just booked my 1.6 sx 6 speed auto @ serdang branch. Just for everyone's reference, here are the new spec list for the Forte Facelift (FL):

1.6 EX:
- 6 Speed
- Antilock braking system (ABS)
- 16" Allow Wheels (UP from previous 15" Steel)
- Rear Disc Brake
- Dual Airbags
- Active Headrest
- Front foglamps
- Audio System with CD Player/MP3/USB/Ipod with 6 speakers
- LED Side Repeaters (I think this is side signals)
- Eletronic Chromic Mirror
- Air Cond
- Reverse Sensor

1.6 SX / 2.0 SX (Addon from above):
- 6 speed with paddle shifters (new for 1.6 and 2.0 sx)
- Electronic stability control (ESC)
- Eletronic Brake force distribution (EBD)
- Cornering brake control (CBC)
- Brake assist system (BAS)
- Traction control system (TCS)
- 17" Allows
- CD Changer
- Bluetooth connectivity
- UV Cut Glass
- Leather Steering Wheel
- LED Side Mirror With auto-folding (NEW In 1.6 & 2.0 SX) - Basically a button to press to fold/unfold the side mirrors
- Telescopic steering
- Keyless entry system
- Electronic chromic mirror
- Full auto aircond
- Rear parking assist system
- Button start/stop & smart key system
- Reverse camera & Display (new in 1.6 & 2.0 sx) - Reverse camera appears in rear view mirror, takes up half of the rearview mirror and has a display (3 "boxes") to indicate the distance between your car rear and the object behind it.

2.0 SX Only:
- Side & curtain airbags
- Leather seats
- Motor driven power steering
- Auto cruise control

That's about it. The new features for the FL are worth the extra 4k plus the 6 speed gearbox. The gearbox looks however are not as nice as the previous 4 speed AND the front grille of the new forte FL is also not as nice looking. The older grille is more "inner" bevel while the new FL is more "outer" bevel. Not so sure if this is the correct way to describe. Go to the showroom to check it out, you'll know what i mean.

Rather than put down the full specs, can you briefly list down the EXTRAS from the previous model and the current price?

---

Added on February 2, 2011, 2:09 pmRather than put down the full specs, can you briefly list down the EXTRAS from the previous model and the current price?

This post has been edited by cybermaster98: Feb 2 2011, 02:09 PM

Cybermaster98 - Sure. Here it is:

- 6 Speed auto transmission with paddle shifters (1.6 SX & 2.0 SX only)
- New Gearbox design (not so nice design compared to older one)
- LED Repeaters / Side Mirrors with auto-folding (not really consider auto, but need to press button to fold/unfold).
- Reverse Camera & Display

That's about it that i can recall as new features, the rest are minor cosmetics like chrome added here and there, those i'm not sure what's added, but the above are the new major features.

UPDATE: New price is 4-5k extra from current price. Approx 78.8k (1.6 EX), 85.8k (1.6 SX) and 97.8k (2.0 SX).

---

Added on February 2, 2011, 3:04 pmFor those interested to see how the new grille looks like, you can check it out towards the end of this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdxVgJVVo6E

This post has been edited by CyberKewl: Feb 2 2011, 03:04 PM

Hi guys, just a quick question. Does Forte FL features the latest 1.6 GDI engine? or still maintains the old one? Thanks.

i notice, the face-lift forte fog lamps are slightly different...

Old one..our petrol not good enuf got GDI

Ah..foglamp also got diff from old one, new one is slightly longer/larger.

Went to the Bangsar showroom and tested the 2.0 FL. What can I say, the car is really responsive from low down, but tapers off towards redline. This is unlike my current Civic FD which pulls strongly all the way to redline. Then again, my FD has already been de-cat, so not a fair comparison lol... Although my FD pulls strongly, I can definitely feel that the Forte 2.0 is more powerful (duh!). I was sceptical at first because numbers on paper may not be truthful and my recent test of the 4-speed 1.6 SX left a lot to be desired in the performance department.

One thing I must say is that the door and dash trims look too plasticky but I guess at less than RM100k one shouldn't complain haha.

Overall I'm quite happy with the performance. Now the hard part, changing my booking from a Pug 308 THP to this The Pug SA is gonna be pi$$ed but what the heck la, my money my prerogative.

This post has been edited by gregy: Feb 3 2011, 12:13 AM

bro I'm more than happy to swap the grille with you .......... !

You sure ah?? Hahaha..if you're not joking then when I get my car and we'll see how it goes and arrange for a swap, provided it is possible depending on the size still matching or not.

I want too

Kia Australia is testing the waters. Only 1000 units are available so far and despite Kia being a comparatively low-volume seller it will still lead to a pretty long wait should one choose to buy it now.

It's reported that Kia will eventually bring in lower spec models (Si and SLi) which is more or less equivalent to the LX and EX of other regions. That would prove to be more interesting since the Platinum (basically a SX with sport kit but no GPS) already undercuts rivals by around $3000, the lower spec models should be around the low $30K mark.

The 2.0 turbo would be the flagship should they choose to bring it in, but that would put in within the realm of Accord V6s or Aurions (V6 Camrys) which isn't as huge a seller as the typical D-segment cars (2.4L).

Whatever model they choose to bring into Australia, it only further proves that Korean carmakers are already on par with Japanese ones. The Germans are undoubtedly the benchmark for technology - Japs and Koreans still lag behind the top German marques for engine performance and refinement; although design wise VW's new styling direction as shown in the new Jetta and Passat is more boring than watching paint dry.

Which comes to the southeast Asian market especially in M'sia where Naza has the option to bring it in as a pseudo-CKD to bring the price down. Put the lower EX spec at RM120K and it would be much more attractive, although there's always the concern that badge-snobs who are able to afford that amount would still prefer to fork out slightly more for a Japanese make. Price it too high then people might scoff at it, although the local market's warming towards the Japanese-priced Sonata may prove optimistic for Kia/Naza.

I miss my car I'm in Thailand now! Until now no forte/KIA/hyundai cars spotted.. All japanese brand only! T/H floods the roads of thailand

U've missed 1 more new feature..the handphone bluetooth connectivity with the audio system that also come with control buttons on the steering spoke

yup overlooked that one, didnt realised it was a new feature in FL until yesterday. So looks like all in all, quite a decent amount of new stuff for the extra 4-5k. Pretty worth it!

wow ...cyberkewl...own android app?? nice....will try out...
btw, i love my forte too much, not willing 2 trade in, even hw many times FL..

Haha yeah I write my own android apps, not for Forte though, just some utilities for the greatest mobile OS ever made. I might write one for MFC, who knows

yea, i wonder can u write a dyno program for my galaxy 5.....
erm, do u knw hw 2 flash galaxy 5 to 2.2 froyo?
i try do it but fail...

---

Added on February 4, 2011, 10:56 amanything useful applications for forte, will help...
when i get back home(alor setar), i gonna download papago X5/M7(dunno which 1 better)....got fully cracked version...for nw, i nid GPS booster full version(cracked)

This post has been edited by XionCity: Feb 4 2011, 10:56 AM

MyForteClub wishes you Gong Xi Fa Cai!!!

This post has been edited by saimatkong: Feb 4 2011, 11:52 AM

Dyno program..haha..i think a bit out of my league..maybe do something simple like a program that can display the club's next TT date location, etc...direct forum access from app, promotions, etc.