The Forte Koup spins along at 2,050 rpm in sixth gear at 100 km/h and 2,450 rpm at 120 km/h. This still isn’t enough to compensate for the large-displacement four-cylinder’s appetite for fuel and a curb weight of 1,341 kg; the compact two-door’s fuel efficiency is officially rated at 9.2 L/100 km in the city and 6.2 L/100 km on the highway. With an exhaust system just begging to make noise, I was only able to achieve an average of 9.8 L/100 km.
What Kia has created with the addition of the ‘R’ package is a Forte Koup to compete with the likes of the Scion tC Release Series and Honda Civic Si HFP in the world of manufacturer-backed tuner specials. This car is clearly marketed towards younger drivers, and 20-year old Mike would gladly rock this car (this is the same 20-year old Mike who had a manual, four-cylinder Alero Coupe lowered and tuned). However, 32-year old Mike is clearly out of this car’s demographic and would feel as appropriate behind the wheel of it on a daily basis as he would at a hot new top-40 dance club. That doesn’t mean either would be any less fun.
Pricing: 2012 Kia Forte Koup SX Luxury w/ R Package
Base price: $24,695
Options: two piece front skirt ($473.83), side skirts ($473.83), flush rear spoiler ($450.45), “R” badge on each fender ($30.25 a piece), “R” branded door sills ($94.95), Koup/Forte performance air filter ($51.48), performance exhaust ($574.65).
A/C tax: $100
Freight: $1,455
Price as tested: $28,429.69
Competitors
2012 Honda Civic Coupe
2013 Hyundai Elantra Coupe
2012 Mini Cooper
2012 Scion tC
2012 Volkswagen Golf
