To most, the words “Type R” will instantly bring up thoughts of Civics, Integras, NSX and other Hondas. The South Korean at Kia are working on changing this.
Introducing the Kia Forte Koup Type R.
Using inspiration from the Koups that competed in the Grand-Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge last year, Kia, in partnership with Kinetic Motorsports, developed this matte grey sports version of their stylish two door.
Featured at the SEMA 2010, the Type R comes with a sleek spoiler, and mostly a widebody that enhances the already seducing lines of the Koup, turning the lifestyle-ish coupé into a muscular brawler.
Of course, looks only are far from being sufficient, so the Koup is fitted with big 18-inch BBS RG 18-inch forged aluminum wheels, racing parts for the suspension, a composite clutch disc, a modified braking system and changed gearbox ratios. No details have been given about engine enhancements so far, but, seeing the block, the Koup R will be powered by either the 2L or the 2.4L engine (for the US market).
To complement the package, the interior too has been treated with some racing spirit with improved ergonomics for the driver such as custom seats and doors, a short shifter provided by Kinetic Motorsports, carbon fiber inserts and new pedals.
Now let’s hope it reaches our shores…
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- The Inspiration: the Grand-Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge Kia Koup
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Tags: Continental Tire, Forte, GRAND-AM, Kia, Kinetic Motorsports, Koup, SEMA, Sports Car Challenge, Type R |
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THIS is the way a Koup should be… Kia and Kinetic bringing the style!
Very nice… Is this going to be in SG soon?
@CH Goh, unfortunately it is hard to say for the moment. The fact that this Koup Type R was developed by Kia USA in partnership with Kinetic Motorsports, which is an American tuning house, might mean that, if it reaches production (foreseeing a limited number run), they will keep this baby for themselves… let’s hope not!
Now that sounds like the right formula that the Koreans has finally discovered! A stylish car like the Kia Koup fitted with a race-capable engine will certainly make waves in the international motoring scene!! With an additional blower it should certainly be a joy to drive. Hmmm the name Type R though sounds like they borrow it from Honda.
The Koup is not strictly speaking a car that was built from the ground up with “track aspirations” but the Grand Am proves that Kia can be part of the process of creating a competitive platform. Will they really take the next step and form a sport division like the M-Series?
Kia needs something like this. YESSSS!
If only they made this in quantity, Kia needs something like this!
[...] R type koup pictures Kia Forte Koup Type R | 8flo Automotive [...]
What a piece of crap!!!….. HAHAHA Type R….. KIA????….. it makes me laugh….
Kia’s actually come quite a way… there was a time in the past when people used to assume that Japanese cars were rubbish, but through the years, the Japanese manufactures have done a lot to change such opinions. Right now, I think that it’s fair to say that brands like Honda have done a lot to earn kudos for their brand and monikers such as “Type-R” are revered the world over. Companies like Kia, in the meanwhile, are by comparison, still starting out, so let’s see how they do over the coming years, shall we?