Gearbox wise, just don't expect too much with the Forte's box as it's probably one of the downsides to this otherwise brilliant package. Without the shiftronic, you'd want to kick its arse to get it moving. I'm using shiftronic full time now, the full auto mode is just too sluggish in up/downshifting.
Forte's auto gear box is dumb in the sense that it upshifts too early from 2nd to 3rd once the speed hits 30-40kmh mark and the torque dip kicks in... the lag is very significant to the extent of annoying. Downshifting has a problem as well - try turning 90degree corners at speeds >40kmh and you'll notice that the box struggles to decide whether to downshift to 2nd gear or maintain in 3rd. Most of the time it'll stay in 3rd but once you exit the corner you'll get the torque dip again. What I normally do is brake hard early, downshift to 2nd, and accelerate + upshift once exiting the corner.
Using shiftronic to upshift from 2nd to 3rd when your speed hits 50kmh (and at 65-70kmh for 3rd to 4th) will maintain acceleration much better, although keep doing that your FC will suffer.
Having said that, the shiftronic mode is quite sensitive that if you upshift at the wrong rpm or upshift when you're pressing the gas hard, it'll shriek loudly for a split second as the tacho needle shoots up like an amateur does using a manual box.
There is an ECU upgrade available by Kia to improve the autobox, but not sure whether it is available in Msia, or Australia for now. Should be.
I'm actually too used to the 2.0L's acceleration now that I don't feel that it's as quick as before... Want 2.4L now or the Optima's 2.0GDI Turbo.
hopefully Kia will get the ECU upgrade available to us soon......our 1.6 lagi felt the torque dip....
Apr 21 2010, 10:03 PM
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