Kia Forte Koup SX-R is Canadian-only hot ticket item

The Kia Forte Koup is a great little car, (we would know, we just spent a week with one, review coming soon!) and apparently, it's a sales hit with the younger demographic. It's not hard to see why; it looks fantastic, starts at under $20,000 and is available with a 173 hp 2.4 liter engine.

In a move that's sure to put even bigger smiles on said younger demographic, Kia has announced the Forte Koup SX-R that piles on the accessories, making an already attractive little coupe even more head-turning and even a little faster!

Unfortunately for all you south of the border folks, you'll have to make a little trip to Canada if you like the looks of this new offering, because it is exclusively available in Canada for the time being. Canadian Kia dealers are taking pre-orders now and will start selling the accessories to current and new Koup SX owners in mid-May. So what's in the R package?

Well, to improve the look of the car, a new front chin spoiler, side skirts and rear lip spoiler enhance the bodywork, while chrome 'R' badges detail the body and 'R' badged door sills greet you upon entry. This gives the car a subtle, more aggressive stance and is certain to induce stares from Civic Nation.

Performance and handling is modestly revised as well, with an AEM performance drop-in air filter and axle-back exhaust system thrown into the mix. The handling revisions include Eibach Pro lowering springs, dropping the car 1.3 inches and stiffening the ride, which we would suggest it didn't really need. Up front, an upper strut brace holds things together for the corner-carving set along with attractive Europa 18 inch wheels wrapped with Yokohama S-Drive performance tires.

Pricing for the R package is unknown, but pre-orders are starting now at Canadian Kia dealers. If you're already rocking a new Koup SX and would like to step up your game, cruise on over to any dealer and reference accessory bulletin AY10 007.

And for you Americans, we're pretty sure the dealers here would be willing to sell the R package to you as well, if they have any left over.

Check out the high res pics below.

[Source: Autoguide.com]

Comments

[themarty]

Really sweet 2002 Audi A4 side sills combined with a 2006 Mitsubishi EVO front end.

[Maymar]

Well, it's got the headlights off the Canada-only Acura CSX, any chance it's got anything from the Canada-only (or rather, not available in the US) TVR Griffin?

Seriously though, it looks pretty cool, and I look forward to the review of its plainer sibling.

[themarty]

TVR Griffin!!!. What the hell on this Korean poo is similar to a TVR (apart from the poor build quality)?

[McDarwin]

@ themarty - Let me guess... you work for GM and the last Korean car you actually drove or know anything about was the Hyundai Excel you got when you turned 16.. and I guess people really like poor build quality nowadays, given that 2 of the 3 automakers to post sales gains in Canada last year were.. (gasp!) Korean!

[CDF]

@ themarty - maybe the last Korean car you drove was the 2010 Chevy Aveo. Now that's Korean poo.