Kia K3 Koup

Last year, Kia Motors shocked the world when their newest medium sedan, the K3, broke cover in the Autumn and served as the replacement to the Forte. Well, in some countries, the K3 was sold as either this, the Forte, or the Cerato. It maybe available only in sedan but for 2013, the K3 range expands with two additional body styles such as the hatchback called K3 EURO (to come out late this year) and then this...

2014 Kia K3 Koup

Debuted since the 2013 New York Auto Show, the new generation KOUP, now based on the K3, features European styling and performance to match with the 1.6 Turbo GDi engine. Wait, did you say turbo? Well, since the new model's turbocharged, the K3 KOUP is officially THE MOST POWERFUL KOUP EVER. Amazingly, this is the sort of engine as expected from the Veloster Turbo and let's explain why this new model's turbocharged.

2014 Kia K3 Koup

Well, the brand new 1.6 T-GDi engine offered on the new K3 Koup develops about 204PS of power and 27.0kg-m of torque. With about that stats, that's more powerful than the outgoing model and more importantly, more than the non-turbo model, which you can have one on the entry-level model. In terms of transmission types; you can have either a flappy-paddle gearbox or for the spartan ones, a 6-speed manual gearbox. What luck indeed, a 204PS engine mated with a 6-speed manual is just what this car needs. Although may not be a decent alternative to today's hot hatch, it's still worth trying to impress its owners but sadly, this is a Korean car and Korean cars are harder to impress than its European rivals so it may take some tough love getting to know more about the new KOUP.

To explain what I'm on about, I'm using both the Peugeot 208 GTi and the 2014MY Scion tC as the basis on what's what on the new KOUP. First of all, the new K3 KOUP weighs about 1,305kg or about 2877lbs, meaning that it weighs more than the 208 GTi but a few kilos lighter than the 2014 tC with the manual gearbox on it. Sure, all three have manual gearboxes but let's not forget that this new KOUP got more power than the 208 GTi or the 2014 Scion tC because of its 204PS power output. That seems legit but enough about that, what about how they drive?

2014 Kia K3 Koup interior

Well, if you are in the 208 GTi, it feels a bit more enjoyable thanks to its 3-door shape and its European handling but if you're in the tC, this is a totally different story because it feels a bit harsh in every direction. So, what's like on the new KOUP? Hmmm... Well, it may have the right tools, the right turbo engine for the enthusiasts, the right gearbox for the enthusiasts but let's be honest, this is a bit too odd to drive one even for a Korean-made car like this. It feels a bit rough, the steering's vague, the ride feels like you're in the economy section of Delta Airlines, and overall, it's not quite insane enough to be a "speedo boy" trend-setter. Even when you fickle its FLEX STEER setting to SPORT, it's not quite a "player" even when you thrash this around like a West Side gangster.

So, there we are, the new K3 KOUP. This new model proves that it has the right elements to succeed as a front-wheel drive sportscar rigged with a turbocharged GDi engine and a standard 6-speed manual but for a keen driver, these right elements hasn't been put into use just yet because there's been a long road ahead for the new K3 KOUP.

Available colors: Snow White Pearl, Bright Silver, Racing Red, Abyss Blue, Metal Stream, and Aurora Black Pearl.

Photo: Kia Motors

Welcome Back: 2010 Kia Forte Koup SX

The front face of the Kia Forte Koup

When the Kia Forte Koup featured in FM3, this car served as the first-ever Kia car to be ever featured on the video game. I repeat, THE FIRST EVER KIA TO BE FEATURED ON A VIDEO GAME. That's it. So, the Kia Forte Koup (기아 포르테 쿱), how's it feel for the first ever Kia featured on the video game returned on Forza Motorsport 4? Well, for some reason, I wasn't quite different enough to approach with this car made in Korea but for some Filipinos who love Korean-made cars, they consider to be a bit too soon. Even with its performance-inspired, aggressive and sleek styling, it's nowhere near as good as its rivals such as the Scion tC or even the Honda Civic Si but I am glad that this car does well, brilliantly. Summing up this car then is hard because let's be honest, there are several very good reasons why some didn't get the memo of driving the Kia Forte Koup but there is one very good reason why I should...I LIKE IT!!!

Kia Forte Koup - Forza 3 Owner's View

Are you the Forte Koup GDI?

The first Kia to be made it
on Forza 3!

It may be a Civic Si clone,
but this Korean is worth it!

Final Impressions: Over the years, not even a single Kia car made it on the racing video games not until July 2010 when Forza Motorsport 3 placed the Kia Forte Koup, launched since June 2009, in the World Class Car Pack, making the Kia Forte Koup the first Kia car that made it on the racing video games and Forza 3 was its first to feature this car!

Known in some countries as the Cerato Koup or as the Shuma in China, the Forte Koup is the sportiest Kia ever made to outwit the likes of the USDM Honda Civic Si Coupe, even when the Forte Koup was just a Korean clone car of the USDM Honda Civic Si Coupe! orz

Despite the Kia Forte Koup is not powerful enough, it can be a perfect car to decorate whatever they want. They can also duplicate the Kia Kinetic Motorsports Forte Koup Race Car as well, which can be a bigger deal.

Because the Kia Forte Koup is classified as a sports car, this is the first Kia car that ever made it on the racing games, and Forza Motorsport 3 is the first racing video game to feature this Kia! Congratulations. Looks like the Kia Forte Koup is truly a world class Korean FF sports car after all.