Daily Archives: January 17, 2018
4 Cool Things We Learned About The 2019 Kia Forte
There’s a lot to say about the 2019 Kia Forte—from its new CVT gearbox down to the technology we can find inside the third-generation sedan. What’s glaringly obvious, though, is that it doesn’t offer the same performance as the Stinger, its big brother, but gained a little bit of what makes the Stinger unique, aesthetics-wise.
Here are four cool things we learned about the Kia Forte based on a report from Motor1:
1. Exterior
By the looks of it, the new Forte will have the Stinger’s set of sweptback headlights and a more aggressive front fascia. It will also have a flowing roof and short rear end, giving it a vague coupe-like appearance, depending on what angle you look at it.
2. Technology
Inside, the Forte is equipped with a standard 8-inch infotainment system with support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The said infotainment system is perched on top of the center stack. But that’s not all there is in the Forte. It can come with an optional driver assistance suite that includes blind-spot warning, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and forward collision avoidance assist. Optional, too, are full LED headlights.
3. Size
The new Forte is bigger than the previous generation, gaining 3.2 inches to bring the overall size to 182.7 inches. The extra room gives the passengers more legroom and a bigger trunk.
4. Powertrains
The Forte boosts of efficiency as it is now available with a 6-speed manual transmission or the company’s own CVT gearbox, which it has branded as the “Intelligent Variable Transmission.” The gearbox is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that runs on the Atkinson Cycle. The combination produces 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque.
The 2019 Kia Forte will be available in three trims: LX, S, and EX. The South Korean company has yet to announce the pricing and the release date for the new sedan, but more details should come shortly.
Top 3 Things To Expect From The New Honda Insight
This 2018, the Honda Insight will once more rise from the ashes. It can be recalled that the Japanese hybrid was discontinued between 2006 and 2009, and again in 2014. But during the Detroit Auto Show, Honda previewed a production model of the third-generation Insight.
1. Conventional Appeal
If you can remember, the first-generation Insight was rather weird-looking. It was a three-door hatchback with hidden rear wheels. The second generation Insight was more conventional with five doors but it is this third-generation Insight that looks to appeal to the masses more. Finally, Honda went with a four-door sedan for its hybrid.
But that’s not to say that the new Honda Insight won’t be as unique as its predecessors. The revised “flying wing” grille gives the sedan a powerful and aggressive look. When it comes to the rear end, apart from the sleek fastback layout, the design is generic and conventional-looking.
2. Modern and Roomy Interior
Compared to the interior of the Insight in the previous generation, this one feels roomier and more modern and classy. There are loads of new tech, too, such as an eight-inch infotainment display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Wi-Fi, and a seven-inch instrument cluster. It is also set to get the Honda LaneWatch, Honda Sensing, Collision Mitigation Braking System, Road Departure Mitigation, Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow, and Traffic Sign Recognition.
3. New Hybrid System
The new Insight will be powered by the latest hybrid technology from the Japanese automaker. The two-motor hybrid system combines the power coming from a 1.5-liter Atkinson-cycle gasoline engine, an electric motor, a starter-generator, and a lithium-ion battery pack.
Estimation puts the Insight to return more than 50 mpg combined, but this figure falls between the Toyota Prius, its main competitor, which has 56 mpg, and the Hyundai Ioniq (58 mpg) and the Chevrolet Volt (46 mpg).
Hyundai Reveals “Hottest Ever Hatch” To The Market Through The Veloster N
Aren’t we all excited what Hyundai has in store for us when it introduced the new N performance sub-brand? Well, here it is in the form of the 2019 Veloster N. It’s not only truly capable on the road, but it looks so good too.
Hyundai has high aspirations when it comes to producing the “hottest hatch ever,” and it horsepower, thanks to its turbocharged inline-4 engine and sportier chassis, it also has a more aggressive look. Overall, the new hatchback from the South Korean automaker falls somewhere between sport compacts such as Volkswagen Golf GTI and Honda Civic Si and the more powerful Golf R and Civic Type R.
If you are familiar with the Europe-only market i30 N, the Veloster N almost looks similar to that. It is, in fact, available in the same Performance Blue paint with red trims on the front fascia and side skirts. The colors black, red, and white are also available. There’s an N badge on the grille, making sure everyone knows you’re not driving just any Hyundai out there.
The power is coming from a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four that can produce up to 275 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, almost the same figures with the i30 N. This engine is paired with a 6-speed manual transmission while an electronically controlled limited-slip differential is optional equipment.
Enthusiasts will also be welcoming a slew of new performance features such as adaptive dampers, launch-control capability, automatic rev matching, and a variable exhaust. There are five driving modes, including an “N” that is meant for the race track.
Like the idea of large wheels? You can choose between an 18-inch base wheel wrapped in 225-series Michelin Pilot Super Sport performance tires and an optional 19-inch wheel has wider, 235-series Pirelli P Zero rubber.
There are no pricing details yet, but we’ll expect the Veloster N to play in the range of $25,000 to $30,000.
Photo Source: Autoblog