Actually, apart from the engine, there is no much difference between 1.6 and 2.0.
The additional specs found in the 2.0 are as follows:

1) Lip spoiler
2) Electronic Sunroof
3) 4.2 Inch TFT LCD color on instrument cluster. 1.6 one is dot matrix black & white.
4) Leather seat.
5) Air-ventilated seats.
6) HID head lights

This post has been edited by Buydirect: May 27 2013, 05:19 PM

1.6 Gamma MPI, max power 130 ps
2.0 Nu MPI, max power 161 ps.

I do not know and can't verify the prices in US for outgoing Forte and new K3 model.

However, I disagree on your notion that Naza is pricing the car higher simply because of greed.
The price increase in the new Cerato (K3) is justified as Naza has incorporated the following new specs, which are not found in the current Forte. Let's look at the 1.6L model for this study

1) New Dual CVVT Engine
2) Flex steer with 3 driving modes
3) Puddle lamp, pocket lighting
4) 6 airbags
5) Auto Cruise
6) Rear seat aircon vent
7) Motor Driven Power steering
8) Chrome belt line molding
9) Sliding center armrest
10) 4.2 inch dot matrix instrument cluster
11) 10 way power driving seat
12) Memory seat
13) Dual mode aircon
14) improved aerodynamics with rear under cover and air deflectors
15) Improvement in NVH, high noise absorption padding
16) Vehicle Stability Management

All these and numerous other improvement/enhancement to the body and class leading technologies which are even too technical to explain. Can we seriously ask for all these features and yet expect Naza to sell at the same price as Forte?

He should have advertised 89K, so it looks cheaper....afterall it is BS anyway.

"Improvement" is a very broad word. A new design itself, (without new technologies and spec) is also an improvement. Even a facelift, is an improvement. I would have to agree with you if this model is just a facelift of the current Forte, and not an entirely new one from ground up with at least 30 enhancements or new specs.

A case in point, when Naza launched the recent facelifted Next Gen Sorento, with 33 enhancements, they did not increase the price. So much for being greedy?

I do not know, if the tax/duty structure had a hand in the % of the price increase. If could be, since it is no longer batched as Naza. Just my 2cents.

Yes, it's foldable, of course.

You need to renew it anyway. Even you have already booked the Cerato, it will take some time before you actually get the delivery. You won't get it instantly, that s for sure.

What you will loose is the road tax cost, as you cannot reclaim from the buyer. Road tax is usually minimum only for small cc cars. But for the motor insurance, you can cancel it later when you get the new car, and the insurance company will refund it to you in pro-rate basis, so you don't loose much.

Cheers!

Yes, Forte will be replaced by Cerato, that's official. As to whether there is going to be a price dumping exercise to clear Forte like what Vios is doing, I hate to disappoint you guys but I don't think so. Cerato 1.6 is at a different price bracket, 95-99K range, whereas Forte is sub 85K. Besides, there aren't many Forte stock left, so stock clearance with massive discounting is highly unlikely. That is why the new model is called Cerato, and not Forte or Forte K3, to enable both models to sell alongside one another, until the Forte stock runs out by itself.

As a matter of fact, I am confident there will still be a demand for Forte even after Cerato is launched. They will always be buyers who like the design of the Forte over Cerato. Actually, I would be pleased if Naza does not discontinue the Forte model, as I believe they will be always a market looking for a model of good value like what Forte offers. In addition, a lot of buyers have a certain limit to their repayment capacity per month, such as 10% down payment at RM830 per month. With the Cerato, one needs to pay at least 990 to 1K per month.

Launching as KIA and rebatching to Naza later with price deduction is now a thing of the past. Naza has learned not to repeat the mistakes of Cardinal/Ria or Carens/Citra which affected the RV and consumer confidence.

KIA has moved on from the days of the old Spectra, with quality issues and poor resale value. And moved on well it sure has. I am sure if you have attended some ceramah during the PRU13, you would hv heard about how the Korean GDP has improved over that of Malaysia, which is a reflection of the pace of development, economy and improvement on their products over the past 10-15 years.

Just to draw a parallel comparison, those days, one would sweat and think twice about buying a Samsung TV or fridge or a mobile phone. Today, they are at the forefront of new technologies and are the among the best sellers, surpassing the likes of Sony, Toshiba and other Jap brands.

Sadly, some old perception on Korean cars remain. If and unless you drive a Forte and experience it first hand, I don't think your comment is a fair one.

Did you take a picture? Usually, Naza would taped up any new model and would not show it openly on the road before launching. It's quite a surprise if they did.

Do paste the picture over here too....

Kia Cerato Fan Club Malaysia
https://www.facebook.com/groups/505229226198556/

Thanks!

Naza won't be offering this low spec Cerato. This unit is used by the service centre for road test only, that's what I was made to understand.